2024 Pancake Platoon! Offensive Linemen to Know From Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having an elite offensive line is one of the most critical needs for any team to be successful. Whether they help with a devastating running attack or allow their quarterback to sit back in the pocket, offensive linemen are a must-have for every offense. Having said that, here are some of the best offensive linemen from in the class of 2024 in the state of Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161312"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lincoln Way East's [player_tooltip player_id='161312' first='Josh' last='Janowski'] is the first offensive lineman to be mentioned, and for good reason. The big 6'2 - 275-pound offensive lineman recently put together an awesome junior season, and is looking to do much of the same in 2023. In the trenches, saying that Josh is a persistent blocker would be an understatement. Throughout his highlight tape, Josh has proven to make a habit out of driving defenders back at least 10 yards. On top of that, Josh is an explosive blocker who knows how to get bodies on the ground. Josh is everything that you would want in an offensive lineman and more. The Iowa Hawkeye football program got a good, and I am excited to see how he develops throughout his career at both Lincoln Way East and Iowa.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["161347"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='161347' first='Nathen' last='Omolo'] joins the collection of players that I have evaluated from IC Catholic Prep. The 6'4, 250-pound lineman is another kid that I would love to have on my roster any day of the week. At first glance, Nathen is lightning-fast off the ball, allowing him to be the first one to the fight in the trenches. And once Nathen brings that second and third step with him, it is game over for whoever he is going up against. Omolo's hand placement allows him to lock onto defenders with ease and finishes them off with his explosive nature. From everything that I have seen, it is no surprise why Nathen is beginning to get looks from some of the more well-known Division 1 programs in the midwest. If he keeps this up, it won't be long until those offers start coming in.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["136750"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Kaneland's [player_tooltip player_id='136750' first='Brett' last='Larson'] is another offensive lineman that everyone should be getting excited about. With a big frame, Brett stands around 6'3 and weighs 260 pounds. One of the things that have impressed me the most about Brett is his ability to move around on the football field. For a kid his size, you would not expect him to fly around on the field in the way he does. Brett is an explosive puller who knows how to find green grass and blow up the second-level defender who finds him in the hole. Brett's highlight tape was a ton of fun to watch and has proven that he can be one of the top offensive linemen in the state. With some FCS interest beginning to percolate, I am sure that Brett is going to find himself near himself at one of the nation's premier football programs very soon.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["132283"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='132283' first='Armand' last='Voloder-Munoz'] is another offensive lineman joining this list, and for good reason. The Lake Park Product stands around 6'4 and weighs a big 275 pounds. On the gridiron, Armand translates that over to domination in the trenches. On film, Armand is a relentless puller who has a knack for finding his target and getting downhill. Armand is also very skilled in sticking to his man in the run game. After he flies off the ball, he uses physicality and strength to ensure that his assignment does not get close to the ball carrier. With everything I have seen from Voloder-Munoz, I can confidently say this kid has tremendous upside. If he can continue to build off of last season, there is no telling where he might end up.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["271324"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Iroquois West's [player_tooltip player_id='271324' first='Jace' last='Pankey'] is another offensive lineman to put on your radar for next season. The big 6'4 and 280-pound offensive linemen put together a big 2022 season that people need to take notice of. Off the ball, Jace is incredibly fast and follows through will low pads that make it easy for him to drive defenders off the ball. With his ferocious off-the-ball start, Jace shows off his knack for getting people on the ground. Jace has an explosive nature about him that helps him dominate whoever is in front of him, and open up running lanes. Jace has the frame to be a dominant force in the trenches, and I will be looking for him to have another big season in 2023.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["353991"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='353991' first='Mark' last='Ivanisevic'] is one of those dual-sport offensive linemen that every offensive line coach dreams about having in their room. The Hinsdale South product competes at a high level in both wrestling and football. From what I have seen on tape, it is clear that Mark has translated everything that he has learned from wrestling into his play on the football field. With some of the nastier drive that I have seen out of an offensive lineman, Mark makes producing pancakes look easy as he is constantly driving his opponent into the ground. In pass protection, Mark displays smooth patience and allows his work to come to him, making Mark a very efficient pass protector. Dual sport athletes are always important to consider in the recruiting world, with Mark being such a prolific wrestler, he fits the mold of what every offensive line coach should be looking for in their players.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["147795"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Batavia's [player_tooltip player_id='147795' first='Jackson' last='Nekolny'] is another member of this group who has proven to be one of the better offensive linemen in his class. At 6'2 and 245 pounds, Jackson is on the leaner side of the scale but makes up for it with his nasty play on the line of scrimmage. Jackson seemed to be the utility player for Batavia on the offensive line last year with stints at all 5 positions. Having that kind of experience is vital at the next level and allows him to play wherever he wants with the experience to back it up. On the field, Jackson is a tough offensive lineman that plays with an attitude. With the trend that he is on, I would not be surprised to see him climb the offensive line boards as he dominates next season.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6401122e063bb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->