Starts Up Front National & Global Recruiting Board Spotlight

The trenches were alive in Chicago as some of the city’s most intriguing offensive and defensive line prospects stepped into the spotlight during the 2026 IHSA Combines hosted at Morgan Park High School and Whitney Young Magnet School. With college coaches from multiple levels in attendance, the events gave rising linemen an opportunity to showcase size, power, athleticism, and raw upside in front of decision-makers looking for the next hidden gem.

The combines featured athletes from some of Chicago’s most respected football programs, and several trench warriors made strong statements during one-on-one competition and positional drills.

MORGAN PARK IHSA COMBINE

Schools Attending:

• Bulls Prep
• Corliss
• Gary Comer
• Hubbard
• Kennedy
• Kenwood
• Julian
• Morgan Park
• Perspectives Leadership Academy
• Sarah Goode STEM Academy

The atmosphere at Morgan Park was electric as offensive and defensive linemen battled throughout the evening. College coaches lined the sidelines evaluating footwork, leverage, hand placement, explosiveness, and competitive toughness.

Players to Watch

One of the biggest winners of the evening was Isiah Richardson, a massive 6’1”, 330-pound offensive lineman from Morgan Park High School. Richardson displayed impressive power and anchor ability throughout drills and competition periods. His physical presence and ability to move defenders caught immediate attention, ultimately leading to an offer from Chicago State University. Richardson’s stock continues to rise as he develops into one of Chicago’s more intriguing interior offensive line prospects.

Another dominant force from Morgan Park was Rishad Burnett, a 6’1”, 247-pound defensive tackle who terrorized offensive linemen throughout competition. Burnett showcased violent hands, explosive get-off ability, and relentless motor. At times during OL vs. DL drills, he appeared virtually unblockable. His physicality and aggression made him one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in attendance.

Perhaps one of the most physically imposing prospects at the event was Morgan Park’s Daijon Overton, a towering 6’3”, 340-pound offensive tackle. Overton imposed his will throughout one-on-one competition, overwhelming defenders with sheer size and raw strength. Several college coaches were seen taking extended looks at the massive lineman as he mauled defenders during drills. Overton remains a highly intriguing prospect with significant upside at the next level.

Morgan Park’s Milen Porter, a 6’0”, 200-pound defensive lineman, flashed athleticism and natural ability throughout the event. Porter showed quickness off the edge and displayed flashes that suggest strong developmental potential moving forward.

For Perspectives Leadership Academy, Kaleb Williams, a 6’3”, 260-pound offensive lineman, possesses one of the better natural frames among under-the-radar prospects in attendance. While still refining technique and overall skill development, Williams has excellent size and physical upside that college coaches covet.

Morgan Park High School also featured two additional linemen worth monitoring closely:

• Langston White — 5’11”, 260-pound OL
• Jeremiah Williams — 5’11”, 270-pound OL

Both prospects demonstrated toughness, physicality, and competitive effort throughout the combine and continue to trend upward as developing trench prospects within the Chicago football landscape.

WHITNEY YOUNG IHSA COMBINE

Schools Attending:

• DuSable
• Fenger
• Johnson Prep
• King College Prep
• Michele Clark
• Noble Academy
• Orr
• Prosser
• Senn
• Taft
• UIC College Prep
• Walter Payton Prep
• Westinghouse
• Whitney Young

The Whitney Young combine continued the momentum of Chicago’s growing trench culture as offensive and defensive linemen competed under the watchful eyes of college recruiters and evaluators. The event showcased the continued development of Chicago Public League talent and reinforced why the city remains one of the Midwest’s premier producers of tough, battle-tested football players.

The Trenches Continue to Rise in Chicago

The Starts Up Front National & Global Recruiting Board remains committed to highlighting offensive and defensive linemen who often go overlooked in the recruiting process. Events like these continue to prove that elite trench talent exists throughout Chicago and the Midwest.

As recruiting continues to evolve nationally, one thing remains true:

Control the Trenches. Control the Game.

For player rankings, evaluations, camps, and national OL/DL recruiting coverage, visit:

www.startsupfrontrecruitingboard.com