Steve Millar’s top 10 football teams and 50 players to watch from the Southland for the 2026 season
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Defending state champions Mount Carmel and Brother Rice top the list, but Lincoln-Way East, Providence and St. Rita are poised to make a push.
Top 10 Teams
1. Mount Carmel (14-0): The Caravan is on drive for five, trying to win its fifth straight state championship. Senior linebacker Roman Igwebuike (Notre Dame) and senior defensive back Tavares Harrington (Michigan) lead star-studded defense. The explosive wide receiver duo of senior Quentin Burrell (Michigan) and junior Marshaun Thornton will make transition easier for new quarterback in senior Ryder Startz.
2. Brother Rice (13-1): The defending Class 7A state champions will rely on many new faces, but the familiar ones are special. Senior Brayden Parks (Notre Dame) and junior Kameron McGee form state’s most dominant defensive line duo. Senior running back Jameson Davis (Army) has experienced offensive line to run behind.
3. Lincoln-Way East (9-3): The Jonas Williams era is over — the record-breaking quarterback is now at USC — and the Griffins certainly have more question marks than usual. But senior defensive back Charlie Palmer (Central Michigan) and senior offensive lineman Mason Halliman (Illinois) provide building blocks on both sides of the ball. Senior receiver Jayden Cawthon is a playmaker.
4. Providence (10-4): Coming off a runner-up finish in 5A, the Celtics boast the area’s most experienced offensive core. Junior quarterback Dominic Vita can lean on running back duo of senior Broden Mackert (Western Illinois) and junior Brayden McKay, while senior Anthony Santori III and junior Ben Coleman lead offensive line and senior Lamar Winfield anchors defensive line.
5. St. Rita (9-5): The Mustangs have some veteran leads who got big-game experience during 7A runner-up run last season. Senior running back Brandon Johnson Jr. (Lindenwood) is a consistent force who will be aided by veteran offensive line led by seniors Mitch Street and Greg Zaber. Ohimai Ozolua (Michigan State), a senior transfer from Romeoville, gives big boost to defensive line.
6. Sandburg (7-3): The Eagles’ offensive stars, including senior quarterback Sean Ruisz, senior receiver/running back Quinn Durkin (Army) and senior receiver/tight end Lucas Matykiewicz (Northern Illinois), have been building toward huge final season. Senior linebackers Todd Shelton and Zaid Masri lead defense.
7. Homewood-Flossmoor (6-5): The Vikings returned to the playoffs last season, dropping 21-20 heartbreaker to Lockport in 8A second round, and appear poised to take bigger steps in the second season for coach Troy McAllister. Senior quarterback Rahsaan Coleman has a top target in junior receiver Xavier Pratt, while senior lineman David Hill (Wisconsin) anchors defense.
8. Richards (9-2): The Bulldogs had success with a young team last season and bring that experience into 2026. Junior defensive back/receiver Pierre Ray and senior defensive lineman Sincere Harris have Division I offers. Junior running back Jordan Lewis, who played on varsity for Richards as a freshman, is back after one season at Thornwood.
9. Lockport (9-4): The Porters were supremely clutch on their way to 8A semifinals a year ago. Twin brothers Matt and Josh Kies, both senior defensive backs, were big part of that. Senior defensive lineman Cornell Bass (NIU) is a force and senior receiver Khairi Sias is a playmaker.
10. Lincoln-Way West (10-2): The Warriors look to reload with new look after reaching 7A quarterfinals last season. Senior linebacker Austin Collins and junior defensive back Nick Elstner provide strong building blocks, while junior receiver Braydon McNulty is a top target for senior Jacob Howard, who transitions from receiver to quarterback.
The 50 Players to Watch
• Skylar Arellano-Phipps, Argo, junior, linebacker/running back.
• Cornell Bass, Lockport, senior, defensive lineman.
• Quentin Burrell, Mount Carmel, senior, receiver.
• Antonio Burton, Marian Catholic, senior, defensive back/running back.
• Stephen Caxton-Idowu, Sandburg, junior, offensive lineman.
• Ben Coleman, Providence, junior, offensive lineman.
• Rahsaan Coleman, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, quarterback.
• Austin Collins, Lincoln-Way West, senior, linebacker.
• Robert Cunningham III, Leo, junior, linebacker/running back.
• Jameson Davis, Brother Rice, senior, running back.
• Quinn Durkin, Sandburg, senior, receiver/running back.
• Darin Graham, Mount Carmel, senior, defensive lineman.
• Mason Halliman, Lincoln-Way East, senior, offensive lineman.
• Tavares Harrington, Mount Carmel, senior, defensive back.
• Jonathan Harris, Brother Rice, senior, defensive back.
• David Hill, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, defensive lineman.
• Tommy Hosty, Marist, senior, defensive back.
• Roman Igwebuike, Mount Carmel, senior, linebacker.
• Dominic Jackson, Crete-Monee, senior, defensive lineman/running back.
• Brandon Johnson Jr., St. Rita, senior, running back.
• Garret Kazmierowicz, Evergreen Park, senior, defensive lineman.
• Corey Laga, Lemont, senior, offensive lineman.
• Justin Langford, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, defensive lineman.
• Broden Mackert, Providence, senior, running back.
• Jaylen Matthews, Thornridge, senior, linebacker/receiver.
• Darrell Mattison, Morgan Park, senior, defensive back.
• Lucas Matykiewicz, Sandburg, senior, receiver.
• Kameron McGee, Brother Rice, junior, defensive lineman.
• William McMaster, Oak Forest, senior, running back.
• Jack McNamara, Brother Rice, junior, tight end.
• Ulysses Morales, Oak Forest, senior, kicker.
• Ohimai Ozolua, St. Rita, senior, defensive lineman.
• Charlie Palmer, Lincoln-Way East, senior, defensive back.
• Landon Paredes, Andrew, senior, running back.
• Brayden Parks, Brother Rice, senior, defensive lineman.
• Kaeden Pettis, Bremen, senior, quarterback.
• Derrick Pomatto, Joliet Catholic, senior, linebacker.
• Ethan Posey, Brother Rice, senior, offensive lineman.
• Szion Pullin, T.F. South, senior, linebacker.
• Pierre Ray, Richards, junior, defensive back/receiver.
• Sean Rice, St. Laurence, senior, linebacker/tight end.
• Sean Ruisz, Sandburg, senior, quarterback.
• Jayden Schlosser, Oak Lawn, senior, running back.
• Kenneth Scott, Thornwood, senior, linebacker/running back.
• Elijah Sirleaf, De La Salle, senior, offensive lineman.
• Ben Smith, Tinley Park, senior, defensive back/receiver.
• Marshaun Thornton, Mount Carmel, junior, receiver.
• Anthony Toliver Jr., Hillcrest, junior, defensive lineman/tight end.
• Dominic Vita, Providence, junior, quarterback.
• Mikolaj Wrobel, Reavis, senior, linebacker/running back.
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