Missouri’s Incoming Class 6 MVP’s from the 2022 State Tournament
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Every team in a competitive football state like Missouri has its juggernaut somewhere on the field. Whether it’s at Quarterback, Defensive Line, Linebacker, or anywhere in between, you gotta have a guy who can singlehandedly change the trajectory of a…
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Continue ReadingEvery team in a competitive football state like Missouri has its juggernaut somewhere on the field. Whether it’s at Quarterback, Defensive Line, Linebacker, or anywhere in between, you gotta have a guy who can singlehandedly change the trajectory of a game. In this series, I’ll be looking at X-factors from any position on any team in 6A, starting with the state tournament teams. Let’s get right into it.
Christian Brothers College: Jeremiah McClellan Jeremiah McClellan 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR CBC | 2024 State MO , WR
The dynamic wide receiver out of the defending state champion CBC Cadets, Jeremiah McClellan Jeremiah McClellan 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR CBC | 2024 State MO earned just about every possible accolade a player can heading into their senior season. The four star was first team everything, from all-state down to all-conference, and rightfully so. He racked up over 1,600 all purpose yards and a staggering 18 touchdowns in only 14 games. He even got a few sacks on defense, contributing all over the field as needed. This high level of play in all aspects of the game is enough to deem McClellan the unquestionable X-factor for his team heading into the fall.
Lee’s Summit North: Williams Nwaneri Williams Nwaneri 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Lee's Summit North | 2024 State MO , DL
At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Williams Nwaneri Williams Nwaneri 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Lee's Summit North | 2024 State MO looks like he should be playing on the weekends already, and odds are, he will be in the near future. On tape, this guy’s play is noticeably a cut above the other 21 athletes on the field. His movement is scarily fluid, and his pass rush moves can cause opposing offensive lineman to whiff altogether. Slicing through an offensive line practically untouched when you’re six and a half feet tall and well over 200 pounds is a feat that requires superb athleticism and understanding of the game, two things Nwaneri possesses in droves. He has the strength to bullrush his way to the backfield, but more often than not, he relies on finesse, a sign that his style of play will translate directly to the next level. Between swim moves, simple shoves to create space, and cross chops that send a lineman’s hands straight to the turf, it’s clear that Nwaneri’s bag is deep, and his last season as a Bronco will be a revenge one. They were the state runner up in 2022, and this fall will be Nwanneri’s last chance to bring a state championship home.
De Smet: Michael Cunningham Michael Cunningham 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL De Smet | 2025 State MO , OL
The only 2025 grad on this list, Michael Cunningham Michael Cunningham 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL De Smet | 2025 State MO anchored a state tournament level offensive line as a sophomore. He stands 6-foot-3, weighs in at 285 pounds, and singlehandedly dictates how the Spartans run the ball between the tackles. At center, he has the strength and power to throw noseguards into their linebackers, opening up gargantuan running lanes for his backs to slide through. At guard, he is quick enough to pull and bench press any filling defenders clear off their feet, which also opens up plenty of room for his ballcarriers to rip off huge chunks of yardage. If he gets his pads low enough on his first few steps, the defender is dead in the water. If he doesn’t get low enough initially, he’ll drop his facemask into their chest and bull them over with ease. Cunningham’s ability to reset his pad level and attack from below is terrifying for opposing defenses, but the scariest part of all is the fact that he has two more seasons to improve his already stellar game.
Liberty North: Keelan Smith Keelan Smith 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Liberty North | 2024 State MO , WR/TE
Keelan Smith Keelan Smith 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Liberty North | 2024 State MO ‘s name comes up all the time across the Missouri prep circuit, and for good reason. He’s big enough to play tight end, fast enough to play receiver, and since he is so good at both, he gets plugged in wherever his team needs him. This allows for plenty of unpredictable packages and an offense that is nearly impossible to game plan against. Although his 6-foot-3, 200 pound frame makes Smith stand out, his versatility keeps opposing defenses on their toes. Out wide, he is a mismatch against much smaller defensive backs, which allows him to rack up yards after the catch by securing a slant and plowing shoulder-first upfield. In the slot, these same short yardage routes work to a tee, and Smith gets upfield in a hurry to get plenty of yardage. While it’s clear he is a weapon out wide, as his abilities out there span far beyond just short routes, his role at tight end may be the most unpredictable. Smith’s route tree from the tight end position involves plenty of deep shots upfield, where he uses his blazing speed to streak up the field and secure 20+ yard catches down the sidelines before anyone knows what hit them. Thanks to his freakish athleticism and unprecedented versatility, Smith was able to rack up 845 yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior campaign. The University of Nebraska commit has a full season of football ahead of him, and it will be his last shot to return to Faurot Field for a chance at the state title.