Countdown to prep football: Nine area juniors to watch

Welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Herald’s countdown to prep football.

Every week we’ll provide insight related to the 2026 football season for teams, players and coaches throughout our coverage area. Due to the IHSA playoff expansion, we’ll reach No. 1 a week earlier than past years because opening night is Aug. 21.

Last week we brought you 10 of the area’s top senior recruits. Picking up where we left off, we’re now looking at nine rising juniors from the area.

One important note … we’re not including quarterbacks this week. We’ll take care of them later in the countdown.

Most of these players are highly recruited, but not all. Regardless, the Class of 2028 looks like it’ll be fun to watch.

Charles Booker, OL, Lake Park

Perhaps no one on this list passes the eye test more than Booker, who checks in at 6-foot-8 and 295 pounds.

Last month he picked up his first scholarship offer, from Kansas State, but more offers are sure to follow. He definitely stood out (pun intended) while dominating the sophomore level last season.

Grant Bowen, ATH, IC Catholic Prep

As the area’s best known member of the Class of 2028, it might be easier to list the colleges that haven’t expressed interest in Bowen. He’s the top-rated athlete in his class in the nation, according to Rivals.

He holds more than two dozen offers, with more seemingly popping up every day. Michigan, West Virginia and North Carolina put their hats in the ring just in the last week.

The one question with Bowen, who stands 6-4 and weighs 220 pounds, is what position will he play at the next level?

Elijah Donahue, RB-DB, Glenbard South

While he had a few interceptions on defense last season, you’ll really want to check him out running the ball. Despite missing time with injury, he still passed the 1,000-yard mark as a sophomore while averaging more than 10 yards a carry.

His numbers from the North Central College camp earlier this month should open eyes, especially his sprints.

Eliaz Egbe, LB, Palatine

The recruiting attention is starting to heat up for Egbe. And his increased strength is starting to show after he earned a fifth-place finish in discus at the Class 3A track and field meet.

April and May were good months for Egbe, 6-2 and 200 pounds, who picked up offers from Illinois and Boston College.

Logan Lennon, RB-WR, Antioch

Another speedster, it’ll be interesting to see how Lennon’s workload develops with the Sequoits this season. He was mainly a running back as a sophomore, rushing for 850 yards, but he also proved dangerous as a receiver.

At 6-1 and 200 pounds, expect Lennon to get defensive reps as well. As for his recruiting stock, expect it to gather steam after he picked up his first offer from Miami (Ohio) earlier this month.

Kajus Muralis, OL, Waubonsie Valley

Muralis is becoming another big-time recruit from the Class of 2028 after receiving offers from Notre Dame, Purdue and Illinois in the last week. Add that to the pile that includes Oklahoma State, UCLA and Wisconsin.

Standing 6-7 and weighing 265 pounds with an 84-inch wingspan, there’s still a lot of room on that frame to turn Muralis into a monster.

Jameer Miles, LB-WR, Carmel

A known player since his freshman season, Miles continues to climb the ranks in the Class of 2028. As it stands now, his many scholarship offers include Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oregon.

Miles, 6-4 and 195 pounds, will see his role expand with the Corsairs. You simply can’t keep a player with his athleticism, size and skill off the field.

Lamar Osterhues, RB, Barrington

Don’t be deceived by his size. Despite standing 5-7, Osterhues is a coveted running back after he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Elusive and tough to hit, Osterhues has Iowa State, Miami (Ohio) and New Mexico among his offers. Add a strong junior season with the Broncos and more offers should flood in.

Wyatt VanBoening, OL, Carmel

The Corsairs — even with Nebraska-bound quarterback Trae Taylor transferring out of state to be closer to the Cornhuskers — remain popular with college coaches thanks to Miles and VanBoening.

VanBoening, 6-7 and 285 pounds, is up to 20 scholarship offers, including virtually the entire Big Ten. He’s already got a college body, but he’s working to fine-tune it in the weight room.