Missouri Recruiting Notebook: July 30

<p>It has been a busy summer for recruiting in the Show-Me State and more Class of 2023 prospects are making their decisions leading up to the start of their senior seasons next month.</p>   <h2>Hillsboro standout commits to Big 12 school</h2>   <p>Hillsboro 2023 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='103445' first='Austin' last='Romaine'] saw his recruiting take off this offseason as he showed what he was capable of traveling around to camps and combines throughout the Midwest and beyond. </p>   <p>A 6-2, 230-pounder who also excels as a running back, Romaine saw his recruitment jump up to another level with a scholarship offer from Kansas State a few weeks ago. On Wednesday, Romaine announced he was committing to the Wildcats over a list of other schools. </p>   <p>Romaine has been a problem for Hillsboro's opponents the past few years. </p>   <p>As a junior in 2021 he racked up 85 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, eight sacks and one interception on defense and 1,047 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and 15 receptions for 172 yards and three more touchdowns on offense. As a sophomore in 2020 he recorded 59 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries and racked up 948 total yards and 10 total touchdowns. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AustinRomaine2/status/1552439572503887872 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h2>Lafayette tight end announces decision</h2>   <p>Lafayette's [player_tooltip player_id='103380' first='Logan' last='Minton'], an emerging 6-8, 200-pound tight end, announced his commitment to Southern Illinois on Friday. </p>   <p>Minton, who also drew college interest and scholarship offers as a basketball prospect, received football offers from Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois and Drake. </p>   <p>"Since I was a kid it has been a dream of mine to play College Football at the highest level," Minton said in a tweet. "Today that dream is coming true."</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LoganMinton13/status/1553177316196589569 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h2>Lee's Summit North LB makes pledge</h2>   <p>Lee's Summit North 2023 defender [player_tooltip player_id='383252' first='Randall' last='Ward'] committed to Western Illinois on Wednesday. </p>   <p>A 6-2, 225-pounder, Ward is an outside linebacker and defensive end who should have a big senior season this fall. He also received offers from Valparaiso, Quincy University, Culver-Stockton and Benedictine. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/randallward21_/status/1552488273330716675 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h2>Missouri Class of 2023 rankings/commitments</h2>   <p>There have been more than two dozen college commitments from prospects in Missouri in the Class of 2023 already with plenty more to come as we get closer to the signing period later this year and early in 2023. </p>   <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2023-rankings/">Missouri Class of 2023 rankings list (includes commitments)</a></strong></p>   <h2>Best of the available 2023 prospects</h2>   <p>Only three of the top nine prospects in Prep Redzone's 2023 updated rankings have yet to make a college commitment: CBC running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='103779' first='Jeremiyah' last='Love']</strong>, Cardinal Ritter defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='99469' first='Marvin' last='Burks Jr']</strong> and North Kansas City defensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='99473' first='Edric' last='Hill']</strong>. Massive Raytown offensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177323' first='Logan' last='Reichert']</strong>, the state's No. 12 prospect, is highly sought after and still uncommitted. </p>   <p>Liberty North quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172248' first='Sam' last='Van Dyne']</strong>, De Smet defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='300208' first='Elijah' last='Thomas']</strong>, Reeds Spring tight end-defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='101690' first='Caden' last='Wiest']</strong>, CBC linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='103780' first='Michael' last='Teason']</strong> and West Plains wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172411' first='Heston' last='Miller']</strong> are Top 30 prospects who are still weighing their options. </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>

It has been a busy summer for recruiting in the Show-Me State and more Class of 2023 prospects are making their decisions leading up to the start of their senior seasons next month.