Chicagoland witnessed an extraordinary football event on a Friday night in Mundelein, featuring an intense game between Montini and Carmel on October 3, 2025. Israel Abrams and Trae Taylor threw for a combined total of 1,009 yards, leading to Montini’s narrow 55-54 victory. Both athletes were juniors at the time.
As the 2026 season approaches, Trae Taylor ranks as the No. 1 quarterback in the nation, with Israel Abrams close behind at No. 3 according to Rivals.com. A highly anticipated Carmel-Montini rematch was planned for September 18 in Lombard, but Taylor decided to move closer to his future college in Nebraska by transferring to Millard South in Omaha. Meanwhile, Abrams, who has committed to Miami, aims to lead Montini to their third consecutive state championship.
Speaking on his goals, Abrams commented, “We brought back so many guys. One of my goals this year, I’m trying to get my guys in positions too. I take that as a responsibility along with state championships.” This 2025 game, along with the rankings, reflects the growing prominence of high school football in the Chicago area, with a notable rise in talented quarterbacks.
Many of Chicago’s young quarterbacks have caught national attention. Hersey’s Jake Nawrot is ranked No. 5 for the 2027 class. Jameson Purcell from Maine South ranks No. 34, while New Trier’s Jackie Ryder is at No. 58. Chicago area’s significant presence in the top 100 quarterback rankings isn’t new, as the 2026 class included top talents like Lincoln-Way East’s Jonas Williams, Downers Grove North’s Owen Lansu, and others. Over the past 20 years, only three Chicago-area quarterbacks have emerged in the top 10, a trend now rapidly changing.
The roots of Chicago’s quarterback prowess have been growing for decades. According to former Stevenson quarterback Preston Earl, the challenging weather conditions in Chicago foster a unique toughness in players. He said, “I always tell kids, if you can spin spirals in Chicago, you can spin spirals anywhere in America.” Notably, QBs like Jimmy Garoppolo and Aidan O’Connell have emerged from the area despite being initially unranked.
Quarterback Training
Training for quarterbacks has grown considerably in Chicago. A significant figure is Jeff Christensen, a former Eastern Illinois quarterback who began the training program Throw It Deep in the 2010s. Notable talents like Garoppolo and O’Connell trained under him. Christensen has since relocated, passing the baton to coaches like Preston Earl, who established QB Era.
Another training program, Next Level, was founded by Greg Holcomb, Christensen’s partner. Holcomb’s program gained popularity with clients like Nazareth’s McCarthy, now playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Holcomb has also trained college-level quarterbacks such as Alessio Milivojevic from Wheaton St. Francis.
Abrams benefits from coaching by Mike Hohensee, who started training him when Abrams was 10. Hohensee’s extensive experience includes playing and coaching roles, contributing significantly to Abrams’ development. Other quarterbacks in the area work with various coaches, each contributing to the strength of local talent.
The Rise of 7-on-7 Football
The rise of 7-on-7 football has also boosted quarterback development in Chicago. The Midwest Boom program, starting in 2013, cemented its status following a championship win against a Georgia team coached by Cam Newton in 2018. This format offers young quarterbacks valuable experience in reading defenses and improving their skills.
Hersey’s coach Tom Nelson initiated a 7-on-7 program for the northwest suburbs, named TNT. Nelson emphasizes the value of repetition in 7-on-7 formats for quarterback development. Maine South’s early adoption of 7-on-7 contributed to their success in winning state titles and developing Division I quarterbacks.
Evolving Offensive Strategies
Changing offensive strategies in high school football have encouraged coaches to focus more on passing, previously less common due to the region’s weather. As coaches embrace throwing more frequently, quarterback development has benefited from more dynamic and engaging offensive tactics.
Montini’s offensive coordinator, Charlie Bliss, advocates for keeping players involved through passing. He remarked, “I tell Izzy, my job is to get between 20 and 25 completions from you per game. That’s my job because if I do that, everybody’s happy and everybody’s contributing to our offense.”
In summary, the dedication of young athletes, improved training programs, and innovative coaching strategies have all contributed to Chicago becoming a hub for talented quarterback prospects. As these athletes continue to develop and showcase their skills, local football in Chicago is poised for further achievements.
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