Prep Redzone Missouri Showcase: Class of 2021 standouts

The Prep Redzone Showcase on Sunday, December 27, at the Lou Fusz Training Center in St. Louis attracted talented football players from throughout Missouri and Illinois as well as a few neighboring states. Throughout the next few days we will be highlighting several of the standout performances from the participants, who ranged from the Class of 2021 down to a few Class of 2026 prospects. Here is a quick look at some of the best of the Class of 2021: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37194" first="Elijah" last="Edmonds"], WR, 6-2, 185, Fort Zumwalt South</strong> Edmonds showed a unique blend of size and athleticism, running a 4.59 hand-timed 40-yard dash, recording a broad jump of 8 feet 8 inches and a vertical leap of 34. While those numbers weren’t the best on the day for their respective categories, combined with his size they make Edmonds an intriguing prospect at the next level -- something he showed when he made one of the best catches of the day during one on ones on an under thrown deep ball. During his senior season this fall, Edmonds caught 46 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns, threw a touchdown pass and recorded 39 tackles and an interception. Also a track standout, Edmonds showed ability in the return game, including a 65-yard punt return touchdown. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/5229305/5fa8b0a30c54df0af46c2cc4" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Jacob Freeman, DB, 6-1, 165, Belleville (Ill.) East</strong> One of the Class of 2021 standouts who hasn’t played a game in his senior season yet, Freeman showed he’ll be a player to watch in the Metro East this spring. He showed impressive athleticism with a 4.54 hand-timed 40, 3.87-second short shuttle, broad jump of 9 feet 8 inches and a vertical leap of 35 1/2 inches. During his junior season, in 2019, Freeman was credited with 32 tackles and one interception. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11789635/5db5e7db2347900ea045ade7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37387" first="Kaleb" last="Niebuhr"], LB, 6-1, 206, Seckman</strong> Niebuhr was a force for Seckman High School over the past few years because he was always around the football and on Sunday he showed good athleticism with a vertical leap of 35 1/2 inches and a broad jump of 8 feet 9 inches. Niebuhr, who picked up an offer from Missouri Baptist a few weeks ago, led his high school squad with 66 tackles and seven sacks in eight games this season. He had a team-high 55 tackles a year ago as a junior. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/7827040/5fab52b838638d0d64b83ef0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Devin Reed, DB, 5-8, 170, Wentzville Holt</strong> Reed is an undersized defender, at least height-wise, but makes up for it with impressive athletic traits. On Sunday, he recorded a 4.56 hand-timed 40, a broad jump of 9 feet 1 inches and a vertical leap of 35 inches. During his senior season, Reed was credited with two interceptions, which tied for the team high. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9932250/5fa37120a6809509d824a5c3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Daniel Smith, OL, 6-3, 298, Francis Howell Central</strong> One of the biggest offensive lineman at the event — the linemen worked out in a smaller group in the morning before the skilled position players arrived — Smith ran a 5.29 hand-timed 40-yard dash, recorded a broad jump of 7 feet 6 inches and a vertical leap of 24 1/2 inches. Smith, who played left tackle for Howell Central, has the size colleges are looking for and some good athleticism for the offensive line. Check out his senior season highlights below for a better look at him -- and one of the most unique play calls you’ll ever see (about 7 seconds in). <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14552559/5fc1cf1a7bdcb508a49385f2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>