2024 Risers In The Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Missouri high school football season was one of the best across the state in recent memory, with outstanding seasons put together by many seniors who elevated their play. Here is a look are several of the 2024 prospects who rose in the rankings based on their senior season performances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Francis Howell LB/H-Back prospect [player_tooltip player_id='188583' first='Jude' last='James'] was a top 25 ranked player coming into the season at 22nd overall heading into the season and climbed to the 10th ranked player after a great senior year. Jude went from 190 last year to 220 at 6'3" in the offseason adding muscle while keeping his impressive speed and athletic ability that led to him dominating on both sided of the ball playing WR/S for the Vikings. The Mizzou signee recorded 123 tackles overall on defense, and had over 500 yards receiving as a senior. He will play either linebacker or H-Back for the Tigers next year. My bet is at linebacker, which is a position Missouri has a need at. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty North EDGE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177069' first='Jayshawn' last='Ross']</strong> (6'4" 230) made himself one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the state his senior season. While still raw and learning, Ross was a blur off the edge and required teams to pay special attention to stopping him from getting to the quarterback and making plays in the backfield. He recorded 9 sacks and had 12 tackles for loss as a senior, but his 4.5 forty time and play showed the potential and trajectory Jay had on the next level, which led to Alabama offering and ultimately landing him. While not a big jump, Ross moved up from 8th overall to the 3rd ranked spot in the state among 2024 prospects. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181558' first='Jacobi' last='Oliphant']</strong> (6'4" 200) S/ATH from SLUH had an outstanding senior season and caught the attention of college recruiters that he had deserved all along. Oliphant has great size, speed and playmaking ability. He can do just about anything on the defensive side of ball from rushing the QB to covering backs or playing tough against the run using his length, track speed and toughness. As a senior he had 86 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries and 3 sacks. He was also a playmaker on special teams. Jacobi signed with Oklahoma State and looks like he could be a similar type player as fellow St. Louisian Cameron Epps, who was a nice contributor to the Cowboys successful 2023 10 win season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Raytown South <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185389' first='Marcus' last='Neal']</strong> (6'1" 190) big-time DB talent is another future Big 12 player who elevated himself in my eyes with his play. Neal has been of of the top athletes in the state for the past few years, and continued to improve his skills that he will be taking to Iowa State next year. The physical and explosive defender had 88 tackles and 5 interceptions using his outstanding speed and ball skills. Neal is a physically developed player who could see the field early in his college career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some other players who deserve honorable mention include Nevada OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='126253' first='Talan' last='Chandler']</strong> (6'3" 290) who earned an offer from the home state Missouri Tigers based on his dominant play, and ultimately flipped from Colorado to the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322567' first='Payton' last='Brown']</strong> (6'1"220) RB Hillsboro elevated himself to a top 25 player in the state overall rushing for over 1,600 yards and 26 touchdowns, along with 449 yards and another 5 touchdowns on 12 catches in helping lead his Hawks to the state championship game. Payton was also one of the top linebackers in the state his senior season. Southeast Missouri got a steal with him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Eureka S <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='126221' first='Aidan' last='Crews']</strong> (6'1"190) heading to Illinois State, Rock Bridge LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112445' first='Grayson' last='Cutchlow']</strong> (6'3" 220) who is committed as a preferred walk-on to Mizzou and Blair Oak LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112410' first='Brady' last='Kerperin']</strong> (6'2" 220) signed with Air Force are three defensive standouts who really had great senior years and rose both in ranking and with their recruiting profiles among colleges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- McDonald County OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265234' first='Toby' last='Moore']</strong> (6'4" 276) signed with UNLV and deserves a mention as well. Toby proved he was a D1 player at offseason combines and camps, and UNLV saw the potential and landed the talented lineman,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->