St. Rita's Ohimai Ozolua, Mount Carmel's Darin Graham and Chase Clark, Loyola's Charlie Fowler, Brother Rice's Jonathan Harris and St. Patrick's Dylan Mota have all announced commitments to Power 4 schools in recent weeks. Plus transfer news in this CCL/ESCC football notebook.

The Sycamore football team is holding a summer camp under new head coach Rob Stover at Sycamore High School.

Marian Central graduate Dirk Stanger has returned to coach at hias alma mater, where he replaces fellow Marian grad Liam Kirwan. Stanger served as Marian's offensive coordinator more than 10 years ago before becoming a coach at Crystal Lake Central.

Montini three-star offensive lineman Gavin Ericson-Staton, who has helped the Broncos to IHSA state championships in each of his last two varsity seasons, announced his commitment to Illinois on Sunday. He was previously committed to Iowa State.

Nazareth three-star defensive lineman Chris Kasky, an All-CCL/ESCC selection who had 70 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 14 sacks while helping the Roadrunners to the IHSA Class 6A state semifinals during his junior season, has committed to Missouri.

Nazareth defensive back Henry Sakalas, a three-star prospect who had 33 tackles and 3 interceptions while helping the Roadrunners to the Class 6A state semifinals during his junior season, announced his commitment to Michigan State.

Nazareth's Luke Injaychock, a three-star prospect and one of the top offensive line recruits in the state’s 2027 class, has committed to Missouri. Injaychock was an All-CCL/ESCC Honorable Mention as a junior, playing over 750 snaps without allowing a sack.

Mount Carmel four-star defensive back Tavares Harrington, who posted 50 tackles, 9 PBUs, 6 TFLs and 3 interceptions while helping the Caravan win the IHSA 8A state championship in 2025, announced his commitment to Michigan on Friday.

St. Patrick four-star defensive lineman David Folorunsho, who led the Shamrocks to the CCL/ESCC Purple Division title and the second round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs in 2025, announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Friday.

St. Laurence three-star linebacker Sean Rice, who compiled 123 tackles and led the Vikings to the IHSA Class 6A state semifinals during his junior season, announced his commitment to Illinois on Friday.

Mount Carmel four-star wide receiver Quentin Burrell, who caught 67 passes for 1,139 yards and 16 touchdowns while helping the Caravan win a fourth straight IHSA state championship during his junior season, announced his commitment to Michigan on Wednesday.

Marmion's Henry Miller ran for 355 yards and 5 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending groin injury in 2025. Miller will return to the Cadets this fall and he'll be joined by wide receiver Colin McEniry, the CCL/ESCC's Offensive Player of the Year in the Red Division.

A 2006 Ottawa High School graduate and two-year starting quarterback, Jared Mundt is the Pirates new varsity football coach.

Despite missing the IHSA playoffs in each of the last two seasons, St. Ignatius has brought home consecutive Prep Bowl titles. Connor Hites and Connor Wanzung, who each hold Division I offers, are ready to lead the Wolfpack back to the playoffs in 2026.

Local football players showed up in jerseys and helmets Monday morning for Johnsburg's Northern Burbs Showcase. About 165 athletes and 60 college coaches attended the inaugural event.

Area football players show off their skills at the Northern Burbs Football Showcase on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Johnsburg High School. Over 165 players from 15 teams demonstrated their football skills to over 60 college coaches.

He grew up in Nigeria and started playing football when he was 11 years old. Now, St. Patrick junior defensive lineman David Folorunsho, who led the Shamrocks to the CCL/ESCC Purple title in 2025, is a five-star recruit and one of the top-ranked prospects in the country.

Behind a dominant defensive line and a powerful running game, Brother Rice won its first state football championship since 1981. Returning juniors Brayden Parks and Ethan Posey, both Division I prospects, will continue anchoring the trenches as the Crusaders prepare for 2026.

Byron senior Caden Considine has committed to continue his football career at the University of Illinois and the Fighting Illini after helping lead his high school Tigers to two state championships. He recently visited Shaw Local for a Q&A on his playing career.

Josh Kreutz (Loyola), Kenenna Odeluga (Mount Carmel), Jameson Geers (Providence) and Tyler Duzansky (St. Francis) are former CCL/ESCC football players who signed undrafted free agent contracts or received rookie minicamp invitations after the 2026 NFL Draft.

Carmel sophomores Jameer Miles and Wyatt VanBoening, already four-star Power 4 prospects, are ready to take on bigger roles as the Corsairs build for the 2026 season, one that will be played without star quarterback Trae Taylor.

Former Marist offensive lineman Pat Coogan, who guided both Notre Dame and Indiana to College Football Playoff National Championship Game appearances, was selected in the sixth round by the Tennessee Titans with the 194th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Former Nazareth wide receiver Tanner Koziol, who played tight end at Ball State and Houston, was selected in the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 164th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Koziol caught 237 passes for 2,234 yards and 24 touchdowns in college.

East St. Louis running back Myson Johnson-Cook, one of the top-rated junior players in the state, announced his commitment to Auburn on Saturday afternoon. Johnson-Cook rushed for 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading the Flyers to the IHSA Class 6A state finals in 2025.

Former Marist linebacker Jimmy Rolder, who recorded 118 total tackles and played in 43 games over his collegiate career at Michigan, was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 118th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday.

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.

In a season slowed by injuries and a tough schedule, Marist juniors Conor Hunt and Tommy Hosty made the most of position changes and increased roles. The two are ready to lead the RedHawks back to the playoffs in 2026.

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.

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 defensive linemen to watch as the 2026 season approaches.

Junior running back Brandon Johnson Jr. and sophomore linebacker Jack Schapendonk were each instrumental in St. Rita's run to the IHSA Class 7A state finals in the fall. The two will be key players to watch as the Mustangs prepare for 2026.

Montini four-star junior quarterback Israel Abrams announced his commitment to Miami (FL) during a broadcast of The Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon. Abrams threw for 4,072 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2025, leading Montini to the IHSA Class 4A state title.

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 offensive linemen to watch as the season approaches.

Fenwick junior Jake Thies announced his commitment to Iowa on Saturday. An All-CCL/ESCC selection in 2025, Thies rushed for over 1,100 yards, recorded nearly 60 tackles and helped lead the Friars to an IHSA 6A state title.

A standout wrestler, Montini junior lineman Gavin Ericson-Staton has emerged as a three-star prospect and will be a top player for the Broncos in 2026. Blake Pohlman, a MaxPreps Freshman All-American, is a player to watch on defense.

Junior linebacker Derrick Pomatto became a two-way threat for Joliet Catholic in 2025, rushing for three touchdowns after taking on the role halfway through the season. Pomatto will be a player to watch as the Hilltoppers look to bounce back from a rare losing season.

After helping St. Laurence reach the 6A semifinals, Sean Rice holds a dozen offers from Division I programs. The junior linebacker/tight end will be a key returning player for the Vikings, who have several seniors planning to play collegiately.

All-State running back Broden Mackert and Division I defensive line prospect Lamar Winfield are two Providence players who turned in strong junior seasons. The Celtics, who made the 5A state finals, will have 10 seniors playing collegiately.

Multiple Fenwick football players, including All-CCL/ESCC QB and CCL/ESCC White Offensive Player of the Year Jamen Williams, signed with collegiate programs during the National Signing Day period in early February.

Former Kankakee and University of Missouri standout Keagen Trost, two weeks after appearing at the NFL Scouting Combine, is getting ready for his Missouri pro day and the final steps of preparation for the NFL Draft.

It was a long and winding journey to get Rob Szudarski to his first varsity head football coaching position, but the veteran assistant is confident he can point Plainfield South in the right direction.

Several St. Francis football players, including All-CCL/ESCC and IHSFCA All-State wide receiver Dario Milivojevic, signed to continue on with collegiate programs during the National Signing Day period in early February.

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.

A three-time Big Ten champion at Wisconsin and a three-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, former NFL veteran James White is ready to embark on his next chapter as Benet's next head football coach.

Nazareth juniors Chris Kasky and Luke Injaychock have picked up several offers from Power 4 schools since the conclusion of the 2025 season. Trenton Walker, a senior and three-star prospect, has signed to play at Murray State.

Byron's Caden Considine, a two-time state champion and All-State player, as well as the son of former NFL defensive back Sean Considine, has earned a full-ride scholarship to continue his football career at Illinois.

Fenwick's Jake Thies, a two-way standout whose massive postseason helped the Friars knock off East St. Louis in the IHSA 6A state championship, has planted himself on the map as a Power 4 prospect.

IC Catholic Prep sophomore Grant Bowen, son of former NFL player Matt Bowen, has picked up over a dozen Power 4 offers since the season ended. A standout linebacker and receiver, Bowen was named an All-State and All-CCL/ESCC player in 2025.

St. Francis junior James McGrath, an All-CCL/ESCC player who helped the Spartans win the Class 5A state championship, recently received a Division I offer from Oklahoma. A two-sport standout, McGrath is preparing for a bigger role as a senior.

Rochelle senior Roman Villalobos, an IHSFCA All-State running back with over 2,800 career rushing yards, has committed to play football at North Central College. "I've wanted to go to North Central since I was a little kid."

Carmel junior quarterback and Nebraska recruit Trae Taylor announced that he will transfer to Millard South High School in Omaha for his senior football season. Taylor threw for 3,571 yards and 38 touchdowns with 12 rushing touchdowns in 2025.