2025 IL Offensive Linemen to Watch for This Offseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're back, and today we're focusing on some of the top sophomore offensive linemen in Illinois. Every prospect featured was a contributor at the varsity level and displayed an intriguing skillset on tape. As a whole, they're pretty under-recruited right now, but I do believe there are most certainly some division one prospects that will emerge from this list. Expect coaches to be in this spring evaluating these youngsters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you have any prospects you'd like for me to watch, please @ them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='278903' first='Dayne' last='Schellenger'], 6'6" 310, Greenville</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Quick out of his stance with high effort.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Smooth/under control when forced to block in space.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Size overwhelms interior defensive linemen on down blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Despite being a larger prospect, he's quite flexible. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Deuce Thornton, 6'3" 250, Peoria</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Works off-zone double teams to secure second-level defenders. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sudden with some tenacity behind his punch.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Constantly looking for work in the run game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has played some center and can kick down inside if in a pickle.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='331578' first='Jazarri' last='Jackson'], 6'3" 255, Hillcrest</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plays mean and looks to finish off blocks through the whistle.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows swift footwork in pass protection.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Feet never step churning once engaged as a run blocker. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has some rawness to his game, but his ceiling is quite high.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='331569' first='Tony' last='Galloway'], 6'3" 250, Romeoville</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Easily picks-up twists and stunts in the run game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hips are charged for maximum force on his punch.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has proven that he can displace first-level defenders.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Capable of resetting his hands once they get outside the breastplate.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='331562' first='Stefan' last='Popov'], 6'3" 250, Waubonsie Valley</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A strong base allows for him to anchor down against a bull rush.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Once he locks on, he's a hard man to shed.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Does a good job sealing to hinge on the backside of gap scheme runs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Aggressive on double teams with his eyes up waiting for a linebacker to trigger. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Michael McDonough, 6'3" 270, Andrew</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Physical at the point of attack by getting his second step in the group quickly and playing with good leverage.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Was a knockdown machine in 2022.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plays with a sense of urgency and is just downright relentless.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will backtrack in his slide if nothing presents itself and help his man inside.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Cort Leonard, 6'3" 240, Iroquois West</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has the bloodlines, as both his brothers are power-five offensive linemen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Feet and hands work in unison post-snap.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gets plenty of extension and plays with good forward body lean.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Under control when maintaining blocks and can easily mirror defenders.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->