Illinois is celebrating its high school football legacy as part of the USA TODAY Sports '250 for 250' poll. The initiative highlights the state's top football stars who have made significant impacts in their communities.
Key points
Illinois has a notable high school football legacy.
USA TODAY Sports is celebrating 250 great American sports figures.
The initiative highlights high school athletes shaping local communities.
The poll invites votes for the best Illinois high school football stars.
While Illinois is not the first state that comes to mind when it comes to high school football, the Prairie State has had its fair share of success sending players to college and then the pros.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.
So, who among the best of the best has defined the Friday Night Lights in Illinois?
These are our selections for the football players who defined Illinois. The 15 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standout players at the high school level before they eventually went on to play at both the college and professional ranks.
Did we miss someone? There's a spot for you to write in your own candidate who wasn't included on our list of 15.
Dick Butkus, FB/LB, Chicago Vocational
Fittingly, the list kicks off with a player who only played in Illinois for his entire football career. But before he shone with the Illinois Illini Fighting Illini and the Chicago Bears, the Pro Football Hall of Famer played high school football in the state. He was named Chicago's Player of the Year as a junior.
Gary Fencik, DB, Barrington
Fencik, one of the singers of "The Super Bowl Shuffle," on the 1985 Chicago Bears, actually began his career at Barrington High School. Fencik graduated from Barrington in 1972 before attending Yale and having an NFL career with the Bears.
Otto Graham, RB, Waukegan
Before becoming a star NFL QB, Graham began his high school career at Waukegan High School, where he was all-state in football and basketball. He also excelled as a musician, playing the violin, French horn and cornet.
Q&A
Who are the top Illinois high school football stars in the '250 for 250' poll?
The poll features various prominent high school football players from Illinois, though specific names are not listed in the excerpt.
What is the purpose of the '250 for 250' poll by USA TODAY Sports?
The poll aims to celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures and spotlight influential high school athletes who shaped local sports culture.
How does Illinois rank in high school football compared to other states?
While not the first state that comes to mind for high school football, Illinois has produced many successful players who have advanced to college and professional levels.
What anniversary is the USA celebrating that relates to the '250 for 250' poll?
The USA is approaching its 250th anniversary, which coincides with the celebration of significant sports figures in the '250 for 250' initiative.
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Red Grange, RB, Wheaton
The "Galloping Ghost" scored 36 touchdowns in his junior season, leading Wheaton to an undefeated season. He earned 16 varsity letters in football, baseball, basketball and track in high school, finishing with 75 total touchdowns. The field at Wheaton Warrenville South High School is named after Grange.
George Halas, End, Crane
The former founder, owner, player and coach of the Chicago Bears played football, baseball and track at Crane Technical High School. Baseball was his best sport in high school, where he won a state championship as a senior.
As a junior, Isaac rushed for 515 yards and six touchdowns on 26 carries in the 2011 state Class 5A championship game. He finished with 2,629 yards and 51 touchdowns in that junior season. Despite injuries, Isaac had 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior.
Johnny Lattner, HB, Fenwick
The 1953 Heisman Trophy winner is the only Illinois high school player to earn the honors. In his senior season, Lattner averaged 18 yards per carry. He received more than 90 scholarships before deciding to attend Notre Dame.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Niles West
Mendenhall became a 5-star recruit after rushing for 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore. He followed that up with 1,831 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior and then 1,453 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. He played in the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Donovan McNabb, QB, Mt. Carmel
Along with teammates Simeon Rice and Matt Cushing, McNabb led Mt. Carmel to a state championship in football in 1991. He led the program to the Chicago Prep Bowl championship in 1993 as a senior. He was also a star in track and in basketball, where he played with future NBA star Antoine Walker.
Ray Nitschke, LB, Proviso Township
The future Hall of Fame linebacker with the Green Bay Packers began his career in high school at Proviso Township (now Proviso East High School), where he was a star quarterback and safety. He excelled despite not playing his sophomore year, when he was ruled ineligible due to academic reasons.
James Robinson, RB, Rockford Lutheran
Robinson holds the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) record for career rushing yards (9,045) and rushing touchdowns (158). As a senior, he recorded 2,461 yards and 44 touchdowns, earning Class 4A All-State honors.
Treadwell finished his Illinois high school career as the second-leading receiver with 3,563 yards in prep history in the state. He led Crete-Monee to a 6A state championship as a senior, finishing the year with 81 catches for 1,424 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushing for 257 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 56 tackles and six interceptions on defense.
Jonas Williams, QB, Bolingbrook
The 2026 USC signee finished his high school career with 11,347 passing yards and 147 passing touchdowns, both of which make him the all-time leader in Illinois. In his senior season, he threw for 2,488 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Williams threw for 1,841 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior with Chicago Vocational, while also adding 1,441 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground, good for an average of 21.8 yards per carry. He was selected for the Chicago Public League All-Star game and served as a reserve for the Army All-American Bowl.
Wilson put up video game stats as a senior with Simeon with 240 tackles, seven sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also added 42 grabs for 1,005 yards and nine touchdowns on offense.
USA TODAY 250 for 250: Who do you think is the best of the best?
