Lineman love: Evaluating suburban Illinois lineman’s progress

It’s been just two weeks so far in the Illinois high school season, but that still doesn’t mean you can’t see where players have improved. We typically give a lot of exposure to the skill position players and I wanted to take a look at the lineman, specifically the offense side. Here are a few suburban maulers whose tape impressed me when I watched them. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-143306" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/03EC57D7-AB76-4928-B095-DE87C538B100-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Huntley OL [player_tooltip player_id="158773" first="Luke" last="Griskey"] (6’5” and 260lbs) @GriskeyLuke I’ve seen Griskey over the past two years really improve his game. The tenacity and nastiness has always been there, but his technique has improved. Griskey does a great job run blocking, driving his feet once he gets his hands on defender. When he can’t lock on, he uses his strength to push them around, taking them out of the play. As for pass protection, he isn’t quite at the same level but also is getting better. Griskey’s quick drops enable him to create so much space that some defenders just give up trying to get around him. He continues to get better and that’s exactly what you want to see from a young lineman. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66095" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/1CA0B96C-0C61-45E3-830E-E33545695BAB-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Libertyville OL [player_tooltip player_id="158772" first="Trenton" last="VanBoening"] (6’6” and 280lbs) @TrentonVB23 After getting varsity time as a sophomore, a lot was expected of VanBoening this fall and he’s delivered. The agility is impressive, he’s athletic enough to pull and when the pocket is designed to be moved, there’s no issues with him doing so. VanBoening has long arms which keep defenders at a distance, but when they do get closer, he’s strong enough to just toss them aside. He moves his feet well in pass protection, quick shuffles to get him into position to shield off defenders. VanBoening has had a very impressive start to his junior year. 2023 Crystal Lake South OL [player_tooltip player_id="158002" first="Nate" last="Compere"] (6’4” and 255lbs) @CompereNate A great athlete for his size, Compere set’s himself up well with a wide base, never getting his feet tangles while he continues to drive his opponents off the ball. He very solid in pass protection, also getting proper distance in his drops. There’s a play during his week 2 highlights where Compere pulls, knocks a man away with his left arm, doesn’t break stride and then finds another defender to block. Very impressive sequence for the lineman. Compere pulls very well and because of his size and athletic ability, most likely he ends up moving inside to guard at the next level. <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 St. Rita OL [player_tooltip player_id="20900" first="Valen" last="Erickson"] (6’6” and 305lbs) @ValenErickson Playing a national schedule isn’t easy, but St. Rita has the impressive athletes to do so, Erickson being one of them. He’s absolute massive, difficult to go around with a nasty streak. When Erickson is able to get to the second level, it’s over for linebackers. He’s nimble enough to pull as a tackle, showing that he’s not just a lineman that won’t move. Recently decommitting from Nebraska and flipping to Missouri, the Tigers got a very high level prospect that could have an very early impact. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-67498" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/2782EC42-81DE-466E-B7F3-AB1A5C97DECD-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Burlington Central OL [player_tooltip player_id="161355" first="MJ" last="Hansen"] (6’4” and 280lbs) @mjhansen95 Not much tape to go off, but Hanson is a great athlete for his size. He is quick off the ball along with having a mean streak that you love to see from a lineman. Hansen plays his lane well always looking for someone to hit. Lots to like about a sophomore that already has a season of varsity experience under his belt. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-109559" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/550D45FB-782D-4417-B2F5-A77D2518F3E6-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Fenwick OL [player_tooltip player_id="20901" first="Jimmy" last="Liston"] (6’4” and 305lbs) @jimmyliston64 Recently committing to Purdue, Liston isn’t taking anything for granted. He’s athletic enough to get to the second level, punishing smaller linebackers. Liston has good footwork and hand placement, he does well in a phone booth. When a 1-tech DT lines up over him, Liston fires off the ball, driving the defender back. The line depends on a high IQ center, which is exactly what Liston is. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-115300" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/E401EDE8-27C6-4C77-8A15-43E3BD7DF692-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 St. Charles North OL [player_tooltip player_id="20904" first="Paolo" last="Gennarelli"] (6’3” and 280lbs) @Gennarelli2002 An absolute road grader as a run blocker, Gennarelli takes his opponents for a ride when he locks on. He’s got great leg drive, along with very impressive upper body strength. Gennarelli’s base is low, which makes it even tougher for defenders to get get him off assignment. He’s versatile as well, moving from guard to tackle seamlessly, but most likely he will end up inside. The technically sound lineman should be able to make an immediate impact with Army. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-114931" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/EvQnb4DXAAUQ1jd-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Hinsdale South OL Josh Sander (6’6” and 315lbs) @Jsander03 For how large Sander is, he probably shouldn’t be able to move as nimbly as he does. He’s got a great base, it’s balanced and wide, his feet never getting tangled up. Sander has the ability to slide down inside, but I love the potential as a tackle, most likely on the right side. He’s got great agility as well, his movement side to side is impressive. His pass protection sets are great, good distance and sets up for a massive punch. I’ve always been a big fan of his game and it seems like Sander has improved since the last time I viewed his tape. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-66099" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/E26138A2-7444-4C25-9D3A-65343424EEF6-rotated-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> 2023 St. Francis OL TJ McMillen (6’3” and 270lbs) @tjmcmillen44 A force on both sides of the ball, McMillen is an extremely high level athlete. He’s got some impressive tenacity, he just bullies his opponents regardless of where he lines up. When McMillen pulls, its really something you don’t see many lineman do, the fast feet and aggressiveness standout. Whichever side McMillen ends up on, he’s going to be a big time player at the highest level. 2023 Johnsburg OL [player_tooltip player_id="20847" first="Jacob" last="Welch"] (6’6” and 280lbs) @JacobWelch75 A massive frame, Welch does well in sealing off his side, as he’s a load to get around. He’s got very impressive footwork with a strong punch. In pass protection, his footwork stands out, the three yard drop sets him up for success every time. I’d like to see him work on his bend, sometimes he gets a bit too upright when contact is initiated. There’s plenty of time for Welch to work on that before he arrives on a college campus. 2023 St. Francis OL [player_tooltip player_id="119351" first="Tyler" last="Wood"] (6’2” and 265lbs) @TylerJWood3 Yet another 2-way standout, Wood loves to be physical, he just a guy that loves football. As an offensive tackle, he’s undersized but gets the job done with very technical footwork and hand placement. There isn’t too much film to watch during his junior year but Wood has a base that will serve him well when he arrives on a college campus. He will have to slide inside if he ends up on the offensive line, but pairing with McMillen, it’s a formidable duo on both sides of the ball. 2023 Lasalle-Peru OL [player_tooltip player_id="197934" first="Nikolas" last="Belski"] (6’2” and 235lbs) @nikbelski You want to see a big man out at tight end and just drive smaller players back, put on Belski’s tape. Lining up as a TE in jumbo packages is just unfair for outside linebackers. He’s quick off the line, as soon as the ball is snapped his hands are all over the defender. When Belski returns to his natural position on the inside, his athleticism shows once again. The first play of his week 2 highlights, he’s the lead blocker on a pull play, pancakes a defense end, then heads upfield for a defensive back. It’s a wow play that shows you the potential. Belski also can long snap, which would be a huge boost for roster construction. He’s going to have to add on more weight to deal with bigger interior defensive lineman at the next level, but the traits above give Belski a whole lot to work with. 2024 Kaneland OL [player_tooltip player_id="136750" first="Brett" last="Larson"] (6’3” and 245lbs) @BrettL65 A huge lower half that Larson carries well, he’s a load to move off the line. A solid athlete than can get out in front as a lead blocker, his footwork in run blocking is very impressive. A solid drop in pass protection as well, Larson has a lot to work with at such a young age, occasionally he moves outside to tackle and still does a great job. Depending on how much he grows over the next few years will determine his ultimate position, but the base skill set is impressive for Larson.