Pre-Season Preview: SLUH Scrimmage Top Prospects

I had the opportunity to watch the St. Louis (MO) University High Junior Billikens 2022 annual Blue & White pre-season scrimmage on Saturday and get some updated impressions on their top prospects for the coming season.   New Jr. Bills Head Coach Adam Cruz has inherited one of the top players in the entire class of 2024, along with several other D1 prospects/recruits, and other future college prospects. Here is pre-season a look and analysis of those players.     [player_tooltip player_id='125255' first='Ryan' last='Wingo'] | 6'2" | 2024 | WR   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/SLUH-Scrimmage-DeSmet-Media-Day-089.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-415708"/></figure>   Wingo is an elite prospect and one of the top national prospects in the entire class of 2024. He already hold offers from over 30 teams heading into his junior season, including offers from Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M, Michigan, Penn State and Miami. He's the perfect combination of size, speed, hands, toughness and ability to make yards after the catch, utilizing his track speed all over the football field on offense defense and special teams. You'll be seeing him go both ways as he will be seeing time at safety in 2022. Had 32 catches for 638 yards and 10 TDs as a soph.   <ul><li>Blazing speed. Clocked a sub 4.4 at the Elite Football combine. Ran a PR of 10.55 in the 100 meters in 2022.</li><li>Great size at 6'2" 205 and uses it well against defenders.</li><li>Physical receivers who likes contact and will truck DBs.</li><li>Tremendous concentration on catches.</li><li>Strong route runner whose speed and quickness allows him to get separation and get open.</li></ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='103409' first='Zach' last='Ortwerth'] | 6'5" | 2023 | TE   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Zach-Ortwerth.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-415882"/></figure>   Possibly the top receiving TE prospect in the state of Missouri in the 2023 class despite what you may have heard elsewhere. Ortwerth runs routes like a receiver, and with his height, ability to run and hands makes him a dangerous threat and top target on any team that doesn't have [player_tooltip player_id='125255' first='Ryan' last='Wingo'] on it. Zach was heavily recruited and has announced his verbal commitment to the University of Pittsburgh already. He had 20 catches for 288 yards with 4 TDs as a junior. He looks bigger and stronger in 2022 while keeping his athleticism.   <ul><li>Good size at 6'5" 230</li><li>Runs very well and is a solid route runner.</li><li>Finds the open spot in defenses.</li><li>Above average hands.</li><li>Can make plays after the catch.</li><li>Good red zone option.</li></ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='181558' first='Jacobi' last='Oliphant'] | 6'4" 2024 | CB/WR   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Cobi-Oliphant.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-415883"/></figure>   The next big-time recruit to come out of SLUH will be Oliphant. Cobi is long, fast, quick and physical. Another track standout for the Junior Bills, he started at cornerback as a sophomore and finished with 74 tackles, 1 INT, 1sack and 1 fumble recovery. He is up to 195 pounds and will also see action as a starting wide receiver in 2022. Could play on either side of the ball in college as a receiver or tall corner or safety.   <ul><li>Very good speed. Track athlete.</li><li>Big-time cover skills.</li><li>Runs well and covers a lot of ground all over the field.</li><li>Uses his height and size well at WR or DB.</li><li>Physical defender.</li><li>Ball hawk always in on plays.</li></ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='233162' first='Landon' last='Pace'] | 6'3" | 2025 | TE/DE   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Landon-Pace-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-415914"/></figure>   The Sophomore-to-be continues on his rise to big-time D1 recruit. TE/DE prospect [player_tooltip player_id='233162' first='Landon' last='Pace'] saw a good amount of varsity action towards the end of his freshman season. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Orlando Pace is already a strong blocker. He showed nice improvement in his receiving ability at the scrimmage, along with a good motor and ability to chase down and make plays at the DE position. He's still learning but is making good strides and if he continues on the same trajectory could be recruited for either side of the ball at the next level.   <ul><li>Good size and athleticism.</li><li>Very good blocker.</li><li>Physical.</li><li>Strong hands.</li><li>Good motor.</li><li>Plays to the whistle.</li></ul>   Matthew Barnes | 2023 | 6'3" | OL/DL   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Matthew-Barnes.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-415996"/></figure>   The 280-pound Barnes showed surprising athleticism at the scrimmage. He is quick, explosive and runs well. The University of Dayton obviously saw that and extended his first D1 offer to him recently. A good athlete who also plays Lacrosse, Barnes looks like he has the makings of an interior offensive lineman or 3-tech DT.   <ul><li>Solid on both run and pass blocking.</li><li>Quick feet.</li><li>Good get off on the snap.</li><li>Can clog the middle and disrupt plays.</li></ul>   [player_tooltip player_id='181590' first='VirShaun' last='Mosley'] | 2024 | 6'5" 330 | OG   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Virshaun-Mosley.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416500"/></figure>   Massive OL prospect who can move. Sat out last season after transferring from Cardinal Ritter. Looked good with his run and pass blocking. Quick feet, long arms and surprisingly athletic for his size. He has the potential to be a D1 OL prospect if he keeps working and has a strong junior season for the Jr. Bills.   <ul><li>Great size.</li><li>Strong and powerful blocker.</li><li>Good feet.</li><li>Uses his hands well.</li></ul>   OTHERS WORTH MENTIONING   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Kam Bailey | 2023 | 5'10" | RB   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Kam-Bailey.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-415997"/></figure>   Bailey saw limited time as a junior only carrying the ball 10 times for 85 yards. He has home run speed and ran well inside at the scrimmage. He is up to 190-pounds and looked like a physical North/South runner who could not be caught once he made it past the first wave of defenders. Also a solid receiver.   Louis Kertz | 2023 | 5'11"| LB   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Louis-Kertz.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416005"/></figure>   The physical Kertz is a real playmaker at linebacker for the Jr. Bills and led the team in tackles as a junior with 125 TT, 5 sacks and 21 TFL. He picked up a couple of offers over the summer from Benedictine College and Culver-Stockton.   [player_tooltip player_id='181561' first='Gus' last='Dames'] | 2024 | 6'4" | OL   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Gus-Dames.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416006"/></figure>   Dames starter at LT as a sophomore and did a really good job at that spot. He looks like he spent the off season slimming down and getting in better shape. He's reportedly at 280-pounds. A physical run blocker who is also very good protecting his QB in pass protection. Gus looks like he's ready to elevate his game and recruiting profile with college coaches.   [player_tooltip player_id='126209' first='Marco' last='Sansone'] | 2024 | 6'0" | QB   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Marco-Sansone.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416007"/></figure>   In his first year as the starter at QB Sansone will have a nice array of weapons to throw to. He received limited reps as a sophomore and had some nice throws. He's done a good job of working on his skills in the off season. Marco has a strong arm and displays good accuracy, especially on the deep ball, which will come in handy with speedy receivers like Wingo and Oliphant. He should have a big year.   [player_tooltip player_id='181554' first='Joe' last='Harris'] | 2024 | 6'0" | WR   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Joe-Harris.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416008"/></figure>   Harris played on varsity and had 18 catches for 184 yards 2 TDs as a sophomore. He looks more physically developed, faster and showed a nice ability to get open. Good hands and will be another reliable option in the passing game.   UP NEXT   <hr class="wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='392813' first='Keenan' last='Harris'] | 2026 | 6'1" | WR/CB   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Keenan-Harris.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416009"/></figure>   The freshman Harris doesn't look like a freshman. He looks physically ready for varsity ball at 186-pounds and showing the skill set to play against older players. Good speed, athleticism, hands and ability to cover from his corner position. He's physical and is a ball hawk. He should see some varsity action this season. A name to watch in recruiting.   [player_tooltip player_id='284042' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] | 2026 | 5'9" | RB   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/Jordan-Taylor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416010"/></figure>   A big-play RB on the middle school level who has gotten national attention on that level. Jay is a definite speedster having run a 4.5 forty at a couple combines this summer. Taylor is quick, elusive and can take it to the house on any given play. He is also a excellent receiver who can help in that aspect of the offense. Look for big things from him over the next four years.

I had the opportunity to watch the St. Louis (MO) University High Junior Billikens 2022 annual Blue & White pre-season scrimmage on Saturday and get some updated impressions on their top prospects for the coming season.