Top 50 Illinois high school football players from the Class of 2021

Pulling Top 50 prospects out of Illinois is becoming routine for the University of Iowa. The Hawkeyes have secured the Land of Lincoln's top 2021 prospect and three of the state's top players. Last year, Iowa claimed five Land of Lincoln's top 21 prospects.

This year's current leader in commitments from Illinois' Top 50 prospects is the University of Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have pledges from five players, including three of the Top 12.

Northern Illinois (four commits) and Boston College (three) also rank among the leaders.

The state's top position is the offensive line (15 prospects). Other positions of note include linebackers (seven), defensive backs (six), wide receivers (five) and tight ends (five).

See the complete Top 50 as compiled by 247Sports composite below. 1. David Davidkov, New Trier (Winnetka)
6-6 | 295 | OT | Iowa
No. 17 tackle prospect nationally is currently Iowa's top rated recruit. Also visited Ohio State and Michigan. Holds 18 offers including LSU, Oregon, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State. All-American Bowl commit. Says 247sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu: "Plays hard and has ideal tools for the position. Like a true left tackle in college. Projects to be taken in the top half of the NFL draft."

2. Athan Kaliakmanis, Antioch
6-4 | 190 | Dual QB | Minnesota
Nation's No. 11 dual threat quarterback prospect and the Golden Gophers second-highest ranked recruit in the current class. Picked Minnesota over Tennessee, Purdue, Boston College, Virginia Tech and Syracuse. Says Trieu: "Still needs to keep working on reading defenses and making quick decisions while refining mechanics. Has physical tools and intangibles to be a Power 5 starter and develop into an NFL player."

3. Mac Uihlein, Lake Forest (Lake Forest)
6-1 | 215 | IL | Northwestern
No. 12 inside linebacker prospect in the country and the Wildcats second highest rated recruit in their current class. Committed to Northwestern in April. Also holds offers from Nebraska, Iowa, Louisville, Minnesota, Purdue, Virginia and Wisconsin.

4. Dominic Lovett, East St. Louis
5-10 | 175 | WR | Undecided
Country's 54th ranked receiver prospect. Caught 73 passes for 1,541 yards and scored 18 touchdowns and eight two-point conversions last season for the undefeated IHSA Class 6A state champions. Owns 14 offers, including Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, Illinois, Purdue and Auburn. Says Trieu: "Big-play guy who can play in the slot or outside but fits the new mold of receivers who can be dangerous in a spread out system. Power 5 starter and also fits the mold of what more NFL teams are going towards."

5. Mar'Keise Irving, Hillcrest (Country Club Hills)
5-10 | 175 | RB | Minnesota
Country's No. 20 running back prospect. Rushed for 1,733 yards and 22 touchdowns and added 405 yards receiving and four touchdowns last season. Picked Minnesota in April. Holds 24 offers, including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Purdue, TCU, Utah and Wisconsin. Says Trieu: "Can play in any scheme and has a skill set that projects well to college. Likely to be a lead back at the Power 5 level and has the tools to end up having his name called in the middle part of the NFL Draft."

6. Sam Jackson, Naperville Central
5-11 | 170 | ATH | Purdue
No. 20 overall athlete prospect nationally. Originally committed to Minnesota, but recently changed to Purdue (on June 10). Also holds offers from Notre Dame, Oregon, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan State and Virginia Tech. Caught 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. QB last year. Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds and has a 35.6-inch vertical. Says Trieu: "Too explosive and athletic though to not make an impact in college somewhere on offense. Even if it is as a receiver who plays quarterback part-time."

7. Benjamin Perry, Chicago Mt. Carmel
6-3 | 190 | S | Louisville
Nation's No. 21 safety prospect and the Cardinals second-highest ranked recruit in current class. Had 75 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, a sack and an interception return for a touchdown last season. Holds 27 offers, including Syracuse, West Virginia, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, Colorado and Georgia Tech. Says Trieu: "Can be a ROVER or a true safety at the next level, a lot of that will depend on growth but combination of size and skill set is that of a Power 5 starter."

8. Justin Johnson, Edwardsville
5-11 | 190 | RB | Undecided
No. 8 overall state prospect and a Top 30 running back prospect nationally. Looking for his third straight 1,000-yard season. Has 37 career touchdowns. Holds 16 offers, including Illinois, California, Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, Michigan State and Louisville.

9. Bryan Sanborn, Lake Zurich
ILB | 6-2 | 210 | Wisconsin
A Top 20 inside linebacker prospect nationally. Committed to the Badgers two weeks before Christmas 2019. Also has offers from Iowa, Cincinnati, Michigan, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, Nebraska, Iowa State and Eastern Illinois. Says Trieu: "Will be a productive college linebacker with the potential for playing early in his career because of his intangibles. Will have an opportunity to play beyond college as well."

6-2 | 210 | OLB | Michigan
A Top 30 outside linebacker prospect nationally. Committed to Michigan in May. Has 16 offers, including Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Purdue, Virginia and Texas tech. Says Trieu: "Athleticism and smarts suggest he is a safe bet as a Power 5 starter and capable of playing MIKE or SAM."

11. Enrique A. Cruz Jr., Willowbrook (Villa Park)
6-5 | 252 | OT | Undecided
Top 100 tackle prospect nationally. Offers include Arizona, Illinois State, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Syracuse, Temple, Toledo, Wake Forest and Western Illinois.

12. Cameron Jones, Simeon (Chicago)
6-8 | 280 | OT | Minnesota
A Top 50 tackle prospect nationally. Holds 18 offers including Arizona, West Virginia, Purdue, Missouri, Cincinnati, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State and Kentucky. Committed to the Golden Gophers in late May. Says Trieu: "Generally raw after not playing offensive tackle early in his high school career but upside is there for him to start at the Power 5 level and his tools are that of a prospect that eventually could play in the pros."

13. Gennings Dunker, Lena-Winslow (Lena)
6-4 | 265 | OT | Iowa
Country's 35th ranked tackle prospect. Committed to the Hawkeyes in June 2019. Says Trieu: "May need some time, but should develop into a reliable Power 5 starter at either guard or right tackle. Depending on his development, he may have a chance to develop into a pro."

14. Keontez Lewis, East St. Louis
6-2 | 185 | WR | Undecided
Considered the country's No. 82 receiver prospect. Caught 38 passes for 809 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Has unofficially visited Purdue, Tennessee and Mississippi. Holds 25 offers, including Illinois, Oregon, UCLA, Auburn, Texas A&M, Northwestern, Nebraska, Iowa, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri and Michigan State.

15. Justin Walters, Bolingbrook
6-2 | 175 | S | Notre Dame
A Top 40 safety prospect nationally. Holds 23 offers, including Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan state, Wisconsin, Syracuse, Nebraska and Northwestern. Says Trieu: "With his frame, growing into a backer or hybrid is not out of the question but right now he projects as a big strong safety who will start at the Power 5 level."

16. Pat Coogan, Marist (Chicago)
6-5 | 290 | OG | Notre Dame
Highly sought after lineman holds 28 offers, including Ohio State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford, Texas A&M and Virginia. Committed to the Fighting Irish in April. One of the country's Top 25 guard prospects.

17. Ryan Keeler, Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park)
6-4.5 | 250 | SDE | Undecided
Holds 32 offers, but has listed his final five as: Rutgers, Michigan, Mississippi, Texas Tech and Virginia. The Scarlett Knights are considered favorites. Other suitors include Arizona, Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, SMU, Nebraska, Michigan State, Minnesota and Louisville. A Top 40 strongside defensive end prospect nationally.

18. Jameson Geers, Providence Catholic (New Lenox)
6-4.5 | 240 | TE | Minnesota
Nation's No. 26 tight end prospect. Owns a 4.98-second 40-yard dash and 30.6-inch vertical. His 18 offers include Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Northwestern, Purdue, Virginia and Wisconsin.

19. Jeremiah Pittman, Saint Viator (Arlington Heights)
6-2 | 255 | DT | Iowa
Top 40 defensive tackle prospect nationally. Holds 14 offers, including Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Northwestern, Syracuse, Texas Tech and Wisconsin. Committed to Iowa in May.

20. Victor Mullen, Marquette (Ottawa)
6-6 | 255 | TE | Louisville
Country's No. 32 tight end prospect. Committed to Louisville in May. Also has offers from Appalachian State, Central Michigan, Iowa State, Syracuse, Toledo and UCF.

21. Trenton Howland, Joliet West
6-2 | 218 | ATH | Indiana
Top 50 athlete prospect nationally. Also owns offers from Nebraska, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, Minnesota, Purdue and Western Michigan. Committed to the Hoosiers on June 5. Says Trieu: "Big, thickly built athlete. Explosive on the basketball court and translates that over to football where he is a bruising tailback, but can also break longer runs. Physical and is not afraid of contact. Could be a linebacker or running back recruit."

22. Tyler Macon, East St. Louis
6-0 | 185 | DUAL QB | Missouri
Missouri recruit is a Top 25 dual threat quarterback prospect nationally. Passed for 4,241 yards and 39 touchdowns and ran for 879 yards and 18 touchdowns as the Flyers racked up 715 points, finished 14-0 and won the IHSA Class 6A state title last year.

23. Willie Shaw III, Brother Rice (Chicago)
5-11 | 180 | RB | Toledo
Nation's No. 54 running back prospect is the Rockets highest-ranked recruit in the current class. Also holds offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Virginia, Northern Illinois, Ohio and Eastern Michigan.

24. Dino Kaliakmanis, Antioch

6-2 | 188 | WR | Minnesota
Committed to the Golden Gophers over a year ago (in March 2019). His brother Athan is Illinois' No. 2 overall prospect. Also holds offers from Kansas, Toledo, Northern Illinois and Florida Atlantic.

25. Carter Evans, Prairie Ridge (Crystal Lake)
6-4 | 230 | TE | Undecided
Played running back and defensive end last year. Top 50 tight end prospect nationally. Holds 23 offers, including Virginia, Army, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Columbia, Dartmouth, Eastern Michigan, Harvard, Illinois State, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, Princeton, Syracuse, Western Michigan, Wyoming, and Yale.

26. Otto Hess, Oswego
6-6.5 | 293 | OT | Boston College
Top 100 tackle prospect nationally committed to the Eagles on May 26. Holds 16 total offers, including Illinois, Arizona, Virginia, Syracuse, Purdue, Indiana, Cincinnati and Minnesota.

27. William Pauling, Homewood-Flossmoor (Flossmoor)
5-10 | 165 | WR | Cincinnati
Top 150 receiver prospect nationally. Has 14 offers, including Wyoming, Syracuse and Air Force. Committed to the Bearcats on April 23.

28. Jackson Carsello, Glenbrook North (Northbrook)
6-4 | 270 | OT | Undecided
Nation's No. 110 tackle prospect. Owns 22 offers, including Illinois, Indiana, UCF and Syracuse.

29. Josh Kreutz, Loyola Academy (Wilmette)
6-2 | 260 | C | Undecided
Country's 14th ranked center prospect. Father Olin was a six-time Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears. Holds six offers, including Wyoming, Western Kentucky, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan and Ball State. Illinois is heavy favorite.

30. Lewis Bond, Kenwood (Chicago)
6-0 | 188 | APB | Boston College
Top 10 all-purpose back prospect nationally. Holds 16 offers, including Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Syracuse, Memphis and Maryland. Committed to the Eagles on April 28.

31. Dante' Reynolds, Kenwood (Chicago)
6-0 | 190 | WR | Boston College
Top 200 receiver prospect nationally owns a 31.5-inch vertical leap. Also owns offers from Maryland, Nebraska, Tennessee, Mississippi, Memphis and Syracuse.

32. Malachi McNeal, Warren Township (Gurnee)
6-0 | 215 | ILB | Undecided
Country's No. 48 inside linebacker prospect holds three offers (Kent State, Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri State).

33. Landon Morris, Nazareth Academy (La Grange Park)
6-5 | 210 | TE | Syracuse
Top 75 tight end prospect nationally caught 31 passes for 557 yards and five touchdowns last season. Mom - Lori (Meinerding) Morris-DeVries – was Indiana Miss Baskebtall and a McDonald's All-American in 1997. Picked the Orange over Michigan, UCF, Toledo, Iowa State and Boston College. Says Trieu: "Projects as a Power 5 starter who can be a big red-zone threat."

34. Malik Rainey, Bolingbrook
6-1 | 175 | CB | Cincinnati
Committed to the Bearcats on May 15. Considered a Top 125 cornerback prospect nationally. Holds 14 offers, including Virginia, Wyoming, Colorado State and Ohio.

35. Jaden McGill, Oak Park-River Forest (Oak Park)
6-0 | 180 | ATH | Undecided
Top 100 athlete prospect nationally holds offers from Michigan State, Kansas State, Navy and several Mid-American Conference schools.

36. Matt 'Mojo' Weerts Batavia
6-2 | 217 | ILB | Undecided
The nation's No. 56 inside linebacker prospect. Holds 21 offers, including Arizona, Wyoming, Ohio, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Navy, Army, Air Force and Boise State.

37. Daine Hanson, Nazareth Academy (La Grange Park)
6-7 | 235 | SDE | Undecided
Country's 83rd ranked strongside defensive end prospect. Holds 12 offers, including Iowa, Indiana, Boston College, Nebraska, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Kansas State and Toledo.

38. Justin Lynch, Chicago Mt. Carmel
6-1 | 185 | DUAL QB | Temple
Nation's No. 40 dual threat quarterback prospect nationally. Younger brother of former Northern Illinois quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch. Committed to the Owls in February. Also has offers from Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Kent State, Western Michigan and Brown.

39. Jaali Parker, Chicago Mt. Carmel

6-0 | 185 | S | Western Michigan
Top 125 safety prospect is the Broncos highest-ranked recruit in the current class. Committed to Western Michigan on April 25. Holds 12 offers.

40. Tajheem Lawson, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)
5-10 | 160 | RB | Northern Illinois
Country's No. 105 running back prospect is the Huskies highest-ranked recruit in the current class. Committed on April 11. Holds seven offers, including Ball State, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), Toledo, Western Michigan and Temple.

41. Ethan Hampton, Aurora Christian
6-3 | 185 | PRO QB | Northern Illinois
Nation's No. 58 pro-style quarterback prospect. Picked the Huskies over Eastern Michigan and Eastern Illinois.

42. Zach Myers, Evanston
6-4 | 245 | SDE | Undecided
Holds five offers (Army, Ball State, Columbia, Louisville and Pennsylvania). Top 100 strongside defensive end prospect nationally.

43. Willie Jones, Phillips (Chicago)
6-2 | 171 | S | Toledo
Top 125 safety prospect nationally. Also has offers from Ball State, Central Michigan, Kent State, Miami (OH) and Western Michigan.

44. Aidan Ralph, De La Salle (Chicago)
6-3 | 195 | OLB | Iowa State
Cyclone commit is nation's No. 103 outside linebacker prospect.

45. Zach Barlev, Plainfield East
6-4 | 250 | OG | Undecided
Top 75 guard prospect nationally. Illinois is heavy favorite. Holds 11 offers, including Western Kentucky, Western Illinois, Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Harvard and Columbia.

46. Drayton Charlton-Perrin, Glenbrook North (Northbrook)
6-4 | 230 | TE | Ball State
Nation's No. 80 tight end prospect is the Cardinals highest-ranked recruit in the current class. Committed May 26. Also holds offers from Buffalo, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State and Southern Illinois.

47. Luke Eckardt, Richmond-Burton
6-7 | 265 | OT | Northern Illinois
Top 150 tackle prospect nationally. Picked the Huskies over Arkansas State, Bowling Green, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and North Dakota.

48. Brian Whitsey, Solorio (Chicago)
6-0 | 189 | S |  Northern Illinois
Top 150 safety prospect nationally.

49. Naahlyee Bryant, Oak Park-River Forest (Oak Park)
6-2 | 200 | OLB | Western Michigan
Top 125 outside linebacker prospect nationally committed to the Broncos on June 1. Holds eight offers, including Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State and Kent State.

50. Vontrell Chairse, Phillips (Chicago)
6-4 | 220 | WDE | Toledo
Top 100 weakside defensive end prospect nationally. Also has offers from Central Michigan, Temple and Western Michigan.