Top 2018 Sleeper Player to Watch for the 2017 season.
With just a handful of days left until IHSA Kickoff 2017, all this week we will be presenting several preview of the top players and teams to watch for this season. Today here are some names to watch from the Class of 2018.
Make sure to check back all week long leading up to Kickoff 2017.
Batavia senior S Michael Niemiec.: Batavia just seems to always have smart and tough kids on both sides of the football with speed. Batavia senior safety Michael Niemiec (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) is a hard nosed multi-year veteran who is a major hitter in the Bulldogs secondary. Niemiec has a real chance at adding more recruiting looks this fall and has the makings of becoming an All State caliber player in 2017.
Marmion Academy senior quarterback Brandon McPherson: McPherson, who is also a standout baseball player for the Cadets is a big, strong and very athletic player. McPherson, who has drawn recruiting looks and interest in both sports has size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and could very well play say linebacker or even defensive end at the higher college level. If the Cadets plan to make a strong run in 2017 look for McPherson to play a huge role. McPherson could wind up being say a preferred walk-on type at the high D1 level for football.
Yorkville senior LB Chris Galloway: Galloway is just a very fundamentally strong linebacker for the Foxes. Galloway was very impressive this past summer at various college camps. Look for Galloway to continue to add FCS/D2 level offers this late summer/early spring. Galloway is the type of player who opposing teams will scheme around and away from at times.
Naperville North senior quarterback Drake Davis: Davis, a transfer in from Bureau Valley is a sleeper only to the average DuPage Valley Conference fan. Davis, who led Boom Midwest over the past two winters has a chance to make a huge difference in the Huskies offense this season.
Zion-Benton senior defensive back Tyler Geiman- Geiman was easily one of the better overall uncommitted names in the Class of 2018 that I was able to see this past spring. Geiman has terrific overall athletic skills and if he can get his academics in order will be playing at a high level on Saturday's next fall.
Lincoln-Way Central senior running back/wide receiver Matt Pollack- Pollack was a very valuable player for the Knights in 2016 and I fully expect Pollack to be even more involved this fall. Pollack is just a very strong athlete and is also a very good high school player who just seems to make play after play.
Joliet Catholic senior running back Ke'von Johnson-Ke'von Johnson has been a mainstay for the Hilltoppers and should benefit from a bigger, better and much improved Hilltoppers line play in 2017. Johnson is a speedy runner who also has strength and is also a back who is a threat to break one on every carry.
Cary-Grove senior defensive back Max Skol- Skol just goes 11o miles an hour on every play, has zero fear and always seems to be involved in a big play after big play. Look for Skol to again play a huge role for the Trojans all over the field.
St. Edward senior quarterback Dylan Mlinarich- I was able to watch Mlinarich a handful of times at college camps this summer and I came away pretty impressed. Mlinarich has terrific fundamentals, way above average arm strength and touch and was easily one of the best and most consistent performers I saw all summer at quarterback. Someone will no question ink a steal here and I feel Mlinarich has FCS level abilities but will more likely wind up at the D2 level.
Rochelle senior running back/linebacker Alex Harvey- Harvey will be a multi-year starter in 2017 for the Hubs and head coach Kevin Crandall. Harvey will be asked to be the big play makers in the Hubs power option game while also being a tone setter at linebacker.
Centralia senior quarterback/athlete Javon Williams Jr.- Williams Jr. is hardly a sleeper to anyone in Centralia or for anyone in the South Seven. Williams Jr. is a big, strong and talented thrower who physically is in the same mold as former Bolingbrook/Illinois/Northern Iowa QB Aaron Bailey. Yet Williams Jr. has drawn limited recruiting looks and offers so far this summer and that could change this season.