‘Edgy’ Tim: Good game video can help these junior recruits

The importance of the upcoming IHSA football season for recruiting purposes can't be ignored. College coaches at all levels look forward to seeing fresh in-season video for names sitting on their recruiting lists.

While we already have covered some top names in the 2027 class, here are some additional names who could see a recruiting boost with a strong early-season showing.

Hersey junior QB Jake Nawrot

Nawrot (6-foot-5, 195 pounds), who is already holding a handful of FBS offers and made a game day visit on Saturday to Kansas, has been impressing colleges since the spring. Nawrot has ideal pocket quarterback size and physical tools, and Power Four schools will be taking a close look at his first few games this fall. The only missing piece of his overall recruiting story is significant playing time. Nawrot last season backed up current UCLA QB Colton Gumino. Nawrot is one of several impressive quarterbacks in the state of Illinois’ Class of 2027, a list including names such as Carmel’s Trae Taylor (Nebraska) and Maine South’s Jameson Purcell (Indiana).

Prospect junior QB Jackson Cacini

Cacini (6-2, 200 pounds) last season was able to see playing time at both the JV level as a starter and on varsity as a backup. Cacini has good size and a strong and accurate arm, and his overall game keeps improving. Cacini looks to be Prospect’s starter this fall and will be asked to guide an offense that is not shy about putting the football in the air. Strong game video from Cacini can help separate him from a deep quarterback class.

Libertyville junior ILB Kaden Butt

Libertyville has some impressive names in its 2027 class led by tight end Brock Williams, who has offers from several Power Four programs. Butt (6-2, 225 pounds) is another name that can benefit from a good showing on film this season. Butt is a strong, physical inside run stopper who also has good overall cover skills and the ability to make tackles from sideline to sideline. Butt looks physically advanced and knows where the weight room is located. He will be asked to provide leadership for the Wildcats’ defense this season.

Neuqua Valley junior OT Max Schueneman

Schueneman (6-5, 315 pounds) has had a good spring and summer improving his game and showcasing his skills at several college one-day camps. His offseason focus on cutting weight while adding strength along with improving his overall mobility and quickness has been noticeable. Multiple schools are awaiting his early-season video. Schueneman has been invited for game day visits by schools such as Miami of Ohio, Western Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin.

St. Francis junior DB James McGrath

McGrath (6-0, 190 pounds), who is also a standout baseball player for the Spartans, had to juggle both sports this summer but was able to fit in football camps camp at Wisconsin and Miami of Ohio. McGrath, who tested well at both schools, is planning to make game day visits to Wisconsin, Miami of Ohio and Michigan State. McGrath has good size, speed and is a fundamentally sound football player. McGrath’s cover skills and overall awareness is high level. Strong game video could bring McGrath more looks and higher-level recruiting attention this fall.