Friday Night Drive

This spring, we at Friday Night Drive will start looking ahead to the fall with players we are keeping our eye on. Who are some of the top players to watch in 2026? We will start with the quarterbacks. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Marquette Academy on Tuesday announced Drake Davis as the next head coach for the Crusaders football program, which has been a Class 1A playoff entrant each of the past 13 postseason. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Due to low numbers in its junior and senior classes, the Fieldcrest football program will only field a JV team this coming fall. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A three-time Big Ten champion at Wisconsin and a three-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, former NFL veteran James White is ready to embark on his next chapter as Benet's next head football coach. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A three-time Big Ten champion at Wisconsin and a three-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, former NFL veteran James White is ready to embark on his next chapter as Benet's next head football coach. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Ruby Michaels started playing flag football in the third grade and went into youth tackle in the eighth grade. She then played four years for the Bruins throughout high school. The 5-foot-1 dynamo will continue her football career on the flag football team at Benedictine Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Ruby Michaels started playing flag football in the third ground and went into youth tackle in the eighth grade. She then played four years for the Bruins throughout high school. The 5-foot-1 dynamo will continue her football career on the flag football team at Benedictine Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Nazareth juniors Chris Kasky and Luke Injaychock have picked up several offers from Power 4 schools since the conclusion of the 2025 season. Trenton Walker, a senior and three-star prospect, has signed to play at Murray State. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The IHSA announced Friday that member schools voted to approve a proposal impacting the start date of the 2026 football season and the number of practices required per player to compete in the first contest. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Morris Community High School Board voted on a new mascot Monday night, deciding the fate of a bid to rename the school mascot to the Warriors. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Byron's Caden Considine, a two-time state champion and All-State player, as well as the son of former NFL defensive back Sean Considine, has earned a full-ride scholarship to continue his football career at Illinois. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Byron's Caden Considine, a two-time state champion and All-State player, as well as the son of former NFL defensive back Sean Considine, has earned a full-ride scholarship to continue his football career at Illinois. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Princeton's Rhett Pearson, a senior lineman, and Common Green, a senior linebacker, have given their verbal commitments to Aurora University. They will join former Princeton teammate Arthur Burden, who will be a sophomore at Aurora. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Fenwick's Jake Thies, a two-way standout whose massive postseason helped the Friars knock off East St. Louis in the IHSA 6A state championship, has planted himself on the map as a Power 4 prospect. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Glenbard West junior tight end Brady Johnson, whose dad Rob Johnson was a standout lineman and co-captain for Northwestern's 1995 Big Ten champions that played in the 1996 Rose Bowl, made his verbal commitment to Northwestern on Wednesday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

IC Catholic Prep sophomore Grant Bowen, son of former NFL player Matt Bowen, has picked up over a dozen Power 4 offers since the season ended. A standout linebacker and receiver, Bowen was named an All-State and All-CCL/ESCC player in 2025. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Francis junior James McGrath, an All-CCL/ESCC player who helped the Spartans win the Class 5A state championship, recently received a Division I offer from Oklahoma. A two-sport standout, McGrath is preparing for a bigger role as a senior. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Francis junior James McGrath, an All-CCL/ESCC player who helped the Spartans win the Class 5A state championship, recently received a Division I offer from Oklahoma. A two-sport standout, McGrath is preparing for a bigger role as a senior. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Rochelle senior Roman Villalobos, an IHSFCA All-State running back with over 2,800 career rushing yards, has committed to play football at North Central College. "I've wanted to go to North Central since I was a little kid." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

IHSA member schools voted in favor of expansion for the state football playoffs, adding 128 teams to the postseason this fall by a statewide vote of member schools in December by a tally of 377-252, But the schools who voted later found there was a little catch. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

IHSA member schools voted in favor of expansion for the state football playoffs, adding 128 teams to the postseason this fall by a statewide vote of member schools in December by a tally of 377-252, But the schools who voted later found there was a little catch. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Carmel junior quarterback and Nebraska recruit Trae Taylor announced that he will transfer to Millard South High School in Omaha for his senior football season. Taylor threw for 3,571 yards and 38 touchdowns with 12 rushing touchdowns in 2025. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Several CCL/ESCC athletes, including FND Defensive Player of the Year Kameron McGee and FND Offensive Player of the Year Israel Abrams, were selected to the 2025 MaxPreps All-American Teams. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

From aiding Illinois State’s run to the FCS National Championship game to earning spots on all-conference teams for the SEC and Big Ten, several Kankakee County area football figures made their mark on the 2025-26 college football season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Rochelle's Dylan Manning, who collapsed on the sideline after suffering a severe head injury during the team's varsity football game at Morris on Oct. 3, recently underwent a successful cranioplasty and is home from Loyola Medical Center. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .