Offensive Line Roundup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 to get 30% off a new subscription!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is off and running here in IL. The statistics are already piling up for a few standout athletes, and Prep Redzone IL is here to highlight them all. However, we can't let arguably the most important group slip under the radar. OL don't have the ease of being able to use stats to help show their talent and impact. They just have their film. So, we are going to dive into the film of a few senior, junior, and sophomore offensive linemen from around the state to shine the spotlight on them. Let's get into it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["537273"],"_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":"Zach started his senior season off with a great performance in the trenches. My first takeaway from his film is that the big man perfectly personifies the nasty, bully mentality that you need on the OL, especially along the interior. Zach is always looking to dominant his opponent, to put them in the dirt, to throw them around. The OG is able to do it consistently because of his superior strength and heavy hands. He simply overpowers IDL in the run game. Barrett also shows his strength in the pass game with his anchor. When he sets his anchor he is able to stuff bull rushers, and easily maintains the pocket. Barrett is one of the best uncommitted senior OL in IL. Check out the week one film below.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572ddf5d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14823011/64ee35fcdfd7f50a1003c553' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572ddfad"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899307"],"_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":"Right off the bat, and throughout the highlights, you have to take note of how light Jimmy is on his feet. He moves and changes direction at 280 lbs with impressive ease. He does a great job of keeping his feet under him, staying balanced, and not reaching or putting himself at awkward angles. That quickness is a big plus for his run blocking. He fires out of his stance and does a great job of transitioning that short area burst into power to bulldoze DL or LBs out of gaps without losing a step of momentum. It will be interesting to see if he stays at OT or moves inside at the next level. I think he has the skill set to offer the ability to provide depth at both early on. Definitely a name to know.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de022"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15726448/64ebe23cdfe2070ce8a896cb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de04b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899308"],"_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":"Christos has a unique skill set at LG. He has a massive frame packed with power. That power is what should get him the attention of the next level. Christos has the ability to generate a huge punch or surge of power from one or two steps. You see it on his quick Week One highlights. When he goes in for the block, Alexandros bursts through his last step or two before contact and turns that burst into power to get a big push. Overall, I really liked the power and short area quickness that he showed. He will be one to watch as the season progresses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de0ac"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15050923/64ea4e374ba8730b28b7c1cd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de0d5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["830843"],"_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":"One of Illinois' best OL in his Class got his season off on the right foot based on his Week 1 film. Michael has excellent traits that will give him the ability to play FBS football. He has great body control and flexibility. Michael is able to play low, explode out of his stance in the run game, play with consistently accurate hand placement, and the power that comes with the sharp technique allows him to reset the line of scrimmage in the run game. Michael's range jumps off the tape too. He is able to close quickly on LBs, and lands hard hitting blocks on them. Michael is the type of athlete you need on the interior of your OL. Power, athleticism, size, flexibility. He is developing it all at a great rate.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de139"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17853779/64ee2e98066b840ab08523d3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de157"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["830248"],"_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":"We got a great look at the standout junior's pass blocking talents in Week One. The long, and still rather lean at 280 lbs, athlete has a well developing lower body. Quick feet that are able to slide and change direction while, good body control that keeps him square over his feet as he mirrors pass rushers, and a stout punch to stifle bull or speed rushers. I will be waiting for more weekly highlights to continue to learn more about his game, and see how he develops over the year. A top athlete to know at the position, without question.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de1b0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16192493/64ebaab14deb0c073c60525c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de1d0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325063"],"_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":"Before we end this article, there is a sophomore who also put out some impressive film. That is the mammoth of an OT, [player_tooltip player_id='325063' first='Rico' last='Schrieber']. The 6'7u0022 325 lbs sophomore is just starting to mold that massive frame, and learn how to most efficiently use it. It has me pumped up because Rico already is showing solid balance and mobility despite the huge frame. He is able to effectively pull, he is able to maneuver himself to be in the proper leverage position while engaged, or not. The sophomore has a smooth pass set as well. Rico also has good natural strength, but I expect to see that area of his game continue to improve and really become a big piece of his game as he matures. Keep an eye on this one over the next few years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de223"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18679661/64eacbfb0c5382087885a6e6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f11572de240"} /-->