It’s an unusually strong year for quarterbacks in the area, led by two returning state champions. The area’s top 10 offensive linemen list also includes the state’s top junior and a receiver who committed to Georgia. Here’s a closer look:
1. Ryan Fitzgerald, Loyola
If Fitzgerald had to fill in as QB1 for the defending Class 8A champions last fall, he didn’t let it show. The son of former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald led the Ramblers to a 14-0 record and capped it off with another Class 8A title. Signed as a preferred walk-on to Iowa, he completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,141 yards and 20 touchdowns, with just one interception.
2. Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel
Like Fitzgerald, Elliott played like a veteran in his first year as a first-team starter, helping the Caravan to a 13-1 record and its second consecutive Class 7A state title. The Vanderbilt product made plays with his arms and legs, totaling 4,088 yards and 41 touchdowns.
3. Talyn Taylor, Geneva
The son of former NFL player Tavian Banks, he is the state’s top receiver, a four-star talent who committed to Georgia and is ranked No. 3 overall among Illinois seniors and No. 67 nationally by 247Sports.com.
4. Jonas Williams, Lincoln-Way East
The transfer from Bolingbrook is the state’s top junior. He’s also the No. 8 quarterback and a top-100 player in the country. The Oregon product, who has been in the starting lineup since Week 1 of his freshman year, finished last season with 2,950 yards and 31 touchdowns.
5. Owen Lansu, Downers Grove North
The Minnesota product helped the Trojans reach the Class 7A title game last season as a sophomore, passing for 2,200 yards and 24 touchdowns.
6. Nasir Rankin, Morgan Park
The junior wide receiver, a Division I prospect in football and basketball, transferred from Young to Morgan Park this year. He has Big Ten offers from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
7. Logan Abrams, Cary Grove
When the Trojans have an elite fullback, they’re as good as any team in the state. Abrams is just that kind of player, and he’s back for two more years after rushing for 1,590 yards and 26 touchdowns as a sophomore to help the Trojans win their second Class 6A title in three seasons.
8. Aaron Stewart, Warren
One of the state’s best multi-sport athletes is the reigning state champion and two-time defending national champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The junior running back averaged more than seven yards per run last season and finished the season with 1,689 yards and 19 touchdowns.
9. Gavin Mueller, St. Francis
The 6-5 junior tight end is one of the most exciting stories of the season. He was a starter on the Spartans’ basketball team and won the track and field scoring title, and now he’s playing football for the first time since eighth grade. His offers include Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin.
10. Colton Gumino, Hersey
The UCLA player is an extremely accurate passer and completed 72% of his throws for 2,488 yards and 35 touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 142.8 last season.
