‘Edgy’ Tim O’Halloran: Which area prep football recruits will benefit from early-season video?

Now that the 2026 IHSA football season is fully underway, college coaches across the country now have an important recruiting tool at their disposal.

They have opening-game video of prospects to break down and evaluate. Here are several names I feel could begin to draw increased recruiting attention and, in some cases, from a higher recruiting level.

St. Francis junior WR Gregory Bess-Henning

Bess-Henning (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) transferred from Carmel Catholic to St. Francis and is expected to be a key weapon for the defending Class 5A state champs this season. He has drawn recruiting attention, game-day invites and offers from various FBS and FCS level programs. His overall athletic skills, tools and versatility on the field along with his offseason physical gains should show well on his early season video.

Glenbrook North junior OT Florians Naglins

Truly one of the biggest kids I've seen in person, so passing the all-important eyeball test is a no-brainer for Naglins (6-7, 275 pounds). He already has a handful of Division 1 offers from Arizona State, Florida Atlantic, Toledo and Akron, but he also has multiple Power 4 schools waiting to see his early-season video. Schools such as Illinois, Indiana, Ole Miss and Oklahoma are interested. With a good early showing on video, his offers and interest could easily hit a much higher level this season.

Lake Park junior OT Charles Booker

Booker (6-8, 295 pounds) is in a similar boat as Naglins. Booker has impressive offensive tackle physical tools and he was able to show his ability this spring and summer. He has an offer from Kansas State and plenty of schools are waiting on his early-season video. Schools such as Louisville, Cincinnati and Minnesota are all still showing interest in Booker. Strong video will see Booker's overall recruiting stock take off this fall.

St. Charles North junior TE Payton Urry

Urry (6-6, 230 pounds) holds offers from Iowa State, Miami of Ohio and UConn. He is also a basketball player at North, and those basketball skills plus his impressive height, length and overall makeup is ideal for the tight end position. Several Big Ten schools are planning to check out his early video, and did I mention how much tight ends are in demand at the college level?

Willowbrook junior IOL Liam Pagan

Pagan (6-4, 300 pounds) is another name who seems to be inching closer to taking his recruiting stock to a new level. Pagan has impressive size and strength, moves well and plays fast and physical. He also has bloodlines (Pagan is the younger brother of former Willowbrook and current San Francisco 49ers lineman Enrique Cruz) and an impressive work ethic. He has several offers from the likes of Tennessee, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Other schools like LSU, Missouri, Auburn and Nebraska are on him this fall.