Missouri recruiting notebook: 2022s make pledges

Two of the St. Louis area’s top defensive prospects made college commitments over the weekend. Several of the Show-Me State’s young prospects continue to pick up scholarship offers. <h4><strong>RUBLE PLEDGES TO NIU</strong></h4> St. Pius X (Festus) 2022 linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37597" first="Nate" last="Ruble"]</strong> committed to Northern Illinois on Sunday, choosing the Huskies as a preferred walk-on over offers from Southern Illinois, McKendree and Missouri S&amp;T. "I chose NIU ultimately because I liked the culture that their coaching staff built there," Ruble told Prep Redzone. "They had the best facilities that I visited and had a winning program. They said that they could see me as an outside linebacker at the size I am now or an inside backer and build me up to 230 pounds." A 6-foot-2, 220-pounder, Ruble was credited with 118 tackles, three interceptions and a sack on defense and, as a running back, 700 total yards and nine touchdowns. He played in eight games. As a junior, in 10 games, Ruble racked up 86 tackles and three interceptions on defense and, on offense, recorded 1,074 total yards (659 rushing, 415 receiving) and 11 touchdowns. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11464814/61366df1578dff0aac5e90ab" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h4><strong>WILLIFORD COMMITS TO MURRAY STATE</strong></h4> Lutheran North 2022 defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37525" first="Caldra" last="Williford"]</strong> committed to Murray State. Williford was previously committed to Kansas but decommitted on June 4. "Through all of the trials and tribulations God paved the way for me," Williford posted on his Twitter account. "He made me the man I am today. I want to take the time to thank all of my coaches, my mom for sure, my family (and) friends, and everyone else who has helped me throughout this journey. I’ve always wanted to play Division I football at the next level and now I have the opportunity. By the grace of God I will be continuing my academic and athletic career for the next 3-4 years at Murray State University." Williford, a 5-10, 160-pounder, was credited with 48 tackles and three fumble recoveries this season. He had 22 tackles in six games as a junior after recording 43 tackles, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a sophomore and 61 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery as a freshman. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323892/61774d3015f5840b6892b9ea" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h4><strong>PROSPECTS PICK UP OFFERS</strong></h4> Lee’s Summit North 2024 defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="185397" first="Williams" last="Nwaneri"]</strong> picked up an offer from the University of Missouri on Saturday. It was the fourth Power 5 offer for the 6-5, 240-pounder, following offers from Iowa State, Kansas and Iowa. Nwaneri will be a hot prospect on the recruiting trail this offseason as more college programs become aware of him. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16228891/617644b40661850558fa94bf" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Lee’s Summit 2023 wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37690" first="Joshua" last="Manning"]</strong> picked up an offer from Iowa on Sunday, which was the fourth Power 5 offer in a month for the 6-3, 190-pounder. Manning, who racked up 1,194 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games this fall, previously received offers from Kansas State, Kansas and Nebraska. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12110293/6146accf5ca9b308680d992b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> CBC quarterback<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="37608" first="Patrick" last="Heitert"]</strong> is one of if not the top uncommitted quarterback in Missouri in the Class of 2022. He picked up an offer from Southeast Missouri State several weeks ago and on Monday added an offer from FCS Dayton. Heitert has led CBC (11-1), the top-ranked team in Class 6 in the Missouri media rankings, to the semifinals, where the Cadets will face Nwaneri and Lee’s Summit North on Friday. He has completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,608 yards, with 19 touchdowns against five interceptions, and run for 359 yards and nine touchdowns. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11108812/61884ae523477f031c5b6b7a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <em><strong>You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">@natelatsch</a>.</strong></em> &nbsp;