‘Edgy’ Tim: Standouts from the NCC high school football camp

The annual Naperville Championship Football Camps, held three days last week at North Central College in Naperville, continues to be one of the most successful college football camps in the Midwest.

The Cardinals hosted over 1,000 high school prospects who participated in front of hundreds of coaches from every level of college football.

I spent those three days evaluating the players. Here are just a handful of the top competitors from the Daily Herald coverage area.

Vernon Hills DL Cade Albrecht

Albrecht (2028, 6-foot-2, 255 pounds) is already a camp regular who continues to improve every time I see him in person. He's well advanced as an interior linemen and shows good overall technique and fundamentals. Expect Albrecht to add more good weight and strength over the next year-plus. His comfort level in one-on-ones has improved greatly this offseason.

Metea Valley QB Iggy Amorrortu

I've been really impressed with Amorrortu (2028, 6-2, 218 pounds) this offseason. Amorrortu transferred from St. Francis to Metea Valley this spring, and the Mustangs have added a baller under center. He showed strong athletic tools and abilities. His arm talent and accuracy seem to be a strength. He has a chance to become a name to watch this fall.

Waubonsie Valley TE Kyler Payne

Payne (2028, 6-6, 235 pounds), who is also a top basketball player for Waubonsie Valley, has the size and athletic tools to develop into a higher level tight end. His overall frame and length will allow him to add more good weight and strength. I would not be stunned to see some coaches also give Payne a look as an offensive tackle.

Lake Zurich DE/TE Jackson Lewandowski

Lewandowski (2028, 6-4, 235 pounds), who also runs track for Lake Zurich, ran and tested well at this camp. His overall speed and quickness was highly evident in positional work as well as in one-on-ones. Last week he added an offer from Toledo, and I fully expect more schools to take a much closer look this summer and fall.

St. Francis DT AJ Redmon III

Redmon III (2029, 6-3, 325 pounds) is what every college is seeking: a big kid who has an impressive mix of strength, power and quickness. He plays with a high motor and at times could not be blocked in one-on-ones. He also took part in last weekend's Notre Dame Irish Invasion camp and should continue to add offers from Power 4 schools this summer and fall.

Glenbard South RB Elijah Donahue

Donahue (2028, 5-9, 172 pounds) is a multi-year varsity starter for the Raiders. He ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and overall was one of the top names in every testing category. He has the ability to get up to full speed in a few short steps and has wiggle, explosiveness, power and speed.

Hersey WR Austin Schultz

Schultz (2027, 6-0, 187 pounds) ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at this camp and then ran another equally impressive 40-yard dash time at the Northwestern camp held on Saturday. Schultz will be a top target this season for the Huskies and 2027 four-star-ranked QB Jake Nawrot (Kentucky).

Antioch RB/Slot Logan Lennon

Lennon (2028, 6-1, 187 pounds) is a multi-year varsity starter and versatile multi-sport athlete at Antioch. He ran a 4.56 40-yard dash at NCC and also performed last weekend at the Missouri one-day camp. His overall football IQ, quickness and explosiveness stood out in positional and one-on-ones.

St. Francis WR Blayke Lohmann

Lohmann (2028, 6-1, 165 pounds) showed very good hands, ran disciplined routes and had good overall speed. He was able to fight off the defender for the football and made impressive catches in traffic during one-on-ones.