Track star Brown is top receiver
Six Big Ten recruits, including two each for Illinois and Northwestern, highlight the list of the area’s top 10 receivers.
1. Kaleb Brown, St. Rita. The 5-11, 177-pound senior burst on the scene as a freshman promoted to the varsity for the 2018 Prep Bowl playoffs. His elite speed was on display the following spring when he won three state track medals (two individual, one relay). The four-star prospect, consensus No. 2 player in the state and No. 6 wide receiver in the country is committed to Ohio State.
2. Reggie Fleurima, Naperville Central. Like Brown, Fleurima is a four-star prospect. He’s No. 5 in the state’s senior class and No. 33 among wideouts nationally, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. The 6-2, 200-pounder is a Northwestern recruit.
3. Malik Elzy, Simeon. Even with a small body of work because of the pandemic disruption, Elzy is on track to be the next big-time recruit from the Public League. The 6-3, 198-pound junior is a consensus four-star prospect with 12 Power Five offers. Among them: Notre Dame, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Tennessee.
4. Jacob Bostick, Palatine. At 6-3, 170 pounds, the best player in the Mid-Suburban League creates matchup problems with his combination of length and speed. He’s the state’s No. 8 senior and is committed to Iowa.
5. Chris Petrucci, Maine South. The state’s premier senior tight end is one of three Northwestern recruits ranked among the state’s top 10 seniors. At 6-5, 210 pounds, he’ll be a favorite target for quarterback Rowan Keefe.
6. Tysean Griffin, Morgan Park. Two weeks after playing his first high school game as a freshman last spring, Griffin picked up his first scholarship offer. The list is up to seven for the 5-11, 165-pound sophomore, including Arkansas, Tennessee and Illinois.
7. Eian Pugh, Fenwick. At No. 13 in the class of 2022, the 6-4, 170-pounder is the highest-ranked in-state recruit for first-year Illinois coach Bret Bielema. Expect him to put up big numbers this fall teaming up with Ball State-bound quarterback Kaden Cobb.
8. Henry Boyer, Brother Rice. With power-forward size at 6-7, 250 pounds, Boyer will be a force on both sides of the line for the Crusaders at tight end and defensive end. He’ll play the former in college as another in-state recruit for Illinois.
9. Max Reese, Fenwick. Defenses will have their hands full stopping Pugh and Reese, the best wide receiver tandem in the area. Reese, a 6-3, 200-pounder, is one of the state’s top uncommitted seniors. His 11 offers include Arizona State and Kansas.
10. Jashawn Johnson, Hoffman Estates. A varsity starter since the sixth week of his freshman season, Johnson is a playmaker at wide receiver and defensive back. He’s committed to Western Michigan to play offense.