Illinois Football: Illini eyeing rising in-state OT Josh Gesky

It looks like the Illinois football team is now pursuing one of the rising offensive linemen for the class of 2021.

Back on Friday, July 10, Josh Gesky announced on Twitter that he had received a scholarship offer from the University of Illinois. This is the most recent offer for the talented lineman, but it surely won’t be the last time a team wants him to come play for their program.

Gesky is a 6-foot-5, 265-pound offensive tackle from Manteno High School and resides in Manteno, Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit who has a Rivals rating of 5.5. While the Illini might be Gesky’s latest offer, they weren’t the first team to eye this kid. He has roughly 13 scholarship offers to-date.

There is no wonder that teams are coming after this kid for 2021. Gesky just eats up the defenders. He has great strength at the high school level. The framework for a talented offensive tackle is there already.

I also love Gesky’s ability to get to the second level on blocks. He is always looking for someone to block, and that is a good guy to have on a team. I think the combination of physical gifts and grit will take this kid a long way in the game of football.

If Gesky would pick Illinois, I see him coming in year one and redshirting. I don’t see him being a contributor right away for this program. When 2022 rolls around, he might see some snaps as a redshirt freshman, but I think the first couple of years will be developing his body.

By Gesky’s junior year in college, I think he will have a chance to start or, at least, see prime reserve snaps. As previously mentioned, Gesky has the frame to be a talented player. He just needs a college-level strength and conditioning program to help form him into a great player.

I love this offer by the Illinois coaching staff. When they want a kid, they pursue him hard. I think there is a chance we come away with an under-the-radar recruit in Gesky when it is all said and done.