2022 NFL Draft: Illinois Offensive Linemen Ready For The Spotlight
In week 0 of College Football, the Illinois Fighting Illini have a trio of offensive linemen ready for the spotlight for 2022 NFL Draft evaluators.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are set to kick off the 2021 college football season against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and with new head coach Bret Bielema, the Illini will have their primary focus on the trenches. On the offensive side, it’s one of the most experienced units in the country, and the group will likely have the spotlight on them this weekend when it comes to the 2022 NFL Draft.
It starts with Vederian Lowe, who has 40 starts in his career with Illinois to this point, and will likely set the record for the most in Illinois history as long as he stays healthy. Lowe has the NFL size and frame (6’6″, 320 pounds), and possesses good length for the tackle position. His footwork has kept improving in his time with the Illini and has grown with his pass sets. He shows off good leg drive in the run game, takes good angles when sealing off the back side of plays, and is patient with his hands and doesn’t lunge in pass protection. Another season to build that consistency will be huge for him.
At the other bookend spot sits Alex Palczewski, who has also had 40 starts in his Illini career, 29 of which have been at right tackle while the other 11 have been at guard. That versatility will be something NFL teams and scouts look at with Palczewski, and while he is likely better suited at the guard position with his power and tone setting temperament in the run game, showing he can be effective with crisp footwork and balance in pass protection could go a long way to help out his stock for the 2022 NFL Draft. It will also be key to watch how he returns from the torn ACL he suffered last season.
Finally, we have sixth year senior Doug Kramer. Kramer has been All-Big Ten Honorable Mention his last two seasons, and could end up as a center to watch for the 2022 NFL Draft. He has the experience, toughness, and leadership to succeed at the next level, and has the power and length to be a force in power schemes. Seeing some improvement in initial quicks and lateral agility would be nice, but his guard/center versatility could get him into the league and suiting up on Sundays.
This trio will be counted on a lot this season for Illinois, and will be important parts of Bielema’s start with the Illini. The offense will go as far as that trio takes them, especially with establishing physicality in the run game and keeping Brandon Peters upright. They are on the 2022 NFL Draft radar, two of which landed on the Senior Bowl watch list. Can they step up for the Illini this season and for the draft? The work has been put in this summer and fall, and now it will be fun to see how these three perform this season.