Friday Night Drive

Football players from La Salle-Peru and Ottawa had the opportunity to gain recruiting exposure by participating in IHSA combines, which are new this spring. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Local football players showed up in jerseys and helmets Monday morning for Johnsburg's Northern Burbs Showcase. About 165 athletes and 60 college coaches attended the inaugural event. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The IHSA has approved combine events around the state this spring to help provide high school players with a high interest in playing at the college level with better opportunities to show their abilities. Nine Princeton players attended the event at Moline on Thursday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Alex Wollschlaeger did not play football his junior year of high school at Oswego East because of a broken collarbone. He had just one college scholarship offer. And now? He will be heading for New Orleans next week, an NFL contract from the Saints in hand. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

He grew up in Nigeria and started playing football when he was 11 years old. Now, St. Patrick junior defensive lineman David Folorunsho, who led the Shamrocks to the CCL/ESCC Purple title in 2025, is a five-star recruit and one of the top-ranked prospects in the country. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Behind a dominant defensive line and a powerful running game, Brother Rice won its first state football championship since 1981. Returning juniors Brayden Parks and Ethan Posey, both Division I prospects, will continue anchoring the trenches as the Crusaders prepare for 2026. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Teegan Davis played football until his body wouldn’t allow him to play any more. The former Princeton High School all-stater made the decision to medically retire from the game after talking to Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz upon returning to campus after the Christmas break Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Josh Kreutz (Loyola), Kenenna Odeluga (Mount Carmel), Jameson Geers (Providence) and Tyler Duzansky (St. Francis) are former CCL/ESCC football players who signed undrafted free agent contracts or received rookie minicamp invitations after the 2026 NFL Draft. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Carmel sophomores Jameer Miles and Wyatt VanBoening, already four-star Power 4 prospects, are ready to take on bigger roles as the Corsairs build for the 2026 season, one that will be played without star quarterback Trae Taylor. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Former Marist offensive lineman Pat Coogan, who guided both Notre Dame and Indiana to College Football Playoff National Championship Game appearances, was selected in the sixth round by the Tennessee Titans with the 194th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Josh Gesky, a 2021 Manteno graduate and three-year starting guard at the University of Illinois, signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Former Willowbrook offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr., who played for five collegiate seasons at Syracuse and Kansas, was selected on Saturday by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the NFL Draft with the 179th overall pick. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Former Nazareth wide receiver Tanner Koziol, who played tight end at Ball State and Houston, was selected in the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 164th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Koziol caught 237 passes for 2,234 yards and 24 touchdowns in college. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

East St. Louis running back Myson Johnson-Cook, one of the top-rated junior players in the state, announced his commitment to Auburn on Saturday afternoon. Johnson-Cook rushed for 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading the Flyers to the IHSA Class 6A state finals in 2025. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Former Marist linebacker Jimmy Rolder, who recorded 118 total tackles and played in 43 games over his collegiate career at Michigan, was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 118th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Keagen Trost, a 2019 Kankakee graduate, was the 93rd overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Former Marist wide receiver Carnell Tate, who went on to star at IMG Academy and Ohio State, was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday evening. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Friday Night Drive has had its eye on some of the expected top returning players for the 2026 football season. The focus shifts to the secondary this week with 10 defensive backs to keep an eye on this coming fall. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder seemed destined for baseball for most of his time at Marist. But a three-week span switch Rolder's trajectory to likely being selected in the NFL draft this weekend in Pittsburgh. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent is bringing his Offensive Skills Camp to St. Bede on Saturday, May 23, rain or shine, from 7 to 9 p.m. Spots are limited to the first 100 campers. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

In a statement published Tuesday afternoon, Loyola announced the return of John Holecek as head football coach. Holecek went 185-36 and won three state titles from 2006-22. Beau Desherow, Loyola's head coach since 2023, will serve as general manager and assistant head coach. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Friday Night Drive is highlighting some of the top returning players at each position for the 2026 IHSA football season. Here are 10 of the top returning linebackers to watch as the season approaches. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

In a season slowed by injuries and a tough schedule, Marist juniors Conor Hunt and Tommy Hosty made the most of position changes and increased roles. The two are ready to lead the RedHawks back to the playoffs in 2026. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Joe Kubal, an assistant coach at Bradley-Bourbonnais for the last 15 years, was announced as the Boilermakers next head football coach on Monday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

After a 4-5 season and a first-round playoff exit, Loyola will look to bounce back in 2026. The Ramblers will return a core group of players including junior linebacker Will Mettee and sophomore wide receiver Jordan McKinley, both Power 4 prospects. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .