Congratulations to Brother Rice junior Kevin Koziol for being selected the Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois. Koziol, a
shortstop and right-handed pitcher who helped No. 2 Brother Rice to a 27-0 start, was one of only a few juniors in the nation to be named player of the year.
“It’s a great honor to be given this award, especially as a junior,” said Koziol, who earned PBR All-State honors as a sophomore last year.
Koziol joins a long list of past Illinois phenoms who were given the award:
2008: Jake Odorizzi, Highland HS (first-round draft)
2007: Jake Smolinski, Rockford Boylan HS (second-round draft)
2006: Zach McAllister, Illinois Valley Central HS (second-round draft)
2005: Michael Bowden, Waubonsie Vallie HS (sandwich-round draft)
For a complete list of past Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year recipients, Click Here.