McHenry East graduate Ray Vohasek selected by Jacksonville Jaguars in seventh round of NFL Draft

The most noticeable part of Ray Vohasek’s play on the football field to his coaches at McHenry was his first step.

Former Warriors coach Jon Niemic, who was offensive coordinator when Vohasek was there, said it was a “quick get-off.”

“Ray had a high ceiling coming out of high school. That was a big thing with Ray, a very high ceiling and quick feet,” Niemic said. “That’s the one thing I remember about him for sure.”

Vohasek did not receive any NCAA Division I offers, so he went to College of DuPage, where he sat a year after undergoing shoulder surgery, then thrived on the Chapparals’ defensive line.

North Carolina coach Mack Brown loved what he saw of Vohasek in game action and offered him a scholarship. After three years with the Tar Heels, Vohasek is headed to the NFL.

Jacksonville picked Vohasek (6-foot-2, 310 pounds) with the 227th overall selection of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday, the 10th pick of the seventh round.

Efforts to reach Vohasek on Saturday were unsuccessful

The 2017 McHenry East graduate will join his high school teammate Andrew Rupcich (Tennessee) and 2012 graduate Robert Tonyan (Bears) as Warriors currently in the NFL. Rupcich was on the Titans practice squad and Tonyan signed as a free agent with the Bears after five seasons with Green Bay.

Rupcich signed a Futures contract recently, which means he cannot be signed by another team. Tonyan signed one a few years ago with Green Bay.

Vohasek had to have surgery to repair a torn labrum in July after he graduated high school, then sat out his freshman season at COD. When he got back on the field, he was a force on the defensive line.

Vohasek, who played linebacker and defensive end at McHenry, projected as an interior lineman. Scouts liked his high motor and his ability to take on blockers and occupy gaps.

“The talent was always there,” Niemic said. “He put it together and it worked out for him. It’s awesome. He’s put the work in. He kind of had that unconventional route to get there, juco and three years of eligibility when he went to North Carolina. He took advantage of that.”