The future for Josh Gesky, an offensive lineman at Illinois, is both bright and uncertain. The Manteno, Illinois, native has already demonstrated his value in the classroom, having received Academic All-Big Ten and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar awards.
Now working towards his Master’s degree in public health, Gesky is laying a solid foundation for a life beyond football. The NFL is still a part of his dream; it’s clear.
“I like to model my game after players that I watch as being really tough, being gritty, guys that are more like me,” Gesky explained. “I like to watch Zack Martin, guys that their work ethic has kept them in the game and made them who they are. Because I like to think that my work ethic is what’s kept me here and what’s allowed me to be here, along with obviously, God giving me great genetics. But I’d like to think that’s what’s going to give me the edge against other people.”
Following Zack Martin’s Blueprint and Illinois’ NFL Legacy
Martin, a legendary offensive guard of the past quarter-century, announced his retirement in February after an 11-year career with the Dallas Cowboys. Martin, a legendary offensive guard of the past quarter-century, announced his retirement in February after an 11-year career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Illinois’s program for developing NFL-ready linemen has quietly become one of the most reliable. The team will have a two-deep depth chart featuring six former Illini offensive linemen for the upcoming season. The legacy of Gesky is not abstract, but rather personal.
“I got to watch Palcho [Denver Broncos guard Alex Palczewski] go [to the league], Vederian Lowe [New England Patriots tackle], Isaiah Adams [Arizona Cardinals starting guard]. I got to watch how they work,” Gesky said.
Learning from Teammates and Trusting the Process
These relationships were not just observations; they were building blocks.
“You get to learn everywhere that you look. You can look at any position group and learn, but o-line specific, watching Isaiah Adams, just the way he’s able to work, the way he’s able to move, how he grew. When he first got to college, it was me and him lifting together, and it was a fun competition every day. It was a great way to push each other to our limits. And those are the type of guys I love to be around.”
Gesky is fortunate to learn under head coach Bret Bielema at Illinois, who has a reputation for developing top-tier talent nationwide. During his time at Wisconsin from 2006 to 2012, Bielema transformed the Badgers into a real ‘O-Line U’, consistently producing linemen who excelled in the NFL.
Gesky, who has the same small-town roots as Bielema, has been a natural fit for Bielema. To reach the NFL, it’s necessary to have more than just potential and strong mentorship. Gesky remains focused on consistency and letting his game film speak for him.
“At the end of the day they’re watching the game tape,” he said. “The tape speaks for itself. They’re going to see what they see on tape. And I just have to keep doing what I’m doing, keep getting better, keep doing the growth that I’ve been doing, live the same routine, not get caught up in anything going on—the media, the hype, all that.”
Balancing Academics, Football, and a Bright Future
Gesky is currently managing a balance that few athletes can achieve: pursuing graduate-level academics while training at the top level of college football. His future may be in the NFL or public health.
Regardless of which path he takes, his foundation of discipline, humility, and work ethic will serve him well. Gesky’s outlook on himself is simple: tough, gritty, and constructed to last, as exemplified by his admiration for Zack Martin.
Josh Gesky Balances Academics and NFL Dreams