FIST Workout Standouts: OL & DL

With the fall season being moved to the spring in Illinois, there has been a huge movement by many to get these young me as much work as possible. FIST Football Academy, has been at the forefront of this, getting linemen, both offense and defense, the chance to workout with each other and continue to get better. I had the please of getting a chance to see their workout this past Sunday morning, and there were a large amount of great prospects in hand. Here is my review of the best performances from their large group workout. Offensive line <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66094" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/E55C05AE-B63F-4760-BA94-70A03617FC1A-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 <strong>Josh Sander</strong>, Hinsdale South @Jsander03 This young man is massive, standing 6’6” and 315-pounds and I think he’s got some versatility as well. In the long run, he is more of an interior prospect, due to his shorter arms, but should be a mauler wherever he lines up. Sander is barrel chested and has a thick lower half. The upside is there. 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="20291" first="Zach" last="Barlev"], Plainfield East @Barlev23 Has the look of a P5 guard and that’s exactly what Barlev is. Firmly committed to instate Illinois, Lovie Smith is getting a very good prospect. Has great feet and is very wide. At 6’4” and 269-pounds, Barlev room to add on more strength to an already impressive frame. In a few years, should be competing for a starting position for the Fighting Illini. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66095" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/1CA0B96C-0C61-45E3-830E-E33545695BAB-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 <strong>Trenton VanBeoning</strong>, Libertyville @TrentonVB23 VanBoening has some big time upside while possessing a frame that most current seniors would possess. Moves extremely well for 6’5” and 270-pounds, but actually looks skinny. Over the next few years if he hits the weight room, VanBoening will get some serious interest from P5 schools. He should blow up with a being sophomore year. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66096" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/3AB57CC3-AB53-4525-BD08-04A7F6653692-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20904" first="Paolo" last="Gennarelli"]</strong>, St. Charles North @Gennarelli2022 Has guard written all over him, but could end up as a center as well. Good size at 6’3” and 270-pounds, but looks like there’s plenty of room to continue to add some muscle to his frame. Showed impressive footwork while moving very athletically for his size. Garnering some P5 interest, which isn’t at all surprising. Defensive line <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66098" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/D85234A3-6663-4C0F-93C9-8F3F188904C4-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="20912" first="Connor" last="Murphy"], Glenbard South @ConnorM42407009 Very long at 6’3” and just 230-pounds which gives Murphy plenty of room to continue adding onto his frame. Moves well off the edge and showed a very good swim move while going some 1v1 work. Has a solid first step and hits the corner well, he’s been coached up to get his body in that position. Murphy has been in contact with Northern Illinois and North Dakota St., but with a big junior year, he’ll hear from more larger programs. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66099" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/E26138A2-7444-4C25-9D3A-65343424EEF6-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 <strong>TJ McMillen</strong>, St. Francis @tjmcmillen44 Every time I see McMillen, he’s getting better. Many times he will over power his opposition, which he did during 1v1’s, his bull-rush is very impressive. As he get’s older, he’ll add more moves to his repertoire, that’s a scary proposition for opposing offensive linemen. McMillen continues to add more P5 offers as time passes, he’s going to have plenty of options of where to play at the next level. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66100" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/9374E2C1-641A-471E-9AE1-32BF5DF0F50F-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 <strong>Boston Bower</strong>, Huntley @boston_bower Bower’s athleticism showed up in many of the drill, the chase drill especially, as his impressive footwork and speed helped him win pretty much every rep. At 6’1” and 210-pounds, he’s owing to have to continue to add more weight if he wants play at the next level with his hand in the dirt. He has the frame to do it, but could ultimately end up as an outside linebacker. Either way, he’s someone to watch for the next few years as he develops due to big time upside. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66101" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/32A5AEC5-8731-4F7B-BA85-4FEE08DB2F26-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 <strong>Jake Paulline</strong>, Metea Valley @Jake_Paulline A classic defensive tackle plugger, thick frame but moves well for 6’1” and 285-pounds. Showed solid footwork and should get better over time. Uses his strength to his advantage, Paulline has been in the weight room a few times and it shows. Lots of upside here, has already heard from Miami, OH and should be garnering more interest as times goes on. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66102" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/F0953D3C-A2AA-45C1-8243-A11DB7E0D0EC-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="53816" first="Arman" last="Oshana"], Lincoln Park @OshanaArman Oshana showed up late, but made an impact never the less. At 6’3” and 258-pounds, he’s thick but still has room to add on more weight. Bull dozed some of the offensive linemen he faced off against in 1v1’s and it was a sight to see. He has a lot of upside and isn’t getting enough attention on the recruiting trail, a casualty of not having a fall season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66103" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/208BB775-5CA4-4AF7-876A-C3EC3D89A33D-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2021 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65180" first="Anthony" last="Cirrincione"]</strong>, South Elgin @AnthonyCirrinc1 Long, lean and athletic, Cirrincione as great footwork to get around the edge. Standing at 6’5” and 220-pounds, he could end up on the other side of the ball as well, at tight end. I like him on the defensive side of the ball, but adding more weight will help his game. Has good hand and solid bend, Cirricione, like Oshana, is being hurt by not having a fall season. Whoever ends up with him, will be very excited about his upside. Athlete 2022 <strong>Kaleb White</strong>, Fremd @Kaleb_White84 White gets his own distinction because he’s not going to end up on the defensive line, but worked out with the group. He’s on the smaller side height wise, but has a motor that more than makes up for it. I feel like White’s future is at safety, where he will bring a unique set of skills to the position. By having an array of pass-rushing moves, he will be able to ultimately play at almost any level of a defense and be effective doing it.