We end with another big potential steal for a college coaching staff. The 6’3″ 270 lbs DL holds a pair of offers, so far, from Lindenwood and Indiana State. More coaches need to check this monster out. He plays both ways and is very talented at both DT and OG. On defense the big man is extremely nimble. He can change directions quickly, has a very strong burst out of his stance and those changes of direction. Cairo also is very strong. He can drive his OL back and get penetration and wreck havoc with power. Lastly, when he tackles it is as violent as it can be. That violence carries over to offense. He mauls and punishes the DL. He is simply looking to overpower everyone and put them on their backs in the dirt. This kid is a big time hidden gem.

It’s always fun to have offensive linemen included on a list of hardest hitters, as they are the biggest and should-be-baddest players on the gridiron, with the bulk to have their way with & move opponents against their and the strength to lay massive hits no matter who is in front of them. Of all the talented linemen on the PRzIL 2024 rankings, Lake Park’s 6’3, 270 lb. OG and DT Nick Cairo Nick Cairo 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Lake Park | 2024 State IL was in a class of his own when it comes to hitting, and was an easy, no doubt addition to this list of Land of Lincoln thumpers. Teams such as Lindenwood and Indiana State have recognized and appreciated his affinity for contact and reached out with official offers to the First Team All-Conference selection, whose junior highlights are filled with giant hits on both sides of the ball. Even compared to the other physical standouts on this list, Cairo goes absolutely all-out into contact, driving his hands, hips, facemask, and pads up and through opponents like the Kool-Aid Man runs through walls. There’s a noticeable effort in how hard he comes into contact and accelerates and drives through opponents no matter their size or the situation. Cairo sends kids flying backward further and easier than anyone on this list and is looking for big hits at any time and any place, which includes pass protection and when working to the second level as an OG, something that is hard to pull off for offensive linemen. His body control and timing of these hits is also impressive, and when manning the DL spot he absolutely envelops opponents when he gets ahold of them and always makes sure to finish with his full weight on top of a ball carrier. It’s violent, natural, and impressive all at once, and at 6’3, 270 lb. he packs a punch most players simply aren’t capable of creating into contact. It looks like he’s trying to kill his opponents when he comes in for a hit, in a good way of course, not cheaply or unfairly. Additionally, he’s a heckuva athlete at his size, who can run down RBs from the backside out to the edge, and I’ll reiterate his body control being impressive, as he can start/stop & change direction like a LB, leading to a ton of plays made in space for the big man. He runs like a deer and hits like an F150. Seeing how football is a physical game, Cairo excels in that crucial aspect of the sport, and with the way he moves and hits, I’m surprised his offer sheet isn’t longer. Someone is going to get a game-changing presence to their O or DL rooms, you better not miss out!