Reason For The Ranking: 2022 OL’s
1. Deuce McGuire Deuce McGuire 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Marist | 2022 State IL , Marist On-film, McGuire can easily work to the second level and will constantly finish his blocks. He loves down blocks and does a…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading1. Deuce McGuire Deuce McGuire 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Marist | 2022 State IL , Marist
On-film, McGuire can easily work to the second level and will constantly finish his blocks. He loves down blocks and does a fantastic job of playing with a low pad level. He’s a four-star type of talent and should only see his offer list grow in the near future.
2. Valen Erickson Valen Erickson 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL St. Rita | 2022 State IL , St. Rita
Erickson plays with good hand placement and is a quick puller in the run game. He features a heavy punch that has some serious pop behind it. He’s very light on his feet and has shown that pass protection has become second nature to him.
3. Yaser Al-Awadi Yaser Al-Awadi 6'8" | 290 lbs | OL Maine East | 2022 State IL , Maine East
A giant of a human at 6’8, 290 who has probably the highest ceiling of any prospect on this list. Al-Awadi is raw, but the kid gets consistent movement on defenders & always keeps his feet moving on contact. He’s still developing as a prospect and he needs to work on bending at the knees, but this kid has the potential to be a special offensive lineman at the next level.
4. Jimmy Liston Jimmy Liston 6'4" | 310 lbs | OL Fenwick | 2022 State IL , Fenwick
This kid is as tough as they come and had himself a heck of an off-season on the camp circuit. Jimmy has the potential to play both center and guard at the next level and has the mean streak to go with it. He’s translated his wrestling skills to the football field and plays aggressive, with great leverage.
5. Demontaye White Demontaye White 6'2" | 320 lbs | OL Thornton | 2022 State IL , Thornton
Not the most heralded prospect, but let me tell you, this kid can certainly play. He plays with good knee drive and will go from whistle to whistle. He buried opposing defenders all year as just a sophomore and showed he can consistently sustain blocks. Probably one of Illinois’ biggest sleepers in the 2022 class.
6. Clayton Leonard Clayton Leonard 6'5" | 265 lbs | OL Iroquois West | 2022 State IL , Iroquois West
Leonard is one of those kids you root for. He’s from a small school and has blossomed as a prospect over the last few months. I think he can play all three positions on the offensive line and can provide a ton of value as a swing offensive lineman if you get into a pickle. He’s got one offer right now, that should change over the next few months.
7. Thomas Hubbard Thomas Hubbard 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL Bartlett | 2022 State IL , Bartlett
Hubbard to me is a no-brainer Division I kid. He’s quick off the ball and plays with good leverage. He’s fundamentally sound as a pass protector and can easily move laterally. He’s got a frame he can put fifty pounds on and was a stud for Bartlett as a sophomore.
8. Paolo Gennarelli Paolo Gennarelli 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL St. Charles North | 2022 State IL , St. Charles North
I’ve seen Paolo just about everywhere this off-season and he’s performed well at every event. Once he locks on, good luck trying to get away. He plays with a low pad level and great body control. He’s got a ton of potential as a DT too, but personally, I love his upside as a center or guard at the next level.
9. Josh Sears Josh Sears 6'5" | 265 lbs | OL Libertyville | 2022 State IL , Libertyville
Sears is one of the best pass protectors on this list and has shown a clean vertical pass set. On-film, you can see that he has a high football IQ and will let twist and stunts occur before just locking on to someone. He’s still developing as a run blocker, but the potential is most certainly there.
10. Luke Dalton Luke Dalton 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Marian Central Catholic | 2022 State IL , Marian Central Catholic
Luke already looks like a Division I offensive lineman and carries his weight very well. He’s quick to the point of attack and has very active hands. He shows a ton of natural power and can beat you with sheer strength. He’s definitely, someone to keep an eye on this winter.
11. Alexander Knaperek Alexander Knaperek 6'2" | 295 lbs | OL Lincoln-Way East | 2022 State IL , Lincoln Way-East
Another kid who is flying under the radar, but has a ton of ability. Alexander started as a sophomore on varsity for Lincoln Way-East’s 2019 State Championship team and held his own going against some of the state’s top competition. The kid plays mean and will flat back people on defense who get in his way. He reminds me a lot of Josh Kreutz Josh Kreutz 6'2" | 270 lbs | OL Loyola | 2021 State IL from Loyola.
12. Damien Thomas Damien Thomas 6'3" | 300 lbs | OL Phillips | 2022 State IL , Phillips
Thomas moves exceptionally well for a man who is 305. He has a firm punch that will jolt defenders back when delivered and excels in double team type situations. To me, he’s a guard at the next level and I’m interested in seeing his growth on tape as a junior.
13. Jaylin Caldwell Jaylin Caldwell 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Phillips | 2022 State IL , Phillips
Caldwell is another prospect with a very high ceiling. He dominated on the lower levels and was a serious force in the run game. He’s patient as a pass protector and won’t lunge at defensive ends. He’s got quick feet and is continuing to develop his pass set.
14. Chase James Chase James 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Grayslake Central | 2022 State IL , Grayslake Central
James has a nice frame he’s already growing into, and the ideal athleticism you look for in an offensive lineman. He plays with a wide base and a strong anchor that doesn’t give up ground against the bull rush. He’s a strong run blocker and gave linebackers fits trying to get off his blocks on the second level.
15. Tommy Shipman Tommy Shipman 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Niles Notre Dame | 2022 State IL , Niles Notre Dame
Shipman can get out and block on the perimeter in the screen game. He’s a well-versed pass protector who moves well laterally against the rush. He explodes off the ball and does a fantastic job of bending at the knees and not the waist.