Winter is Coming! Part 1-OL

<h2><b>Winter is Coming- Part 1 Offensive Line</b></h2> <span style="font-weight: 400;">During this journey, I will be taking you around the Central and Southern Illinois area, looking at some of the talents that have been standing out over the last several months at showcases, practices, and Twitter. Will bring you a player breakdown of each position group throughout the rest of October. I am going to kick it off with my college position Offensive Line “The Hog Maulers.” </span> <h6><b>[player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"], East Louis HS, 6’7 345, 2023, Tackle</b></h6> <span style="font-weight: 400;">This young man has all the tools to play anywhere in the country without a doubt. As a sophomore, he is playing like a man among boys on the field. He carries himself quite well possesses explosive quick hands with a massive wingspan. The technique is superb when kick stepping in the pass block. He keeps the defender in front of him at all times, and when engaged, he doesn’t lose them. The combine numbers have been excellent and for a sophomore even more so. Combine Results: 20yd 3.13, 225 x 15, Squat 550. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cannot wait to see him play in the Spring! Recruiters, don’t drag your feet. </span> <h6><b>AJ Gonzalez, Fairfield Community HS, 6’8 330, 2021, Tackle</b></h6> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Had the opportunity to meet and see him up close; he is every bit the size he is listed 6’8 330. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Very impressive wingspan with an exceptional run block ability can be an absolute load to handle on the next level on the right side. Strength will happen when the college staff puts him in the weight room. When I expressed his passion for playing college football, he had a smile a mile long. Kentucky Wesleyan has offered him the opportunity to play for them, but I don’t see the offers stopping there any time soon. Wherever he plays is getting a prototypical offensive tackle that will hold his own. </span> <h6><b>[player_tooltip player_id="20308" first="Sam" last="Buck"], Highland HS, 6’3 293, 2021, Guard</b></h6> <img class="size-medium wp-image-57639" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Sam-Buck-300x254.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="254" /> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Sam was at the Prep Red Zone Showcase last month when I first saw him. I must say he was one of the more impressive guards of the day, if not the best. He stepped up; he knew how to flip the switch immediately while holding his own with the showcases’ top defensive lineman. I got to look at his tape; it was nothing short of impressive in all aspects. Some of the key attributes that stand out are rare his vice-like hands, aggressive downhill blocking fires out low to maintain exceptional pad level, and powerful at first contact that results in pancakes regularly. The mean streak he demonstrates is ferocious with the intent to flatback opponents in short order. Sam is the 11th ranked DL on Prep Red Zone, but I was able to see him playing offense, and it was nothing short of exceptional.</span> <h6><b>Peyton Mazur, Christopher Community HS, 6’4 343, 2022, Tackle</b></h6> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57619" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Peyton-Mazur-261x300.jpg" alt="" width="261" height="300" /></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Peyton has an essential winter ahead of him for the spring; he came in at 343 at the Prep Showcase last month. That said, he ran 5.78 40yd (2.92 20yd), so for a big man, he can get downfield quickly. Footwork in pass protection needs to get faster to play tackle, with practice, repetition, and perseverance. Luckily he has a former NFL Super Bowl Champion, Mr. Anthony Hargrove, to tutor him along the way. He has gotten better every time I have seen him at the showcases. Mr. Hargrove is working with him every day; you can’t put a price on that kind of knowledge. This young man is outstandingly strong that can take on any defender. Good wingspan with strong hands that don’t let go when in engaged. He is getting bigger, faster, and stronger every day, excited to see what comes from the winter. </span> <h6><b>Steven Young, Kankakee HS, 6’1 290, 2023, Guard/Center</b></h6> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The work put in by this young sophomore is impressive with every passing day. Where he was last season to now is night and day when it comes to technique and strength. He already plays the game at the pad level with a violent, mean streak. His winter workouts have bumped all his personal best’s in the weight room as follows: Bench 305, Squat 450, Clean 275 40 times 5.0. He has made it a personal goal to get better before the spring to be an All-Conference Offensive Lineman and the ultimate goal of playing college football. He is going to start popping up on recruiters boards fairly quickly come springtime.</span>