Top 2024 Uncommitted Defenders: Rankings Update
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There are some serious ballers still uncommitted in Missouri’s 2024 class. After reviewing the defensive prospects’ tape, I am amazed there are so many next level players still available. Below, I highlight several prospects who have all the tools to…
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Continue ReadingThere are some serious ballers still uncommitted in Missouri’s 2024 class. After reviewing the defensive prospects’ tape, I am amazed there are so many next level players still available. Below, I highlight several prospects who have all the tools to compete at the college level.
Alijah Jackman
Alijah Jackman
Alijah Jackman almost had 150 tackles during his senior season, so it amazes me to see him still uncommitted. He has been on several visits this fall, and I would expect a couple offers to come in late this winter. Alijah’s displays a good combination of length and power driving offensive linemen into the backfield as a run defender. Coaches like Alijah’s size, strength, and instincts that get displayed easily shedding blockers and flattening running backs at the point of attack. Good quickness, awareness, and an athletic change of direction highlights Alijah’s potential to be a three-down linebacker in college.
Kaiden Johns Kaiden Johns 6’3″ | 300 lbs | OL Troy | 2024 State MO is a highly underrated run stopper out of Troy-Buchanan. Kaiden recently received offers from Ottawa and Quincy University, so be on the lookout for more schools to come in late this spring. Kaiden shows a good combination of strength & instincts knocking back centers and quickly finding the ball when defending inside runs. Good flexibility and a fluid change of direction highlights Kaiden’s next level athletic ability. Kaiden’s size, anchor, power, and hand technique highlights his potential to be a true nose guard in college.
Highlights
Jeremy Anderson
Jeremy Anderson
Jeremy Anderson missed his entire senior season with injures, but fortunately still received four offers throughout the fall. The good-sized defensive line prospect would be a steal for anybody who needs help on the inside of their defense. Watch for Jeremy to bounce back in college after over a year out of the game. Jeremy shows a good combination of power and explosiveness defeating double teams, then accelerating into the backfield to complete tackles outside of his vicinity. Jeremy’s athleticism and smooth change of direction gets displayed defeating cut blocks then squaring up runners who have space to work with. A stout anchor, strong hands, and good instincts highlights Jeremy’s potential to be a solid interior run defender in college.
Braylon Harden Braylon Harden 6’2″ | 185 lbs | DB Grain Valley | 2024 MO had over ten pass breakups during a highly productive senior season for Grain Valley. Braylon received an offer from Washburn in December, so be on the lookout for more schools west of KC to offer the versatile DB this winter. Good instincts, ball skills, and athleticism allows Braylon to change direction and pick balls off that do not target his zone. Braylon’s length, quick feet, and fluid change of direction suggests he has the tools to be a successful press man defender in college. Size, power, and toughness displayed in Braylon’s ability to finish tackles suggests he has the potential to play safety at the next level as well as corner.
Highlights
It surprises me more schools in need of pass rushers have not offered An’Davantae’ Bussey An’Davantae’ Bussey 6’4″ | 220 lbs | DL Hickman | 2024 State MO . He received three offers last November, but it still surprises me more schools in the region have not offered An’Davantae’. With great size and tools that can’t be taught, expect more than one school to come in late to An’Davantae’s recruitment this year. A fluid change of direction and good closing speed gets displayed chasing down option runs as a backside defender. Good strength and athleticism gets displayed completing TFLs in space. An’Davantae’ displays the length, speed, and power as an outside linebacker in run defense that suggests he has all the tools to develop into a legit edge rusher in college.
Spencer Ward Spencer Ward 5’9″ | 175 lbs | ATH Nixa | 2024 State MO has made tremendous progress in his development as a safety prospect. He has picked up multiple offers this fall, and I would expect more to come in during the winter. Be on the lookout for Spencer to commit soon, and don’t be surprised when one year from now we are asking how so many schools passed on the heavy hitter. I was impressed with Spencer’s improved strength and tackling ability displayed in the open field. A rare combination of burst, power, and physicality gets displayed when Spencer explodes from a deep safety alignment and flattens bigger ball carriers in the run game. Good instincts, closing speed, and a quick change of direction displayed in pass coverage highlights Spencer’s potential to be a legit free safety in college.