Team Preview: Chaminade
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhen 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…
CLASS OF 2022
Cameron Epps Cameron Epps 6'3" | 205 lbs | DB Chaminade | 2022 State MO , 6-3, 205, CB-WR
Ranked as the No. 11 prospect in Missouri in the Class of 2022, 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.”
Elijah Griffin Elijah Griffin 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Chaminade | 2022 State MO , 6-3, 200, WR
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.
Jimmy Lansing Jimmy Lansing 6'7" | 300 lbs | OL Chaminade | 2022 State MO , 6-7, 300, OL
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.
Alex Todt Alex Todt 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Chaminade | 2022 State MO , 6-4, 285, OL
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.
Grant Finley Grant Finley 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Chaminade | 2022 State MO , 6-3, 240, DE-TE
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.
Nick Divis Nick Divis 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Chaminade | 2022 State MO , 6-3, 185, DB
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.”
Gary Barbour Gary Barbour 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Chaminade | 2022 State MO , 6-2, 180, CB
Torrey said Barbour, another defensive back with good size, will start at the cornerback spot opposite Epps.
Jacob Ortiz Jacob Ortiz 5'7" | 250 lbs | OL Chaminade | 2022 MO , 5-9, 250, OL
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.
Thomas Prevost, 6-1, 190, OLB-WR
Torrey said Prevost, who is expected to start at one of the outside linebacker spots, has looked good this offseason.
CLASS OF 2023
Ryan Doehring Ryan Doehring 6'5" | 210 lbs | TE Chaminade | 2023 State MO , 6-5, 210, DE-TE
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.”
Drake Faust Drake Faust 6'0" | 165 lbs | QB Chaminade | 2023 State MO , 5-11, 155, QB
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.
Charlie Hughes Charlie Hughes 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Chaminade | 2023 State MO , 6-2, 200, ILB
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.
CLASS OF 2024
Kyle Russell Kyle Russell 6'1" | 265 lbs | DL Chaminade | 2024 MO , 6-1, 255, DL-OL
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.
Hayden Falb Hayden Falb 6'2" | 265 lbs | OL Chaminade | 2024 MO , 6-2, 265, OL
A center, Falb could join Russell as a sophomore starter on the offensive line.
Follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at @natelatsch.