Following a good performance in the spring game, Nathan Gilley, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound Class of 2025 offensive guard of Chapin High School, is beginning a busy slate of camp appearances as he gears up for a big senior season finale with the Eagles.
His standout scrimmage performance wrapped up a spring season where the offensive guard went on an absolute tear, the player who recorded over 54 pancake blocks under the “Palmetto State Friday Night Lights” in 2023 tendering offers from Limestone (May 7) and Fayetteville State (May 17) before beginning his summer camp ‘grind season.’
Gilley's stops on the camp trail have now included Anderson and Gardner-Webb, where he showcased his abilities at mega camps (June 7 and June 9) along with Coastal Carolina, where he stopped by on June 10. Gilley, who has heard of some contact from the Bulldogs and Chanticleers throughout his recruitment, is on hand at a Lenoir-Rhyne camp today, and will be at Charleston Southern on June 19.
SPRING GAME
During his Eagles' spring game, the 2023 All-Region and All-State selection was a standout for first-year head coach Ryan Cole's program. He looked good in warmups and consistently proved that he is a top offensive lineman on his team.
Gilley was only beaten by his man once throughout the entire scrimmage, turning in several strong plays working with the Eagles’ staring group. He showed promise for what could be a big season on the horizon as his big-ticket finale approaches in the Midlands, where he could help lead his team to the playoffs and earn a Division 1 scholarship along the way if that does not happen during the camp season.
During the scrimmage, the offensive guard created a consistent forcefield between his man and the quarterback, allowing time and space for the passer to read through the progressions.
The underrated inside offensive lineman who is being recruited by programs at the next level reacts quickly off the snap and has well-timed reflexes.
Defensive lineman were consistently turned towards their backs and away from the ball via his push and physicality. Gilley used his arms like barriers to keep his man off-balance.
His stance is measured, keeping legs well-spaced, maintaining a solid, consistent form before the snap of the ball. Gilley was locked in. His hands were ready to anticipate the snap.
With 7:47 remaining in the second quarter, it was Gilley with a right angle run-block that helped plow a lane for his running back, who would go on to the end zone to score from about 20 yards out.
Another sequence in the first half showed what Gilley can do with his arms, the Eagles’ star quickly quickly rotating the long, barrier limbs with cat-like reflexes, all while blocking and backpedaling simultaneously. He showed the ability to "grapple" against his man.
An additional example of what the Eagles’ star can do on the gridiron came into focus when he executed a pass block, Gilley keeping body and legs in sync while maintaining one effortless, fluid motion when defending his quarterback from a pass-rusher, backpedaling towards the left.
In a number of other highlights, he showed additional pass-blocking abilities when backpedaling, Gilley projecting and envisioning his moves in real time while holding off an opportunistic defender who was blitzing. On another play, he kept his footwork and body control in sync, shifting horizontally.
Gilley also showed his ability to move vertically down the field when executing a trap block to the left in the fourth quarter on a running play, the 2023 All-Region and All-State selection providing protection on a pass completion for the Eagles.
It happened again in the final period in an electrifying sequence which may have been his best play of the game, Gilley showcasing an exciting skillset when running downfield. He showcased awareness, field vision, and active arms. It was a moment in the scrimmage when he may have showcased his highest potential to become a Division 1 athlete throughout the scrimmage.
The big moment occurred on an exciting cross-pull block to the left. Chapin left their playbook mostly vanilla throughout the game, but allowed Gilley to get more creative on that play.
That down-field running ability, all while hopefully showcasing quick feet, great physicality, blocking, field vision, and an overall mean streak is something sought out by Division 1 coaches when recruiting offensive lineman.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
The attentive, aware Gilley is always seen reading through his play sheet. He did well in the pregame drills. Gilley is an exciting, high-energy player that loves the game, wants to win, and has fun with his teammates. It was the Eagles’ star seen celebrating with his running back after a touchdown, among other things.
Gilley, a good communicator, is among the top standout athletes the Eagles return to the table in 2024 as they enter another season as a member of the daunting 5A Region 4 that features Dutch Fork, Irmo, Lexington, River Bluff, and White Knoll. He was a big piece for Chapin last season when the Eagles finished 6-5 last fall, knocking off River Bluff in the region and falling to Stratford in the first round of the playoffs. It's by no means a state championship season, but not a bad season in the Palmetto State's highest level of football. Gilley was a major part of that and also raked in top individual awards.
He is a tenured leader in the locker room, and will be a valuable asset to Coach Ryan Cole as Chapin's new head coach enters a gauntlet slate this fall where he hopes to earn the Eagles a bid to the postseason.
The offensive guard will have a chance to not only shoot for the playoffs and potentially more in 2024, but also have the opportunity to prove he has what it takes to make it in the next level in FBS or FCS play.
