Coaches are surely glad these high school football players have graduated.
The Class of 2024 was well-represented on the 2023 Journal Star All-Area first-team football team with a dozen players named including player of the year Kainon McQueary of Washington. An additional 15 senior players were named honorable mention.
These five first-team all-area players have headed off to training camp with aspirations of making an impact in their first college season.
IHSA football:Illinois high school football 2023: Peoria Journal Star player of the year, all-area team
GB Kruzick, Morton
- School: College of DuPage
- What to know: The 6-foot-2, 170-pound defensive back was key part of the Potters defense, who forced 28 turnovers last season. He was named to the 2023 all-area first team and all-Mid-Illini first team.
Mike McLaughlin, Peoria Notre Dame
- School: Butler University
- What to know: The 6-foot-3, 295-pound offensive lineman was a big reason PND rushed for 3,275 yards and 52 touchdowns in 2023. He was named IHSFCA Class 4A first-team all-state, 2023 first-team all-area and all-Big 12 first team.
Jaivyn Moore, Peoria High
- School: Iowa Western Community College
- What to know: The 6-foot-4, 180-pound wide receiver was a breakout star for the Lions. He was named to the 2023 all-area first team and all-Big 12 first team.
Zayne Raeuber, Morton
- School: College of DuPage
- What to know: The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defensive lineman helped anchor a Potters d-line that gave up 16.9 points a game. He was named to the 2023 all-area first team and all-Mid-Illini first team.
- School: Wyoming
- What to know: The 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker was a tackling machine and an all-over-the-field defensive star for Peoria High. He was named IHSFCA Class 5A first-team all-state, 2023 all-area first team and all-Big 12 first team.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
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