Illinois OL Check In

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season has passed the midway point. We have seen impressive team wins, huge offensive and defensive efforts with the stats to match. However, at the core of all of the success are the monsters in the trenches. That group deserves the spotlight far more than they tend to get it. So that is our goal today! We are going to check out the film of OL from across the Classes of 2024-2026. We start with the senior representatives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898680"],"_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 mammoth left tackle out of Oswego is an excellent option for teams looking to add muscle, size, and positive impact to their running game. Gustavo is a bulldozer is the run game. Once he gets those big paws clamped on to his man there is no getting away from the 6'7u0022 295 lbs senior. Between his sheer mass, heavy hands, and lower body strength Gustavo is able to drive any DL out of the trenches and get the line of scrimmage reset downfield. The big man has sufficient lateral agility to be able to come off a double team to pick up LBs. It will be interesting to see if teams value him out at OT or inside at OG at the next level. Either way, this is a senior who has put together a strong final season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf453366"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15716539/65028d7632dcbe0840600b1a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf4533ce"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161355"],"_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":"Another senior putting together a strong final campaign is the Burlington Central LT. MJ plays with devastating upper body strength. His first three weeks highlights are filled with his initial punch putting defenders on the ground and when it doesn't, those heavy hands steer his opponent wherever he wants them to go. MJ has developed solid athleticism in his lower half as well. He can move laterally comfortably. He can get up to the second level. The big man is able to get good depth in his pass set vs speed. The exciting part is there is still room for his body control and flexibility to continue to develop and that will only make him more impactful in the trenches. I'm a big fan of this kid's tape. Check him out.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf453459"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15651120/64f519e819b05f089877b1b9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf45348c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["609227"],"_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 OL out of Peoria is a need to know prospect in the Class of 2025. His highlights show a well rounded prospect with the talent and traits needed to excel at a high level of college football. Deuce has excellent range to either kick out DL or get out in space and lay great blocks on DBs in the screen game. Deuce also has the lower body flexibility to give himself the leverage advantage in the trenches. Pair that with the strength he has built up and you get an OG who is able to dig those stout DTs out of the trenches. The junior consistently plays with his hands too. That strength carries over to his pass protection. The anchor is there to secure a reliable pocket for his QB. Give this tape a watch!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf45352f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13354197/64ffbeacd226040708f0723f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf45355e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["663039"],"_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":"This kid is a man mover at OG. Jacob has a huge frame that already looks ready for the next level. Benson thrives in the run game. He has the hands of a heavyweight boxer when he makes that initial punch. His leg drive gives him the ability to run DL right off the line of scrimmage or run them down the line away from the ball. Jacob also has impressive feet and lateral agility to reach defenders in the run game or mirror interior DL in pass protection. Benson is a powerful unit of an OG and proving to be very reliable in the run and pass game. This is the type of athlete you need on the interior of your OL at the next level. Big, strong, finisher, with solid athleticism. Make sure he is on your radars.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf4535de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17756612/64fcbb298cd46b1038b13f2a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf45360b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801699"],"_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":"Casey is on his way towards becoming one of the next top OL prospects coming out of the land of Lincoln. He already looks the part of an FBS OL with his long arms, and 6'7u0022 270 lbs frame. You don't need to play much tape to see that this kid is different. He still has that athletic build despite the 270 lbs on him already. Casey moves so well, especially at his size and age. He can explode out to the second level. There is no question about the strength either. Thomann is able to quickly overpower his matchup and reset the line of scrimmage downfield. I was very impressed by how strong and consistent his technique is. Wide base, hands inside on his defender, play with good knee bend and ankle flexibility. This kid checks a lot of boxes and is molding his game into an FBS level talent. This is a need to know prospect if you don't know him already.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf45368f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17735837/64f93249344a4e0ae4e74eed' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf4536be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401615"],"_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 Class of 2026 has some studs on the OL. Another need to know athlete is [player_tooltip player_id='401615' first='Kellen' last='Gamble']. Kellen is a very athletic OL prospect who is effective while on the move. You see him doing a lot of pulling on his highlights, and for good reason. Kellen has great range, has the balance and body control to be able to hit the smaller targets while on the move, and he transitions that range into power on contact consistently well. Gamble also shows that he can line up in the trenches and overpower the big DL. The talent is there, and there is so much room to further develop his game. The sky is the limit for Kellen. Give him a look.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf45373e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18392827/65114cfdd21c49052cc5e3ff' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651decf45376a"} /-->