Before high school, Oak Lawn’s Jayden Schlosser never played football.

He never even watched football. He also never watched the Chicago Bears. And he never watched college football, either. He literally knew nothing about the sport.

“If you mentioned Michigan to me, I would have asked you, ‘What’s Michigan?” he said.

In just three years, however, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior running back/defensive end has been making up for lost time. He’s been invited to Michigan’s game on Oct. 18 against Washington.

The following weekend, Schlosser and teammates Kamari and Karmoni Polk, who are brothers, will take a visit to Northern Illinois. But, for now, it’s first things first for the Spartans.

Schlosser and Co. will be basking in the glow of Friday night’s 21-7 South Suburban Red win over Evergreen Park. Host Oak Lawn officially qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Oak Lawn’s Jayden Schlosser (44) punches through a hole on a run against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

Schlosser ran 18 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Spartans (6-0, 3-0). He gained 24 yards on nine carries before leading a key scoring drive in the fourth quarter with 63 yards on nine carries, including a 19-yard TD with 1:48 seconds left to play.

Isaac Gibson, who came through with two interceptions, gave praise to Oak Lawn’s possible Michigan man.

“He’s a dog,” Gibson said of Schlosser. “This kid has had the biggest come-up since last year. He was on the varsity as a sophomore last year and that’s hard. That’s scary.

“This year, he really put the work in during the offseason.”

Oak Lawn’s Jayden Schlosser (44) looks to make a play on defense against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

James Chorney and Luke Mahoney contributed with fumble recoveries for the Spartans, who have won six games for the first time since 2008. Sophomore wide receiver Blake Hovanes, however, had a huge fumble recovery on a wild play in the fourth quarter when an Evergreen Park defender picked up an Oak Lawn fumble and ran 30 yards before fumbling.

Cory Isaac Jr. paced Evergreen Park (3-3, 0-3) with 93 yards on nine carries. Junior receiver Tyler Phelps threw a 36-yard TD pass to Omarrion Evans for the Mustangs’ lone score.

The Spartans, who entered the season on a 17-game losing streak, snapped a seven-game slide against the Mustangs. And in a season full of surprises so far, Schlosser’s fast rise takes the cake.

“He’s a workhorse, and with his size and strength, he lives in the weight room,” Oak Lawn coach Ryan Pattison said. “The kids look up to him with how hard he does lift.

Oak Lawn’s Jayden Schlosser (44) lines up behind the quarterback before scoring a TD against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

“When you have a kid that is that strong and that fast, you’re able to lean on him. And the offensive line really takes pride in blocking for him.”

Schlosser ran a 4.58-second 40-yard dash during a North Central College combine, opening the eyes of recruiters. Besides speed, he loves moving the pile, which he did several times Friday.

“My favorite thing is to run people over,” Schlosser said. “When I have the ball, the team is counting on me to make the play. I do better under pressure.”

So why go out for football three years ago?

Oak Lawn’s Jayden Schlosser (44), who plays both ways, takes a series off against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

“Before my freshman year, my friend, Anthony Campus, made me try out,” Schlosser said. “I came out to summer practice to give it a shot to see if I could make it.

“I came out and didn’t know the rules. I started from scratch. I’m still developing and still learning.”

Schlosser confirmed he was stunned that Michigan contacted him right before the season.

As an underclassman from a program that struggled and ended up with a 0-9 record the year before, Schlosser didn’t expect to even be on the radar of the Big Ten powerhouse.

“I still can’t believe it,” he said. “If you told me this before my freshman year, I would have told you, ‘You’re funny.’”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/04/jayden-schlosser-oak-lawn-evergreen-park-ihsa-football/