Josh Gesky didn’t play football till high school, was a three-star prospect and wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine.
But the former Manteno star is one step closer to realizing his pro football dream.
Gesky, who wrapped up an illustrious college career at Illinois last fall, signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.
Manteno coach RJ Haines is understandably thrilled for his former offensive-line mainstay.
“As far as what it means to the program, it’s huge,” Haines said. “You hear people say all the time you can’t go to college and go to the highest level of the sport unless you do this. (But) if you’re that good, you have the measurables, that work ethic and that ability, it can be done.”
At 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, Gesky definitely looks the part. And his Illinois resumé makes a persuasive case for him to get a foot in the door for an NFL training camp.
“It couldn’t happen to a better kid,” Haines said. “You’re talking about a guy who did everything right.”
Gesky was a three-year starter for the Fighting Illini with experience at both guard spots, making All-Big Ten honorable mention all three seasons. He also was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and allowed just three quarterback sacks on 1,213 offensive snaps.
At Manteno, he twice was named Academic All-State after picking up the sport his dad, Joel, played for four seasons at Nebraska in the 1990s.
Now Haines and some other Manteno fans may have split allegiances at the pro level.
“I am a big Bears fan myself,” Haines said. “I’m going to have to (compromise) a little bit and slap on a Packer hat or at least a cheesehead for fun.”
Haines would love to say he saw this coming. But it’s unprecedented at a school the size of Manteno, which has an enrollment of 538.
“I have no frame of reference,” Haines said. “What does an NFL kid look like? I don’t know.”
Now he does.