EFT / EDGY Time MLK Showcase top OL performers

What EFT Football Academy and EDGY Tim has done for the state of Illinois needs to be pointed out. They have given the only state in the Midwest, who hasn’t played in the fall, multiple opportunities to showcase their talents for collegiate scouts and give them great coaching to get better. Once again they held a fantastic camp, their annual MLK Day Showcase, which ended up at the Sparta Dome in Crown Point, Indiana. The event brought kids from all over the Midwest, and here are the top performers from the offensive line group. Offensive guard Melvin Priestly, East St. Louis, IL (6’4” and 330lbs) @melvinpriestly1 An absolute mauler, Priestly wants to learn. He was one of the few prospects on hand that I saw asking the coaches questions about what to focus on during drills. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351646484068970497?s=21 <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">His coaches told me that he wasn’t getting much action on the recruiting trail, but that that needs to change. Priestly has a bad attitude when the whistle is blown, and would be a great prospect to have in a locker room.</span> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97880" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/0357A54C-EE44-44E3-8157-C20CAB5CF162-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Offensive tackle / guard [player_tooltip player_id="65764" first="Luke" last="Dalton"], Marian Central Catholic, IL (6’5” and 300lbs) @LukeDalton_ A relentless worker, who is just learning the game. Dalton and I spoke for a few minutes and he told me that he just started playing football 2 years ago, basketball being his first love. Wow, if this is what Dalton looks like after just recently focusing on the gridiron, watch out. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351648664503009286?s=21 Knowing that he’s actually that raw of a prospect is shocking, his ceiling went much higher for me after finding that out. He is talented enough to slide inside and play a guard spot also. Either way, Dalton should be getting much more Power 5 love, and will as soon as he has new tape. 2022 offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="30165" first="Garrett" last="Masterson"], Lapeer HS, MI (6’7” and 300lbs) @garrettmasterson9 A towering figure, Masterson is huge but still amazingly looks lean. He showed some great footwork and was excellent during 1v1s. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351652642997592066?s=21 I didn’t know much about him coming into the event, but he should be on plenty of team’s radars now. Masterson has all the makings to be a great tackle on either side of the line. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97884" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/B77BBB3B-40D6-421D-A831-FE4B9D700E08-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"], East St. Louis, IL (6’7” and 345lbs) @McVayMiles Sometimes it seems like McVay gets bored when going through drills, he’s so polished that when there isn’t a challenge, there’s a bit of a letdown. Once the 1v1s started, his lights turned on and once again, showed why he’s getting early interest from Power 5 schools across the country. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351655014008299520?s=21 He wanted to be challenged by the best defensive linemen in attendance, and when they came up, McVay stopped them in their tracks. When it’s time for him to make a decision on where football takes him next, McVay is going to have a lot of options. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97886" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/1698E537-A947-4477-814E-14E2D7B3C86D-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="20900" first="Valen" last="Erickson"], St. Rita, IL (6’6” and 310lbs) @ValenErickson Already holding a few high level offers, Erickson is a massive tackle prospect. He moves his feet well, is extremely strong and has the mentality you are looking for in a lineman. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351658820267876352?s=21 Erickson has the long arms your looking for in a left tackle. He has a great base as well. The future is bright for this young man. 2022 Offensive tackle Joshua Sander, Hinsdale South, IL (6’6” and 338lbs) @Jsander03 I’m not sure if Sander had planned to hit the weight room later in the day, but one thing we discussed was getting a bit leaner to battle speed rushers. Well, he posted a tweet of his workout after the event, showing off his impressive strength. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1351664594243231750?s=21 Another huge lineman, Sander has good feet and a great punch. Yet another in attendance that has a bright future. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-97887" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/50E2FC9B-EF87-487D-9B04-5DD988924086-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Offensive tackle Yaser Alawadi, Maine East, IL (6’8” and 320lbs) @YaserAlawadi3 Not only is this young man talented, but he’s a great person as well. Constantly helping his o-line brothers, Alawadi will be a huge boon to any locker room he ends up at. He moves his feet well, is strong at the point of attack and has that switch to get nasty when needed. One of my favorite linemen to cover and be around. Quick hitters on others who stood out: 2022 Offensive tackle Marquis Cain, Cardinal Ritter College Prep, MO (6’3” and 320lbs) @MarquisCain51 Absolutely loved the mean streak that Cain showed. Wish he was closer to the Illinois area to see him perform more often. Big upside here. 2022 Offensive tackle Joseph Cannedy, Zionsville Community HS, IN (6’5” and 250lbs) @Joe_Canada74 The other side of a big time tackle combo with Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id="39041" first="Joey" last="Tanona"], Cannedy isn’t a slouch in his own right. Lean with room to add onto his frame, he showed good footwork and polish. 2022 Offensive guard [player_tooltip player_id="65774" first="Matthew" last="Haan"], Chicago Christian, IL (6’3” and 274lbs) @matthaanlaw A mean streak from the interior lineman, Haan has solid size and is a perfect fit for a mauling guard. I’d like to see more of him going forward. 2023 Offensive tackle Cannon Leonard, Iroquois West HS, IL (6’9” 260lbs) @CannonLeonard1 Leonard stands out like a sore thumb, he towers over everyone. Lean, athletic and powerful, his development will be one to watch. 2024 Offensive lineman Henry Martello, Culver Military Academy, IN (6’3” and 245lbs) For a young player, Martello has a great feel for the game. It will be interesting to watch him progress over the next couple of years. 2022 Offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="30176" first="Dustyn" last="Morell"], Lapeer, MI (6’5” and 245lbs) @DustynMorell Long and lean, Morell has a great build for a tackle. He showed good feet and with more time, could blow up. 2023 Center Timothy Pitts, East St. Louis, IL (6’2” and 236lbs) @timpitt19 Although a bit undersized, Pitts held his own against some of the better interior defenders in attendance. As he gets older, stronger and puts on good weight, he’ll be a major player down the road. 2023 Offensive tackle Cooper Starks, North Mac HS, IL (6’5” and 315lbs) @cooper_starks Huge for his age, Starks will only get better from here on out. Could end up at multiple positions on the line. 2024 Offensive lineman Max Stuhlmacher, Shorewood, IL (6’1”and 275lbs) @maxstuhlmacher Another pup, Stuhlmacher could ultimately end up at any one of the offensive line spots, depending on how much taller he gets. Regardless, he’s got plenty of upside and is so young and talented. 2023 Offensive tackle Trenton VanBoening, Libertyville, IL (6’6” and 285lbs) @TrentonVB23 Another young man I’ve seen continue to grow, not just in stature but in ability as well. The ceiling is high for this hard worker and he’s a great person to interact with.