Team Preview: Lutheran-St. Charles (2022 Prospects)

The Lutheran-St. Charles football program became one of the top small school programs in Missouri over Coach Arlen Harris’s first five years in charge of the Cougars, including a 24-8 mark over the past three seasons. "We are trying to build the program," Harris said. "We’ve been really, really consistent. ... We’re trying to build something that will last." This fall, the sixth with Harris at the helm, may be a breakthrough campaign for Lutheran. "This is the most depth that we’ve had, in numbers and in talent," Harris said. "The collective, I’m careful not to jinx myself because everybody has to stay healthy and perform, but this is the most numbers we’ve had with this type of talent." Here is a quick look at several players to watch this season, broken up into two parts (2022 prospects and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/07/team-preview-lutheran-st-charles-2023-2024-prospects/">2023/2024 prospects</a>)... <strong>CLASS OF 2022</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37528" first="Arlen" last="Harris Jr"], 5-11, 205, RB-DB</strong> One of the top running back recruits in the country, Harris Jr. made an early verbal commitment to Stanford. He racked up 1,280 total yards (1,080 rushing, 200 receiving) and scored 22 touchdowns as a freshman, had 1,859 total yards (1,788 rushing, 71 receiving) and 32 touchdowns as a sophomore before gaining 982 (834 rushing, 148 receiving) and 17 touchdowns in just six games as a junior. "He’s just a sponge," Harris, the coach, said of his son. "I think there’s an advantage to the experience he’s had access to, so he gets it. He knows how to prepare. He has a high IQ for the game. But the thing that separates him, and I wasn’t like this, is he’s self motivated." Harris Jr. also plays free safety and returns kicks and punts. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10697989/6024354d5b3d4807a4c87b7e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37546" first="Ashtin" last="Rustemeyer"], 6-2, 285, DT-OL</strong> Rustemeyer, who had 58 tackles and six sacks in seven games as a junior, recently made a verbal commitment to Arkansas State. "He’s nasty, which you’ve got to have," Harris said. "His first step and his pad leverage, he’s just a handful. He’s not going to stop. He uses his hands well. ... He’s in the backfield all the time." Rustemeyer, who recorded 88 tackles and 10 sacks as a sophomore, is a two-way starter at defensive tackle and left guard. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12904843/5fb707b7578ddd06a41c4086" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37549" first="Jaydon" last="Wannstedt"], 6-2, 290, DT-OL</strong> Wannstedt, a two-way starter at defensive tackle and right guard, suffered a shoulder injury and missed his junior season. He received early scholarship offers from Kansas and Kansas State, but schools backed off of him after the injury. "He’s coming back with a vengeance," Harris said. "He and Rusty (Rustemeyer) are like two peas in a pod. He brings that attitude. ... He’s 6-2 and 290 and just mad at the world. He’s a problem." As a sophomore, Wannstedt recorded 87 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries. Harris said the colleges tracking Wannstedt want to make sure he’s healthy this season. "I guarantee by Week 3 he’s going to explode offer-wise," the coach said. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11080764/5de2f60c2aa6880e3431b3a3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103430" first="Christian" last="Polk"], 5-11, 260, OL</strong> The young man in the middle of the two Division I guards, Polk will start at center this season after previously playing in several different spots, including middle linebacker, outside linebacker, fullback and guard. "He’s just a selfless kid," Harris said. "I’m excited for him because he’s found his niche at center." The coach said Polk is a Division II prospect. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11080716/5f8b3514c1247d026c7dbd35" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37540" first="Aaron" last="Coffey"], 6-5, 220, QB</strong> A four-year starter, Coffey completed 58.8% of his passes for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns against three interceptions as a junior, completed 64.9% of his passes for 2,020 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions as a sophomore and completed 59% of his passes for 14 touchdowns with nine interceptions as a freshman. "I will take him over any quarterback in this area," Harris said. "He’s a pocket quarterback. He’s going to sit back and pick you apart and when he does choose to run he’s going to fall forward for six." Harris expects a big season for Coffey. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11080731/5fcef76e0dc1400a1c43c535" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37653" first="Aiden" last="McLean"], 5-8, 180, ATH</strong> Harris said McLean, who was the team’s leading receiver with 22 receptions for 318 yards and scored six touchdowns as a junior, will play slot receiver and some running back on offense and a strong safety/outside linebacker rover spot on defense. "The kid’s a football player," the coach said. "... You can put him anywhere on the field and he’ll make plays." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9720467/5fca5df93453630a0c1cd4c5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103071" first="Charles" last="Young"], 6-0, 180, DB-WR</strong> Young sat out last season after transferring, but Harris is expecting big things from him this season. "He’s going to be amazing," the coach said. "He plays corner for us and some safety. ... He’s the fastest kid on our team." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11107749/5e88f2bab018b707684b560f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37631" first="Clyde" last="Clark"], 5-10, 265, DL-TE</strong> Clark has played fullback, tight end and linebacker in the past but will now focus more on playing the defensive line, both inside and outside. "The kid is strong and built like a brick," Harris said. "... I think he’ll be really effective for us on the defensive line." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11080747/5fd912808cd5650fa8f82f86" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172001" first="Rhoderick" last="Gibson"], 5-9, 195, RB</strong> Gibson rushed for 591 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore and then 373 yards and five touchdowns a year ago as a junior, when he averaged 7 yards per carry. He had a breakout game against Duchesne when he rushed for 201 yards and two scores. "He’s a downhill, one-cut running back," Harris said. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13178770/5e0ab4fcda50cc0910c151da" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172002" first="Jordan" last="Bethany"], 5-8, 140, WR</strong> A transfer from St. Mary’s, Harris said Bethany is a good possession receiver. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8311424/60e8f97202bc9303d877a591" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <em><b>You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">@natelatsch</a>.</b></em> &nbsp;