Indiana commit Davion Chandler leads team to win, LSU commit Damien Shanklin impresses

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence North is 7-0 for the first time since the 1960s, showcasing one of the Midwest’s most explosive offenses.

And the most dynamic playmaker on the team is senior receiver and Indiana commit Davion Chandler.

The On300 recruit was terrific last Friday in the win over previously undefeated powerhouse Warren Central, hauling in six passes for 126 yards and the game’s first touchdown, keeping his feet in between the lines in the back of the end zone for a snazzy scoring grab.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Chandler set up that score with a big play down the sideline that he got extra yardage on with two spin moves after the catch.

“How many people can toe the line repetitively,” Lawrence North head coach Patrick Mallory said. “How many people can give you a double move after catching a really tough pass. He’s unbelievalbe.”

On the season Chandler has 31 catches for 636 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging over 20 yards per grab. He’s also a physical blocker on the perimeter who will demand his pancake sticker for a punishing play he made in space to spring a big run by sophomore tailback Izayveon Moore.

“He’s special,” Mallory stated.

Lawrence North clinched at least a share of its first conference championship on Friday. This is a program that’s been building up under Mallory for awhile and with guys like Chandler they’re busting through.

“It’s our first time being 7-0 since 1969 or something,” Chandler said. “It just feels good to be part of something special.”

Chandler plans on being part of something special at Indiana as well. A former Illinois commit, he flipped to Curt Cignetti the Hoosiers at the end of June. He played this game decked out in IU cleats, gloves, sleave and towel.

“What excited me most is Coach Cig and Coach Cig’s confidence and how he runs the program and how he operates in general,” Chandler said. “I think it’s going to be special the way they’re rocking right now.

“Coach Cig is a winner.”

Chander is still hearing from the Illini, Michigan and Vanderbilt among others but says he’s locked in with Indiana.

“I’m going to the rest of the IU home games,” Chandler said.

On3 ranks Chandler as the nation’s No. 47 receiver. He can separate, he’s strong after the catch, he can go up and get the football and he makes the tough play look easy.

More Lawrence North prospects to know

Chandler isn’t the only ballyhooed prospect on his team. On300 2027 receiver Monshun Sales had a nice game against Warren Central including a touchdown grab he trucked a couple defenders en route to pay dirt. Sales will visit Tennessee this weekend. If Alabama offers they’ll be tough to beat. His nickname is Bama.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Moore is one of the state’s electric running backs. He’s got 667 yards on the ground and nine rushing scores to date. He’s shifty and explosive. A youth legend living up to the hype on the prep level.

Class-of-2025 safety Daione Lunsford is one of the playmakers on defense. He has a strip fumble he returned 90-plus yards for a touchdown to put Lawrence North up 20-0. 

A pair of Miami (Ohio) commits are MAC steals. Anthony Ludington is a long-limbed twitchy defensive end that was very disruptive against Warren Central. Safety Jerome Smith has elite length and he’ll come fill and ally and thump.

Class-of-2026 linebacker Breck Mallory is a tone-setting second level defender that’s around the ball a lot and his older brother senior Cale Mallory is a swiss-army knife that plays relentless on defense and is a terrific blocker on offense.

Warren Central has several coveted prospects

This was a big win over a loaded Warren Central team that boasted Iowa offensive line On300 commit Cameron Herron, and a defensive line that included LSU On300 commit  edge commit Damien Shanklin, Louisville defensive end commit Tyrone Burrus and touted 2026 defensive lineman Jerimy Finch Jr. who was offered by LSU and Ohio State following the game.

“That whole defensive line was tough to block,” Mallory said. “We moved our pass protections. We kept moving our guys, kept giving them different looks just to slow them down some.

“Damien he’s a great kid too,” Mallory continued. “That kid he’ll see me at the grocery store and he’ll come up and pat me on the back and say hello. He’s a great competitor out there. He’s a great competitor in track and just a great kid.”

Shanklin had four tackles, a sack and a couple quarterback hurries. He was in the backfield a lot and is one of the jewels of an LSU class that ranks No. 3 nationally. He’s slated to be back in Baton Rouge this weekend for the Tigers showdown with Ole Miss.

Herron is a quick-footed, explosive people mover at the point of attack. He can bend and run. He loves the Hawkeyes but has seen interest pick up from places like Notre Dame.

Burrus had a tackle for loss on the game’s first play. He has the traits to play early for Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals.