Team Preview: Chaminade

When he thinks about talent level and potential of the Chaminade football team this upcoming season, coach Antoine Torrey is reminded of the Red Devils' 2015 squad that made a playoff run to the Dome that resulted in a runner-up finish in Class 5. Torrey is also reminded of previous Chaminade squads. "For us, and even before me when Doug Taylor was the head coach, it's always been about the offensive line and running the ball," Torrey said. "...We'll hang our hats on those big boys again. That's what we've always done." Torrey said his offensive line, which will be anchored by a pair of senior Division I prospects, will likely average around 270 pounds. Add in some of the state's top athletes on the perimeter and the rumbling Red Devils should be a handful for whoever they line up against this fall. Here is a quick look at some players to watch this season... <strong>CLASS OF 2022</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37535" first="Cam" last="Epps"], 6-3, 205, CB-WR</strong> Ranked as the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2022-rankings/">No. 11 prospect in Missouri in the Class of 2022</a>, Epps made an early verbal commitment to Oklahoma State after attracting several scholarship offers. Epps was a two-way starter at quarterback (489 yards passing, 485 yards rushing, 10 total touchdowns in six games) and cornerback (31 tackles) a year ago, but will play more wide receiver this fall and could play safety at times. A four-year starter at cornerback, Torrey said his senior standout is "a specimen." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11245755/5fb98443041ef309e82fc8a7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103078" first="Elijah" last="Griffin"], 6-3, 200, WR</strong> Torrey doesn't have to look far to find another impressive athlete. Griffin, who is similarly built to Epps, is a Division I wide receiver prospect with scholarship offers from Kentucky, Kansas and Arkansas State. Griffin had 34 receptions for 750 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore with Missouri's Brady Cook as his quarterback. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11610973/5fc3fe9cab9d350b80ba9e23" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37545" first="Jimmy" last="Lansing"], 6-7, 300, OL</strong> The No. 18 prospect in Missouri in the Class of 2022, Lansing will be a three-year starter at left tackle and has attracted scholarship offers from Kent State, Southern Illinois, Brown, Columbia and Dartmouth. Torrey said Lansing has really developed physically over the past year and is stronger and playing more physical than ever before. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11245774/5fbd53cd02bc97022cf1fa30" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101728" first="Alex" last="Todt"], 6-4, 285, OL</strong> The other offensive line bookend at right tackle, Todt has "really turned heads in camps," according to his coach. The result? Todt recently picked up a pair of Division I scholarship offers from Indiana State and the University of St. Thomas. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11245807/5fc2b4ad02bc97022cf4d89a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37565" first="Grant" last="Finley"], 6-3, 240, DE-TE</strong> A four-year varsity player, Finley racked up 34 tackles as a freshman, 50 tackles and six sacks as a sophomore and then 16 tackles in the COVID-shortened six-game season in 2020. He's a physical edge rusher who lives in the weight room. Finley has received offers from Southern Illinois and Lindenwood so far, but could attract plenty of interest with a strong senior season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11245776/5f8f0a546e81650ad84bee3c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37612" first="Nick" last="Divis"], 6-3, 185, DB</strong> Divis is expected to start at free safety after previously playing cornerback and could end up playing either spot in college. He is a high-academic kid who has drawn interest from Ivy League schools as well as Washington University (where his brother plays) and the University of Chicago. "Nick's the smartest kid in his class," Torrey said. "He's ranked No. 1. He got a 34 on his ACT and he was mad about it." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11245754/5fbaa266a018da03b0eb3019" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103075" first="Gary" last="Barbour"], 6-2, 180, CB</strong> Torrey said Barbour, another defensive back with good size, will start at the cornerback spot opposite Epps. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11611172/5fc15dfa90f03a08201fc75a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96791" first="Jacob" last="Ortiz"], 5-9, 250, OL</strong> Ortiz, who will start at one of the guard spots, is shorter than most offensive linemen, but may be stronger and tougher than most as well. Torrey said Ortiz, who is also a good wrestler, is getting Division III looks. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11245777/5fbb12dcda50b108188469c8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Thomas Prevost, 6-1, 190, OLB-WR</strong> Torrey said Prevost, who is expected to start at one of the outside linebacker spots, has looked good this offseason. <strong>CLASS OF 2023</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172479" first="Ryan" last="Doehring"], 6-5, 210, DE-TE</strong> Torrey has high expectations for Doehring, who had 10 tackles and a sack in two games as a sophomore and who the coach said runs the 40-yard dash in the high 4.5-second range. "This kid is the real deal," Torrey said. "He's had a great summer. He's probably been our best receiver. ... He was primary a d-end for us last year." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11912854/5fc6f0c8f327b70654e49d37" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103784" first="Drake" last="Faust"], 5-11, 155, QB</strong> Faust served as the back-up quarterback behind Epps last season as a sophomore but will likely be the starting quarterback this fall as a junior. He completed six of eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown last season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14168446/604beccfa0183c0f58abe330" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172480" first="Charlie" last="Hughes"], 6-2, 200, ILB</strong> Hughes was a basketball player who has decided to play football, Torrey said, and while he is still learning the game the rising junior is a "big, strong kid" who is really physical. &nbsp; <strong>CLASS OF 2024</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="126246" first="Kyle" last="Russell"], 6-1, 255, DL-OL</strong> Torrey said Russell could be a two-way player for the Red Devils this fall, but for right now is penciled in as the team's starting right guard next to Todt. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15215890/5fc44278bd74ad09b0114008" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172482" first="Hayden" last="Falb"], 6-2, 265, OL</strong> A center, Falb could join Russell as a sophomore starter on the offensive line. &nbsp; <em><strong>Follow Nate Latsch on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">Twitter at @natelatsch</a>.</strong></em>