8 Preseason Names To Watch: 22′ OL

As we get closer to the start of the Fall 2021 season these young men are practicing with their respective teams getting ready for their Week 1 matchup. With that being said let’s take a look at 8 preseason names to watch as the days are getting closer and closer to gameday. <hr /> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="120895" first="Grayson" last="Dexter"] Bradley Bourbonnais <a href="https://twitter.com/GDexter2022">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11547493/609153fd5eec2b0c2003b12b">Highlights</a></em> Mr. Dexter is from Bradley Bourbonnais, he stands at 6'4 235 and has four college offers with his most recent coming from Augustana College. What I like most about this young man is his ability to get hands-on quickly where he plays through the whistle resulting in pancaking the defender. What's even more impressive is this past spring was his first football season playing offensive line, he took on the challenge and showcased what he can do. By doing so, he's gained interest from multiple universities at the next level. With this being his 2nd season at the position keep a watch on this young man as he's very raw at the offensive line position. If your school is looking for a versatile player that can play multiple positions on the line take a look at this young man's highlight tape above. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="20905" first="Alexander" last="Knaperek"] Lincoln-Way East <a href="https://twitter.com/alex_knaperek">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9879608/60899e61bed8090840dfb288">Highlights</a></em> Mr. Knaperek is from Lincoln-Way East, he stands at 6'2 295 and currently holds no offers. What I like most about this young man is how he fires off the ball getting his hands-on quickly and driving the defenders into the ground. He also has the ability to create running lanes when pulling where he uses his footwork to square pull to make the block in open space. When he does so, he pancakes the defender creating a running lane for his back to run through and he gets to 2nd level blocks as well. His aggressive physical play is what I personally love to see out of offensive lineman, if that's what you're looking for in your program take a look at this young man's film as he's awaiting that first blessing. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="155285" first="Caiden" last="Miller"] Arcola <a href="https://twitter.com/CaidenMiller66">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11642802/608979e1dfe34411f83aa9ee">Highlights</a></em> Mr. Miller is from Arcola, he currently holds no offers as of yet and plays in 1A football which is the smallest division in Illinois. With that being said, let's take a look at what this young man has to offer your program at the next level. What I like the most about this young man is his ability to hold his own one-on-one in pass protection where he stays square and keeps the pocket clean, as the typical left tackle is expected to do. In the run game, he's able to get to 2nd level blocks and creates running lanes for his back to run through. If your school is looking for a left tackle that has the groundwork needed to play the position and has un-tapped potential, take a look at this young man's film above. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="65767" first="Tommy" last="Shipman"] Notre Dame College Prep <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyShipman1">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12848608/6088aa9b02b1890a80ee4dec">Highlights</a></em> Mr. Shipman is from Notre Dame College Prep, he stands at 6'6 285 and currently holds no offers but has college interest. What I like most about this young man is his ability to get it done in both the pass and run game. He does so by getting hands-on quickly washing the defensive line down and how he holds his own one-on-one in pass protection by staying square forcing the outside rush. He has a good frame and the foundational skills that are going to transition smoothly to the next level, as of this moment he just needs that first blessing to come his way. If your school is looking to add size to your offensive line that gets it done in both offensive attacks, go take a look at this young man's film to see if he's a fit for your program. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="149556" first="Haven" last="Hatfield"] Tuscola <a href="https://twitter.com/HavenHatfield1">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11213038/6085151b0c5da201901b1247">Highlights</a></em> Mr. Hatfield is from Tuscola, he stands at 6'3 245 and has a handful of offers with the most recent one coming from Carthage College. What I like most about this young man is his ability to get hands-on quickly which goes hand in hand with washing down the defensive linemen and pancaking defenders. He also gets to 2nd level blocks and plays through the whistle creating running lanes for his back to run through. He was awarded 2A First Team All-State for Prep Redzone Illinois this past spring season and I look forward to seeing how he does this fall. If you're a school that's looking for an offensive lineman that gets it done in the run game take a look at this young man's highlights. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="65859" first="Tyler" last="Uken"] Mahomet Seymour <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerUken">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12401747/60a5611b1762b50d3011c0e7">Highlights</a></em> Mr. Uken is from Mahomet Seymour, he stands at 6'9 270 and currently holds no offers. What I like most about this young man is his ability to get hands-on quickly to wash the defender down as well as playing through the whistle resulting in the defender being pancaked. Once he gets his hands-on there's no getting out of his block as he simply overpowers the defender with his great size. He has interest from the next level where he has gone on unofficial visits over the summer, I expect the offers to come in once the fall season is concluded. If your school is looking to add size to their offensive line and work with the potential that this young man has, take a look at this highlight tape above. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="155274" first="Ryne" last="Buttz"] Mt Zion <a href="https://twitter.com/ButtzRyne">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11052152/60860ecab5362d090c9290bf">Highlights</a></em> Mr. Buttz is from Mt Zion, he stands at 6'4 275 and has two offers consisting of Upper Iowa University as well as McKendree University. What I like most about this young man is how he fires off the ball getting hands-on quickly and plays through the whistle resulting in the defender being pancaked. He can also wash the defensive line down after he snaps the ball when he lines up at center and when he's at right tackle he creates running lanes by pulling. If your school is looking for an offensive lineman that plays through the whistle and fires off the ball, look at this young man's highlights above. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="155281" first="Logan" last="Kreiter"] Fairfield <a href="https://twitter.com/LoganKreiter">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13381533/60885ab0b53467144c916691">Highlights</a></em> Mr. Kreiter is from Fairfield, he stands at 6'9 345 and currently holds no offers. What I like most about this young man is his ability to overpower the defensive players whether that's washing them down, blocking in open space, or in pass protection. He has great size and has shown glimpses of his potential, he still has room to hone his craft further and I'm excited to see how he does this fall season. With that being said, if you're a school at the next level that wants to add size to their offensive line and wants to develop the player further, take a look at this young man's film above. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Notables</strong></em></span></span> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="65765" first="Jaylin" last="Caldwell"] Phillips <a href="https://twitter.com/jalyin">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11291142/608aef6bd468a90d2087c8dc">Highlights</a></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="155277" first="Justin" last="Wilson"] Manteno <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinW185">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11381455/6092fc1f5eec2b1784bb361f">Highlights</a></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="142584" first="Jade" last="Khater"] Lake Forest <a href="https://twitter.com/KhaterJade">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11503709/60889c41b5362d1e341f741f">Highlights</a></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="20903" first="Josh" last="Sears"] Libertyville <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshSears2022">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11340168/606e6221420771195cec64f2">Highlights</a></em> <hr /> These are some of the Preseason Names to Watch at the OL position for the class of 2022. Keep an eye on these young men as they get ready to put the pads on. <em>Be sure to follow @jamaskane regarding news &amp; information for Illinois High School Football,  @PrepRedzoneIL, and @PrepRedzone.</em>