8 Preseason Names To Watch: 23′ 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 /> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="131654" first="Ryan" last="Susnar"] Minooka <a href="https://twitter.com/susnar_ryan">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13250309/60883d944debb10bcc331a0f">Highlights</a></em></strong> Mr. Susnar is from Minooka, he played on Varsity this past spring season and was a sight to see. What I like most about this young man is how he fires off the ball getting hands-on quickly and attacks each play. This aggressiveness is what you like to see out of offensive lineman as he plays through the whistle each play resulting in defenders being pancaked. In pass protection, he stays square forcing the outside rush and keeps the pocket clean for his quarterback. This young man has a high upside which is going to be shown this fall season. Not to mention that he and [player_tooltip player_id="158719" first="Carter" last="Gessner"] will be a top lineman duo to watch as the college interest for both of these young men will pick up after their fall season performance. <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="120736" first="Cooper" last="Starks"] North Mac <a href="https://twitter.com/cooper_starks">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13234841/6090314bf3275e0b3c53a1d3">Highlights</a></em></strong> Mr. Starks is from North Mac, he played on Varsity this past spring season and was on our 3A 1st Tea All-State Team. What I like most about this young man is the aggressiveness and tenacity he brings to the table. This comes to light in his run blocking as well as his pass protection where he pancakes defenders. In run blocking, he fires off the ball getting hands-on quickly washing the defensive lineman down and can block in open space as well. In pass protection, he stays square forcing the outside rush and neutralizes the defensive end by slapping his hands down and throwing the pass rusher to the ground. He plays through the whistle and gets after it throughout his highlight film, has room to hone his craft further and can be a stock riser after this fall season is concluded. <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="158773" first="Luke" last="Griskey"] Huntley <a href="https://twitter.com/GriskeyLuke">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12777910/608f288d1762a50c444b8c63">Highlights</a></em></strong> Mr. Griskey is from Huntley, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he was a sight to see. He gets hands-on quickly playing through the whistle where he drive blocks the defender into the ground. In pass protection, he stays square forcing the outside rush keeping the pocket clean for his quarterback and neutralizing the defensive end. What I like most about this young man is how hard of a worker that he is as he’s continued to put in the work in the weight room, going to training sessions to hone his craft further, and competing at various camps to get his name out there further. I’m looking forward to seeing some of his untapped potential come to light this fall season and how he produces for his team as he’s a name to watch moving forward. <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="158772" first="Trenton" last="VanBoening"] Libertyville <a href="https://twitter.com/TrentonVB23">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13452813/60675b479a9c3f16681d9ef7">Highlights</a></em></strong> Mr. VanBoening is from Libertyville, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what he can do. He gets hands-on quickly which goes hand in hand with washing the defensive line down and can block in open space for his teammates. What I like most about this young man is how he stays square forcing the outside rush during pass protection and how he plays through the whistle which results in the defender being pancaked. This is another athlete that has been going to training sessions to hone his craft further alongside [player_tooltip player_id="158773" first="Luke" last="Griskey"] before the fall season is started. With the training from FIST Football and the work he’s been putting in this offseason, he’s going to be one to keep an eye on and a possible stock riser as well. <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="139470" first="Steven" last="Young"] Kankakee <a href="https://twitter.com/Steven_Young55">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13083871/60870ea30c5da201901c03bc">Highlights</a></em></strong> Mr. Young is from Kankakee, he played on Varsity this past spring season where we got a glimpse into what’s to come over the next two seasons. What I like most about this young man is the aggressiveness and tenacity that he brings to the offensive line. He does so by firing off the ball getting hands-on quickly and attacking the defender resulting in pancakes. This young man is also able to wash the defensive line down creating running lanes for his running back. What I’m most interested to see from this young man is how he develops over these next two seasons and how he produces this upcoming fall. He’s a smaller guard but don’t let that sway you away from this young man as he brings the aggressive factor to the offensive line. <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="65873" first="Chris" last="Terek"] Glenbard West <a href="https://twitter.com/cterek77">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9713780/6085f8daa018ca1df4b3960a">Highlights</a></em></strong> Mr. Terek is from Glenbard West, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he was a sight to see. He fires off the ball getting hands-on quickly to wash the defensive line down with his aggressive playstyle. This also comes to light in pass protection where he stays square forcing the outside rush and throwing the pass rusher into the ground. This young man is also able to get to 2nd level blocks where he keeps his feet driving to pancake the defenders creating running lanes for his running backs as well. Overall, I’m looking forward for some of his untapped potential to come to light this fall season and to see how he develops further over the course of his high school career. <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="136110" first="Cannon" last="Leonard"] Iroquois West <a href="https://twitter.com/CannonLeonard1">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13022406/6088a97002b1890a80ee4dab">Highlights</a></em></strong> Mr. Leonard is from Iroquois West, he played on Varsity this past spring season showcasing what’s to come in the future. He fires off the ball getting hands-on quickly where he keeps his feet driving resulting in pancaking the defenders and playing through the whistle. What I like most about this young man is the aggressiveness that he showcased in the run game including washing the defensive line down to create running lanes for his running backs. This young man is the younger brother of The University of Illinois OL Commit [player_tooltip player_id="20907" first="Clayton" last="Leonard"], both of whom are going to be a force on the offensive line this fall season. Keep an eye on this young man as he continues to hone his craft and develop further. <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="65876" first="Jacob" last="Klink"] Hononegah <a href="https://twitter.com/JacobKlink76">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12868273/60a3dcdc5eecd50d344928c0">Highlights</a></em></strong> Mr. Klink is from Hononegah, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased glimpses of his potential yet to come to light. He gets hands-on quickly which he uses to wash the defensive line down and keeps his feet driving resulting in pancaking the defender. His aggressiveness is what caught my eye when viewing his highlight tape and he has good size for a guard standing at 6'4 390. That being said, keep an eye on this young man as he continues to hone his craft and develop his skillset further. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Notables</strong></em></span> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="158719" first="Carter" last="Gessner"] Minooka <a href="https://twitter.com/carter_gessner">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13250308/608d91cad468a90d208915dd">Highlights</a></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="157999" first="Tyler" last="Reed"] Byron <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12944793/60a70f7f6899a90b3802e20f">Highlights</a></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="135532" first="Isaiah" last="Gonzalez"] IC Catholic Prep <a href="https://twitter.com/gonzalezisaiah_">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14741937/6071dcdb90f9ad01e88eb7a3">Highlights</a></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="135837" first="Collin" last="Gerger"] St Rita <a href="https://twitter.com/cgerger72">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13819166/60877079bd6ba31f18ae55dd">Highlights</a></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="158054" first="Anthony" last="Birsa"] Joliet Catholic Academy <a href="https://twitter.com/AnthonyBirsa">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13447344/6089ce67b53467144c9265d7">Highlights</a></em> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="133954" first="Chris" last="Farrell"] Lisle <a href="https://twitter.com/Chrisfarrell32">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&amp;v=xoSb7c76pnE">Highlights</a></em> <hr /> These are some of the Preseason Names to Watch at the OL position for the class of 2023. 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>