Western Prospects You Need to Know About
In this article:
I am excited to see the next wave of upperclassmen dominate the Kansas City area this fall. There are several prospects not receiving the attention they deserve. Below, I highlight five prospects set to blow up this year. Xavier Gammon…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI am excited to see the next wave of upperclassmen dominate the Kansas City area this fall. There are several prospects not receiving the attention they deserve. Below, I highlight five prospects set to blow up this year.
Xavier Gammon Xavier Gammon 6’2″ | 225 lbs | DL Blue Springs South | 2026 State MO is a good-sized DL prospect out of Blue Springs South. Expect the talented two-sport athlete to receive increased attention from football recruiters this spring. Coaches love Xavier’s top speed and tackling ability displayed pursing ball carriers in the open field. Good length, strength, and an athletic change of direction suggests Xavier can develop into a solid edge defender in college. Good size, quickness, and flashes of next level power highlights Xavier’s potential to be a versatile pass rushing prospect by the time his high school career is over.
Highlights
Phoenix Phillips Phoenix Phillips 6’3″ | 280 lbs | DL Maryville | 2026 State MO is a rising DL prospect out of Maryville. He was invited to a junior day at Missouri State and summer camp at North Dakota State. Don’t be surprised when Phoenix’s regional recruitment heats up before the summer gets here. Good tackling ability and flashes of next level power get displayed finishing plays in the open field. Phoenix’s size, strength, and explosiveness suggests he has all the tools to develop into a dominant, interior DL prospect. Fast hands and good quickness suggest Phoenix has the potential to be a versatile interior pass rusher as well.
Daisean Bennett Daisean Bennett 6’3″ | 210 lbs | WR Lee’s Summit North | 2025 State MO is an underrated playmaker out of powerhouse Lee’s Summit North. He has been invited to a camp at Nebraska and a junior day at North Dakota State, so be on the lookout for more schools to be in contact before summer gets here. Daisean shows a next level combination of size and speed gaining vertical separation on off defenders. Daisean consistently displays quick feet and a fluid change of direction at the top of routes. Good strength gets displayed fighting through contact, while Daisean’s balance & athleticism allows him to easily adjust at the catchpoint.
Highlights
Malakia Thaxton Malakia Thaxton 6’4″ | 290 lbs | DL St. Joe Central | 2025 State MO Jr. is one of the most dominant, underrated DL prospects outside of Kansas City. He is a talented two-way prospect, but I expect his defensive recruitment to heat up well before the season gets here. Good leg drive and balance shows redirecting in space as a lead blocker for Central’s rushing attack. Malakia shows an impressive combination of size, athleticism, and acceleration overpowering blockers and disrupting run plays before they hit the line of scrimmage. Malakia’s power, length, and quickness highlights his ability to be an effective interior pass rusher in college.
I will continue to state Adeyeye Adebawore Adeyeye Adebawore 6’0″ | 275 lbs | DL North Kansas City | 2025 State MO is one of the top DL prospects in Kansas City. He received his first offer from Cornell this month and I am confident more are on the way. Adeyeye’s improved strength and speed showed right away in 2023 easily disposing of bigger blockers and creating pressure as an interior pass rusher. A solid anchor and next level explosiveness highlights Adeyeye’s potential to be a versatile run defender in college. Lateral quickness, good flexibility, power, and top speed suggests Adeyeye has all the abilities to thrive as a power rusher in college.