Midwest: Early Look at 2014

Here are the young pups to know at this early point in time for the 2014 class.

Illinois

Chicago Marist wide receiver Nic Weishar already has offers from Illinois and Northwestern. At 6'5, 200-lbs, he has good size and excellent ball skills. He still needs to get faster, but he's going to be one of the state's top prospects in this class.

There are two linebackers making a lot of noise and literally causing headaches for ball carriers. Plainfield South's Clifton Garrett and Crete-Monee's Nyles Morgan are both big time prospects. Garrett really brings it on tape. He's a big hitter with good closing speed. Morgan is a physical specimen who started as a sophomore for Crete and was one of their best defensive players.

Hinsdale Central's Brian Allen already has two offers: Michigan State and Iowa. A top wrestler, he's likely a center or defensive tackle at the next level, but he's strong, tough, and had a good showing at the recent Core6 Winter Showcase.

Others to watch include Oak Park River Forest's athletic defensive end/linebacker Nile Sykes, Prairie Ridge offensive lineman Shane Evans and Mount Carmel defensive lineman Enoch Smith.

Indiana

Lawrence Central outside linebacker Brandon Lee recently picked up an Indiana offer. He's a long, lean, athletic 6'3, 200-lb kid.

Warren Central has their usual cast of prospects. Max Hernandez is one of the class' best kickers, but he's also a 6'3, 210-lb prospect at linebacker. Quarterback Jeff George Jr. is already 6'3, 190-lbs and has good potential. They have two running backs in Marcus Mason and Adrian Smith to watch along with cornerback Stephen Brown.

Iowa

Cedar Falls High's 6'5 offensive tackle Ross Pierschbacher already holds an offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Michigan

Detroit Loyola offensive lineman Malik McDowell had a great summer and then sophomore year leading some to project the 6'5, 260-lber as one of the top players in the state in this class.

Sturgis quarterback Chance Stewart has great size at 6'5 and has two years of varsity starting experience. A good athlete, he can escape the rush and make throws on the run.

Traverse City West has Byron Bullough, the next in the Bullough line. Byron is a fast, athletic defensive back and not a linebacker like his brothers right now though. They also have Jake Khoury, a defensive tackle who has had two strong varsity seasons.

Zeeland West's Jordan Van Dort is a massive 6'5, 275-lb tight end who may develop into a great offensive line prospect.

Minnesota

Minneapolis Washburn running back Jeffrey Jones already holds an offer from the Gophers after rushing for 26 touchdowns as a sophomore. He's a good sized kid who should add plenty more offers before it's all said and done.

Folks at Cretin-Derham Hall have told me Blake Banham may be their next prospect. He's a smaller guy, but is quick and a dangerous return man. He's likely a college slot or possibly cornerback.

Ohio

Cleveland St. Ignatius offensive tackle Jimmy Byrne already holds an Ohio State offer and other BCS schools are interested. On film, he has a good frame and upside.

Cincinnati Colerain has one of the state's top athletes in Trevon Hudson, a 6'3, 200-lb wide receiver who is already a man among boys at times.

Springfield wide receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass can fly. He has legitimate 4.4 speed at 6'1, 170-lbs and already holds a Toledo offer with many others interested. Wisconsin

Sun Prairie's Craig Evans is a powerfully built kid with a lot of upside. No offers yet, but many, including the Badgers, are interested.

Monona Grove's Jaden Gault is a really nice looking prospect on film. He's already 6'7 and I fully expect some early offers. Like Evans, Gault is being recruited by Wisconsin and attended a game in the fall.