Freshmen Week: 20 2027s from Missouri Making Noise this Fall pt.1
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Another day, another Midwestern state’s freshmen standouts highlighted and evaluated for your enjoyment. PrepRedzone’s “Freshmen Week” is in our fourth installment after identifying more than 50 standout c/o 2027 athletes from the great states of Kansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and…
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Continue ReadingAnother day, another Midwestern state’s freshmen standouts highlighted and evaluated for your enjoyment. PrepRedzone’s “Freshmen Week” is in our fourth installment after identifying more than 50 standout c/o 2027 athletes from the great states of Kansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and we have a personal favorite coming from yours truly. The Show-Me State is, in my humble opinion, one of the most underrated and under-appreciated state’s in all the nation when talking college football talent, and since my time as a loyal employee of PrepRedzone, I’ve very much enjoyed more closely following Missouri’s prep football teams and players while occasionally contributing to our PRzMO site. The St. Louis metro area is one of the most fertile metropolitans in America, especially for high-quality talent, and across the state you can find any kind of player or position your heart may desire. The smaller towns and more rural areas put out more than their fair share amount of talent as well, so before I get too deep into the weeds, I’ll end by saying I’m quite excited to take a whack at identifying some of the up-and-coming superstars of Missouri’s gridirons and recruiting trail. Let’s dig in!
More “Freshmen Week” features:
Indiana –> https://prepredzone.com/2023/10/freshmen-week-15-2027s-from-indiana-making-noise-this-fall/
Wisconsin –> https://prepredzone.com/2023/10/freshmen-week-11-2027s-from-wisconsin-making-noise-this-fall/
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Chance McPike Chance McPike 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Warrenton | 2027 IL II
Chance McPike Chance McPike 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Warrenton | 2027 IL II
Warrenton High School’s stud freshman Chance McPike Chance McPike 6’1″ | 175 lbs | WR Warrenton | 2027 IL II was the recent recipient of a “No Brainer 2027 Division 1 Guy” tag from PrepRedzone’s vaunted National Scouting Director Jake Lemming in a recent tweet, and he’s not the only one thinking McPike II is heading to the brightest lights of college football. The 6’1, 170 lb. QB/WR/DB posted a 10.97 100M coming into high school and has had a monster freshman campaign with the Warriors, playing a big part in Warrenton’s current 8-0 record. He’s recorded some impressive production in 2023, including a 6 catch for 255 yards and 4 TD game vs. Union High School, which set school single-game records for receiving yards and TD catches, and 15 receptions for 269 yards and 3 TDs through the first five weeks of the season. With visible length, McPike II is positionally versatile and can line up at multiple WR spots, make plays as CB, and step in at QB to create splash plays for his offense. His sub-11 second 100M time shows up on tape, as he can burn 1-on-1 coverage and get open easily when going deep, as well as stay on top of speedy wideouts when playing CB. He shows a big catch radius that can fully extend and reel in catches with his strong hands away from his body, ball skills when playing both WR and CB, and the ability to drop his hips, cut his routes off cleanly, explode out of his breaks, and create separation at the top of the route. Additionally, McPike II demonstrates very impressive contact balance for his size/age after the catch or with ball in hand helps him slip and run through tackle attempts at his lower body. Also shows off quickness, vision, and general elusiveness that can make defenders miss in a variety of ways. He’s at a different level of athleticism than his freshmen peers and Lemming said it perfectly when exclaiming he’s a “no-brainer D1 guy.” PRzMO will be excitedly talking about this kid for years to come.
Lutheran North has a big-time 2027 on their hands in Darron “DJ” Boone, a 6’2, 195 lb. TE/DE making a ton of noise this fall in his first year of high school action. In fact, there’s a lot of hype and noise surrounding the Lutheran North 2027 class as a whole, which features multiple more standouts we’ll highlight later in this piece. Boone is especially exciting, however, and has posted some good reps on both sides of the ball in 2023. With soft hands and the toughness to finish receptions through contact as a TE, as well as the control to break down and pop off crushing blocks on kickoff returns, Boone does his best work on defense. Displaying a good get-off as a standup EDGE – sometimes from as far as a wide-9 alignment – that gets into the backfield quickly to disrupt both the run and pass game of opponents, Boone is laterally quick when beating blocks around the LOS or in space, uses his hands well to disallow opponents from getting their hands on him, and closes very quickly. I also like how the 6’2, 195 lber. can drop/flip his hips and change direction well, and he’s patient and assignment sound when reading and playing against read-option attacks. Obviously athletic, physical, and disruptive, the future is bright for Boone and his projection to the college level. More on Lutheran North coming soon!
Cole Leverett Cole Leverett RB MO
Cole Leverett Cole Leverett RB MO
Jeff City product Cole Leverett Cole Leverett RB MO has been doing damage on the Capital City Capital City ATH MO High School JV squad as a young freshman playing both RB and OLB/EDGE. The 5’9, 150 lber. reports a solid laser 40 time and uses the speed effectively on the gridiron, where he displays a skillset that presents him as one of the better players on the gridiron in his JV tape, which is significant as freshmen are generally the minority in JV action. Leverett processes and triggers on the ball well from his standup EDGE spot and gets into the backfield with speed, where he is instinctive in the turnover department, particularly when a RB or QB is held up and the ball is exposed and ready to be ripped out and is a strong tackler. He does a good job of not getting tied up by blocking attempts and disengaging once he makes his read, and also demonstrates some elusiveness and physicality as a ball carrier. Still a lot of work and development to be done, but Leverett is more than comfortable and effective as a JV contributor and should make that step up to varsity in the upcoming season next fall. Has to be a big offseason, though! Work hard, Cole.
Elliott Mank
Elliott Mank
The O’Fallon area is always stacked with exciting high school football talent and prospects, and Fort Zumwalt West’s 6′, 190 lb. offensive & defensive lineman Elliott Mank has been a beast in the non-varsity ranks of the Jaguars. With a lot more room to grow and fill in, Mank already shows off a good combination of get-off/first step and closing speed, a little bit of lateral agility that helps him beat blockers to either shoulder, pursuit speed and a noticeable motor, and the awareness to get his hands up into passing lanes when he knows he can’t reach the QB in time. Like some other non-varsity freshman contributors in this piece, his path to a big-time college football prospect is less obvious, but with hard work, a lot of weights lifted and calories eaten, and a little bit of help from the Man Above in the growth department, Mank can certainly get there.
Jordan Rasmussen Jordan Rasmussen QB MO
Jordan Rasmussen Jordan Rasmussen QB MO
We’re sticking with the Fort Zumwalt West program for the breakdown of our next Missouri 2027 making noise this fall in 6′, 165 lb. QB Jordan Rasmussen Jordan Rasmussen QB MO . A big kid on tape who stands tall in the pocket, Rasmussen is a throw-first QB who is an effective scrambler who does a good job of stepping up into the pocket to avoid pressure as well as buying time east to west while keeping his eyes downfield. He’s safe with the football compared to most freshman gunslingers and doesn’t force the ball into tight coverage, is accurate on the move and when rolling out, can get rid of the football quickly when his first read gets open, and shows touch when working the ball downfield. Rasmussen is setting a good foundation of skill and experience for the next few years of high school reps. He’ll be ready and waiting to take that varsity QB1 spot when the time comes.
Coming off a prolific youth football career, now-Rockhurst 2027 signal-caller Garret Miller is ready & able to keep the momentum going into his high school football career and is a big part of a promising & talented Rockhurst Hawklets freshman class of prospects. The 6′, 175 lber. – who has primarily been playing in the non-varsity ranks for the Hawklets – has posted a midseason stat line of 36 completions on 53 attempts (68%) for 655 yards and 10 TDs to only 1 INT while averaging over 12 yards a completion with that talented right arm of his. Miller possesses a big arm that can stretch the ball far downfield and hit his streaking wide receivers in stride for massive gains, and he is able to put successful touch on the ball when necessary as well. His arm and footwork are in-synch and he sports a concise throwing motion that can throw with accuracy from non-traditional arm angles. Miller is effective with his arm both inside and outside the pocket, is noticeably accurate to all levels of the field, safe and secure with the football, and avoids pressure and scrambles well to boot. In the always-continuous quest to identify the Next Great Young Quarterback coming up through the ranks, I think Rockhurst’s Garret Miller is a must-know name from the Show-Me State.
Highlights
Cash Lewandowski
Cash Lewandowski
Another Rockhurst Hawklets’ freshman making a ton of noise and posting high-quality and promising reps from the non-varsity ranks of Kansas City-area prep football, 5’9, 180 lb. RB/ATH Cash Lewandowski was a 165 lb. Kansas 14U wrestling state champ last year, a background I particularly like in high school football prospects, and he’s also a successful track & field competitor who has used his multi-sport athleticism well as a freshman running back in 2023. He’s posted some highlight-reel, explosive, and impressive rushes this fall, in large part thanks to his powerful lower body, balance through contact, fight-for-every-inch running style, and burst. Lewandowski can break half-a-dozen tackles up the gut and through the middle of a defense, or take the rock out to the edge and burn pursuers down the sideline. I didn’t see a rep in his 2023 tape where he didn’t break at least one tackle, and his combination of power and finesse, not to mention his toughness and functional athleticism from his multi-sport background, makes him an incredibly exciting prospect bound for big things in his future. His truck stick and contact balance is at or near the top of the Show-Me State’s 2027 class.
The fertile high school football grounds of the Lee’s Summit school district is always represented in the top tiers of Missouri prep football prospects, and likewise show up in force in this early sneak peek of the Great State of Missouri’s budding 2027 class. Lee’s Summit North first-year RB Bryce Thompson has been putting in work for both the freshman and JV teams of the Broncos and has shown off burst, the speed to get to the sideline or back across the grain on a defense, and a shifty running style that helps him see, set up, and blast through cutback lanes as well as leave would-be tacklers grasping for air. It’s a promising and productive skillset that Thompson can build on this offseason while working towards varsity reps as a sophomore next fall. PRzMO likes watching him run, that much I can promise.
There has been a TON of hype surrounding 2027 Lee’s Summit North OLB/EDGE Caleb Green coming into his initial season of high school football, all of which is very much deserved. The younger brother of current Oklahoma Sooner freshman OL Cayden Green, a former consensus four-star prospect from Lee’s Summit North, younger bro Caleb had a tremendous showing the summer camp circuit and was comfortable, successful, and at times dominant against large, strong, and experienced high school OL as a still-8th grader in his summer entering high school. He was especially impressive at the vaunted Lindenwood Mega Camp in June, as well as the KC Varsity combine in April and a few other showcases preceding those events, as his twitch, hand usage, explosiveness, and bend that he displayed at the offseason, non-padded events has come in very handy now that he’s padded up as a freshman at LSN. He’s been dominant in non-varsity action this fall and has posted multiple multi-sack games as a JV DE/EDGE. The get-off, twitch & quickness, bend, and closing speed has made him unstoppable at times against JV OTs, and his build, effort, physicality, and technical prowess has made him a nightmare for opponents to gameplan against and frankly dominant as a freshman on junior varsity. Green’s natural gifts and athleticism make him a must-watch and must-know when talking future P5 stars from Missouri. He’ll be one of the best in the budding 2027 class when it’s all said and done.
Brian Smith
Brian Smith
Another Lee’s Summit North standout freshman who is a product of the talent-rich and successful KC Outlaw youth football program whose alums have been very well represented in our 2027 spotlights in Missouri and Kansas, 6’3, 260 lb. defensive lineman Brian Smith has been a force in the middle of the Broncos freshman squad in 2023. Explosive get-off, especially for his age and size, a powerful initial punch, effective hand usage and pass rush moves, and the ability to get skinny through a gap while staying hip-to-hip with a blocker to maintain gap integrity, as well as make plays in space, are all very impressive for a prospect of his age and size. Smith is noticeably mobile, athletic, and controlled as a 14-year-old, and with the size and production combination on top of the athletic gifts, I’d be very surprised if he’s not the recipient of significant varsity reps next fall. Get on the hype train now, it’s got the chance to be well stocked and well known by the time Smith heads into his upperclassman campaign and beyond.
Daccota Stamback Daccota Stamback 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Lee's Summit North | 2027 MO
Daccota Stamback Daccota Stamback 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Lee's Summit North | 2027 MO
We’re still rolling along with the Lee’s Summit North’s talented 2027 class, as well as our quest to identify the Next Great Young QB in the Show-Me State. 5’8, 160 lb. gunslinger Daccota Stamback Daccota Stamback 5’10” | 170 lbs | QB Lee’s Summit North | 2027 MO is coming off a distinguished youth football career that is transitioning well to high school competition and has been productive and stirring in JV and freshman team action with the Broncos. With good arm strength that can stretch the field and put noticeable velocity on the ball, Stamback can complete deep balls, out-breaking routes, deeper comebacks, and challenging throws to the other side of the field with accuracy and zip, and he’s a mobile and elusive scrambler that shows good vision and keeps the chains moving when he tucks and runs or buys time and improvises behind the LOS. I’m also impressed by his accuracy to all levels of the field, as Stamback leads his receivers open and puts the ball where only his receiver can get it. Lots of positives on display in the standout freshman’s first year of high school football.
Eke Henderson Eke Henderson 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Vianney | 2027 MO
Eke Henderson Eke Henderson 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Vianney | 2027 MO
The Vianney Griffins are home to two standout freshman RBs, one of whom we’ll be breaking down for our next standout Missouri 2027 making noise this fall. In case you’re wondering, the other half of the duo gets a nod in our “More Freshmen to Know” section below, but for now, we’ll be focusing on 6′, 160 lber. Ekeilan “Eke” Henderson, who has been productive at the varsity level in his first year of high school and is bound for many more yards and TDs by the time his prep career concludes. PRzMO really enjoys his versatility on the gridiron, as he’s also an excellent WR who has recorded 22 receptions for 354 yards and 3 TDs in addition to his skills from the offensive backfield as well as on the perimeter as a CB, and the midseason highlights display a ball carrier and wideout who can reel in catches through contact, use his ball skills, control, and balance when going up and high pointing the football to make exciting catches high in the sky, and is strong enough to gain tough goal line yards through the teeth of an ultra-loaded box. Henderson is also a strong tackler for his age and size as a CB, demonstrates quickness after the catch, and has solid speed and burst that he uses well when finishing big plays after given space or daylight. Must-know playmaker to watch in the Show-Me State’s 2027 crop of standouts.
Lonnie Johnson Lonnie Johnson 6'2" | 280 lbs | OL Lutheran North | 2027 MO
Lonnie Johnson Lonnie Johnson 6'2" | 280 lbs | OL Lutheran North | 2027 MO
We’re heading back to powerhouse Lutheran North for our next couple of exemplary freshmen. Coming out of their trenches is a heckuva promising OT in 6’2, 300 lber. Lonnie Johnson Lonnie Johnson 6’2″ | 280 lbs | OL Lutheran North | 2027 MO Jr., who has been manning the RT spot on the Crusaders varsity offensive line and manning it in fantastic fashion. There’s a lot of hype surrounding his name and game, and for good reason too, as Johnson is powerful, nimble & mobile, and shows an awareness and understanding of leverage and how to beat opponents far beyond what his age would suggest. Johnson demonstrates a ton of pop and sent more than his fair share of opponents flying off their feet, backward, and onto their butts embarrassingly this fall. When opponents get over their toes and lean he also can make them pay and manhandle them when he shucks them onto their face, and he displays good pad level and is an explosive drive blocker who you should always run behind in goal line or short yardage situations. The big boy shows a little bit of bend as well, possesses a terrifying bull rush as a DT, and is really fun to watch and impressive as an OT when he works out in space, lead blocks, gets to the second level, or get a full head of steam. Balanced, controlled, and shows some real get-up when he takes off and gets in front of his ball carriers. There’s definite P5 ability in Johnson’s game and skillset and if he can keep growing and developing he’ll be one of the most popular OL names in Missouri and the Midwest. I’ll be thoroughly enjoying the ride.
James Bryant James Bryant 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Lutheran North | 2027 MO III
James Bryant James Bryant 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Lutheran North | 2027 MO III
Another exciting and promising Lutheran North 2027 making waves on Missouri gridirons this fall, 6′, 170 lb. OLB James Bryant III, aka Booby, has been a tackle machine for the Crusaders this fall and has been extremely comfortable transitioning to big-time varsity football after playing middle school ball last year as an 8th grader. Bryant III is coming off an unreal 12 tackle, 6 sack personal showing last week against Lutheran St. Charles, and has been playing better and better as the season has progressed. Productive as a blitzer, comfortable in space or in the box, and punches far above what his weight class and age would suggest, Bryant III has a very fun-to-watch skillset for a defensive aficionado like yours truly. A strong tackler and big hitter at the contact point, Bryant III is undoubtedly the hardest hitter I’ve seen from this impressive crop of Missouri freshmen and has created massive collisions on both defense and special teams. He’s really impressive in kickoff coverage and has laid some crunching hits off a full head of steam in exhilarating style, he’s patient when pursuing the ball and closes in the blink of an eye, so quickly in fact that ball carriers don’t know what hit ’em. Additionally, the 170 lber. is rangy, has a nose for the football, and does a good job of reading/reacting to offensive plays as they develop, and is quick, physical, and slippery when defeating blocks and works off blocking attempts very effectively for his size and age. Also an impressive student currently holding a 3.85 GPA, what can’t Bryant III do? PRzMO cannot wait to keep tracking this kid through what is going to be an extremely productive and physical high school career.
Brandon Webb Brandon Webb RB MO Jr.
Brandon Webb Brandon Webb RB MO Jr.
The Eureka Wildcats are far from lacking in high-end college football prospects in 2023, and it looks like they are set to continue the recruiting momentum into the near future as they have some exciting 2027s coming up through the ranks. In my opinion, the most exciting is 5’10, 190 lb. RB/LB Brandon Webb Brandon Webb RB MO Jr., who has been a beast of a ball carrier in the non-varsity ranks of the Wildcats. A well-built, North-South slasher of a runner with a ton of contact balance who defenders straight-up don’t want to tackle, Webb Jr. shows off lateral agility and a solid jump-cut, good vision and patience when he follows his blocks, and an extra gear when he finds daylight and gets to the second or third level of an opposing defense. Additionally, he’s an excellent executer of hook & ladders, which the Wildcats have run a few times this fall. Obviously one of the best players on the field in his freshman tape and should be able to transition to varsity action easier than most.
Kason Conyers
Kason Conyers
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Hallsville High School’s 5’11, 195 lber. Kason Conyers has been a varsity contributor as a young 14-year-old freshman, in large part due to his prowess in the weight room. This past summer, Conyers posted a 285 lb. bench, 245 lb. hang clean, and 355 lb. squat, and he’s upped those numbers during the fall to a 290 lb. bench and 250 lb. hang clean x 2. It’s hard to keep a player with varsity-worthy size and strength off the field no matter their age, and lucky for the Hallsville program, Conyers has some game to boot. He’s posted tackles and TFLs in droves as a defensive lineman this fall, and has shown a skillset that includes a quick get-off, pursuit & closing speed, strength at the contact point, technically sound tackline ability, and a ton of production against the run. After another year in the weight room this coming offseason, Conyers is poised to be a beast in his sophomore and eventual upperclassman campaigns.
Jayden Burleson Jayden Burleson 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Fort Zumwalt North | 2027 MO
Jayden Burleson Jayden Burleson 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Fort Zumwalt North | 2027 MO
A sensational freshman at the RB position from the talent-rich O’Fallon and Fort Zumwalt school system, 5’8, 170 lber. Jayden Burleson Jayden Burleson 5’8″ | 175 lbs | RB Fort Zumwalt North | 2027 MO has been dynamic, productive, and electric for North’s varsity squad in 2023 and as of a week ago was sitting at 61 carries for 494 yards and 14 TDs (!), which included an 18 rush for 193 yards and 4 TD showing against Liberty High School a couple of weeks ago. With a skillset that includes eye-catching burst, good vision, the speed to burn pursuit angles down the sideline, and contact balance + quick, potent footwork in the open field, Burleson is dynamic and elusive, and his blend of speed, power, and quickness is very impressive for his age and has given talent-ridden Missouri defenses fits this fall. He can run through arm tackles and cut at top speed to send would-be tacklers flying and is also an explosive kick returner and an effective blocker with good hands, balance, and speed as a pass catcher out of the slot. With the quality of offensive athletes and playmakers the Show-Me State has been producing as of late, college coaches and recruiters should be quite excited about Burleson’s projection to the college level. He’ll be quite a popular prospect sooner rather than later.
Cory Mayfield
Cory Mayfield
Back to Rockhurst, we go! Freshman RB/ATH Cory Mayfield has been a beast of a RB in the non-varsity ranks for the Hawklets and has left more than his fair share of defenses sore and battered after playing against big #9. With a mean stiff arm and noteworthy contact balance, Mayfield totes the rock like a man amongst boys and can bounce would-be tacklers to the turf like he’s playing against middle schoolers. He also possesses good speed, and standout vision, and is a wrecking ball of a punt returner as well. Defensively, he closes quickly and gets downhill with pace and good angles when triggering on the football as a safety and is a natural supporter of the run. His combination of speed, power, and physicality should help him transition to varsity action more easily than most. Great job so far, Cory!
John Pudliner
John Pudliner
Representing CoMO and the great city of Columbia, Rock Bridge High School 6’3, 170 lb. WR/RB/ATH John Pudliner is an enticing package of a prospect who has been dynamic, elusive, and effective with the ball in hand in 2023. With a great frame that can grow and develop into a physically imposing build, Pudliner has been tearing it up on the JV and freshman teams of the Bruins. Primarily playing RB this fall, Pudliner displays contact balance and physicality, as well as a running style that sees him fight and claw for every possible yard on his carries. His long legs and gait help him cover a noticeable amount of ground with each step, and he’s laterally explosive and creates a ton of separation from would-be tacklers when he sticks his cleat in the ground and cuts it up in the open field. He also shows off vision, is a crushing blocker, and has some game as a wide receiver as well, where he displays strong hands that can reel in receptions away from his body and the ability to find holes in zone coverage. Lots to like in his budding game, especially with the ball in hand.
Marquette High School has another stud WR on their hands in 2027 Isaac Hudson Isaac Hudson 5’11” | 170 lbs | WR Marquette | 2027 MO , who has been tearing it up against JV competition in 2023. A deep threat who can burn man coverage and Cover 2 with equal effectiveness, Hudson shows off great ball skills, field and body awareness helps him toe-tap and pull off razor-thin catches at the sideline or deep downfield, and powerful cuts after the catch. I really like how he cuts off his routes as well, and as a CB he fires out of his breaks impressively to force PBUs or negate gains after the catch. I could see him getting significant varsity reps on offense, defense, and special teams as a sophomore next fall.
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