The Line Wisconsin Session 1: Best OL performances

Fist Football and Cream City Combines once again got together to bring The Line Showcase one last go around before the Illinois season starts. It brought in prospects from around the Midwest, showing that it is one of the best, if not the best, lineman camp out there. Here are the best offensive line performances from the first group of the day on Saturday. 2022 OG Luca Kowalik Luca Kowalik 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Milwaukee Arts | 2022 State WI , Marquette University, WI (6’3” and 284lbs) @lucakowalik1 An absolute mauler, I felt like Kowalik had the physicality you are looking for in an interior lineman. He showed very good bend, the flexibility was impressive for an athlete that is so large.

First time seeing @lucakowalik1 and I came away extremely impressed. Has great upside pic.x.com/ECVUveNxja

— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 1, 2021

Kowalik carries the weight well, he looks like a perfect lead blocker on pull-plays and screens. I loved that when they were getting reps in for blitz pickup, his voice was the one that was clearly heard, showing a high football IQ. Very impressed seeing him for the first time. 2022 OG Alex Pethan Alex Pethan 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Oak Creek | 2022 State WI , Oak Creek, WI (6’2” and 300lbs) @PethanAlex Pethan has a extremely wide frame, one that fits well for an offensive lineman. He plays very angry which I love, but Pethan is more than that. A low base with tons of flexibility, Pethan has a great initial punch and moves very well for his size. Another guy who I was seeing for the first time, but came away very impressed. 2022 OG Samuel Yager Samuel Yager 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Racine Case | 2022 State WI , Case HS, WI (6’4” and 270lbs) @samuel6u The third interior Wisconsin lineman on this list had a very solid showing, Yager was consistently facing some of the better defensive lineman and came away with the 1v1 win.

Great base and football from @samuel6u pic.x.com/R2mxkgd8eB

— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 1, 2021

Throughout drills and 1v1’s, Yager showed a good base along with solid footwork, almost never getting himself out of position. He is strong at the point of attack and has a frame that will be able to continue to add on good weight when he arrives on a college campus. I was very impressed with his performance on Saturday. 2023 OG Eddie Fleck, Mount Carmel, IL (6’2” and 246lbs) @eddiefleck1018 Young but talented, Fleck held his own very well against some older defenders, giving us a glimpse at the kind of upside he has.

Young but talented is @eddiefleck1018 he’s got some serious upside pic.x.com/kMwqyeBbw3

— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 1, 2021

Fleck showed some good footwork against the faster edge rushers, good initial hands and strength. The next year will be important in projecting his future, if Fleck stays on the interior or grows and can become a tackle. Either way he has a lot of talent and is a play to monitor over the next few years. 2023 OT Aiden Duerig, Mount Carmel, IL (6’5” and 290lbs) @AidanDuerig It’s safe to say the future of the Caravan’s offensive line is in good hands, as it wasn’t just Fleck who showed well for them, Duerig did as well. He is absolute huge for his grade and was impressive with his footwork. It was easy to tell that he’s been working at it, also Duering’s strength stood out. He’s got the tackle size you’re looking for, long arms but lean enough to add more weight in the future. I look forward to seeing him get some work in this spring. 2024 OG Max Stuhlmacher, Shorewood, WI (6’1” and 275lbs) @maxstuhlmacher This was the second time I’ve seen Stuhlmacher and he made it two-for-two with another impressive performance. Another huge, young player who wasn’t overmatched at all going against some older players.

Second time seeing youngster @maxstuhlmacher and came away impressed again. Very talented at this stage of his development pic.x.com/47i7o5an98

— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 1, 2021

Stuhlmacher is strong at the point of attack, which much of his power coming from his lower-half. During drills he was very sound with his technique, a great base to work from as he continues with his high school career. He’s got a bright future and should be one of the better lineman in the state as Stuhlmacher gets older. 2025 OT Griffin Rousseau, Stoughton, WI (6’6” and 270lbs) @RousseauGriff The younger Rousseau stood out like a sore thumb, he is absolutely massive for his age. Not even in high school yet, he’s got a frame you can’t teach and is putting in the work. Right now, he’s a bit clumsy, but that is due to him getting a feel for his body. It’s not a knock on his ability, he’s a puppy who all of a sudden got huge and is a bit awkward. The upside is massive however, as he gets accustomed to his size, everything else will follow. Rousseau is a player to keep an eye out for as he enters high school next year.