Three Underrated 2021 Missouri Hybrid DE/OLBs

As a former NFL scout and someone who works with athletes on a daily basis, I know it is almost impossible to know every good player in a city, let alone a state or country. That is why sites like Prepredzone.com are so valuable. College coaches can find out about players they may have not heard about or missed.  Here are three guys that deserve longer looks from colleges because they have played out of position in high school. <img class="wp-image-66859 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/87512.jpeg" alt="" width="174" height="261" />OLB/DE [player_tooltip player_id="37349" first="Marlon" last="Woods"], Francis Howell Central (6’, 180) If you watched any FHC football this year, you know all about Woods. He was the catalyst of the defense and made plays all over the field. Against DeSmet Jesuit in the playoff game, Woods accounted for at least three sacks and multiple tackles for loss. The senior has an explosive first step and a nose for the football. I am not at liberty to discuss his back story but let’s just say this dude deserves everything he earns in life. If I am a college coach, I bring Woods to my program as a cover inside linebacker who can fill the interior run with force. As he learns to eat health<span style="font-size: 1rem;">y with everyday meals and can live in a weight room, Woods should turn out to be a dominant college linebacker at 6’1, 235 lbs.</span> &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_66860" align="alignright" width="148"]<img class=" wp-image-66860" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/20201031_144021.jpg" alt="" width="148" height="262" /> Photo: Jan Salmon[/caption] DE Jack Meyer, Francis Howell (6’2, 210) The crazy thing about Meyer is I have seen him play a few times and every time I do, I make a note about him. He has two or three plays a game that are momentum changers. Then I have had three or four coaches and ’insiders’ ask me about him in recent weeks. The dude is a football player. That is the best compliment I can give an athlete. Is he always pretty? Nope. But the game of football isn’t supposed to be. Do your job to the best of your ability. Meyer has TONS of ability and is a better athlete than given credit for. And he has plenty of room to grow. I project Jack to be a FCS OLB who would thrive in a 3-4 defense. He uses his hands well, has good leverage and can finish with power. But I also know he is a good enough athlete to play off the football on the inside. If I was a college coach, I would want Jack Meyer on my team. <img class=" wp-image-66880 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/87550.jpeg" alt="" width="376" height="501" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; DE [player_tooltip player_id="37428" first="Cole" last="Wunderlich"], O’Fallon Christian (6’, 220) Powerful is the first word I think of when I watch Wunderlich play. You can look at his frame and realize he is an explosive, strong human. At OFC, Cole is asked to put his hand in the dirt and hold the point of attack. He does this very well and makes a lot of plays on the edge. At the next level, I would make Cole a middle linebacker and let him fill iso runs and smash faces. While he may not have the long speed of Woods and Meyer, Wunderlich’s short snap on contact will rock a ball carrier. Cole is also a secure tackler who can snatch a runner to the ground with his tenacious hands. &nbsp;