Lineman can make or break a football team.
High school football practice starts on Aug. 12 around Illinois and the Peoria area. This is the first of a five-part series highlighting quarterbacks, running backs, lineman, wide receivers and defensive players to watch during the 2024 season.
Here are 10 lineman to watch, with players listed alphabetically.
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The 6-foot-4, 315-pound senior was an all-LincolnLand Conference first-team at-large pick last season. Brown played tackle on a Trojan offense that tallied 2,228 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. He also played defensive tackle, recording 22 tackles, four tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound senior was an all-Mid-Illini Conference first-team offensive lineman last season. He was a big reason the Potters had 2,198 rushing yards and 27 TDs, while Morton got also 1,309 passing yards and 18 scores in 2023. Dracup is garnering college interest including FCS Division-I schools.
Ty Dykes, Tremont
The 6-foot, 245-pound senior played at Metamora last season, earning all-Mid-Illini first-team honors as an offensive lineman. Dykes, who was an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association honorable mention all-stater, was an o-line that paved the way for 2,913 yards and 43 TDs.
Jaquarius Green, Peoria High
The 6-foot-4, 301-pound junior was an all-Big 12 Conference last season , picking up second-team honors on the offensive line. Green opened holes for Big 12 first-team running back Maliek Ross, while also protecting all-league quarterback Tino Gist. He also played defensive lineman for the Lions.
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Isaac Foster, Dunlap
The 6-foot-7, 315-pound senior will be a key o-line piece, needing to keep defenders away from quarterback John Bargen, clear the way for running back Jackson Oldham and do some upfield blocking for elite college recruit Mack Sutter . Foster picked up his first Division-I scholarship offer from Western Illinois in May.
Hunter Lamberson, Pekin
The 6-foot-1, 305-pound senior was an all-Mid-Illini second-team pick as an offensive lineman. Lamberson helped contribute to the Dragons rushing for 1,676 yards with 19 touchdowns. He will be relied upon to fill a hole left by graduating all-M-I first-team o-lineman Blayne Thomas.
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Connor Liescheidt, East Peoria
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior was an all-Mid-Illini second-team selection as an offensive lineman last season. He assisted in paving the way for 1,344 rushing yards and 20 TDs in 2023. Liescheidt, who is on the radar of several in-state college programs, will be instrumental in the new system as Sam Durley takes over as head coach.
Caden Mowen, Farmington
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior was a unanimous all-LincolnLand-Large Division first-team offensive lineman. Mowen anchored the o-line for Farmers, who rushed for 2,605 yards and 30 TDs during their run to the Class 2A second round last season. He also played defensive tackle.
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Rhett Pearson, Princeton
The 5-foot-9, 230-pound junior was an all-Three Rivers Conference-East Division first-team center last season. His blocking helped the Tigers rush for 264.3 yards per game including 10 100-plus rushing games for 3,172 rushing yards and 47 scores. Pearson also played on the defensive line.
Dominic Ricconi, El Paso-Gridley
The 6-foot, 195-pound senior was an all-Heart of Illinois Conference first-team offensive lineman last season. He was the catalyst on the o-line as the Titans ran for 2,698 yards and 36 TDs, averaging 6.9 yards a carry in 2023. Ricconi was also a defensive end for El Paso-Gridley.
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Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 10 top linemen to watch around Peoria this 2024 IHSA football season
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