2020 Preseason All-Kansas City Area Team (Defensive Seniors)

There is a ton of talent on the defensive side of the football in the Kansas City area. Big-name players out of Lincoln Prep highlight the preseason team of 2021 graduates but there are steady climbers at all positions who just need a season to shine. Here is the list of preseason defensive standouts in the Kansas City area. Defensive Linemen [player_tooltip player_id="37169" first="Howard" last="Brown"], Lincoln College Prep (6’2, 290) I can already say that Prep Redzone Missouri has Brown too low at No. 16 in overall state rankings. I will fix that when the next rankings come out. Brown is a beast on both sides of the football and probably could play quarterback at the college level. The Iowa State commit is an incredible athlete who plays with power, poise, and productivity. <img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-35997 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/Aden-Birdwell-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="37180" first="Aden" last="Birdwell"], Blue Springs (6’4, 250) Birdwell is a player who continues to see his stock rise even without offseason camps. With a solid senior fall, the Blue Springs product will steadily add offers and prove his worth to colleges. Written about <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/07/five-best-2021-missouri-football-players-without-a-power-5-offer/">here</a>, Birdwell plays with leverage, length, and impressive lockout ability.     <img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-42344 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/20200810_154405-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="37171" first="Tobechi" last="Okoli"], Lincoln College Prep (6’5, 250) Okoli literally toys with blockers on the high school level, using powerful hands, impactful punch and lockout to shed. Even when he comes off the line of scrimmage too high, the Auburn commit is such a good athlete, he dances around the block and still makes the play. MAJOR league upside!     <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-42555" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/20200811_092751-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="37236" first="Jeremy" last="Sharp"], Raymore Peculiar (6’3, 260) Hig effort athlete who plays square to the line of scrimmage. Sharp plays with balance and under his pads well. Will get high at the snap at times, but finds the football quickly, recovers and still can make the play because he is aggressive. A fierce, start to finish, dominant senior season will see his stock improve greatly. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id="37162" first="Jermaine" last="Hamilton-Jordan"], Lincoln College Prep (6’1, 200) As smooth of an athlete as there is on the state, Hamilton-Jordan made all Razorback fans extremely happy when he committed. A hybrid LB/SS at the college level, the LCP product has elite closing speed, comes to balance well in space and is a sure tackler. Should play early and often once he arrives in Fayetteville. [player_tooltip player_id="37186" first="Cashius" last="Howell"], Rockhurst (6’4, 220) Lines up as a defensive end and wide receiver, Howell is projected to play OLB in college. The Rockhurst product has an explosive first step off the snap, uses his hands very well for a young player and works pass rush moves well. His ability to drop his weight in space as a receiver will help him as a drop linebacker and having knowledge of the route tree should make him stand out on the defensive side of the football. [player_tooltip player_id="37215" first="Jason" last="Skivers"], Van Horn (6’3, 230) With plenty of speed off the edge, Skivers has shown in high school that he can rush the passer. He is relentless from the backside and works to use his hands throughout his pass rush. But where the small school player can really add value to a college program is as a 3-4 OLB. The Van Horn product has the foot speed and agility to drop into coverage. As he grows as a player, his versatility will help him get noticed even more. Defensive Backs <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-42347" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/20200810_154356-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="37187" first="Marcus" last="Bass"], Lincoln College Prep (6’, 180) Bass has length, swagger and anticipation as a cornerback or safety. The fact he is a willing tackler from either position only enhances his status as one of the hottest risers in terms of recruiting in the state. With an efficient senior season, Bass could vault to the most wanted players by college coaches as its hard to find six-foot corners with hip fluidity and safety range.     <img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-42348 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/20200810_154310-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Siaoli Nauer, William Chrisman (5’11, 215) Though Nauer holds multiple D-2 offers, the all-state safety is a tackling machine who hits ball carriers like they stole his bike. Nauer has documented legit speed in the 40 (4.6s) and agility drills (4.4s) for a high school player, is a stud rugby player and is a weight room bully who smashes iron. A vigorous senior campaign should solidify Nauer's spot as one of the best defensive backs in the state.     <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-42351" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/20200810_154319-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="37218" first="Reginald" last="King"], Grandview (6’2, 185) I love scouting players like King because his high school home is wide receiver but his college will be paid for as a defensive back. Has some snaps as a safety at Grandview, but shows closing speed, anticipation and hands to play cornerback in college. There are plenty of 6'2" average receivers in college. There are NOT many 6'2" CBs who can stick their foot in the ground and close players. With more work, King could be special as a DB for a lucky college. The skills are there to work with,   <img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-42353 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/20200810_154332-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="37201" first="Rajon" last="Hill"], Hogan Prep (6’2, 184) The Toledo commit has fluid hips, is easy in his transition from backpedal to speed turn to sprinting. Hill shows his athletic ability with the football in the air where he has basketball ups and high points the ball. Though committed to the MAC D-1 program, with a tremendous senior year versus top-end competition, Hill will see Power Five offers in his mailbox.     <img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-43160" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/20200811_120541-1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="37195" first="Thomas" last="Smith"], Lee’s Summit (6’2, 170) One of the most difficult skills to teach a young CB is to jam and ride a receiver inside, then flip their hips and rolls back outside while the WR runs an out-route. To be able to do this takes coaching, practice and God-given talent. Smith displays this skill and many others as his ascension into one of the best players in the state continues into his senior year. With added strength and size, Smith will make a college program extremely happy with his improved play.