KansasGridiron Top 25: Tom Killilea

At 6-foot-6, 272-pounds, Tom Killilea is one of the most imposing offensive linemen in Kansas. Checking in at No. 19 on the KansasGridiron countdown of the top high school prospects in the Sunflower State, he's quick to admit he's come a long way.

"It's incredible to even think that," he said of being ranked among the top players in Kansas. "The fact that I've gone from a chubby kid, trotting around on a football field, to this, is absolutely and totally extraordinary to me."

A physical blocker that loves putting opposing defensive linemen on the ground, Killilea would rather defer to his teammates than take credit for his breakout junior year.

"I think my style of play is being a part of a great system," the Overland Park (KS) St. Thomas Aquinas prospect said of his game. "That's the best way to describe it. There's nothing I do that you can watch and characterize. Its quarterbacks making good reads, running backs making good cuts. In our offense, the flex bone, it takes eleven to make a play out of anything."

Killilea is talking about head coach Randy Dreiling's vaunted flexbone attack that helped the Saints reach the Class 5A State Championship Game in 2014.

"I think him coming in, with his track record, everyone bought in immediately," the big tackle said of the former Hutchinson Salthawks head man. "We went to state like once in the last 25, 26 years. When Coach Dreling came in, with like seven state championships, whatever he says to do, you do. You go run through a wall if he tells you to."

"I'm a 150-times better football player now," Killilea added. "In the old system, I don't think the player I was then deserved to be playing. I don't know where I'd be without Coach, but I don't think I'd be here right now. That's for sure."

After paving the way for an offense that averaged nearly 400 yards of total offense per game, Killilea earned All-Eastern Kansas League honors as a junior. College coaches have taken notice, as he's pulled in offers from Colgate, Cornell, Missouri State, New Mexico, South Dakota, South Dakota State, and Southeast Missouri State. With seven scholarships already in hand, the Saints OT is also drawing interest from New Mexico and Northern Iowa, along with a pair of Big 12 programs.

"KU and K-State were both really senior film oriented," Killilea said of what he's heard from the Jayhawks and Wildcats. "'We are really excited about you. Can't wait to see some senior film.' Ultimately, that's why I want to keep my recruitment going through the season. I thought I might want to commit early. But these two local, big-time schools, to me, want to see my senior film, and I'm going to give it to them."

After traveling to both Lawrence and Manhattan over the summer, the physical blocker had good things to say about each program.

"Bot visits were tremendous," he said of his time on the rival campuses. "KU I thought went pretty well. Coach Nate Dreiling is a grad assistant there, and he was our right hand man when we were there. He coached with us for about half the year (last season). It was nice to get caught up with him."

"I really like talking to Coach (Zach) Yenser," Killilea said of the Jayhawks offensive line coach. "He's a great coach, I can tell by talking to him. I love their stadium there. That's a big thing. Not really the stadium, but who are going to be in it. Once you start racking up numbers in the win column, those basketball fans are going to be there in the fall. I believe Coach (David) Beaty can make that happen, and that would be something fun to be a part of."

"K-State was incredible," he said of his time in the Flint Hills. "They just moved into their new facility the 31st, and I visited the 3rd of August. I was one of the first recruits to see it. It was breathtaking. I've visited Nebraska, Arkansas, it's at the level or above the level of anything I've seen. It's incredible."

Killilea also spoke highly of the Wildcats coaching staff, specifically their hall of fame head coach.

"I got to meet Bill Snyder," he said of the legendary football man. "That's surreal. Anytime you can meet a living legend like that, it's incredible."

"I really enjoyed talking with Coach (Charlie) Dickey," Killilea continued, noting the longtime KSU assistant. "I've gotten the passive coaching, and with Dreiling, I've gotten the intense coaching. With Coach Dickey, he falls between the two. He's going to yell at you, but not to demoralize you. He's going to yell at you to fix your play. He's a great O-line coach. His tradition of turning out great linemen speaks for itself."

Though his recruitment is still wide open, the nasty offensive lineman is focused as he begins his final season at Aquinas. He made it clear that all he is thinking about is finishing the job he and his teammates started last year.

"The number one thing I'm trying to accomplish is win a state championship. I don't think anyone here is for anything else. That's definitely our number one goal heading into the season."

Click Here to view this Link.