North Kansas City vs Hickman-Top Defensive Prospects

A lot of defensive talent on display at the season opening North Kansas City Hornets at Columbia Hickman Kewpies game. This despite Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id='188585' first='Adepoju' last='Adebawore'] sitting out due to a sore shoulder. His fellow P5 DL verbal commit to Alabama [player_tooltip player_id='99473' first='Edric' last='Hill'] helped pick up the slack along with a host of other tenacious defenders. Let's take a look at the top North Kansas City and Hickman defensive prospects.   NORTH KANSAS CITY   [player_tooltip player_id='99473' first='Edric' last='Hill'] | 2023 | 6'3" | DL |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Edric-Hill.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431748" /></figure>   Recent Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='99473' first='Edric' last='Hill'] was dominant for the entire game being a disruptive force for the Hickman offense to have to try and contend with. Hill was unblockable most of the time whether it was getting after the quarterback or blowing up run plays in the backfield or chasing them down. He runs really well, and showed his quickness and athleticism along with a few impressive moves to get past blockers. At 6'3" 285 he is more then just a powerful bull rusher against high school O-linemen. Edric used his explosive get off and motor to record 2 sacks and 5 tackles for loss among his 8 tackles overall. I'm sure his high school opponents will be glad to see him head to the SEC next year.   Jaden Browning | 2023 | 6'1" | DE | The 6'0" 244lb defensive end was a good compliment to Hill in putting pressure on the Hickman QB and not allowing their offense to establish a rhythm or any momentum. Browning was very good at attempting to meet Hill at the QB all night long and helping shut out the Kewpies in the opening game. Browning's 9 tackles lead the team, with 5 of them being for loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='1118485' first='Adeyeye' last='Adebawore'] | 2025 | 6'1" | DT |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Adeyeye-Adebawore.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431750" /></figure>   If the last name seems familiar it's because Adeyeye is the younger brother of Northwestern Edge standout Adetomiwa Adebawore and teammate and OU Edge commit [player_tooltip player_id='188585' first='Adepoju' last='Adebawore']. Little brother Adeyeye looks ready to make a name for himself this season with his play at DT as a starter for the Hornets. He makes a nice interior duo along with Hill. Already 6'1" 255 he could still grow a little and be somewhere between his older brother height wise while having more of the frame to play the DT position then be an Edge like they are. He appears to already get good push up the middle and be strong enough to fight off blockers. Adeyeye had 4 tackles and a sack, with 2.5 tackles for loss in the game. He's a player to watch as he continues to develop.   [player_tooltip player_id='1112468' first='Eltoum' last='Murgus'] | 2024 | 6'3" | OLB/EDGE |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Eltoum-Murgus.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431751" /></figure>   This junior OLB is another prospect to watch over the next two years. The 6'3" 190lb Murgus is a long, lean defender who can really cover a lot of ground sideline to sideline against the run along with backs and tight ends in pass coverage. He's raw and still learning but his heart and mind are fully in it and he's eager to be the best he can. He looks like a good athlete who could continue to grow into an OLB or even possible Edge on the next level if he continues on his present trajectory and development.   Gionni McBride | 2025 | 6'1" | CB |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Gionni-McBride.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431752" /></figure>   This tall sophomore cornerback did a nice job on his side of the field in helping shut down the passing game. He's a long, lean corner at 6'1' with good speed, the ability to cover well, and is also willing to be physical against the run. McBride is another among several impressive underclassmen I saw for the Hornets that look to have bright futures.   Jhmari Vickers | 2026 | 5'8" | CB | Freshman corner who did not play like a freshman. Vickers is a very physical DB who makes his opponent fight for every inch of the field against him. He was not intimidated in his first game on the high school level, and looked to be the one trying to be the intimidator. He did a nice job in coverage and is not afraid to lower the boom. Showed good speed and ability to covered. Another bright future prospect.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/IMG_8948-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-432008" /></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   COLUMBIA HICKMAN   AJ Bussey | 2024 | 6'4" | DE |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/AJ-Bussey.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431939" /></figure>   Bussey is long and athletic 230lb edge rusher who plays mean and battles each down. He's best getting after the QB but also does a nice job against the run and chasing down ball carriers while playing to the whistle with no let up. He seems to be just scratching the surface of his athleticism and ability and shows nice upside to keep getting better. AJ can be as good as he wants as he continues to put in the work. He battled the talented OL [player_tooltip player_id='335514' first='Quinton' last='Bradley'] all night in a heavyweight fight.   Ondreis Sharp | 2024 | 6'3" | DE |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Ondreis-Sharp.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431951" /></figure>   The Kewpies other defensive end is the 6'3" 225lb Sharp, who is a nice compliment to Bussey, and gets after it rushing the QB and giving opposing OLs a hard night's work. He's a physical DE with a really good motor who plays hard every down. He had 5 tackles on the night. Definitely a prospect that colleges need to keep tabs on.   [player_tooltip player_id='385094' first='Elijah' last='Morton'] | 2024 | 6'1" | LB |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Elijah-Morton.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431952" /></figure>   One of the top linebackers in the Missouri class of 2024. Morton is a big-time playmaker at his position using his speed and physical play, but who can also cover like a defensive back. It was no surprise he helped lead the Kewpies in tackles on the night.   Rodney McNeil | 2024 | 6'1" | CB |   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Rodney-McNeil.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-431953" /></figure>   McNeil didn't have a lot of opportunity to showcase his skills as the Hornets pounded the ball between the tackles most of the night, however, he's one of the top junior cornerback prospects in the state of Missouri. He has good size, runs well and has good cover skills. A talented overall athlete who is also a standout basketball player.   [player_tooltip player_id='326631' first='Donivan' last='Taylor'] | 2025 | 5'9" | CB | A speedy cornerback with with a bright future. Taylor is a track standout and one of the top athletes on the Hickman Kewpies. He spent most of the game fighting off blocks and running to the ball to help swarm tackle. He has impressive corner skills and was invited to several college camps this summer, including at Oklahoma. He was also one of the top performers at the 2022 Elite Football combine in St. Louis in March. He has good upside and is another young prospect to watch over the next three years.

A lot of defensive talent on display at the season opening North Kansas City Hornets at Columbia Hickman Kewpies game. This despite Oklahoma commit Adepoju Adebawore Adepoju Adebawore 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL North Kansas City | 2023 State MO sitting out due to a sore shoulder. His fellow P5 DL verbal commit to Alabama Edric Hill Edric Hill 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL North Kansas City | 2023 State MO helped pick up the slack along with a host of other tenacious defenders. Let's take a look at the top North Kansas City and Hickman defensive prospects.