Preseason Preview: SLUH

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Louis University High is loaded with future college talent heading into the 2023 football season, including several high level D1 prospects. Their fortunes are looking up after a transition year last season. Here is a preview of players to watch for. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Junior Bills return their starting QB in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='126209' first='Marco' last='Sansone']</strong> (6'0" 195) who threw for over 2,200 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2022. Sansone is one of the top signal callers in his class in the St. Louis area and state overall. He has plenty of experience since his sophomore year, and bring good leadership and football IQ to the game along with his football skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore RB talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284042' first='Jordan' last='Taylor']</strong> ( 5'9" 185) looks ready for a breakout season after rushing for 360 yards and 6 touchdowns in limited play as a freshman. Taylor is the total package as a running back with speed, strength, quickness, vision and change of direction ability. He is also a solid blocker and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Colleges such as Nebraska, UCF, UNLV, Toledo and Ball State have already offered based on what they've seen. Jordan also played linebacker last year and recorded 59 tackles, but it looks like he'll focus at RB this year. <br>Senior fullback <strong>John Smith </strong>(6'1" 190) also returns, and sophomore <strong>Kalaun Grace</strong> (5'11" 190) will also get carries and looks ready to contribute. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The SLUH receiving corps is loaded with college prospects, led by elite caliber senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='125255' first='Ryan' last='Wingo'] </strong>(6'2" 200), who has offers from pretty much every P5 school in the nation. Wingo has track star speed to go with his size and pass catching ability. He will be the main target for Sansone, but is also versatile player who will contribute on defense at DB and special teams as a kick returner. He had 41 catches for over 700 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. Fellow senior and D1 prospect <strong>Joseph Harris</strong> ( ) also returns after having a 38 catch, 590 yard and 6 touchdowns his junior year. Senior <strong>Nathan Gunn</strong> (5'9" 160) is also getting college attention and offers, and look for senior D1 ATH prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181558' first='Jacobi' last='Oliphant']</strong> (6'4" 200). sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='392813' first='Keenan' last='Harris'] (6'1" 195) and sophomore <strong>Zach Allen </strong>to also contribute to the Jr. Bills passing game. Oliphant and Harris already have multiple D1 offers.<br>Junior TE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233162' first='Landon' last='Pace']</strong> (6'4" 218) is yet another D1 prospect to throw to. Pace has earned offers already from Ohio State, Missouri, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Iowa State among others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line will be led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181561' first='Gus' last='Dames']</strong> ( 6'6" 300), <strong>Virshaun Mosley</strong> (6'7" 350) and <strong>Vince Chappuis</strong> (6'2" 210). They will be joined by junior newcomers <strong>Avery Williams </strong>(6'4" 250) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285215' first='John' last='Kruse']</strong> (6'2" 250).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='130172' first='Archie' last='Carruthers']</strong> (6'3" 235) is back for his senior year after recording 49 tackles and leading the team with 6 sacks. <strong>Chappius</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233162' first='Landon' last='Pace']</strong> will also play DE along with offensive line and tight end duties. Juniors <strong>Sam Essewein</strong> and <strong>Kodi Cade</strong> will also see time along the DL, and freshman<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1188277' first='Kaiden' last='Eleby']</strong> (6'0" 280) will contribute if not start at some point this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>JJ Brandon </strong>is back at linebacker. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316176' first='Kendall' last='McNutt']</strong> was also mentioned as a newcomer expected to contribute at the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oliphant</strong>, <strong>Harris</strong> and <strong>Wingo</strong> will be joined by talented junior cornerback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118472' first='Matthew' last='Moore']</strong> (6'1" 170 ), and with sophomore newcomers cornerback <strong>Jaxon Bennett</strong> and <strong>Will Schulte</strong> also seeing some time in the defensive backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->