KC Varsity Combine St. Louis Offensive MVPs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QUARTERBACK co-MVPs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1117607' first='Hoyt' last='Gregory']<br>North Point -2025<br>It was a talented group of quarterbacks in St. Louis on Saturday. Gregory (6'4" 217) had a great day testing running a 4.91 laser 40, vertical jumping 32 inches, and running a 4.3 pro agility. Impressive numbers for a 217-pound QB. Also as impressive was the way Hoyt threw at the combine with one nice ball after the other hitting their target with ease. He has good accuracy, velocity and a big arm with nice touch. The dual threat QB already has offers from FAU, Lindenwood and Samford with multiple others showing interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reece Shanklin </strong><br>East St. Louis -2027<br>One of the top freshmen signal-callers in the Midwest, and one of the best I watched play this past season. Shanklin is very smooth and has an IT factor about him I've seen in other big time quarterbacks. He has very good mechanics, a quick release with good arm strength, and really good ball placement on his throws. Reece showed very good athleticism at (6'2" 176) hitting a 33.8" vertical jump in testing. He had some limited play on varsity as a freshman but looks like he will battle for the number one spot in the fall. He has a very bright future ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RUNNING BACK MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1305798' first='Alex' last='Morris']</strong><br>CBC - 2025<br>The senior-to-be running back put on a show with his combine performance in a good group of backs. He showed his experience in drills and one on ones as a perfect all-purpose type back at (5'7" 163) with good route running, quick feet, cutting ability and hands. Alex also had a good day testing with a 4.75 laser forty and an impressive 33.6" vertical jump. Alex returns as the Cadets leading rusher in 2024 after rushing for over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RECEIVER co-MVPs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colin Griffin</strong><br>East St. Louis- 2025<br>Colin has always shown glimpses of his considerable talent as a receiver since he was a freshman, but this past offseason everything looks like it is really clicking for him as he seems really focused on living up to his potential. His route running, concentration, hands and ball skills are the best I have seen from him. At the combine he clearly stood out with his size (6'2" 214), speed (4.79 laser) and ability to get separation from defenders and match catches or make a tough catch in tight coverage. Look for a big senior season and college interest to continue to increase the more they get to see of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1250673' first='Jamiir' last='Sloan'] <br>Kirkwood - 2026<br>A rising prospect to watch for in 2024. Sloan (5'9" 145) is extremely quick and does a great job creating space and getting open. He made some impressive grabs on the day and showed great hands and the ability to go get the ball if throw in his vicinity. Jamiir's good jumping ability he displayed in testing (30.9") translated well to the field in one on one's along with his overall athleticism and quickness (4.12) pro agility. He caught 32 passes for 270 yards last season but looks poised for a breakout season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew Bartels</strong><br>Kickapoo - 2025<br>Another slot type receiver who really shined in the one on ones was the (5'9" 165) Bartels, who showed nice overall receiving skills and really good hands in making catch after catch. He also looked good in drills and had a solid day in testing. His performance on the day seemed to impress the wide receiver coaches at the combine who didn't hesitate to name him as one of the three co-MVPs of the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSIVE LINE co-MVPs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1124927' first='Mason' last='Wendt']<br>Wright City - 2025<br>Wendt (6'4" 298) competed at the KC Varsity combine at St. Pius X high school in Kansas City last Saturday and was one of the top 6 offensive linemen who competed in the King of the Hill lineman challenge there. He was disappointed that he didn't do better and win the event, so he came to the St. Louis combine determined to win it there, and wound up being the co-King of the Hill. Mason has great size, is athletic, and has good skills as an offensive lineman that he has displayed two weeks in a row on both sides of the state. His quickness, strength and technique really served him well to his co-MVP status. Definite college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='400917' first='Ace' last='Herman-Dawson'] - 2027<br>Just and absolute monster is what Acezilla is and was at the combine, with some impressive battles with the previous week's KOTH winner. Ace (6'7" 367) is a massive offensive lineman who moves incredibly well for his size and shows good quickness and strength. He has good feet and loves the trench warfare and mixing it up with physical play. He also has good skills and is just scratching the surface of his ability. UNLV recognized his talents and has extended and early offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->