Top linemen from EFT’s Saturday workout
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This past Saturday, a few prospects braved the snow and headed out to Highland Park to workout with their peers as they prepare for the upcoming spring season. There were some impressive performances from those in attendance and here are…
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Continue ReadingThis past Saturday, a few prospects braved the snow and headed out to Highland Park to workout with their peers as they prepare for the upcoming spring season. There were some impressive performances from those in attendance and here are some quick notes on what I saw during the workout.
2022 Center Jimmy Liston Jimmy Liston 6'4" | 310 lbs | OL Fenwick | 2022 State IL , Fenwick (6’4” and 305lbs) @jimboliston89
For a guy already holding multiple Power 5 offers, Liston is very humble about his whole recruitment. He’s got a switch however, as once a few 1v1’s happened, Liston got angry and didn’t let anyone get through him.
First time seeing @jimboliston89 and he didn’t disappoint pic.twitter.com/RPzZXlL9ZP
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) February 16, 2021
Liston has a very wide frame which is a staple for great linemen. His feet never get tangled up together, he keeps his hands inside and is strong at the point of attack. Liston has a few Power 5 offers, but once his spring tape hits collegiate evaluators screens, more will be on the way.
2022 Offensive tackle Luc Elias, New Trier (6’4” and 280lbs) @LucElias5
Elias is massive, but you wouldn’t guess he was tipping the scales at 280 pounds, most of his weight is on his large lower-half. As Elias continues to grind in the weight room, his upper half will catch up, he’s got the frame to add on good weight.
Great punch and footwork from @LucElias5 pic.twitter.com/bxCO7R6F4i
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) February 16, 2021
Elias worked around the line, repping at both tackle spots along with inside at guard as well. He’s got the length to potentially be a left tackle, but right now he projects more on the right side if he doesn’t get a bit taller. Either way, he’s one to keep an eye out for this spring.
2022 Offensive tackle Jesse Mendoza, New Trier (6’4” and 255lbs) @JesseMe91520113
The other tackle for the Trevians has a lot of talent as well. Mendoza is a bit smaller than his teammate, but he uses his long arms to disrupt defensive lineman as they try to attack the quarterback.
Lots of upside shown from @JesseMe91520113 pic.twitter.com/L91pMFbTRr
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) February 16, 2021
Mendoza has quick feet and a long reach, a great base with upside. He will need to continue to add weight as he gets older, but his frame will allow that. Excited to see what both Elias and Mendoza as a pair do to protect their quarterback, Nevan Cresmascoli.
2022 Defensive end Connor Murphy Connor Murphy 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Glenbard South | 2022 State IL , Glenbard South (6’3” and 235lbs) @ConnorM42407009
Murphy is the consummate teammate, during reps that he wasn’t in, he was helping hit the other attendees with their technique. His game is more than that, he’s got great speed off the edge, strong at the point of attack and uses his football IQ to perform at a high level.
Speed and hand placement are key to @ConnorM42407009 game pic.twitter.com/HVnpB468lw
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) February 16, 2021
Flexibility is a key part to Murphy’s game, he’s able to use his body posture to his advantage. Yet another player that just needs new tape before the offers start to flow in.
JUCO Linebacker Andrew King, 2020 Eureka (6’2” and 225lbs) @Andrewking2020
King has an interesting story, he played on the offensive line the majority of his high school career, so schools didn’t see the kind of impressive athlete he is. He missed out on an opportunity to be a PWO at Louisville and now has been lost in the shuffle due to COVID-19.
We have to find a home for @Andrewking2020 plenty of good football in his future pic.twitter.com/OldyHxtZri
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) February 16, 2021
King has a great frame, speed off the edge and a bit of a mean streak to him. He certainly has the ability to be be a player at the next level, a team just needs to give King a chance.
2024 Defensive end Blake Wendt, Barrington (5’11” and 205lbs) @BlakeWendt2
One of the youngest players in attendance was Wendt, but he didn’t look out of place at all. For a young man that’s just 14 years old, he’s got a lot of growth in front of him.
Keep an eye out for @BlakeWendt2 He’s young but has a lot of upside pic.twitter.com/fakYMcXXQc
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) February 16, 2021
Wendt takes instruction well and if you look through his twitter profile, he’s always lifting weights. It will be interesting to see him develop over the next four years but Wendt is already on my radar.