Hard Hitting Seniors to Watch This Fall
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I believe I have completed my evaluations of Missouri’s 2024 linebackers. I am glad I went back through the entire state because there are some defensive leaders I definitely overlooked. I am confident the five prospects I evaluate in this…
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Continue ReadingI believe I have completed my evaluations of Missouri’s 2024 linebackers. I am glad I went back through the entire state because there are some defensive leaders I definitely overlooked. I am confident the five prospects I evaluate in this article will be highly productive players in their final year of high school football. Below, I detail why these specific defenders have the traits to play at the next level.
Khiler Nance
Khiler Nance
Khiler Nance is a two-sport athlete out of Lamar High School. Khiler received his first offer from Evangel University on May 25th. Look for more regional schools to recruit Khiler before his senior season is finished.
Khiler shows good athleticism changing direction after shedding blockers before his tackling ability allows him to finish plays in the open field. Khiler’s closing speed gets displayed chasing down outside runs from a backside inside linebacker alignment. Khiler’s awareness shows in zone coverage, while good instincts get displayed quickly identifying power runs.
Jason Jones Jason Jones 5’9″ | 175 lbs | RB Sierra Canyon | 2022 State CA is a talented multi-sport athlete out of New Madrid, Missouri. Jason has reposted some regional schools’ camp invitations, but I am surprised he has not gotten move invites to campus from in state colleges. Watch out for Jason’s recruitment to pick up steam before 2024 gets here.
Jason shows a good combination of athleticism and instincts quickly reading run correctly and changing direction to disrupt ball carriers before they pass the line of scrimmage. Jason shows consistent good tackling form and strength in his finish when squaring ball carriers up in space. Jason’s closing speed shows finishing tackles in the backfield when pursuing outside power runs as a backside linebacker.
Brady Kerperin Brady Kerperin 6’2″ | 215 lbs | LB Blair Oaks | 2024 State MO returns to lead Blair Oaks’ defense after winning a state championship in 2022. Brady holds three offers from SEMO, Missouri Western State, Northwest Missouri State, and most recently received a preferred walk-on opportunity from Mizzou. Watch for his out of state recruitment to heat up before 2024 gets here.
Brady’s strength shows punching linemen as a blitzer before completing tackles for loss in the run game. Good closing speed shows tackling scrambling quarterbacks before they cross the line of scrimmage. Brady’s instincts and good tackling ability show quickly reacting in coverage and stopping screens in the open field.
Kolbey Ballowe
Kolbey Ballowe
Kolbey Ballowe is a highly underrated linebacker out of Logan-Rogersville High School. Kolbey holds offers from Midamerica Nazarene and Westminster College. He has also visited Central Missouri and been to camps and Lindenwood and Missouri State. Look for Kolbey to receive more offers in the region before his graduation next year.
Kolbey shows good instincts, strength, and shed technique when disrupting outside runs that are designed to hit in his vicinity. Good awareness shows in pass coverage. Kolbey’s fluid change of direction and closing speed get displayed disrupting passes that target his underneath zone responsibilities. An explosive get off and good power in his bull rush highlight Kolbey’s pass rush versatility in college.
Thomas Coppinger Thomas Coppinger 6’3″ | 225 lbs | LB Rockhurst | 2024 State MO is one of the fastest rising 2024 defensive prospects in Missouri. Thomas holds offers from Cornell, Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma, and Northwest Missouri State. He has also attended camps at Northwestern and Kansas State. Don’t be surprised when Thomas has more offers come in before his senior season ends.
Thomas’ next level quickness and awareness shows picking the ball off in zone coverage. Good instincts versus the run show quickly finding the ball amidst misdirection in the backfield. Thomas’ strength gets displayed stunning blockers with his shed and in a powerful finish as a tackler. Good size, strength, and natural instinctiveness in the run box project Thomas to be a traditional three down linebacker in college.