Friday Night Drive is highlighting some of the top returning players at each position for the 2026 IHSA football season. Here are 10 of the top returning linebackers to watch as the season approaches.

After a 4-5 season and a first-round playoff exit, Loyola will look to bounce back in 2026. The Ramblers will return a core group of players including junior linebacker Will Mettee and sophomore wide receiver Jordan McKinley, both Power 4 prospects.

This spring, we at Friday Night Drive will start looking ahead to the fall with players we are keeping our eye on. Who are some of the top players to watch in 2026? We will start with the quarterbacks.

With the 2025-26 Early Signing Period over, we’re taking a brief look at some of the top 2028 prospects in the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference. Here are some notable prospects to watch for as the 2025-26 offseason progresses.

With the 2025 Early Signing Period over, we take a look at some of the top Class of 2027 prospects the CCL/ESCC has to offer. Carmel's Trae Taylor, Montini's Israel Abrams and Mount Carmel's Quentin Burrell are among the league's top junior players.

Here is Friday Night Drive's 2025 All-CCL/ESCC football team, with players from all 24 member programs.

Wednesday marked the beginning of the 2025 Early Signing Day Period for NCAA Division I football. Here is a list of CCL/ESCC players who will be playing Division I FBS and FCS football next year.

Loyola's 6-foot-8 offensive tackle Tommy Fraumann, a Michigan legacy, has committed to play football for the Wolverines next year. Fraumann, whose Michigan roots run back multiple generations, helped the Ramblers win an IHSA 8A state title last season.

Although no matchups between undefeated teams will occur in the last week of the regular season, there are plenty of critical matchups that will shape the playoff field. Steve Soucie looks at the top games of Week 9.