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Barrington High School graduate Lukas Van Ness is also expected to be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft

Thursday, April 27, 2023 23:46

The Maine South grad is expected to be a tall first-round NFL Draft pick

PARK RIDGE, Ill. (WLS) — High school football coach Peter Skoronski said his talent was obvious from the first time he stepped onto the field as a freshman at Maine South High School. That offensive tackle talent contributed to one state championship and several other deep playoff runs for the school.

So, it's no surprise that following a stellar collegiate career at Northwestern University, Skoronski is now expected to be a high-flying first-round draft pick in Thursday night's 2023 NFL Draft.

Many experts rate him as one of the two best offensive linemen in the draft.

“From the moment he stepped on the court he was a freshman on the second team, from the first block, I felt this guy could not be trusted,” said Coach David Inserra.

In his freshman year, Skoronski lined up for Maine South against Barrington High School's Luke Van Ness. Little did they know, at the time, that Van Ness would likely also be selected in the same NFL Draft tonight. Van Ness, who played for Iowa in college, was expected to be drafted in the first few rounds. And his high school coach said the team that got him would get an offer.

“He will make the franchise very happy on the field with the way he plays and off the field with the way he will give back to whatever community and franchise he is a part of,” said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez.

Both players left college early to enter military service, although both were also considered outstanding students. And they both have their communities behind them.

“This is an exciting time for us, for our high school, for our community,” said Sanchez.

“It makes us all very proud to be associated with him and we wish him only the best,” said Inserra.

You can watch the NFL Draft here on ABC7, with the first round starting tonight at 7 p.m

Rounds two and three begin Friday night at 6 p.m

Rounds four through seven start Saturday morning at 11am

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