Recap: YAA Chicago Top Performers

The You Are Athlete Regional Exposure Camp Series made a stop in Chicago on April 19th. Some of the top prospects from the midwest were in attendance.

The prospects below earned an invitation to the You Are Athlete All American Showcase this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend in Houston, TX.

DL

MVP - 2027 DE London Hadley (WI)

Fluid speed rusher who uses his length and long stride to make plays in the backfield. Uses his range to track down plays in backside pursuit.

2026 DT Towan Jackson Jr (IL)

Great burst, body control and closing speed. Long strides at get-off allows him to get around edge in three steps. Flexible.

2026 DE Tra’Sean Baldwin (IN)

Dips shoulder and corners well. Possesses nice swim move. Loose athlete is also can play several different positions. Very good at backside pursuit.

2027 DE Kahmari Flowers (IL)

Good get-off and edge speed. Extremely active and quick with hand usage. Has shown the ability to convert speed to power but much more comfortable as a speed rusher.

2026 DE Kaileb Rickmon (MO)

Fires off the ball and typically blows by opposing offensive linemen. Has natural flexibility with the ability to run the arc and dip/bend around the edge.

2026 DE Carmelo Reed (IL)

Consistently creates disruption on pass downs by way of quarterback hurries. Primarily plays with his hand on the ground but could stand up as well. High profile athlete with serious upside.

2027 DL Lamar Winfield (IL)

Good strong player who shows good hands at times but is raw from a technique standpoint. Improvement of secondary moves will help in finishing plays. Has solid potential.

RB

MVP - 2026 RB Johnny Mathews (WI)

Has a good combination of size, strength and speed and runs with decisiveness. Doesn’t dance around, more of a one-cut-and-go runner.

2027 RB Isaiah Hansen (IA)

Hansen hits the line with physicality and has the ability to wear down a defense. Can run between the tackles but improved burst allows him to run outside.

2027 RB Kainan Strong (IA)

Strong can run away from a defense as well. Catches the ball well out of the backfield and is a load to bring down in the open field.

2027 RB Kadyn O’Neal (IN)

O’Neil has nice jump cut and accelerates quickly. Gets to top speed in a few steps. Has speed to get to edge and runs with power between the tackles

2025 RB Bryce Riley (IL)

Riley has quick feet and good wiggle. He can contribute as a factor in passing game as well. Has high football IQ. Good instincts and does not often get hit cleanly.

WR

MVP - 2028 WR Tristan Bolden (OH)

Tristian can track the ball deep and make acrobatic catches in traffic. Does a great job maximizing yards after the catch. He also finishes plays and competes at a high level.

MVP - 2026 WR Zachary DeBaker (WI)

DeBaker has good short-range explosion. Is an outstanding route runner who separates with quickness, hesitation and change of direction. Runs with body lean and has outstanding pace along with spatial awareness in getting open.

2028 WR Brandon Hardy (MI)

Hardy, has long speed and can run away from defenders despite size. Physical after the catch. Hasn’t needed to create separation as a route-runner but can if needed. Good prospect.

2026 WR Judeah Kniskern (WI)

Good ball skills and hands. Pure catcher that attacks the football away from his body. High points the football effectively. Good, precise route-runner.

2027 WR Thomas Esposito (IL)

Esposito is strong with the ball. Will provide a consistent pass catcher as he looks in the ball on each play. Slippery strong after the catch paired with good awareness.

2026 WR Adrian Jones (IL)

Jones is very fluid route runner that gets to top speed quickly, and sinks his hips on his breaks extremely well. A vertical threat in the passing game and a natural pass catcher that snatches the ball out of the air.

LB

MVP - 2027 LB Collin Shedwill (IL)

Very instinctive football player with a nose for the ball. Times his plays on the ball and shoots gaps very well. Attacks the ball when in sight and plays with a different level of aggressiveness.

2027 LB Collin Moore (MO)

Throwback inside linebacker who excels as a downhill run defender. Has good instincts in reading keys. Strong form tackler who has the look of a productive defender at the next level.

2027 LB Austin Collins (IL)

Austin plays with great balance and physicality. Gives exceptional effort and does not give up on plays. He also, reads and reacts quickly.

2027 LB Logan Oros (IL)

Built like a tank and is very strong but can move in space and is among the most versatile linebackers out West. He also moves well in space making plays in pass coverage when his number is called upon.

2027 LB Bishop Stoltz (IL)

Flies to the ball and finishes with authority at the point of contact. Plays with a strong base and balance. Has solid ball skills for a linebacker, when he needs to make a play in space.

OL

MVP - 2027 IOL Trenton Harris (WI)

Quick feet enables him to turn defenders and create running lanes. In pass protection, he is patient and balanced in his base. Moves well laterally and continues to improve year over year.

2027 OL Alontae Morris (WI)

Tough, physical and embraces competition. Shoots hands inside, engages well and drives his legs in run blocking. Has athleticism to pull and agility to pinpoint blocks at the second level.

2027 OL Brody Hibner (IL)

Compact, interior offensive line build with well-proportioned upper and lower body. Minimal bad weight and can carry much more. Relentless athlete with low center of gravity and movement skill.

2028 OL Chris Ferrario (WI)

Quick and efficient in space. Strong hands. Finishing power with some nastiness mixed in to the point he seems to irritate opponents.

2027 OL Sean Batchman Jr (IL)

Strong lower body, can sink his hips and stay low when he fires off at the snap. Bends well at the knees and often wins leverage against much smaller opponents. Good strength with initial punch.

DB

MVP - 2026 DB Tanner Glock (IL)

Shows good closing speed and accelerates through contact in run support. Plays with physical mindset. Very competitive.

2027 DB Pierre Pelts (IL)

Has reactive quickness and twitch that you see in smaller corners, but the length of a coveted ‘big’ corner. Plays with leverage and does a good job locating the ball.

2027 DB Mick Smith (IL)

Good feet and loose hips. Shows physicality and instincts in man coverage. Needs to get stronger and add good weight. Has a really good ceiling.

2026 DB Nolan Rivera (IL)

As a cover corner, he can run with any receiver down the field. Is strong getting out of his breaks, and has improved his toughness and physicality.

2028 DB Tavonta Fully (IL)

Physical in coverage and likes to play press-man. Strong enough to re-route wide receivers at the line, but has enough recovery ability to run with receivers as well.

QB

MVP - 2026 QB Anthony Croom Jr (IL)

A big high school quarterback who will have prototypical size as a college pocket passer. Has the arm to make all the throws and has shown he can throw through wind and tough conditions without losing much velocity.

2026 QB Braden Hoskins (IL)

Throws with good touch down the field and can drop the ball in over the top of coverage. Holds his own the pocket, stands firm making sharp passes.

2028 QB Noah Schmahl (IL)

Shows good touch on the deep ball and looks good when throwing on time and in rhythm. A natural leader who teammates will gavitate to, in addition to being very coachable.

2028 QB Finn Giles (IN)

Demonstrates good foot quickness and body quickness in the pocket, showing a natural ability to extend plays with his feet in or outside the pocket. Plays with good feel and instincts as a passer, keeping his eyes down field while withstanding pressure

2028 QB Malachi Henigan (IL)

Displays good arm strength as a passer, showing the ability to make every throw on the field. Flashes accuracy at every level possessing an ability to throw his receivers open and play with anticipation. Has a poise to his passing game in the pocket but also excels with his ability to improvise and extend plays with his feet.