The list of the area’s top 10 defensive players includes a top-50 player nationally, a pair of Notre Dame recruits and five players committed to Big Ten schools.
Here’s a closer look:
1. Nate Marshall, Fenwick
How coveted a recruit was Marshall? Enough for Miami coach Mario Cristobal to charter a helicopter for his recruiting visit in January. That wasn’t enough to sway the 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman, who initially committed to Michigan before flipping to Auburn recently. He’s a four-star prospect who is the consensus No. 2 player in the 247Sports rankings. Also a capable receiver for the Friars, he’s ranked No. 46 overall nationally.
2. Christopher Burgess Jr., Simeon
After dealing with some injuries last season, the 6-4, 240-pound lineman is primed for a big senior year. Ranked No. 4 in Illinois, 15th among defensive linemen and No. 117 overall nationally, he’s a four-star prospect committed to Notre Dame.
3. Joseph Reiff, York
An early commit to Notre Dame, the two-way lineman had 68 tackles and 11 sacks last season for the Class 8A semifinalist. Long and agile at 6-5 and 250 pounds, he’s a four-star prospect ranked 10th in the state.
4. Jaylen Williams, Palatine
The four-star prospect is ranked No. 6 in Illinois and 29th nationally among defensive lineman. A 6-6, 265-pounder, he’s committed to Michigan.
5. Gabe Kaminski, Nazareth
The Stanford recruit is the defensive heart and soul of the two-time defending Class 5A champs as an edge rusher. Like Marshall, he’s a big and productive target in the passing game as a two-way player. A 6-3, 215-pounder, he’s the state’s No. 13 senior.
6. Caden O’Rourke, Lincoln-Way East
The 6-5, 220-pound edge rusher is a rarity in the state’s top public-school program — he’s been a productive varsity player since his freshman season. The brother of former Northwestern lineman Devin O’Rourke, the state’s No. 19 senior also is committed to the Wildcats.
7. Brad Fitzgibbon, Marist
A disrupter up front for the RedHawks, the 6-4, 280-pounder had seven tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles last season. The Iowa commit is ranked No. 22 among Illinois seniors.
8. Christian Pierce, Brother Rice
Pierce is one of the state’s top uncommitted seniors after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. He has more than a dozen Power Four offers, including Ohio State, Michigan and Texas. The 6-5, 210-pound linebacker is ranked 13th in Illinois.
9. Jahmare Washington, Morgan Park
The Mustangs will have one of the state’s elite secondaries again this season and Washington is a big reason why. The 6-2, 170-pound cornerback is committed to Wisconsin.
10. Donovan Robinson, Loyola
The two-time defending Class 8A champion Ramblers are known for their defense and Robinson will be one of the leaders of that unit again this fall. A 6-3, 210-pound senior linebacker, he is committed to Washington.