All-Basketball Football Team: Defense
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National Signing Day for college football is one of my favorite days of the year. I might or might not have skipped school when I was younger to follow it. Although I cover high school hoops for a living college…
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Continue ReadingNational Signing Day for college football is one of my favorite days of the year. I might or might not have skipped school when I was younger to follow it. Although I cover high school hoops for a living college football recruiting is still one of my passions to follow. For the past decade I have released my All-Basketball Football Team for the state of Illinois on NSD. These are legit college basketball prospects that if we put on the gridiron would make an awesome squad.
Here is our offense in All-Basketball Football Team: Defense!
Defensive End
Chris Riddle Chris Riddle 6'5" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State #204 Nation IL (Kenwood)
Freakish athlete who has been out early in the season due to an injury, but make no mistake his quick twitched ability off the edge will cause havoc in the backfield!
Defensive End
Richard Barron Richard Barron 6'5" | SF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL (St. Ignatius)
Strong side defensive end that has a thick body along with shifty footwork. He will be good against the run and will provide some pass rush as well.
Defensive Tackle
Justin Scott (St. Ignatius)
Scott is making an impact for Iggy on the hardwood this season and is the best football prospect regardless of class in Illinois. The five star is a no brainer here as the anchor of our defense.
Defensive Tackle
Chikasi Ofoma Chikasi Ofoma 6'6" | C Curie | 2023 State IL (Curie)
Ofoma returns sliding inside to being a pass rushing defensive tackle. Should be able to do this with ease considering his strength and quickness.
Outside Linebacker
Macaleab Rich Macaleab Rich 6'5" | SF East St. Louis | 2023 State #261 Nation IL (East St. Louis)
Rich is a three year member at the outside linebacker spot. The Kansas State hoops signee has Khalil Mack/Von Miller type ability to absolutely wreck the opponents gameplan with his elite athleticism.
Middle Linebacker
Zack Hawkinson Zack Hawkinson 6'4" | PF Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL (Sacred Heart Griffin)
Need a thumper in the middle that can control the run game. Like what Hawkinson brings as a good athlete that makes smart decisions on the fly and can get after it in the run game.
Outside Linebacker
Kyle Olagbegi Kyle Olagbegi 6'5" | SF Lincoln Way East | 2023 State IL (Lincoln Way East)
Long and athletic outside linebacker will be able to cover tight ends and can chase down rushers from sideline to sideline!
Cornerback
Dalen Davis Dalen Davis 6'0" | PG Whitney Young | 2023 State #167 Nation IL (Whitney Young)
Whitney Young point guard is a great leader that has the strength and quickness to be an effective corner on the back end.
Cornerback
Jeremy Fears Jeremy Fears 6'1" | PG Joliet West | 2023 State #31 Nation IL (Joliet West)
Fears will compliment Davis on the other side of the defensive backfield. We have seen him get up for some huge swats this year as the best shot blocking guard in the state. That will translate well contesting at the high point.
Strong Safety
Quentin Jones Quentin Jones 6'4" | SG Marian Catholic | 2023 State IL (Marian Catholic)
Jones is exactly what we are looking for in a strong safety with his combination of athleticism, range, and ability to lay the hammer when needed.
Free Safety
Darrin Ames Darrin Ames 6'1" | PG Kenwood | 2023 State #99 Nation IL (Kenwood)
Ames has the range and speed we need to be our last line of defense in this secondary. Can cover a lot of ground and make plays in the air.