PrepRed Zone Showcase Session 1 Top Performers: OL & DL

There were plenty of prospects that came to impress during PrepRed Zone’s first Illinois Showcase. The first group of players were the linemen and what an impressive group it was. Here are the jumbo athletes that stood out to me during the event. 2023 Offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"], East St. Louis (6’7” and 343-pounds) McVay should be the first guy off the bus, such an imposing figure. Although he looks disinterested during the testing portion, McVay turned it on during the 1 v 1’s. He should impressive athleticism for his size, flexibility isn’t a concern. His footwork was very good, with improved cardio McVay’s movement’s will be much better. Easy to see why he’s so highly regarded. 2023 Defensive linemen TJ McMillen, St. Francis (6’3” and 244-pounds) There’s a reason these two led off the best performers, it was due to their multiple battles during the 1 v 1. Each player won and lost, and it certainly got heated for a moment. McMillen showed an attitude you can’t coach, a fantastic motor and the talent to back it up. Great short area quickness, good feet and violent hands.  McMillen will be a fun prospect to watch grow over the next three years. 2022 Defensive Tackle [player_tooltip player_id="20908" first="Jireh" last="Mays"], East St. Louis (6’0” and 328-pounds) Mays made easy work of his opposition all day. He showed great quickness and fantastic get off. Mays has a variety of inside moves to get past guards or centers. Mays has all the makings of a very high level defensive tackle down the road. 2022 Offensive Tackle Thomas Hubbard, Bartlett (6’3.5” and 248-pounds) Hubbard has a great frame, plenty of room to add solid weight. There might be concerns about playing tackle due to his height, but a move inside shouldn’t be an issue. Hubbard has good feet and solid athleticism. Love the upside here. 2021 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20310" first="Anthony" last="Cikauskas"], Oswego (not measured) Cikauskas has a solid build with room to grow. He has great leg drive which shows off his quickness and used it to beat his opposition during 1 v 1’s. Cikauskas would be garnering much more attention if and when a season will be played. A solid athlete that has a nice ceiling. 2021 Offensive guard [player_tooltip player_id="20308" first="Sam" last="Buck"], Highland (6’3” and 293-pounds) Buck has look of a nasty linemen and showed it during 1 v 1’s. Rarely was he beat, using his strength, footwork and agility to fend off defenders. Another player that would have seen his stock rise with a season. Buck could end up at either guard or center. Either way, he’d be a great addition to a team. 2022 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20913" first="Christian" last="Lorenzo"], DeKalb (6’3” and 282-pounds) Lorenzo showed good quickness off the edge, during drills and against opponents. He showed very good flexibility and bend. Carries his weight well, is very athletic for his size. The upside is there, especially if Lorenzo continues to gain strength. 2022 Offensive guard Luke Dalton, Marian Central (6’4.5” and 304-pounds) Dalton looks like he’s been in a weight room before, both his upper and lower halves are stocky and strong. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t add more weight, his frame will allow him to add-on good weight. Dalton shows quick feet which leads to very good footwork. He’s hungry to get better and has the ability to do so. 2022 Offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="20903" first="Josh" last="Sears"], Libertyville (6’4.5” and 242-pounds) Sears obviously needs to add on weight, but the frame to add it is there. Long and lanky, Sears moves very well for his size. His footwork is solid, but it could use some refinement. Sears length gives him great potential to be a very high quality tackle at the next level. Quick hitters: 2021 Defensive end Jakai Washington, Hillcrest (Not tested) Has a great frame and showed a very solid swim move during 1 v 1’s. 2021 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="20368" first="Carmine" last="Bastone"], St. Charles North (6’1” and 260-pounds) Solid as always, a hard worker who just makes things happen. 2021 Offensive tackle Christopher Bornhoeft, Plainfield South (6’2” and 275-pounds) A great frame with room to add on weight, just needs some consistency to unlock his potential. Special mention: 2021 Defensive lineman Caleb Dietlin, West Aurora (6’2.5” and 227-pounds) Dietlin pulled his hamstring running the 40, but looked good doing it. He’s athletic, has a great frame, and oozes with talent. It was unfortunate for him to get injured early, I would have loved to see him in 1 v 1’s.