This list was compiled from MissouriPrepSports.com editors research and quotes from coaches. To nominate someone to be added to this list please email [email protected]
Bryler Ford – Adrian
Bryler is a returning Class 1 Defensive Player of the Year. His career accomplishments include 78 tackles, one sack, three fumble recoveries, one pick six and two blocked punts.
Cash Anderson – Appleton City
Cash is a tremendous athlete and a great teammate. He never complains and is always trying to push his teammates, leading by example. Cash led Missouri 8-man in rushing yards as a junior last season. He is a two-time All-State running back.
Weston Farmer – Appleton City
Weston was an All-Conference and All-District player as a sophomore. He plays both sides of the ball. Weston is extremely smart, big and fast as an offensive and defensive lineman.
Tristan Leeper – Archie
Tristan is a standout athlete whose exceptional talent is matched by an equally strong work ethic. Widely recognized by his teammates as the hardest worker on the team, he leads by example, holding others accountable and motivating them to improve. As a junior, Tristan was honored as Missouri 8-Man Offensive Player of the Year. His junior season passing stats include 107 out of 148 attempts, 1758 yards, 35 touchdowns and four interceptions. In rushing, he had 233 carries, 2097 yards, nine yards per carry, 150 yards per game, 40 touchdowns with zero fumbles.
Terrence Luther Jr – Battle
Terrence has been phenomenal all summer. He has shown flashes of how dominant he can be throughout. He caught a lot of attention at the end of the summer when visiting the William Jewell Team camp. Terrence’s 2024 stats include 54 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and one interception.
Eric Hill – Battle
Eric steps into the backfield full-time since the departure of Chris Brown. Although on the smaller side, he runs like a big, explosive back. He has big play ability every time he touches the ball. Eric’s 2024 stats include 60 attempts, 337 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Ronelle Johnson — Blue Springs
Explosive edge presence with sudden burst off the snap and power to slide inside or go coast-to-coast. Projects as a high-motor disruptor who can terrorize tackles in both run and pass scenarios.
Owen McCullah – Bolivar
Owen plays on both the offensive and defensive line. As an offensive lineman, he made first team in All Ozarks, Ozark Mountain Conference, SWMOFCA Class-4, All-District and third team in All-State. He made second team as a defensive lineman for All-Ozark Mountain Conference, All-District and SWMOFCA Class 4. Owen’s stats include 49 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and touchdowns.
Braylon Ellison — Boonville
Powerful interior blocker with versatility to play on both lines; finishes blocks tenaciously and sustains movement. His strength and motor are immediately evident in every rep.
Demeterius Thompson – Brentwood Clayton
Demeterius was picked as St. Louis Prep Sports 28th player in the area. He has multiple Division I offers and is an All-Conference Player of the Year and All-District player. Demeterius is verbally committed to SEMO.
Nick Schoemehl – Brentwood-Clayton
Nick is a fourth year starting quarterback. He was selected as an All-Conference quarterback and is set to break most career quarterback records at Clayton.
Case Reckamp – Brunswick/Keytesville/Northwestern Thunder Co-Op
Case finished last season as an All-Conference and All-District offensive and defensive lineman as a freshman. He was also named to KMZU Dream Team. He is an incredibly strong athlete and has a lot of speed to be utilized as pulling guard and a huge threat for any offense he lines up against. Last year, he finished with 38 tackles, with four for a loss and five sacks. This year, he is also being used in a fullback position where his strength will be used to carry the ball as well as be a lead blocker.
Griffin Cramer – Brunswick/Keytesville/Northwestern Thunder Co-Op
Griffin finished last season with an All-Conference honor as a defensive lineman. This was after only playing two of four conference games. With high speed for a lineman, Griffin is also our strongest player and will make any offensive line struggle to stop him while opening up huge holes for his backs on offense. Griffin is the player who will always get his backs three to five yards per carry if they follow him.
Jake Chandler – Butler
Jake is a great kid and a heck of a football player. He got hurt in the first game last season, so he doesn’t have great stats from last year but this season he is a player to watch. He is fast, physical, smart and mentally tough. He will have an unbelievable season for us.
John Eli Ferrell – Butler
Eli is new to Butler this year. He will be one of the best kids in the state in our class. He is big, strong, fast, physical and plays with an intense motor every play.
Carson Long – Cabool
Carson will play running back for us this year after playing quarterback last season and rushing for 746 yards with a touchdown and passing for 623 yards. He is a hard worker and a three-sport athlete.
Jackson Hensley – California
Jackson will provide a dynamic playmaking ability to our offense and solid, consistent coverage on the defensive side of the ball.
Tristan Balsley – California
Tristan will be a presence on the edge of our defense.
Chase Bell – Cameron
Chase is a returning All-Conference and All-District performer and captain. At 6-foot-2-inches and 222-pounds, he is a real physical presence on both sides of the ball for us. He will play b-back in our flexbone offense and an inside linebacker for us on the defensive side of the ball. He has a unique combination of size, speed and power that you don’t see often at this level. He is getting a ton of recruiting attention and we expect him to have a tremendous impact on our program this fall.
Reid Smith – Cameron
Reid is a returning All-Conference and All-District captain. He is very long, very athletic and we expect him to have an unbelievable senior year for us as both our quarterback and as a safety on defense. He has worked extremely hard in the weight room and on learning the game. We expect him to have a tremendous senior season as both a player and a leader. Reid has a ton of college offers and we anticipate more offers coming throughout the season.
Keyshawn Boyd – Cape Central
Keyshawn is a four-year starter at running back. He was first team All-State in 2023 and SEMO Conference Player of the Year in 2023. Keyshawn is also a solid special teams guy with 19 tackles. We are looking forward to Keyshawn’s senior year and are expecting big things out of our workhorse running back. His leadership and staying healthy will be a big key to our success.
Jathan Spain – Cape Central
Jathan is a SEMO commit as a tight end. He is a three-year starter at multiple positions during his time as a Tiger. He will be playing tight end and defensive end this year and we are looking forward to his impact this season.
Jaylen Thomas – Capital City
Jaylen Thomas is one of the best running backs I have had the pleasure of coaching. He has rushed for at least 1000 yards in his first three seasons, including a 2000 yard rushing season. He currently has a career total of 4662 rushing yards, almost nine yards per carry, 141.3 yards per game and 62 total touchdowns. He is a two-time All-State running back, three-time All-Conference/District, one-time conference MVP and offensive player of the year. Outside of being a football player, Jaylen is an even better person who treats everyone with true kindness.
Evan Schaffer – Capital City
Evan is a remarkable leader and football player. He rushed for 585 yards with an average of seven yards per carry to go along with five rushing touchdowns. He took a huge step last year as a quarterback as we opened up our passing game to be more balanced. Last season, he passed for 1374 yards with a 71% completion rating and 14 touchdowns. He also had a quarterback rating of 122.3 and 10 rushing touchdowns. He is an All-Conference (CMAC) and All-District level player. Evan is a model athlete for what we preach at Capital City High School.
Da’Yon Ross – Cardinal Ritter Preparatory
Sophomore standout Da’yon is already earning his stripes as a two-year starter. Da’yon has proven himself as a reliable playmaker and a rising defensive anchor with 10 tackles, an interception, five pass break-ups and a forced fumble last season. Known for his precise footwork and sharp instincts, he’s a technician in coverage and a fearless tackler who sets the tone for our unit. Despite his youth, Da’yon plays with the poise and leadership of a seasoned veteran, making him one to watch as the season unfolds.
Markese Jackson – Cardinal Ritter Preparatory
Senior Markese Jackson is set to make a major impact. With 22 tackles and a forced fumble, all while splitting time between defensive tackle and defensive end, he brings a rare blend of size, speed and agility that makes him a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. The offensive coaches praise his relentless motor and football IQ. With a strong offseason under his belt, Jackson is poised to be a cornerstone of our defensive line, commanding double teams and opening lanes for teammates to thrive.
Marshaun Ivy — Caridnal Ritter Prepatory
Lean yet physical inside linebacker with fluid movement and instincts for staying lost in traffic; digs hard for first-down stops. Projects as a versatile piece who can cover backs in space or fill the box near the line.
Gavin Beachner – Carl Junction
Gavin is a three-year starter at tackle. He is an All-Conference, All-District and All-State player. Gavin has multiple college offers.
Kane Clark – Carl Junction
Kane had 12.5 sacks last year as a defensive end. There are high expectations for Kane as he has gotten bigger in the offseason.
Landon Bland — Carthage
Fluid edge talent with bend and closing burst that flashes in both pass rush and pursuit lanes. Consistent palm-driven violence and feel for gaps make him a constant threat.
Trevyn Adams – Cass Midway R-1
Trevyn is the one guy on our team that all opponents know they have to deal with. He is the main focus point of everyone’s defense. He rushed for over 3000 yards in the two previous seasons combined. Trevyn is a team captain and a great leader for our team. Along with being the player that our offense revolves around, Trevyn is also the leader of our defense. He is an excellent middle linebacker, is responsible for getting our defense in the right call and has led our team in tackles the two previous seasons, tallying 100 plus tackles in each season.
Anthony Ford – Centralia
Anthony has great size and athleticism. He’s a senior tight end who will be three-year starter for us. He has had limited opportunities to catch the ball with our single wing offense but does a great job once the ball is in his hands. Anthony averaged over 30 yards a catch last season. He is also a tremendous blocker on offense and leader for our team.
Tilmon Sontheimer – Centralia
Tilmon is a senior offensive lineman who moves extremely well. He is a three-year starter who is getting looks by some of the Division II and NAIA schools in the state. Tilmon is a valuable member of the team and does a great job leading and representing us.
Jaishon White – Chillicothe
Jaishon White is an outstanding defensive end who is great against the run and even better as a pass rusher. Jaishon is getting a lot of attention from some of the top college programs in our area.
Henry Hurtgen – Chillicothe
Henry is our featured halfback this season and is looking to have a great year on offense. On defense, he is a safety and linebacker. Henry is all over the place. He was our leading tackler last season.
Jake Plummer — Christian Brothers College
Long frame with twitch and edge rush upside; races around tackles with effort-driven motor. Offers high developmental ceiling as he fills out his frame.
Nick McClellan — Christian Brothers College
Active, feisty safety with good instincts and over-the-top range. Tackles aggressively and stays involved in run support and coverage.
Brennan Fuller – Clark County R-1
Brennan has accumulated 101 tackles, with 64 being solo and 34 assisted. His stats include 14 tackles for loss, one sack, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick,
87 carries for 389 yards, four rushing touchdowns and seven receptions for 83 yards.
In 2024 he was first team All-Conference linebacker and first team All-District linebacker.
Lucas Peebles – Clever
Lucas was one of our leading receivers as a junior with six touchdowns. He will help lead our offense this year with his explosive playmaking ability. Lucas is a three-sport athlete with a great work ethic.
Maddix Inman – Concordia R2
Maddix’s junior year stats include first team All-State linebacker, first team All-District linebacker, second team All-District tight end and first team All-Conference linebacker.
He also made the KMZU Dream Team, was chosen as KMZU Dream Team defensive player of the year, the I70 Defensive MVP and MO 8-man podcast first team All-State.
He has 106 solo tackles, 35 assists, 141 total tackles, 26 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 22 quarterback hurries, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, one fumble recovery and four forced fumbles.
Jared Bermudez – Concordia R2
Jared has a 90 percent point after touchdown conversion rate with 69 out of 77, two out of three field goals that were 31 yards long in the game and 75 total kicking points.
Landyn Derousse – Crystal City
Landyn will be stepping up for us this season as both quarterback and free safety. He has already shown himself to be a great leader both on and off the field and will be pivotal in the success of this 2025 team. His 2024 stats include 100 carries, 614 yards, four touchdowns, 12 receptions, 234 yards, two explosive touchdowns, 37 tackles and one interception.
Ricardo Pastrana – Crystal City
Ricardo is one of our most explosive and strong athletes with impressive numbers coming out of the weight room, which are already transferring to the football field. He has been very impressive so far this summer and in our first week of fall practice. I look for him to have a breakout year on both sides of the ball for us. His 2024 stats include 147 carries, 843 yards, six touchdowns, three receptions, 40 yards, 27 tackles and one interception.
Kyle Funk – DeKalb
Last year Kyle played receiver and defensive back. This year he will play a combination of quarterback, running back and wide receiver, along with continuing to play as defensive back. He will be a true all-purpose back. Last year’s offensive stats include three rushes for 41 yards and one touchdown. He had 54 receptions for 592 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he had 60 total tackles with 37 solo and 23 assisted. He had two interceptions, one blocked punt and one forced fumble.
Cooper Wachtel – DeKalb
Cooper is in his second year playing football. Last year, he played sparingly but this year he will be the starting quarterback and defensive back. Last year Cooper had five receptions, 21 yards, one touchdown, five solo and nine assisted tackles for a total of 14 tackles.
Titan Davis — De Smet (St. Louis)
Explodes off the snap with low pad level and violent hands to reset the line of scrimmage. Shows closing burst and pursuit range that translate to early interior disruption snaps.
Tavion Ware – East Prairie
Tavion was the SEMO Central Conference Offensive Player of the Year for 2024. He scored 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1600 plus yards last year. He also was a great defensive player with nine tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, two deflections and one forced fumble and fumble recovery for a touchdown.
TaMarkus Holmes – Forsyth
TaMarkus Holmes is a great kid and an outstanding football player. He is getting attention from several college football programs. TaMarkus helped lead the school to the first ever district championship game in school history in 2024. During that run, TaMarkus played quarterback, running back and defensive back.
Maddox Knepper – Fredericktown
Maddox set the single season tackle for loss record for us last year at 18. He may break the career record as a junior. He is a good defensive lineman who has excellent strength.
Xavier Jackson – Fort Zumwalt North
Xavier has been a dominant player for us for multiple years on the defensive side of the ball. He is an exceptional blend of size, strength and quickness. He is expected to be an impact player on both sides this year. Xavier has college offers from Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Wyoming, Washington State, Arkansas State, Lindenwood, Ball State, SIU, SEMO, Central Michigan, West Michigan, Miami Ohio, Northwest Missouri, Central Arkansas, and Kent State.
Garrick Dixon — Fort Zumwalt West
Fluid corner with body control and recovery speed; plays with confidence in both man and zone. Finishes with aggressive tackling in the flats.
Jack Brown — Francis Howell Central
Fluid, long-limbed tight end with outstanding catch radius and smooth route transitions; flashes elite ability to separate over the middle. Shows potential as a weapon both inline and flexed, with room to grow as a blocker.
Chris Pittmon – Fulton
Chris is a 5-foot-10-inch, 190-pound running back and inside linebacker. He is a team captain who has outstanding leadership in the weight room and in school. With a new head coach and a new run-heavy offense, Chris is poised for a tremendous season.
Robby Wilson – Fulton
Robby is a 6-foot-5-inch, 262-pound offensive left tackle and defensive tackle. He is a team captain, scholar athlete and model citizen. His work ethic is exemplary and he is bound to be an area leader this season, particularly as an offensive tackle.
Wyatt Morris – Hallsville
Wyatt started all 13 games as a sophomore, recording an impressive 132 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss. He was an integral part of our defense last season, consistently setting the tone with his physicality and instincts. This fall, we expect him to take the next step and emerge as our leader on the defensive side of the ball.
Gabe Jenkins – Hallsville
Gabe started all 13 games at wide receiver as a sophomore, finishing the season with 55 receptions for 577 yards and eight touchdowns. With his continued development and growing role in the offense, look for him to have even more opportunities to make plays in the passing game this fall.
Otis Banks – Hazelwood Central
Otis is a second team All-Conference offensive lineman. He is a versatile lineman who can play all five offensive line positions. Otis is a scholar athlete with a 3.6 GPA. He is a member of the 500lb squat club with several Division II, Division III and NAIA offers.
Tariq Moment – Hazelwood Central
Tariq’s long, athletic frame has put him on the radar of several FCS and Division II schools in need of a pass rusher. Tariq is a two-way starter who is a member of the 500lb squat club. He will help anchor a young offensive and defensive line this upcoming season.
Oscar Chatman – Hazelwood East
Oscar is a four-year varsity starter who has earned first team All-Conference honors on both the offensive and defensive line (2022–2024), as well as first team All-State recognition as a defensive lineman in 2024. He is the heart and soul of our team, a vocal leader on the field and a role model within the school. Oscar combines speed, physicality and exceptional football IQ, making him a standout presence in every aspect of the game.
Terrance Little – Hazelwood East
Terrance is a second-year varsity starter who rushed for over 1000 yards last season, despite sharing the backfield with two other 700 plus yard rushers, both of whom have since graduated. He is an explosive running back with exceptional vision and agility. This season, he will step into the role as our premier back.
Austin Weaver – Helias Catholic
Austin is a three-year starter for us at quarterback. Last year he threw for over 2300 yards and 26 touchdowns as well as rushing for over 700 yards. He will be key to our success this season.
Clark Struckhoff – Herculaneum
Clark will be our featured running back on offense and we will look to get him 20 plus touches per game. He will also be the anchor and captain of our defense as middle linebacker. He is one of our team captains as well as a first team All-District and All-Conference linebacker last season. He was second team All-District tight end and holding midfielder, as well as an All-Conference tight end. Clark’s 2024 stats include 15 rushes, 138 yards, two touchdowns, seven receptions, 63 yards, 44 solo, 25 assisted, five tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.
Taylor Greenlee – Herculaneum
Taylor will be our top lineman on both sides of the football at 6-foot-3-inches, 265-pounds. He was first team All-District defensive lineman and second team All-District offensive lineman as a sophomore. In All-Conference he earned second team defensive lineman and offensive lineman. I can see him playing college football at the Division II level or possibly better. Taylor’s stats include 25 solo, seven assists, six tackles for loss and one tackle for loss sack.
Aiden Eikermann – Hermann
Aiden has the ability to play anywhere on the field without hesitation. Aiden primarily plays outside linebacker on defense. Offensively, Aiden plays running back, tight end and will sometimes line up as a receiver in the slot. Last season Aiden was one of our most productive players with over 70 tackles defensively, 12 touchdowns and over 700 yards in total offense. Aiden has the opportunity to continue his academic and athletic career with offers from UCM, NWMSU, Missouri S&T, Benedictine, McKendree, Prue State and Westminster.
Kohlt Witthaus – Hermann
Kohlt has seen lots of time as an outside linebacker both this freshman and sophomore year. He will start for us on defense and compete for the quarterback position. Kohlt is a tough, strong young man who has done a fantastic job focusing on his training this offseason. At 6-foot-2-inches and 205-pounds, he will be an impactful player for us in all phases of the game.
Christopher Gaus – Highland
Christopher is a dynamic athlete on both sides of the ball and in special teams. He has great play making ability. In 2024 he was a second team All-CCC returner and in 2023, honorable mention team All-CCC as an outside linebacker.
Tyson Voth – Highland
Tyson is a quick and versatile lineman who has a very high football IQ. He has a great motor and footwork who always finishes his blocks.
Bryson Whitman – Hollister
Bryson has been team captain for three years. He had 1350 yards rushing last year with 14 touchdowns and 179 yards receiving with four touchdowns. He had back-to-back 80 plus tackles the past two seasons and will be moved to linebacker this season. He is also a dynamic return man with over 500 yards returning last year. He was first team All-Conference running back last year and second team All-Conference defensive back. He was also first team All-District running back and All-Area running back. He is being recruited by multiple colleges including CMU, SBU and Evangel.
Tyler Carpenter – Hollister
Tyler is a very good offensive lineman who has really come into his own this past year. He is 6-foot-5-inches, 285-pounds and has really dedicated himself to the weight room. He was All-Conference second team last year as well as honorable mention All-Area. He is currently being recruited by Evangel.
DJ Riley – Houston
DJ is our leader. He returns as a two-way starter and will lead us on both sides of the ball. He was a second team All-Conference defensive back last season.
Mason Dodson – Houston
Mason was a unanimous first team All-Conference offensive lineman last year. He has moved to tight end this season. He was our leading tackler last season from his linebacker position.
Brysen Wessell — Jackson
Long-armed interior disruptor who uses length to shed and penetrate gaps; consistently impacts the line of scrimmage. His burst and physicality make him a tough assignment for double teams.
Carson Lehman – Jasper R5
Carson is a returning starting quarterback and outside linebacker. His 2024 junior season stats include 941 rushing yards for 10 touchdowns and 316 passing yards for two touchdowns, 77 tackles and nine tackles for loss. Carson will have a breakout season this year with a bigger, stronger, prominent field presence.
Cooper Frisk – Jefferson
Cooper is a three-year starter. Has played slot wide receiver, running back and quarterback for us. He is a dynamic athlete who was the second team STL All-Metro Small School Athlete.
Dazayvion Henderson – Jennings
Dazayvion is a rising senior with a high athletic ceiling. Zay is coming off a stellar junior track season making the MoMileSplit All-City T&F Team, MO Class 4 Sectional and state qualifier in the 400m. Zay is ranked 14th in MO in the open 400m. This season, Dazayvion will utilize his speed, work ethic, and skillset on both sides of the ball, playing both slot wide receiver and cornerback. He currently holds an offer from Westminster College and hopes to earn more this fall.
Trevor Mullen – Jennings
Trevor Mullen is a rising senior. Making the move from linebacker to defensive end was a challenge this summer, however Trevor’s speed off the edge, grit in the weight room and ability to lead has positioned him to be a menace in the Suburban Blue Conference this fall. Coach Green is expecting Trevor to lead the conference in sacks this season, along with being one of the top sleeper athletes in the area.
Kaleb Yount – Kelly
This will be Kaleb’s first year as our starting quarterback. He has a very high ceiling with so much potential. He is a tough kid who can spin it and run it.
Seth Shackles – Kelly
Seth was a two start last season as a sophomore, playing fullback on offense. He sets the tone with his kick blocks and isolation blocks. Seth also started as a defensive end for us last season and we believe he will improve on those stats from last season. Seth is a weight room junkie who loves to compete.
Blake Nesbitt – Kirksville
Blake was named to the NCMC first team All-Conference as linebacker and second team All-Conference as tight end during his freshman season. He was also named second team All-District as a linebacker. Blake picked up three Division I offers heading into his sophomore season from the University of Houston (Big 12), Purdue (Big 10) and Mizzou (SEC).
Bennett Fraser – Kirksville
Bennett is committed to Kansas State. In 2024 Bennett was named first team All-NCMC as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He was named first team All-District as an offensive lineman and first team All-State Class 4. He helped lead our team to a NCMC Championship and an overall 9-1 season record.
Jacob Eberhart — Kirkwood
Athletic playmaker who can move across position groups; flashes fluidity and contact balance in multiple roles. Projects as a versatile chess piece who can impact offense and defense.
Mason Marden — Ladue Horton Watkins
Modern off-ball linebacker with size, fluid hips, and sideline range. Diagnoses quickly and finishes with physicality at the point of contact.
Terren Williams – Lamar
Terren was an All-State player last year in addition to being a state champion in discus in the spring.
Brogan Crawford – Lawson
Brogan is a 6-foot-6-inch, 245-pound senior who plays tight end, quarterback, defensive end and punter. He was our starting quarterback the last two years. He has four college offers to West Point U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, Washburn University and Benedictine University. Over the past two years, he has thrown for 2181 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 381 yards and six touchdowns.
Brayden Christian – Lebanon
Brayden’s 2024 stats include second team All-COC Conference running back, SWMFCA All-Area running back, MFCA All-District running back and MFCA All-Academic All-State.
He also played as a linebacker and special teams and will be taking the feature back duties this fall. Brayden has college offers from Evangel University, Saint Mary’s of the Woods University, Quincy University and Culver Stockton College.
Jake Rebmann – Lebanon
Jake is a second-team All-COC offensive lineman, All-SWMFCA, All-Area offensive lineman, MFCA All-District and MFCA All-State third team offensive lineman.
Josiah Robinson – Lee’s Summit North
Josiah is a dynamic playmaker who will see both sides of the field. Josiah currently has more than eight Division I offers.
Justyn Lindsey – Lee’s Summit North
Justyn is an elite level wide receiver who holds Division I offers from the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska.
Parker Tune – Liberty (Mountain View)
Parker was a first team All-SCA, first team All-Area, first team All-District and second team All-State wide receiver last season. He was also voted All-Area and All-District as a return specialist. He is committed to play at Drake University as a wide receiver next season.
Reed Tune – Liberty (Mountain View)
Reed is a first team All-SCA, first team All-District, first team All-Area, second team All-State as a sophomore as a linebacker last season. He has 139 total tackles, four sacks, 78 assists, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Zemar Cheatam – Liberty North
In 2024, Zemar proved himself as one of the most reliable playmakers in our offense. He rushed for 843 yards and 12 touchdowns on 122 carries across 10 games, showing both consistency and explosiveness. Sports Illustrated recognized Zemar as one of Missouri’s top returning running backs heading into 2025. With his senior year now in front of him, the anticipation is high for what he can accomplish. His work ethic, toughness, and big-play ability make him a key piece of our program’s success.
Trashundon Neal – Liberty North
In 2024, Trashundon Neal emerged as a versatile playmaker for the Eagles on both sides of the ball. He contributed consistently as a cornerback and receiver, notching several key plays throughout the season. One of his biggest highlight-reel moments came in the district semifinal against Liberty, when Tillman Martin found him for a 48-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7-7. Trashundon’s ability to impact games on offense, defense and special teams has everyone excited for what this final season could bring.
Kameron Hurst — Lift for Life Academy
Long corner with twitch and recovery speed; competes well at the catch point in tight coverage. Physical in press and reads the receiver’s intentions fluidly.
Joe Brandt – Linn
Joe showed some promise at his inside linebacker spot during Linn’s first varsity football season. Joe was the leader on the defense with 53 solo tackles and 36 assists. He had 13 tackles for loss with two sacks. Joe also had one interception with two fumble recoveries.
Craig Laughlin – Linn
Craig rushed for 193 yards with 65 carries in an injury shortened year. This year he will be playing the tight end position. With his ability to go get the ball and being 6-foot-4-inches, 210-pounds, the coaching staff is expecting Craig to have a breakout year on the offensive side of the ball during Linn’s second varsity season.
Michael Clark — Lutheran North
Petite but elusive slot threat with sharp route timing and soft hands. Explodes open underneath with subtle footwork and change-of-direction.
Kace Holman – Macon
Kace has stats of 61 tackles with 39 being solo, four sacks, eight tackles for loss, one interception and two forced fumbles. He is 6-foot-3-inches, 260-pounds and plays offensive tackle and defensive end. He was a two-time first team defensive end in the CCC Conference both his sophomore and junior years. He is a great kid who plays football, basketball, baseball and golf. This makes him very versatile on the offensive and defensive line.
Ben Kauffman – Macon
Ben is a 6-foot-1-inch, 275-pound offensive guard and defensive end. He is a two-way player who is one of our strongest kids. He had a good year last year but I feel his best is yet to come. Ben’s stats include 43 tackles with 23 solo, one sack, six tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.
Micah Daniels – Mark Twain
Micah made All-Conference lineman as a junior. He is a big, physical kid who is a leader on and off the field.
Justin Bergthold – Mark Twain
Justin is a returning player who will be the leader on both sides of the football. He is a very athletic young man who will be our leading rusher and quarterback of the defense.
Walker Tracy – Maysville
Walker is a tough, hard-nosed football player who makes an impact on both sides of the ball for our team. As a running back, he runs with power and vision, consistently finding seams in the defense and breaking tackles to pick up extra yards. On defense, Walker is just as valuable at inside linebacker, where he reads plays quickly, fills gaps with aggression and delivers strong tackles. His combination of toughness, football IQ and playmaking ability makes him one of the most reliable and competitive players on the field.
Kaleb Watkins – Maysville
Kaleb is a versatile leader for our program, excelling as both an outside linebacker and quarterback. As a quarterback, Kaleb demonstrates poise under pressure and the ability to put his team in the best position to succeed. Defensively, he thrives as a hybrid outside linebacker and safety, using his instincts to anticipate plays, disrupt passing lanes and pursue the football with relentless effort. His intelligence, football IQ, leadership and ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball make him a difference-maker.
Donovan Hall – McCluer North
Donovan is a senior and a two-year starter who began playing football just last year as a junior. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-5-inches, 320-pounds, Donovan has quickly become a dominant force on our offensive line. In his first season as a starter, he allowed only three sacks over more than 420 snaps. Donovan was also an All-Conference player in his first year of action. We’re counting on him to lead our offensive line group both on and off the field, setting the tone with his physicality, leadership and commitment to the team.
Kareem Goodrich – McCluer North
Kareem is an outstanding young man who excels both on and off the field. He maintains a 3.3 GPA, ranking in the top 20 of his class. Kareem is a dynamic playmaker and a natural leader. Last season, he stepped up to play quarterback, while also contributing as a wide receiver. This year, he’ll be a two-way starter at wide receiver and strong safety, showcasing his versatility and athleticism. He was the only player last season to record a touchdown run of over 50 yards, underscoring his explosive ability.
Cam Troutman – Mehlville
Cam will be our starting quarterback after winning the spot midway through last season. He will also be a significant leader on this team. He had a very productive summer and we expect big things out of him this season!
Jordan Hannam Lewis – Mehlville
Jordan had a very good season for us on both sides of the ball and on special teams last year. He makes incredible catches on offense at the wide receiver position and in a lockdown corner on defense. He is also a very flashy returner on special teams.
Gabe Weaver — MICDS
Seam-stretching tight end with smooth agility and hands to match; dangerous in man-on-man coverage. Shows comfort flexed or inline, making him a high-upside mismatch.
Ka’Von Tiger – Moberly
Ka’Von is our catalyst. He’s as dynamic of a player as we’ve had here at Moberly. He’s smart, versatile, athletic and has big play potential every time he touches the ball. His stats include 115 rushes, 1031 yards, 15 rush touchdowns, eight receptions for 151 yards, two reception touchdowns, 11 assists and 25 solo tackles for a total of 36 total tackles. He had two tackles for loss with one sack and one pass breakup, 374 kickoff return yards and one kickoff return touchdown. He is a first team All-Conference and District running back and third team All-State athlete.
Kyler Fanning – Moberly
Kyler’s level of athleticism allows him the opportunity to really impact the defensive side of the ball. His speed makes him dynamic on the offensive side of the ball as well. Kyler’s stats include 14 rushes for 83 yards, two rush touchdowns, 12 receptions for 260 yards, four reception touchdowns, 17 assists and 77 solo tackles for a total of 94 total tackles, five tackles for loss, four pass breakups with one interception, 189 kickoff return yards and 31 punt return yards. He is a first team All-Conference and District defensive back and second team All-State defensive back. He was also selected for Academic All-State.
Camden Towles – Monett
Camden has great size, frame, speed, and athleticism. He will be a potential Division I player to watch for out of southwest Missouri.
Aiden Rivera – Monett
Aiden is a middle linebacker who should lead the state of Missouri in tackles.
Dylan Washick – Monett
Dylan is a leading passer for Class 4 in the state of Missouri in 2024.
Carson Nestleroad – Monett
Carson is the second leading receiver for Class 4 in the State of Missouri.
John Michael Collins – Nevada
John made All-Big 8 Conference, All-SWMO Class 4 and All-District. He has over 1400 yards total in offense. This includes 1000 plus rushing yards and 375 receiving yards. He also has19 total touchdowns, 14 from the rush, three receptions and two kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Will Jackson – Nevada
Will is a 2024 Big 8 Conference first team running back, All-SWMO first team running back, All-District Class 4 and All-State third team. He has 200 carries for 1437 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Jackson Cantwell — Nixa
Massive bookend with rare blend of length, anchor and short-area balance; mirrors speed or power and finishes with heavy hands. Climb-to-second-level quickness plus pass-set polish make him a true every-down tone-setter.
Adam McKnight – Nixa
Adam is a solid quarterback who will lead the offense to success.
Brody Fifer – Norborne Hardin-Central
Brody’s stats include 652 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 1024 passing yards, 19 pass touchdowns, 66 tackles and seven interceptions.
Kellen Long – North Callaway
Kellen transferred from Butler. He will play running back and free safety for us. In addition to being an excellent football player, Kellen is a state medalist in wrestling. I expect Kellen to be one of our top running backs and defensive players.
Collin Moore – North Callaway
Collin was second on our team in rushing yards and led our team in receiving yards. He also led our team in tackles from his strong safety position. He has been selected as a captain for our team for a second year.
Braydee McClure – North County (Bonne Terre)
Braydee is entering his second year as North County’s quarterback. As a sophomore, Braydee showed that he was varsity ready and made his presence known by rushing for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in his first varsity start. Compiling over 1500 total yards and accounting for 18 total touchdowns in his sophomore season, Braydee has matured both mentally and physically and shows that he is ready to lead the Raiders offense again in 2025.
Noah Lashley – North County (Bonne Terre)
Noah is entering his third season as a starter, where he will be featured on both sides of the ball as our middle linebacker and fullback. As a sophomore, Noah had 795 yards of total offense and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Noah had 64 total from his linebacking position and also picked up a sack and two interceptions.
Kobe Rhymes — North Kansas City
Twitchy, downhill linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range and a fast, punchy first step. Wraps up routinely and brings consistent effort as a playmaker over the middle.
Dylan Armstrong – North Platte
In 2024 Dylan was first team All-Conference running back, first team All-District and second team All-State. He had 276 carries, 1283 yards, 4.64 yards per carry, seven receptions for 101 yards and 12 touchdowns. Dylan is a four-year starter in the backfield. This year he will move from running back to quarterback.
Collin Lane – Northland Christian School
Collin Lane plays every position on the field. This year he is plugged in at two back and three back. He is tough and does whatever is asked of him. On defense he will play nose guard, defensive end, linebacker and safety. He is the kind of player every coach would want in their locker room.
Max Simokaitis – Oakville
Max is a special kind of athlete that coaches are rarely blessed to coach. He is a three-sport star playing football, basketball and baseball. He runs a 4.4 laser timed 40, is tall, lean and athletic. Max is going to take the season by storm.
Gavyn Anderson – Oakville
Gavyn led our team in tackles last year and is back for more. He is an outside linebacker who has been clocked running a 4.4 laser timed 40. He is a 215-pound kid who has figured it out. Gavyn is a top-notch student and a stud in track and field as well.
Amaury Powell – Odessa
Amaury is a silky smooth route runner. He knows how to get open against any coverage and does an amazing job of using defenders’ leverage against them. Amaury excels at the contested catch and is a highlight reel waiting to happen.
Kade Carroll – Odessa
Kade is an absolute game wrecker. He demands a double team but he is so strong at the point of attack that it doesn’t matter most of the time. He plays with violence and a huge motor.
Lucas Walker – Orrick
Lucas has 145 tackles with 29 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He will play middle linebacker this year and was second in state for tackles in Missouri 8-man football.
Seth Stack – Pacific
Seth will be a four-year starter at quarterback. He has thrown for 4500 plus yards and rushed for over 2000 yards to date.
Israel Anjorin – Parkway Central
Israel is a defensive lineman whose stats include 25 tackles with four being tackles for loss. Israel has great size and athleticism and is our most experienced returning lineman. After playing varsity football since his sophomore year, I believe this will be Israel’s best season yet.
Benton Mohrmann – Parkway North
Benton is a standout in a good group of 2026 players. Benton will be a three-year letterman and a two-way starter during both his junior and senior seasons. He was selected team captain for the 2025 season. Benton currently has a 4.07 GPA. In 2024, Benton had 50 total tackles, including two sacks, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions as an All-Conference recognized player. Currently, Benton has a scholarship offer from the University of Northern Iowa (FCS).
Landon Nickerson – Parkway South
Landon is a 6-foot-3-inch, 325-pound nose guard. He had 23 tackles and two fumble recoveries as a sophomore. He eats up double teams and has really good, heavy hands.
Brett Ottensmeyer – Parkway West
Brett threw for 2484 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024. He is a returning All-Conference and All-District player from a year ago. He is on the STL Super 30 for 2025 and is committed to Missouri State University.
Jerrail West – Pattonville
Jerrail will be a huge part of what we do this season on offense. He’s a threat from any position and has a great feel for the game.
Braden Shelley – Pembroke Hill
Braden made All-State as a freshman.
Jack Wollard – Pembroke Hill
Jack made All-State as junior.
Barrett Wheeler – Perryville
Barrett is a kid who works extremely hard on and off the field. He is in the weight room constantly and is at every single football event he can attend. Barrett studies the game and is one of the smartest football players I have ever coached. He should be gearing up for one heck of a senior season!
Drew Leuckel – Perryville
Drew is an extremely hard worker and dedicated to his craft. He lives in the weight room and does everything he can to be the best player he can be. After receiving some Division college offers after his junior year, Drew is looking to turn some heads this season and really establish himself as one of the best players in the state.
Eli Genzler – Pierce City
Eli was second team All-Conference defensive back and first team All-Area defensive back.
Kordel McBlair – Pierce City
Kordel was second team All-Conference offensive line and second team All-Area offensive line.
Jack Utz — Platte County
Athletic tight end who runs clean seams and shows promise adjusting to the ball mid-air. Blocks with effort and could grow into a consistent contributor.
Rocco Marriott — Platte County
Poised passer with clean mechanics and feel for timing; delivers accurately when struck rhythmically. Shows ability to extend and buy time under duress.
Logan Slack – Poplar Bluff
Logan is a wide receiver and strong safety. He is athletic with great top-end speed and elite changes of direction. In 2024 he made 22 receptions for 306 yards as a part-time player. He is also a state champion as a 110m hurdler.
Caden Jenkins – Poplar Bluff
Caden plays linebacker and slot. He is a four-year starter as linebacker. In 2024, he had 82 tackles with 11 tackles for loss, 46 rushes for 302 yards and six receptions for 60 yards.
Noah Walton – Potosi
Noah had 1151 yards rushing on 132 carries and 17 touchdowns last year. He accomplished these stats after missing multiple games due to injury.
Thomas Lambinh – Potosi
Thomas will be one of the top returning wide receivers and defensive backs in the MAFC White division this year.
Daxton Smith – Putnam County
Daxton will be a three-year starter on the offensive line. He is 6-foot-4-inches and 275-pounds, with a mean streak when blocking but is very technical in his approach. He will get some opportunities to play at the next level and will be very good at it.
DeZephen Walker — Raymore-Peculiar
Decisive one-cut runner with great vision through traffic and contact balance to finish runs. Adds value on perimeter concepts where his acceleration and stride length stress edges.
Zayre Thomas – Raytown South
Zayre is a four-star kid with two offers.
Jordan Wright – Raytown South
Jordan is a sophomore kid who will likely become a Division I kid.
Keagon Fish – Reeds Spring
Keagon is a player who has a high motor on both sides of the ball. As a sophomore, he started 10 games on defense. He finished with 87 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. His junior year he only played six games on defense, finishing with 26 total tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. The reason for only having half the season is because he became our primary ball carrier. On offense last year, he finished with 955 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns and caught 14 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown.
Tyson Porter – Reeds Spring
Tyson is a player who has the potential to be one of the best defensive backs in southwest Missouri. He was our starting quarterback and corner as a junior. He has a skill set that makes him an elite athlete. His stats are a little down because of some injuries from playing quarterback. Defensively, he finished 2025 with 41 total tackles and one interception in seven games. Offensively, he finished 66-145 passes for 731 yards with five touchdown passes.
Gavin Lawhon – Republic
Gavin is a defensive back who plays the secondary at an elite level. He is consistently locking down top receivers throughout conference and season play. Gavin’s toughness and coverage instincts make life difficult for opposing offenses. Last season he recorded 65 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups and a blocked kick, while also averaging 22 yards per kick return. He earned All-COC Conference, All-District, All-Area and the All-Coaches Defensive Back Award post season honors.
Preston McCracken – Republic
Preston McCracken is one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state and a dynamic playmaker for the Republic Tigers. A proven leader and competitor, McCracken terrorized defenses last season with his ability to beat teams with both his legs and his arm. He rushed for 1300 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also throwing for 500 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and ability to take over a game.
Preston Turner – Rich Hill
Preston is playing quarterback and linebacker in a program that lost many seniors. He is coming in with something to prove and taking control of a new system.
Matt Gass – Rock Bridge
Matt is an All-Conference and All-District player in 2024 who has added 30 pounds of muscle. He is about to have a dominant senior year. Matt is 6-foot-3-inches and weighs 250-pounds. He runs like someone 50 pounds less. He’s going to have a great year! His 2024 stats include 33 total tackles, 19 assists, three forced fumbles, six tackles for a loss, two sacks, 11 hurries and one pass breakup.
Kevin Sullivan — Rockhurst
Tall, rangy tight end with natural catch radius; shows tracking ability over the middle. Has potential value as an inline blocker with time to develop technique.
Garrett Essner — Rock Bridge
Physical match-up tight end with red-zone value; strong hands catch in tight windows. Shows promise as both a move blocker and seam threat.
Issac Gottman – Rock Bridge
Issac is a great leader for the Bruins who blocks with authority and anger. He’s everything you want in an offensive lineman. We look for him to lead the way for a very productive year.
Logan Taylor – Ruskin
Logan is a right end and linebacker who will have a great season. He is a tough runner with great vision and hands. He has good grades and is also a wrestler and is in track. Logan will be a force.
Canaan Plate – Russellville
Canaan is the leader of our offensive and defensive line. He was an All-Conference and All-District player for us last year. He has put in a ton of time in the offseason in order to have a great senior year.
Ethan Finkeldei – Santa Fe
Ethan is a senior and our quarterback this year.
Hayden Toliver – Santa Fe
Hayden is a senior. He plays wide receiver and safety.
Mason Windy – Schuyler County
Mason is one of the leaders of our football team. He leads by example and coaches the younger kids up really well. He will be our running back this year. Last year he ran for over 500 yards and almost 10 touchdowns.
Brody Weaver – Schuyler County
Brody is also one of the leaders of our football team. He will be playing quarterback for us. Last year he ran for over 600 yards and had over 10 touchdowns.
Levi Stott – Scotland County
Levi can play multiple positions and has been a three-starter as a receiver for us. We traditionally have not thrown the ball a lot but we will look to open it up a little more this year. He will play a big part in our success.
Kamdyn Forest – Scotland County
Kamdyn is an explosive running back who has great hands out of the backfield. He is also a very intuitive linebacker for us who always seems to find the ball.
Dylan Lappe – Seckman
Dylan is a three-year starting linebacker and reigning Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Keane Atkins – Sikeston
Keane broke the single season receiving record for our school last year. He should have a big season again.
Tristen Klasing – Slater
Tristen walked into our program as a freshman, ready to compete. In his first season as a receiver and running back, he accumulated over 500 yards from scrimmage, scored five touchdowns, and made 42 tackles on defense. His stats are a credit to his work ethic and natural ability. He sat out half his sophomore season due to injury and still managed to contribute 183 yards, three touchdowns and 28 tackles. What makes him truly special is the consistency and leadership he brings every single day. I expect big things from him this year, as he will be the starting quarterback.
Carter Duncan – Slater
Carter earned the right to get on the field as a freshman cornerback, stepping in to make 66 tackles with a tackle for loss. That kind of production as a ninth grader speaks to his football IQ and competitiveness. Sophomore year, he thrived in a new role as running back and linebacker. Offensively, he had 384 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, he added 52 tackles and an interception. His ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball makes him incredibly valuable but what stands out the most is his leadership. Carter is a player who makes a program stronger just by being part of it.
Keenan Harris – SLUH
Keenan is a four-year starter and is closing in on the SLUH program records for both career tackles and career starts. He has led the MCC in tackles the last two years and is a two-time All-State and two-time All-Metro player. At 6-foot-1-inch and 215-pounds, Keenan is a linebacker and wide Receiver. His stats include 23 catches for 328 yards, four touchdowns, 108 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, three interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one punt return touchdown.
Jordan Taylor – SLUH
Jordan is a 5-foot-9-inch, 185-pound, senior running back. An ACL injury robbed him of his sophomore year but he came back as a standout junior, earning 10-plus Division I offers. In just nine games, he had over 1400 all-purpose yards and scored ten touchdowns. An extremely talented runner who also blocks well. His stats include 190 carries, 1244 rushing yards, 6.5 yards per carry, 16 receptions, 167 receiving yards. He was first team All-Conference and second team All-District. He is verbally committed to Sacramento State.
Haze Middleton – Smithville
Haze is our best football player. He is a three-year starter and returning captain for us. He was first team All-Conference last year, second team All-State and on the All-Simone team. He had 111 tackles with 13 tackles for loss last season. He is a 4.0 student with a 27 ACT. He also placed third in state wrestling last year.
Graden Pontius – South Callaway
Graden is a returning All-District and All-Conference linebacker and quarterback. He has been given a lot of attention over the last few years for his play on the field and he excels as a leader. He has hopes of continuing his football career in college. He has all the traits necessary to be successful at the next level. His stats include 1369 rushing yards with 20 touchdowns, 658 passing yards with six touchdowns, 104 tackles, three sacks and one interception.
Kolton Adrian – South Callaway
Kolton is a returning All-District and All-Conference defensive back and running back. Kolton is a great kid and we are extremely blessed to have a young man of his ability and work ethic be a part of our program. He has hopes of continuing his football career in college, and I know he has all the traits necessary to be successful at the next level. His stats include 453 rushing yards with eight touchdowns, 282 receiving yards with two touchdowns, 45 tackles and three interceptions.
Crae Coffey – South Harrison
Crae Coffey plays linebacker and running back. He rushed for over 1200 yards last season, averaging over five yards a carry. Defensively, he had 80 plus tackles and nine tackles for loss on the season. He was voted unanimously as first team linebacker and first team running back. Crae is an extremely hard worker and loves the game of football. He is always striving to make himself better. He is a great leader on the field and off the field. Crae has also been on the Academic All-State team for numerous sports.
Hudson Talley – Souther Boone
Hudson is an explosive runner who has transitioned from receiver to running back for us this year and has had a really good summer of work. He’s got big play ability when he gets the ball in space and his vision and running ability gets better each week. Defensively, he will return as a safety. Hudson is a good tackler with plus ball skills and is instrumental in getting our defense right to different looks. We expect Hudson to make an impact on both sides of the ball this year.
Hayden Endsley – Souther Boone
Hayden is returning as a defensive end and has really embraced his role anchoring the defense. Hayden is a strong kid with a great get-off and good top-end speed, making him a threat in more than one way for us. Offensively, he will be a guy who gets packaged in and has improved in both his blocking and pass catching abilities. We look to utilize him in a number of ways and expect him to be an integral part of what we do.
Sam Boster – Springfield Catholic
Sam may not show very eye-popping stats outside of returns but those return stats should give you an idea of what he can do. Sam is poised to have an explosive year. He has legit breakaway 4.6 speed and a 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound frame, with a lot of confidence in his ability and scheme he did not have last year as a sophomore. He is also being moved from free safety to outside linebacker, where he will have a much bigger impact on defense.
Ezequeil Lopez – St. Charles
Ezequeil is a two-time team captain. In 2024, he was first team All-Conference defensive back, first team All-District defensive back, third team All-State defensive back and National All-Star Game Top Performer.
D’Monta Bagby – St Charles
D’Monta is a great kid who works hard and will be a big-time contributor this season.
Kanon Wetlaufer – St Joseph Central
Kanon is the biggest competitor and leader of our team. He keeps intensity and competition flowing during workouts and practice. On the field, he doesn’t accept less than 100% effort from his teammates. He is going to have a great senior year.
Drake Gilkison – St Joseph Central
Drake is a top player maker for our offense. His growing knowledge of our offense will allow him more opportunities to get the ball in space in more ways than last year.
Nathan Short – St. Clair
Nathan has been a three-time starter at quarterback for us. Last year he had 116 carries for 1250 yards and 17 Touchdowns. He completed 22 of 55 for 804 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Brennan Czeschin – St. Dominic
At 6-foot-3-inches and 190 pounds, Brennan is the school’s career passing leader and a multi-year starter at quarterback. He earned an offer from Miami, Ohio before his junior season. Brennan comes from an athletic background as his father was a record setting Division II quarterback at Truman State University and he is already growing into his father’s large frame.
Nick Gleason – St. James
Nick will be a dynamic playmaker for us this season. He has breakout speed and the ability to be a problem for opposing defenses. Last season Nick was our number one receiver until an injury to our quarterback made him move positions. Losing the firepower he brought to our receiving core last year; we decided to move him back to wide receiver and start a younger quarterback.
Zane Achterburg – St. James
Zane has a knack for finding the football. Last year he had 50 solo and 77 assisted tackles. Zane was the heart of our defense. He has worked hard this offseason and is looking ahead to having a great final year of football.
Kingston Miles – St. Mary’s South Side Catholic
Kingston has been a pillar for the St. Mary’s program for the last two years as a running back. He ended his sophomore year with 1076 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, two reception touchdowns and seven games with over 100 yards. Kingston was named team captain in the 2024 season and looks to lead the Dragons in his junior year. He holds offers from Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Sacramento State.
Riley Smith – St. Mary’s South Side Catholic
Riley ended his junior campaign passing for over 1600 yards and passing touchdowns. Having only been here for the summer, he immediately showed his leadership and work ethic being named team captain for the 2025 season. Riley also holds a 4.0 GPA.
Tate Kreisel – St. Paul Lutheran
I would argue that Tate is the best receiver in Missouri 8-man football. He has phenomenal route running and ball skills. Unanimous All-Conference and second team All-State, largely due to our lackluster record. Tate’s 2024 stats include 73 catches for 1252 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Easton Sheets – St. Paul Lutheran
Easton is a 6-foot-5-inch, 220-pound quarterback who can put the ball wherever he wants on the field. He is All-Conference, All-District and KMZU Dream Team. His 2024 stats include passing 149 out of 280 for 1917 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He rushed 71 for 294 and seven touchdowns.
Luke Ferranto – St. Genevieve
Luke is entering his third season as the starting quarterback. He led the team in passing and rushing in 2024 as a junior.
His 2024 stats include passing 1422 yards for 12 touchdowns and rushing 1018 yards for 14 touchdowns. In 2024 he was also selected for MAFC All-Conference first team athlete, All-District first team quarterback and Academic All-State quarterback.
Paul Taylor – St. Genevieve
Paul is a 6-foot-4-inch, 225-pound defensive end. His 2024 stats include 74 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2024 he was also selected for MAFC All-Conference first team defensive end. All-District first team defensive end and Academic All-State defensive end.
Kyler Kuhn — Saint Pius X
Sturdy interior lineman with strong anchor and low center of gravity; uses powerful hand placement to dominate defenders in both run and pass games. Effective on pulling schemes and shows advanced knee bend for his level.
Drayton Hampton – Sweet Springs
Drayton is a second team All-State defensive back and a first team All-Conference and All-District offensive athlete. His stats include 108 tackles, four interceptions, eight pass breakups, 1114 yards rushing for 17 touchdowns, 741 yards passing for 12 touchdowns and two kick returns for touchdowns. He is a very explosive, game-changing type of player.
Jason Gonzalez – Sweet Springs
Jason is a second team All-Conference and All-District tight end. His stats include 13 catches for 327 yards with 25.2 yards per catch and eight touchdowns. Jason is an outstanding blocker.
Hudson Cerrano – Timberland
Hudson is a leader on and off the field. He knows when to be vocal and leads by example. He has a rifle for an arm that delivers the ball accurately. He can also make plays with his feet and has a high football IQ. He has received multiple Division I offers.
Riley Holstein – Timberland
Riley is a stud linebacker with length to cover the field and plays very physical. He has natural instincts that keep him in position to consistently make plays.
Caleb Barber – University Academy/Kauffman CO-OP
Caleb is a three-time captain for our program and was nominated for Crossroads Conference Player of the Year as a junior. He was also nominated for the Bobby Bell Award.
He has 112 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups.
Tristan Fischbeck – Valle Catholic
Tristan is a returning starter who has all the skills needed to excel at defensive end.
Owen Capoccia – Webster Groves
Owen is one of the best players we have on both sides of the ball. He shows great instincts as a linebacker and is a patient runner with the football. He has made huge strides this offseason to be one of our best leaders this season.
Charlie Osdieck – Webster Groves
This is Charlie’s first year on varsity for us but he has already made us a better offense because of his tenacity on defense. He has a relentless motor and will be around the ball every play this season.
Jonny Hampton – Wellington-Napoleon
Jonny is a three-year starter for us at quarterback and is a two-time All-Conference and All-District performer. He has also earned Academic All-State the last two years. He threw 2250 yards and 38 touchdowns last season and rushed for 265 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a great leader on and off the field and we are looking for big things from him this year.
Jaxon Hunter – West Plains
Jaxon Hunter will be a two-way force on both the offensive and defensive lines. He was a unanimous first-team All-Conference honoree on the defensive line last season.
Jacob Moore – West Plains
Jacob is an All-State wide receiver. He caught 49 passes for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Gage Adler – Westran
Gage has been a great quarterback for us these past few years. When starting at quarterback he led a 14-3 record. He is a great leader and does everything you expect and more for someone in his position. His 2024 stats include completing 139 out of 200 passes with a completion rate of 69.5%. He had 15 passing touchdowns and four interceptions with 1931 passing yards and a quarterback rating of 119.9. In rushing, he had 128 attempts for 586 yards. He made 13 rushing touchdowns for a total of 2523 yards.
Vershawn Dudley – William Chrisman
Vershawn is a tough football player. He had to sit out his entire junior season but led the team in tackles his sophomore season.
Trent Mackey – William Chrisman
Trent has a nose for the ball. His junior season was cut short after shoulder surgery. He led the team in tackles prior to his injury.
Rowan Cox – Windsor
Rowan was All-State as a sophomore. He played running back for us, rushing for 1703 yards, averaging 10.4 per carry. Rowan scored 23 touchdowns. He is 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pounds and runs a 40 in 4.6. Above all, he is a great kid and student.
Logan Wilson – Windsor
Logan is a very versatile player on both sides of the ball. Logan has been a two-year starter and is beginning his senior campaign as a two-way starter. Logan is a very competitive player. He is strong with good speed and vision on offense and an ability to find the ball defensively.
Logan finished the season with 1200 rushing yards in 2024 and 70 solo tackles with many assisted tackles.
Roland Bai – Winnetonka
Roland had an amazing season last year at KIPP Legacy High School. Big Roland Bai is now at Winnetonka High School. He will lead the Griffins defense this season. Roland finished last season with 80 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss and one interception.
Dayton Humphreys – Wright City
2024 was Dayton’s first year starting as quarterback for us. Over the course of the season, he developed into a true dual-threat quarterback. He is an accurate passer who has really improved his arm strength over the offseason. Dayton has had a strong summer and fall camp. We look for him to be a big-time playmaker and leader for us on offense.
Benji Rodriguez – Wright City
Benji plays free safety. He burst onto the scene last year as a sophomore, leading us in both tackles and interceptions. He has great football instincts, allowing him to come downhill from free safety to make tackles and then to play a great centerfield on passing plays. He is taking over the starting running back spot. Benji has great vision, quickness, toughness, physicality and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Benji can make just as big of an impact on the offense side of the ball as he can on the defensive side.
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VOTE NOW! Which Northeast Missouri Area Football Player Should We Feature? – Presented by Shelter Insurance (Poll Ends 9/12)
VOTE NOW! Which Kansas City Area Football Player Should We Feature? – Presented by Shelter Insurance (Poll Ends 9/12)
VOTE NOW! Which I-70 Area Football Player Should We Feature? – Presented by Shelter Insurance (Poll Ends 9/12)
