Show-Me Recruiting Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a busy week in the Show-Me state for recruiting with the top three running back prospects all making verbal commitments, along with a lot of offers being given out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Independence (MO) Ft. Osage 2025 RB [player_tooltip player_id='263502' first='Ryver' last='Peppers'] (5'11" 185) announced his verbal commitment to Iowa State this week. The speedy Peppers is a versatile running back who is also a talented receiver who can be an all-purpose back or play some in the slot. Plus, he is a talented kick returner who uses his speed and change of direction ability extremely well. Ryver ran for 1,642 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska picked up a verbal commitment from the top running back in the Missouri 2025 class as Cardinal Ritter RB [player_tooltip player_id='188601' first='Jamarion' last='Parker'] (6'0" 195) decided to pick the Huskers after previously being committed to Arkansas at one point. Parker ran for over 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns in helping lead his Lions to a state championship. Jamarion is a big play back who can take it to the house on any given play. He has speed, vision, great cutting ability and is tough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vanderbilt landed a verbal commitment from super talented St. Joseph Central 2025 RB [player_tooltip player_id='226294' first='Gabe' last='Fields'] (6'0" 200) who ran for 1,396 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior despite missing a couple game due to injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal Ritter 2025 S prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1118571' first='Vi'Naz' last='Cobb'] (6'2" 200) also pulled the pulled the trigger on a verbal commitment this week by announcing that he will be attending UNLV. Cobb has great size, is a big hitter, and can cover a lot of ground using his coverage skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Platte County TE [player_tooltip player_id='849689' first='Jack' last='Utz'] (6'5" 230) continues to see offers roll in and added two this week from Vanderbilt and Indiana. Utz is a total package for the college level with his ability to be both and in-line tight end with good blocking ability or be a big slot with his route running and receiving abilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyoming joins Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois as schools vying for Hillsboro 2025 dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='326611' first='Preston' last='Brown'] (6'2" 195) with there offer they extended. Brown has been one of the most athletic QBs this spring at multiple camps and combines including Elite 11 in Ohio and the recent Lindenwood Mega camp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Ladue LB [player_tooltip player_id='604213' first='Mason' last='Marden'] (6'3" 210) picked up his first two D1 offers from Kentucky and Miami University this past week. Marden was one of the top linebacker prospects at the Lindenwood Mega camp and will only see his recruiting profile rise over the summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa State offered Blue Springs rising DL prospect [player_tooltip player_id='284045' first='Ronelle' last='Johnson'] (6'4" 245) who will be one of the more heavily recruited defensive linemen in the Midwest when all is said and done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CBC 2025 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1066977' first='Jordan' last='Watson'] (6'4" 255) landed his first D1 offer from Memphis today. Watson has had a great spring showcasing his potential and talent at the Elite Combine, KC Varsity combine and recent Lindenwood Mega camp. His hard work has paid off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Drake University is the first D1 offer for Lee's Summit North 2025 DB [player_tooltip player_id='944182' first='Isaac' last='McIntosh'] (5'8" 170) following some impressive camp performances recently. McIntosh is also a very talented baseball player along with being a playmaking defensive back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delaware is the latest offer for Staley 2025 DB Robert Collins (6'0" 175). Collins has put up some crazy 100 meter numbers during track season and is a skilled cornerback who can lock down opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marquette 2025 DT [player_tooltip player_id='328110' first='Donovan' last='Fitzmaurice'] (6'4" 275) added another offer to his list when Indiana State extended several in St. Louis this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fitzmaurice's 2025 teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1173634' first='Cameron' last='Kossmann'] (6'5" 240) also landed an offer from the Sycamore's as Indiana State offered him as well. Kossmann also picked up an offer from Cornell this week as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkway South 2025 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1118514' first='Andy' last='Hertlein'] (6'3" 277) landed his first two D1 offers this week from Valparaiso and Butler University. Hertlein has been a tireless worker on a mission to play college football. He loves to train and continue to work on his skills and athleticism. He will be ab asset to whatever school gets him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indiana State had a busy day in Missouri extending multiple offers to player in the Show-Me state. Fair Grove 2025 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1260485' first='Brock' last='Bruner'] (6'1" 210) is one of the rising stars of the spring and has really elevated his recruiting profile He is one of the top athletes in the state and hit a 10'7" long jump at Lindenwood Mega camp. the Sycamores offered him along with Francis Howell 2025 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1124843' first='Cameron' last='Cason'] (6'1" 175) and CBC 2025 DB [player_tooltip player_id='328989' first='Zakiese' last='Smith'] (5'9" 175). Cason and Smith are big play defensive backs who have the speed, ball skills and coverage ability that college covet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->