Offensive impact: 10 players poised to make a mark this high school football season

Whether it's up front on the line, in the backfield or lined up outside, there's no shortage of offensive talent around the area this football season.

Here's a list of 10 players who will make an impact, in alphabetical order:

Logan Abrams, Cary-Grove, FB

The 6-3, 230-pounder is the latest in a string of big, productive fullbacks for the Trojans. As a sophomore, he played a starring role in the Trojans' 23-20 Class 6A title win over East St. Louis. As part of Cary-Grove's plan to control the clock, the 6-3, 230-pounder ran 31 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns. The game-winner capped a 19-play drive.

Quentin Burrell, Mount Carmel, WR

The consensus No. 1 junior in the state and a top-30 player nationally is of the state's most dynamic talents as a receiver and returner. Last season, he had team highs in receptions (75), receiving yards (1,257), receiving TDs (17), scoring (110 points) and all-purpose yards (1,647).

Owen Lansu, Downers Grove North, QB

The Minnesota commit is looking to get back to the Class 7A final for the second time in three seasons. A 6-2, 195-pounder, he has passed 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns for his career.

Claude Mpouma, Mount Carmel, OL

It's hard to imagine that the 6-7, 308-pound senior still hadn't played a down of football at this time last season. A native of Cameroon who speaks five languages, he originally came to the United States to play basketball and was a starter for Phillips' Class 2A state champs in 2024.

He had Division I football offers before his career started last fall at Phillips and is a top-200 prospect nationally committed to Nebraska.

Johnny O'Brien, Fremd, QB

The 6-2, 180-pound senior is one of several big-armed quarterbacks returning after putting up big numbers in 2024. The Northwestern commit threw for 3,442 yards and 39 touchdowns as a junior, completing 70% of his passes.

Jackson Purcell, Maine South, QB

The junior lefty didn't become Maine South's starter till Week 4 last season, but still threw for 2,572 yards and 30 touchdowns with 70% accuracy. He helped the Hawks reach the Class 8A quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual champ Loyola. The 6-2, 193-pounder is committed to Indiana.

Nasir Rankin, Morgan Park, WR

The Public League's best player aims to play football and basketball at Illinois. The 5-11.180-pounder has lined up all over the field, and some of his football offers were as a defensive back.

Aaron Stewart, Warren, RB

It's not even clear that football is Stewart's best sport, which is saying something. He ran for 2,475 yards last season, averaging more than 205 yards per game, with 34 touchdowns. The 5-8, 185-pound senior also finished last wrestling season ranked No. 8 nationally at his weight by FloWrestling. He is committed to Illinois for both sports.

Michael Vander Luitgaren, Batavia, QB

The junior took over as the Bulldogs starter at the end of the season and led the Bulldogs to the Class 7A final. He threw for 390 yards and three touchdowns in a 55-34 loss to Mount Carmel and finished with 1,154 yards and 13 TDs.

Jonas Williams, Lincoln-Way East, QB

The senior USC commit heads into his final season at No. 5 on the IHSA career list with 8,859 passing yards and No. 6 with 112 passing TDs. The career records — 11.190 yards by Nazareth's Logan Malachuk from 2021-24 and 127 touchdowns by Aurora Christian's Jordan Roberts from 2005-08 — are both within reach.