Player Primer: Johnny O’Shea
College Coaches: If you’d like his contact info please reach out to me at mattlemming@lemmingprepinsider.com or DM me @lemminginsider.
Palatine 2018 WR Johnny O’Shea recently picked up his first FBS offer and is hungry for more. He updated me on his camp plans, playing 7on7, schools showing serious interest in him and his under the radar teammates.
Johnny O’Shea
Wt: 195 lbs
Class: 2018
LPI: What are you going to do to take your game to the next level this offseason? Are you playing 7on7 or are you playing any other sports?
JO: I am a three sport athlete, I play basketball and volleyball during Winter and Spring. I also play on a local 7 on 7 team and I’m going to be working on my skills, speed and strength throughout the summer.
LPI: You currently have offers from Navy, Indiana State and Butler. What skill set can you bring to the table for a college football program?
JO: I think I can help a college football program by being able to make plays in the air and having a huge urge for competition against others.
LPI: Besides schools that offered, which schools have shown serious interest in you?
JO: I have been talking to are North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, and a few others. Not many other schools have shown huge interest.
LPI: Where have you visited most recently and do you have any planned visits or camps/showcases set?
JO: I have visited Northern Iowa recently, but I plan visit many more schools this summer. I am going to Northwestern showcase, NIU and NDSU for sure. I am most likely going to visit Indiana State and Butler and some other Midwestern schools as well.
LPI: On or off the field, how do you demonstrate leadership or go the extra mile for your teammates?
JO: I show leadership by constantly encouraging teammates during practice, and whenever they are having a bad day I give them positive reinforcement because we can’t have negativity going on at practice or it just ruins the whole day. Also, I know younger ages look up to older ages, so I go hard every play and hopefully they learn.
LPI: Who are some of your teammates or training partners that you believe can play at the next level, but have gone overlooked by college coaches?
Jake Moertl: He is definitely one of the best DBs in the state and I think he proved it last year. He is also the type of guy to never stop working, and is always super humble and has a great character, and I think a lot of colleges are missing out by not offering him.
Carson Walker: He is a 3 year Varsity Starter OL and he is a hard nosed beast. The great thing about Carson is that he never stops competing and he is always first to take leadership on the field.
Bryan Smith: Even though he has a few offers, I still feel a lot of colleges are missing out on the potential that Bryan has. He always puts everything he has on the field and has a never ending motor. Bryan, who has good size, also plays with a high Football IQ, which was key for the defensive line last season.
Jack Orlando: He is a very athletic WR who I believe deserves to be getting more looks from colleges. He has always been a superb leader and I’ve seen it since his sophomore year, and I feel he is able to get open a ton because of his quickness and high football IQ.