The 2020 Missouri Prep Redzone Showcase OL Standouts
I do not hide my biases as a scout or writer for Prep Redzone so as the father of an offensive lineman, I work to give the most thankless job on the field some love. The following players do not need any extra incentive from me. They handled themselves in the testing aspect and in one versus one pass rush drills.
Andrew Bontrager
Andrew
Bontrager
6'5" | 285 lbs | OL
Timberland | 2022
State
MO
, Timberland 2022 (Featured image)-- Andrew has already received plenty of hype from me and was a member of the all St. Louis underclassmen preseason and post-season teams. When you watch him work, you understand why. At 6’5, 280, the junior moves well in space, has a smooth kick slide and knows when to be aggressive with his punch.
Daniel Smith, Francis Howell Central 2021-- I appreciate when seniors show up to combines and showcases after their season because they are doing all they can to get on a college coach’s radar. Smith is exactly that type of player. Only playing football for his senior season, Smith is doing all he can to prolong his playing days. The 6’2.5 pile mover ran an impressive 5.29 40 at 298 pounds. His 7’6" broad jump paced the offensive linemen and he was a leader in all the drills. Do not be surprised if a junior college or NIAA school takes a shot at Smith.
Talan Chandler, Lutheran St. Charles 2024-- Chandler played as a true freshman for LSC but his testing numbers for a young player are excellent. Already 6’3, Chandler had the best vertical jump of all the offensive linemen with a 26-inch explosion off the turf. His 40 time was only bested by senior Daniel Smith (above). The freshman was also one of two players that broke the 5.0-second barrier for the short shuttle. As Chandler adds strength, he is one to watch as an up and comer.
Mike Cunningham, Undecided 2025-- The eighth-grader is just figuring out how to run and jump in his ever-growing body so the numbers he posted at the showcase are very impressive. Standing 6’2.5 already, Cunningham ran a 5.06 short shuttle, broad jumped 7’3", and had a 22-inch vert. Cunningham is also an aggressive defensive lineman but worked as a blocker in this showcase. Whatever high school gets the services of Mike will be better in 2021 as I expect him to play early and often.
I would be remiss to not give a shout out to Illinois HS standout OL Cooper Starks. The 2023 rising player was featured here but is one to watch if he ever gets a chance to play a season.
Andrew
Bontrager
6'5" | 285 lbs | OL
Timberland | 2022
State
MO
, Timberland 2022 (Featured image)-- Andrew has already received plenty of hype from me and was a member of the all St. Louis underclassmen preseason and post-season teams. When you watch him work, you understand why. At 6’5, 280, the junior moves well in space, has a smooth kick slide and knows when to be aggressive with his punch.
Daniel Smith, Francis Howell Central 2021-- I appreciate when seniors show up to combines and showcases after their season because they are doing all they can to get on a college coach’s radar. Smith is exactly that type of player. Only playing football for his senior season, Smith is doing all he can to prolong his playing days. The 6’2.5 pile mover ran an impressive 5.29 40 at 298 pounds. His 7’6" broad jump paced the offensive linemen and he was a leader in all the drills. Do not be surprised if a junior college or NIAA school takes a shot at Smith.
Talan Chandler, Lutheran St. Charles 2024-- Chandler played as a true freshman for LSC but his testing numbers for a young player are excellent. Already 6’3, Chandler had the best vertical jump of all the offensive linemen with a 26-inch explosion off the turf. His 40 time was only bested by senior Daniel Smith (above). The freshman was also one of two players that broke the 5.0-second barrier for the short shuttle. As Chandler adds strength, he is one to watch as an up and comer.
Mike Cunningham, Undecided 2025-- The eighth-grader is just figuring out how to run and jump in his ever-growing body so the numbers he posted at the showcase are very impressive. Standing 6’2.5 already, Cunningham ran a 5.06 short shuttle, broad jumped 7’3", and had a 22-inch vert. Cunningham is also an aggressive defensive lineman but worked as a blocker in this showcase. Whatever high school gets the services of Mike will be better in 2021 as I expect him to play early and often.
I would be remiss to not give a shout out to Illinois HS standout OL Cooper Starks. The 2023 rising player was featured here but is one to watch if he ever gets a chance to play a season.
