Preseason Preview: Loyola Ramblers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are a 43 days away from kickoff for the 2023 season. As the season approaches, we will be previewing some of the top programs across the state. Starting off with last year's 8A IHSA State Champions, the Loyola Ramblers are poised to defend their title with one of the best offensive and defensive line units in the state. If they can capture another ring, it'll be Loyola's 3rd state championship in the last 5 years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">KEY STARTERS:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891211"],"_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":"The 6'4, 220 lbs senior edge rusher was a monster for the Ramblers last season. Hogg plays with an extremely high motor and refuses to be blocked. He possesses a variety of moves that allow him to win one-on-one matchups versus offensive tackles. He has polished hands and fluid athleticism that sets Hogg up to win in multiple ways. He can speed rush around the edge, chop rip to the inside, or three-step and spin on an inside move. In the run game, Hogg is extremely quick laterally and plays with great physicality. Hogg will be a force on the edge for Loyola in his senior season.rnrnu003cemu003eOffers: Army, Marshall, Fordham, Kent State, Ohio, New Hampshireu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["436477"],"_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":"The 6'3, 270 lbs guard is a road grader for the Ramblers. Baltazar, a senior, destroys anyone in his path in the run game and is anything but passive in pass protection. Baltazar plays with low pad level and pulls or down blocks with an urgency that all offensive linemen desire. This is a testament to his athleticism. When pass protecting, Baltazar handles one-on-one matchups with fluid technique and always looks for extra work when no threat appears to him. Baltazar is a nasty and physical blocker who is poised to anchor Loyola's offensive line this season.rnrnu003cemu003eOffers: Bryant, Bucknell, Army, New Hampshire, Lehigh, Colgateu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["271781"],"_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":"Kelly missed 9 games in his junior year due to injury. In the 5 games he was able to play, Kelly absolutely dominated. He is extremely quick for his size, standing at 6'2 and weighing 265 lbs. The senior defensive tackle uses his feet and hands in unison, setting up offensive linemen and avoiding them with quick hand work. He bursts out of his stance at the snap of the ball and uses his long arms to drive offensive linemen back and penetrate into the backfield. Kelly is fully healthy heading into his senior season and should dominate as part of Loyola's stout defensive line.rnrnu003cemu003eOffers: Colgate, Valpraiso, Butler, Lindenwoodu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Kenny Langston","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Loyola","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Langston shined at safety during his junior campaign. The 6'1, 195 lbs defensive back is a surehanded tackler who plays with strong technique and physicality. Langston is a true strong safety, as he gets downhill quickly in run support and makes open field tackles look easy. He takes smart angles and runs his feet on contact to drive through ball carriers. In the pass game, Langston is a fluid backpedaler who can put his foot in the ground and drive on the ball with ease. Look for Langston to hold down the secondary for the Ramblers this season.rnrnu003cemu003eOffers: Butleru003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Will Nimesheim","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Loyola","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Nimesheim will be the featured part of the Ramblers' offense heading into his senior season. The All-Conference running back impressed last season with his breakaway speed, incredible vision, body control, and pass catching ability. Nimesheim impacts the game in a variety of ways, as the 5'11, 195 lbs athlete is a threat from both the back field and in the slot. Nimesheim runs extremely hard, possesses a variety of juke moves, and is as crisp a route runner as you'll find. With Loyola looking to repeat as state champions, Nimesheim will be a massive part of their quest towards the title.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["898651"],"_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":"Scheid is an aggressive inside linebacker who had a breakout junior season with the Ramblers last year. He is 6'0, 210 lbs and has the athleticism, instincts, and physicality that every elite linebacker needs. Scheid plays as if he was shot out of a cannon, meaning he gets downhill quickly and destroys anything in his path. On blitzes, Scheid takes tight angles at full speed to allow him to come free and attack the opposing quarterback. He is a fluid dropper in the pass game and is a surehanded tackler. Scheid is poised for a big senior season holding down the middle of Loyola's defense.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["831094"],"_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":"MacPherson's season was cut short last year due to injury. The sophomore broke onto the scene for Loyola's varsity team in the early part of the season. Standing at 6'1 and weighing 190 lbs, MacPherson is a fast and physical back who is extremely hard to tackle in the open field. Once he sees an open lane, he is off and running for 6. When defenders do meet him in the hole, MacPherson shows off his elusiveness and powerful running style by breaking tackles in a variety of ways. He can stick his foot in the ground and change direction with ease. Returning fully healthy for this season, look for MacPherson to have a breakout junior year.rnrnu003cemu003eOffers: Western Michigan, Toledo, Bucknell, Eastern Illinoisu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b97965e0536"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Other Players to Know:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Theo Koulianos","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Loyola","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Koulianos is a 6'1, 285 lbs junior guard who should be a key piece of the Ramblers' offensive line this season. Koulianos is a mauler. Once his hands get on an opposing defender, it's game over. Koulianos delivers a strong punch out of his stance and uses leverage to drive defensive linemen backwards. He finishes his blocks with a nastiness and has solid technique that will only get better with more reps this year. Keep an eye out for Loyola's rushing attack this season with the combination of Baltazar and Koulianos in the trenches and Nimesheim and MacPherson carrying the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["279419"],"_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":"Bendery is a 6'4, 280 lbs offensive linemen who possesses natural talent and raw athleticism. Bendery spent time at tackle and guard for the Ramblers last year. Heading into his senior season, he is ready to take on a bigger role. Bendery plays with strong technique and hand placement that allows him to succeed when blocking. He plays extremely hard, fighting for hand position and leverage to drive defenders off the ball. He plays with low pad level and has a powerful base that helps him win one-on-one blocks. Bendery will be a key contributor to Loyola's impressive offensive line.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b97965e064e"} /-->