‘Edgy’ Tim: The area’s top Class of 2028 prep football players

With the IHSA football season just more than a month away, it's time to preview several of the top prospects to watch this season.

Here’s a look at the area’s top Class of 2028 recruits.

Grant Bowen, ATH, IC Catholic Prep

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound son of former Glenbard West, Iowa and NFL safety Matt Bowen is a four-star ranked athlete according to Rivals.com. He’s also the 23rd best recruit in the nation in the Class of 2028. Bowen is holding multiple Power 4 offers and is planning to make game-day visits this fall to Iowa and Notre Dame along with Miami, Fla., Indiana, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Bowen offers high-level athleticism, versatility and football IQ.

Eliaz Egbe, DE, Palatine

Egbe, 6-2 and 200 pounds, is quickly moving up multiple recruiting rankings this summer. Egbe holds offers from Illinois, Iowa State and Boston College. His overall quickness, athletic tools and upside made a strong impression on college coaches this past spring. He has also been in contact with coaches from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Kansas State, Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Look for Egbe's early-season game tape to attract looks from multiple Power 4 schools this fall.

Jameer Miles, LB, Carmel Catholic

Miles, a 6-4, 190-pound four-star linebacker in the latest Rivals.com prospect rankings, has off-the-charts physical tools and upside. He might just have the highest ceiling of anyone listed here. Miles holds offers from the likes of Ohio State, Oklahoma, Alabama, Notre Dame and Ole Miss. Once Miles’ early 2026 game video hits the streets this fall, expect multiple Power 4 schools not already involved with him to jump on board.

Kajus Muralis, OT, Waubonsie Valley

Muralis, 6-7 and 255 pounds, has had a very successful spring and summer evaluation period and was able to show his overall potential at various one-day camps. He possesses incredible length and reach while still having room to add much more good weight and strength to his frame. He added a recent offer from Notre Dame, joining early offers from Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State and UCLA. Look for Muralis to make game-day visits this fall to Notre Dame, Iowa, Purdue and Northwestern along with Indiana.

Wyatt VanBoening, OT, Carmel Catholic

VanBoening, 6-7 and 280 pounds, has been at the top of multiple recruiting lists over the past year-plus, and his overall stock continues to soar. VanBoening holds Power 4 offers from Iowa, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Nebraska, Missouri and Tennessee. VanBoening has made visits to Iowa, Notre Dame, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa State and Northwestern. He’s expected to make several game-day visits this coming season.