St. Louie Super 30!

[cphawkinthelou]

It's that time of year! From the local rag...

Thought some of hard-core types my want to peruse. They are currently on #17. Looks like they make you click on each player for details...Enjoy!
(Sidenote: Another McNutt )


Click on linky below...

Me play football...

 

[cphawkinthelou]

I wonder why the hawks seem to be reluctant to offer players from the team on the ILLside that regularly ends up with close to, or 1/2 of the top 30 players in the area...

Seems like Purdon't and Indiana and others don't have a problem pulling guys from there.

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Daaang! #10 gets offered by the hawks, nebbiedebra and purdon't, and chooses Sacramento State!

Ouchie..

 

[BunchofAholes]

summary for those of us who don't subscribe?

 

[cphawkinthelou]

summary for those of us who don't subscribe?

summary for those of us who don't subscribe?

i was assuming the link was working...No?

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Jordan Taylor is healthy and determined to propel SLUH into the spotlight: No. 10​

• Steve Overbey | Post-Dispatch
• 14 hrs ago
• 0

St. Louis University High running back Jordan Taylor (right) is the No. 10 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects. He has verbally committed to Sacramento State.
Paul Halfacre, Post-Dispatch


Jordan Taylor felt the need to say something.
Even though he was a second-team freshman running back at the time, Taylor called out his St. Louis University High football teammates as they went through the motions during a sluggish Tuesday night practice in 2022.
Just days after dropping a one-sided decision to De Smet, the SLUH players looked uninterested midway through the workout.

"I wasn't used to losing or used to my guys goofing around," Taylor said. "I told them, 'We just lost by a lot. I don't ever want that to happen again.' "


SLUH coach Adam Cruz watched in amazement as a newbie freshman had the guts to speak up on a team with plenty of juniors and seniors.

"He really got loud and got in some people's faces," Cruz recalled.
The Junior Billikens, thanks in part of Taylor's display of leadership, had their best week of practice before beating Chaminade 42-19.
"I was just young and I had a lot of heart," Taylor said. "I had to tell those guys what is right and what is wrong.

"After that, they locked in."

SLUH's Jordan Taylor carries the ball during a Class 6 District 1 football game against on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at Seckman High School in Imperial, Mo. Randy Kemp | Special to STLhighschoolsports.com
Randy Kemp
The verbal explosion showed off Taylor's desire to win. And the 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back has been a leader for the program ever since.

Despite missing part of two seasons with a torn ACL, Taylor developed into one of the top running backs in the area.
He has given a verbal commitment to attend Sacramento State University after sifting through a host of offers including those from Iowa, Nebraska and Purdue. Taylor is the No. 10 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects.


"He's a quiet-type guy," Cruz said. "Just competitive and doesn't like to lose no matter what."
Taylor has taken a circuitous route to a potential college football career.
Following his outburst, Taylor backed up his words six weeks later by rushing for 211 yards and three touchdowns in a 50-41 playoff loss at Seckman.

"It was pretty impressive," said SLUH senior Keenan Harris, who is one of Taylor's best friends on and off the field. The performance put Taylor on the map and set the tone for what was shaping up to be a breakout sophomore campaign.

It didn't work out that way.

Taylor rambled for 59 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter of the 2023 season-opener against St. Mary's. Then things came crashing to a halt when he tore up left knee on a play early in the second period.

"I heard a pop," Taylor recalled. "And then I couldn't feel my whole leg."
The comeback trail from that injury finally ended the second week of last season when Taylor rushed for a touchdown and 56 yards in a 24-17 victory against Hillsboro.

In Week 6, he rushed for 184 yards and a pair of TDs in a 21-20 win over Vianney. The performance kick-started SLUH on a 5-2 run to close the season.

Taylor rushed for 1,053 yards over those final seven games, including a 281-yard effort against St. Mary's. He finished the season with 190 carries for 1,244 yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
The strong close to the season signaled Taylor was back for good. It also started a feel-good period following some struggles during the 14-month rehab period off the field.

"I learned a lot about myself," Taylor said. "I had been playing football my whole life with no big injuries. And not being out there took a toll on me mentally. I realized throughout the process of getting back that I had to work even harder to get back to where I was."

Taylor said once he became physically cleared to play, he still had to get things right in his head.

"Mentally, it broke me, being away from football for a whole season," Taylor said. "It made me come to understand that (football) isn't just a sport, it's something that builds you as a person too."
Taylor got plenty of college attention with the strong finish to his freshman campaign.
Despite the higher-profile college offers,

Taylor always had a connection with Sacramento State, and that relationship increased when former Lutheran North coach Kyle Wagner took the job there as the program's offensive analyst. "I felt welcomed, I feel like they wanted me there," Taylor said. "They pushed really hard."

Taylor may lack elite NCAA Division I size, but he makes up for it with a scrappy, hard-nosed attitude.

Tough to bring down, Taylor possesses an ability to hit holes just as they open.
At SLUH, he has found stability both on the field and in the classroom.
"You look at him and realize that he has the drive and motivation to be successful no matter what he tries," Cruz said.

 

[stanzithemanzi]

I wonder why the hawks seem to be reluctant to offer players from the team on the ILLside that regularly ends up with close to, or 1/2 of the top 30 players in the area...

Seems like Purdon't and Indiana and others don't have a problem pulling guys from there.

Purdon't and Indiana regularly have a problem winning B1G football games though.

 

[cphawkinthelou]

'He gets after it.' Fort Zumwalt West's Garrick Dixon contributes every way he can: No. 9​

By Warren Mayes, Special to the Post-Dispatch




Fort Zumwalt West coach Ben Pike rolled the dice when he decided to start Garrick Dixon as a freshman for the Jaguars.
It was a gamble worth making, Pike believed.
“He was just the kind of kid who was a real smooth athlete,” Pike said. “We felt he was a heck of an athlete. We thought, 'Let’s just get him out here and get him going early. We think we can be a really good player for us down the road.' ”

That vision paid off.
The 6-foot-1 and 185-pound Dixon is the No. 8 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects. He has committed to Kansas State as a cornerback.



Last year as a defensive back, he recorded 45 total tackles, made two interceptions and broke up 10 pass attempts.
As a receiver, Dixon came on strong in the second half of the season. He finished with 47 catches for 621 yards and three touchdowns.

Dixon was voted first team all-Gateway Athletic Conference South Division and first team all-district cornerback. He still remembers his debut game Aug. 26, 2022.
“I came in as a receiver, but I got put in on defense and I did pretty good,” Dixon said. “Practices went well. They told me I’d start before the opener against Eureka. I was so excited.”
The result of that game has stuck with Dixon.
“We started off pretty good," he said. "We were ahead 28-7, and to me I’m just playing the game and thinking this was great. The seniors are so hyped up because we hadn’t done that against Eureka before.

“But coming out the half, we had cramps and injuries and we ended up blowing the lead and losing the game.”


Zumwalt West finished 5-6 in his first year.
“He earned that spot in his freshman year,” Pike said. “He was the best kid. He continues to take his opportunity run with it.”
As a junior, Dixon got involved on the offensive side as a receiver. He liked the added playing time.
The Jaguars improved to a 7-6 season that saw them win the District 4 championship with a 45-8 victory over North Point.
Zumwalt West reached the Class 5 quarterfinals, where the Jaguars lost 49-3 to MICDS.
Dixon is optimistic that Zumwalt West can go be as good again this season.

“We won the district championship last year so we know what winning a big game feels like,” Dixon said. “I’m super excited about this season.

“This summer I probably worked out more than all the summers before. I really like our team. Everyone has put in the work. This team has the most chemistry than we’ve had in the last three years.”

Pike believes Dixon will play a big role in what success the Jaguars have this fall.
“Garrick is a great player on both sides of the ball and will need to make plays on both sides for us to be successful this year,” Pike said.
This fall, Dixon also will play safety in addition to cornerback.


Pike is behind using Dixon in different ways on the defense.
“Really, he can do most anything back there,” Pike said.
Dixon is solid in man-to-man coverage. He can play on the outside and inside. When the Jaguars are in zone coverage, Dixon handles his area.

“I think I’m fundamentally sound,” Dixon said. “Watching film is important. I’m all about what I can do better. If I see mistakes, I know I can correct them and do better on the field.”

Fort Zumwalt West’s Garrick Dixon makes a reception during football practice on Monday, July 14, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt West High School in O’Fallon, Mo.
Paul Halfacre, Post-Dispatch
Pike believes Dixon is among the best defensive backs in the area.
“I think there’s a lot of things that make him a great cornerback,” Pike said. “He has a ton of physical attributes. He’s tall at 6-1. He’s long. He can jump. He can run really well. He checks all the boxes in the toolbox that you need to check.


“He’s a very intelligent kid. He had a 4.2 GPA. All of that gets transferred to the field. He works his butt off, too. He’s probably the hardest worker on the team. It’s always a good thing when your best player is also your hardest worker.”
Dixon is looking forward to the offensive side of the ball, too, this season.

His good friend, senior Clayton O'Bryan, returns for his third season as the starting quarterback. The 6-foot-2 O’Bryan threw 213 completions for 2,735 yards and 21 touchdowns last year.
“Me and Clayton have real good chemistry together,” Dixon said. “We’ve been running routes this summer. We did it often in our freshman and sophomore years.

“Last year, I played with the offense. That showed last year what we could do together. It’s going to even better this year.”
That’s what Pike is hoping to see on the field.

“He’s a heck of a receiver. He checks all those boxes as a receiver,” Pike said. “He can track a ball and go up and get it. He’ll be a deep threat for us.

“His route running is real crisp. He’s a cerebral guy. He understands what we are trying to get done.”

Dixon has set some goals for himself this year. He would like to register more tackles than last season as well as record more pass breakups. He wants to pick off more passes.

There is one thing he would like as well.
“I haven’t gotten to blitz yet,” Dixon said.

Fort Zumwalt West's Garrick Dixon (3) carries the ball during a Class 5 quarterfinal game between Fort Zumwalt West and MICDS, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Fort Zumwalt West High School in O'Fallon, Mo. Michael Gulledge, Special to the Post-Dispatch


Offensively, he’d like to reach 1,000 yards receiving.
But what Dixon wants most is for the team to be successful.
“I really don’t have many personal goals,” Dixon said. “What I really would like is to beat some teams we haven’t beaten since I’ve been here. We lost last year in the state quarterfinals. I’d like for us to make it past that.”
While he’s gotten his college choice made, he prefers to talk about this season rather than looking ahead.


“People ask me about college, but I’ve got this year to play,” Dixon said. “I want to make the most of it.”

That sums up Dixon to Pike.
“He’s a super humble kid. He shows up every day and just works,” Pike said. “He gets after it. That’s what you want as a coach.
“If he wasn’t blessed with all his physical attributes, he would still be a good player because of his work ethic.”
Pike believes Dixon will do well at Kansas State.
“I think the school is a great fit for him,” Pike said. “There will be a learning curve. But I don’t worry about Garrick. I think his work ethic will carry him through. He can handle a lot.

“That gives him a leg up at the next level.”

 

[cphawkinthelou]

'I don't think he has a ceiling.' Gabe Weaver's skills give MICDS a lot of options: No. 8​

LADUE — Matt Irvin needed a second look.
The new MICDS head football coach had seen film of senior wide receiver and tight end Gabe Weaver. But this wasn't what Irvin expected. "I saw him at first, and I had to double check to make sure that was him, but it was him," Irvin said. "He's definitely just really grown a lot this last year." Listed at 200 pounds last year as a junior, the 6-foot-6 Weaver has bulked up to 220 pounds and smiled when he heard he caught his new coach off guard. Weaver gave much of the credit for his increased muscle mass to his parents.

"My parents loaded me up with food," Weaver said. "My mom especially gave me all the good food."


When the senior needed a boost in protein, he had a go-to meal.
"Chicken parm (parmesan)," Weaver said. "My mom makes the best one."

The diet and mindset of living in the weight room paid dividends, and Weaver remains elusive despite his physique. "He hasn't lost (anything) in terms of speed, and his wingspan is so deceptive," MICDS athletics director and defensive assistant Josh Smith said. "If you put a ball anywhere near him and you think he's covered, he's not."

MICDS junior Gabe Weaver (10) makes the reception during the Class 5 District 3 final on November 15, 2024 at Hazelwood East High School in Hazelwood. Paul Halfacre, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Paul Halfacre
Weaver, No. 9 on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 football recruiting countdown of the area's top senior college recruits, verbally committed in June to the University of Minnesota.


He also received offers from Air Force, Charlotte, Cornell, Dartmouth, East Tennessee State, Kennesaw State, Miami (Ohio), Navy, Penn, Toledo, South Florida, Western Michigan and Yale.
"It was the official visit that really did it for me," Weaver said. "I really love the tight end group and the guys that I'd be playing with in the upcoming seasons. I really do love the tight end coach, Coach (Eric) Koehler, and the vision he has for me in the offense."

The Gophers are coming off an 8-5 season with a victory in the Duke's Mayo Bowl under head coach P.J. Fleck, who is entering his eighth season at the helm.

Last year, the Gophers targeted the tight end position for 38 receptions for 417 yards and four touchdowns.

"He's a good athlete as a three-sport kid, so that's a very good foundation," Irvin said. "He does a little bit of everything, and he knows the game so well that you can use him in a lot of different roles as kind of a hybrid kid who can be a vertical threat as well as a point of attack run blocker."

Last year, Weaver led the Rams with 651 receiving yards. He made 40 catches and scored six receiving touchdowns. Irvin is entering his first year of his second stint as the head coach at MICDS — he previously coached the team from 2005-07 — and enjoys the flexibility a player like Weaver gives him.


"That's really a guy who will set a lot of the parameters for your offense," Irvin said.

De Smet's Josiah Houston helps MICDS' Gabe Weaver from making a completion during a boys football game between De Smet and MICDS on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at MICDS in Ladue, Mo. De Smet beat MICDS 28-6. Gordon Radford | Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Gordon Radford

Rams senior receiver Graham Faust, who led the team with 44 receptions last season, agrees with his coach's assessment of Weaver's skills. "I don't think he has a ceiling," Faust said. "It's really up to him. Whatever he wants, he's going to get." Though he's only coached Weaver for a few months, Irvin is confident in what Minnesota is getting next season.

"He's a really capable learner and just knows what we're trying to do," Irvin said. "He's definitely a gifted athlete, but he's intellectually really sharp and learns things very quickly."

Weaver, who also plays basketball and is on the track and field team, helped the Rams reach the semifinal round last year in the Class 5 playoffs before falling to the eventual state champion Platte County.
Being that close to the program's first state title game since 2020 has Weaver and his teammates hungry for the next step.

"We feel like we could really do it," Weaver said. "We have the people, we have the pieces that we could really be that team."

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Learning from family footsteps helped CBC's Nick McClellan make own impressive path: No. 7​

Nick McClellan, by his own admission, is a pretty good fisherman.

"I love it, it's just about relaxing and clearing your mind," the CBC senior quarterback and safety said.
McClellan has caught several nice-sized catfish and a few trout during excursions with his brother Jeremiah, his father Gerald and a host of other relatives and friends.

But there is one thing about the sport McClellan has yet to master.

"I've never touched a fish, just too slimy," he said. It is true. One of the top football players in the state is afraid to take his catch off the line.

"He just won't do it," Gerald explained. "I have to do it for him. But I've got a surprise for him the next time we go out."

Dad is going to simply refuse to take the fish off the hook. Nick will have to either shake off his fear or stand there the rest of the day with his catch dangling off the line.




CBC’s Nick McClellan (0) carries the ball during a game against De Smet, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at De Smet Jesuit High School in Creve Coeur.
Michael Gulledge

Touching a fish may still be a challenge for McClellan, but he can do pretty much anything on a football field.
The last of three talented brothers, McClellan has given a verbal commitment to attend Kansas State University of the Big 12 Conference. He chose the Wildcats after offers from 11 other NCAA Division I schools including Colorado State, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Lindenwood, Missouri and Purdue.

McClellan, the No. 7 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects, will fit in nicely in the defensive backfield at the Manhattan school.

But for the time being, he will start at both quarterback and safety for the Cadets, who are searching for their third state title in the last five seasons.

McClellan hit on 105 of 158 passes last season for 2,062 yards. That included 22 touchdown passes with only one interception. In addition, the speedy signal caller rushed for 831 yards and 12 scores.

CBC coach Scott Pingel did not play McClellan on defense last season, helping him to concentrate solely on the quarterback spot. This time around, it appears as though McClellan will play both ways.
The Cadets are trying to bounce back from a 9-2 campaign that ended abruptly with 28-26 loss to Kirkwood in the Class 6 District 2 final. "I'm ready," McClellan said. "At the end of the day, it's just football, a game I have played my whole life."

McClellan's versatility on the field makes him extremely valuable.

"Great leader, great human being," Pingel said. "He checks a lot of boxes in what you want as a high school football player."


McClellan's oldest brother Matt was a standout at Francis Howell and went on to a solid career at Missouri State University. He now is playing professionally in Tokyo, Japan. Middle brother Jeremiah helped the Cadets to state titles in 2021 and 2022 and also guided his team to a state runner-up finish his senior year when he was selected as the Post-Dispatch All-Metro offensive player of the year.

Jeremiah is coming off his freshman season at the University of Oregon, where he caught three passes for 24 yards.

Nick learned a lot from his two older football-playing brothers, who never made life easy for him.
"I was looking at some pictures the other day when the boys were younger," Gerald said. "In almost every one, one of his brothers had (Nick) in a headlock or something like that."

Nick began playing football at age 5 in order to keep pace with his brothers. Nick learned a lot from Jeremiah and Matt, who is 10 years older. "Right from the start, I fell in love with it," Nick said. "Football helped me make great friends and great connections." McClellan learned plenty from his two older brothers. "Mainly they taught me how to be strong and stay focused," McClellan said.


Nick also learned a few lessons from family friend Jeremiyah Love, a former CBC standout who plays at Notre Dame and is one of the top running backs in the country. "I've had a lot of help from a lot of people," Nick said. "I feel blessed for that." Nick began making a name for himself with a game-changing pick-6 in a 35-23 win over Jackson in the quarterfinal round as a sophomore in 2023. By the last month of that season, he had established himself as a top-notch defensive back, forcing opponents to try to throw away from his side of the field.


McClellan displays a high-football IQ and is known for his speed and the ability to stick with receivers.
He is hoping to play on Sundays down the road along with Jeremiah.

But first, Nick feels as though he has some unfinished business at CBC. Last season's surprising loss to Kirkwood ended what had been a promising postseason run. Most importantly, the setback has provided motivation for the Cadets this time around. "It's not revenge or anything like that," McClellan said. "It's more like it lit a fire under us. We'll be ready."

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Learning from family footsteps helped CBC's Nick McClellan make own impressive path: No. 7​

Nick McClellan, by his own admission, is a pretty good fisherman.

"I love it, it's just about relaxing and clearing your mind," the CBC senior quarterback and safety said.
McClellan has caught several nice-sized catfish and a few trout during excursions with his brother Jeremiah, his father Gerald and a host of other relatives and friends.

But there is one thing about the sport McClellan has yet to master.

"I've never touched a fish, just too slimy," he said. It is true. One of the top football players in the state is afraid to take his catch off the line.

"He just won't do it," Gerald explained. "I have to do it for him. But I've got a surprise for him the next time we go out."

Dad is going to simply refuse to take the fish off the hook. Nick will have to either shake off his fear or stand there the rest of the day with his catch dangling off the line.
View attachment 882441

View attachment 882761

CBC’s Nick McClellan (0) carries the ball during a game against De Smet, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at De Smet Jesuit High School in Creve Coeur.
Michael Gulledge

Touching a fish may still be a challenge for McClellan, but he can do pretty much anything on a football field.
The last of three talented brothers, McClellan has given a verbal commitment to attend Kansas State University of the Big 12 Conference. He chose the Wildcats after offers from 11 other NCAA Division I schools including Colorado State, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Lindenwood, Missouri and Purdue.

McClellan, the No. 7 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects, will fit in nicely in the defensive backfield at the Manhattan school.

But for the time being, he will start at both quarterback and safety for the Cadets, who are searching for their third state title in the last five seasons.

McClellan hit on 105 of 158 passes last season for 2,062 yards. That included 22 touchdown passes with only one interception. In addition, the speedy signal caller rushed for 831 yards and 12 scores.

CBC coach Scott Pingel did not play McClellan on defense last season, helping him to concentrate solely on the quarterback spot. This time around, it appears as though McClellan will play both ways.
The Cadets are trying to bounce back from a 9-2 campaign that ended abruptly with 28-26 loss to Kirkwood in the Class 6 District 2 final. "I'm ready," McClellan said. "At the end of the day, it's just football, a game I have played my whole life."

McClellan's versatility on the field makes him extremely valuable.

"Great leader, great human being," Pingel said. "He checks a lot of boxes in what you want as a high school football player."


McClellan's oldest brother Matt was a standout at Francis Howell and went on to a solid career at Missouri State University. He now is playing professionally in Tokyo, Japan. Middle brother Jeremiah helped the Cadets to state titles in 2021 and 2022 and also guided his team to a state runner-up finish his senior year when he was selected as the Post-Dispatch All-Metro offensive player of the year.

Jeremiah is coming off his freshman season at the University of Oregon, where he caught three passes for 24 yards.
View attachment 882442
Nick learned a lot from his two older football-playing brothers, who never made life easy for him.
"I was looking at some pictures the other day when the boys were younger," Gerald said. "In almost every one, one of his brothers had (Nick) in a headlock or something like that."

Nick began playing football at age 5 in order to keep pace with his brothers. Nick learned a lot from Jeremiah and Matt, who is 10 years older. "Right from the start, I fell in love with it," Nick said. "Football helped me make great friends and great connections." McClellan learned plenty from his two older brothers. "Mainly they taught me how to be strong and stay focused," McClellan said.


Nick also learned a few lessons from family friend Jeremiyah Love, a former CBC standout who plays at Notre Dame and is one of the top running backs in the country. "I've had a lot of help from a lot of people," Nick said. "I feel blessed for that." Nick began making a name for himself with a game-changing pick-6 in a 35-23 win over Jackson in the quarterfinal round as a sophomore in 2023. By the last month of that season, he had established himself as a top-notch defensive back, forcing opponents to try to throw away from his side of the field.


McClellan displays a high-football IQ and is known for his speed and the ability to stick with receivers.
He is hoping to play on Sundays down the road along with Jeremiah.

But first, Nick feels as though he has some unfinished business at CBC. Last season's surprising loss to Kirkwood ended what had been a promising postseason run. Most importantly, the setback has provided motivation for the Cadets this time around. "It's not revenge or anything like that," McClellan said. "It's more like it lit a fire under us. We'll be ready."

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Nick Hankins helping turn around Belleville West before joining Illini: No. 6​

NIck Hankins made his decision after hearing just one sentence from the new Belleville West head football coach.
A football and basketball standout as a freshman, Hankins was pondering his future path heading into sophomore year. "I like them both, and I knew I had to go one way or the other for college," Hankins said.
Enter coach Ken Turner, who took over the Maroons football program before the 2023 season.

One look and Turner knew Hankins was meant for the gridiron. "He told me, 'I'm going to make you a Division I prospect,' " Hankins recalled. "I thought, 'If you think I can do it, then let's do it.' "

It turned out to be the right move for Hankins, the No. 6 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects.​

Belleville West senior cornerback Nick Hankins has committed to the University of Illinois.
Paul Baillargeon

The 6-foot-1 and 190-pounder gave a verbal commitment in June to play at the University of Illinois after mulling 26 scholarship offers. He narrowed his choices to Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee before staying in-state with the orange and blue.

Turner's prophecy turned to reality quickly as Hankins had a stellar sophomore campaign. He anchored a much-improved secondary and also contributed on offense with 240 yards rushing.
His rapid progression also lit a fire under a team that was coming off back-to-back 0-9 seasons.

"When I was a sophomore, 14 years old, I didn't think of myself as a D-I athlete," Hankins said. "Then we started winning a few games, I was getting better and everything changed. Football was always fun for me, but it's even more fun if you win every once in a while." Turner guided St. Mary's to successive Class 3 and 4 state championships in Missouri before accepting the challenge of reviving West's program. His influence was felt right away, and the Maroons have posted successive 3-6 records after an 18-game losing streak.

The duo of Turner and Hankins, along with a newfound pride in the program, helped turn things around on Frank Scott Parkway. "Guys started coming out and wanting to play, wanting to be part of this," Hankins said.
Hankins' skills have come to the forefront under Turner, who rarely takes him off the field. Hankins plays cornerback, wide receiver, running back and even some special teams.

"Football's always been important to me," Hankins said. "Now I love it even more."

Hankins' offensive numbers are more than adequate, although his speed and coverage skills make him a natural fit at cornerback, where he is likely to play at Illinois.

"He's just a great athlete," Turner said. "And a special kid."

Belleville West senior cornerback Nick Hankins picked off a team-best four passes last season and recorded 21 tackles, three for losses.
Paul Baillargeon

Hankins picked off a team-best four passes last season and recorded 21 tackles, three for losses. His presence forced opponents to try to run around the sideline-to-sideline speedster.
The Maroons improved last season, allowing just 29 points per game instead of 42 and 41 during the winless seasons.

Hankins said the players felt the growth on and off the field. Belleville West beat Southwestern Conference rival Alton 44-6 last season after squeaking by the Redbirds 8-7 in 2023.

"That's when we knew we could see the difference in how we were playing," Hankins said.

Hankins, who sports a 3.8 grade-point-average, grew up playing football, basketball and baseball.
The Swansea resident forged ahead with football and basketball. He averaged a team-leading 14.8 points during the 2024-25 basketball season and was a first team all-SWC selection.

An accomplished cook, Hankins is also a beast in the weight room. "When I first came here I wanted to start my own path," Hankins said. "I wanted to do things that people will remember." Hankins has done just — and more.

"He's the type of kid that's turned this program around," Turner said. "He was just what we needed to get pointing in the right direction."

 

[cphawkinthelou]

(Would REALLY have liked to have gotten this dude!)​

​

Belleville East's Jonathan Rulo dominates in two sports with 'intrinsic motivation': No. 5​

Jonathan Rulo just needed a little motivation to bring football into his life.

It came in the form of some fast food delights. At age 5, Rulo, now a senior at Belleville East High and one of the top defensive linemen in the state of Illinois, had zero interest in football.

Rulo loved wrestling. Just wrestling and nothing else. "Never even considered trying football," Rulo recalled.
Rulo was a standout grappler in the Jackie Joyner Kersee Center youth system and a very good one. Even at a tender age, he felt like his athletic future was on the mat.

Enter JJK football coach Darion Phiffer, who made a deal with Rulo. "He was always trying to get me to go out for football and I wanted no part of it," Rulo recalled. "Then one day, he told me if I just came out and gave football a try, he'd give me a week's worth of (meals) at McDonald's."

Like most youngsters, seven successive days of McDonald's was a tough offer to pass up. "He always loved his burgers," said Rulo's mom, Stephanie.


Belleville East’s Jonathan Rulo smiles and challenges his teammates during football practice on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Belleville East High School in Belleville, Ill.
Paul Halfacre, Post-Dispatch


Rulo needed just a couple days of football practice to change his mind.
"Just fell in love with it right away," Rulo said. Rulo's love has morphed into a career.

The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder has given a verbal commitment to attend the University of Cincinnati. He chose the Bearcats over a dozen offers including two from Iowa and Kansas State.
Rulo is the No. 5 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects.

The hulking nose tackle has a high upside and he expects to be playing on Sundays sometime down the road.
And it all started with sacks of fast food.

"I ate McDonald's for a whole week," Rulo said. "A lot of happy meals."

Rulo remains grateful to Pfeiffer, who is on the coaching staff at Cahokia High.

"To this day, I really thank him for getting me to play the sport," Rulo said.


Belleville East junior Jonathan Rulo completed a 35-0 season by winning the Class 3A heavyweight championship February 22 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill.
Paul Halfacre, Post-Dispatch

Actually, Rulo never gave up wrestling and claimed the IHSA Class 3A heavyweight championship in February with a 35-0 record.
Rulo was offered NCAA Division I scholarships in wrestling as well.

A four-year regular, he is a wrecking crew on both sides of the ball. He starts on the offensive line as well.

But he simply loves blowing up plays with his quickness and tenacity on defense. "He's got that rare combination of size and strength," Belleville East football coach Michael Harrison said. "And he plays with such speed. To have all of those unique traits and be physical is extremely rare." Harrison took one glance at Rulo as a freshman and knew the newbie was something special.

"Normally you look at a kid and find out that even though he's good, he needs to work on one special area," Harrison said. "Not Jonathan. Ever since he entered high school, he's been the biggest, the strongest, the fastest, the quickest. And he has that intrinsic motivation that he pushes himself and keeps striving to be the best."

Rulo has wreaked havoc among Southwestern Conference offenses the past two seasons with 91 tackles, including a whopping 33 for losses. He has 10 sacks.

Some of Rulo's defensive plays have become legendary. Last season, he picked up an Althoff ball carrier in the backfield and simply held him aloft until the referee blew the whistle. Rulo then gently eased the running back to the turf.

Rulo likes to save his best for big games. He recorded a season-best seven solo tackles, five for losses, in a setback last year against East St. Louis, which went on the claim the Class 6A state championship.
Ironically, Rulo was not that big at birth, weighing just six pounds. His older sister Keely weighed nine pounds and younger brother Carter clocked in at eight.


But Rulo began to grow quickly at age 2 and was the biggest in his class all the way through junior high.

"Once he started getting up there, he just kept getting bigger and bigger," Stephanie said.
Rulo helped the Lancers reach postseason play for the third year in a row last season. He said the goal this year is to help the Lancers win "three or four" playoff games. A gentle giant, Rulo has his sights set on back-to-back unbeaten state wrestling titles, too. He still has a soft spot in his heart for wrestling and wishes he could do both in college. Yet he remains focused on becoming a future defensive force in the Big 12 Conference.

"The ultimate goal is to keep getting better and see where that takes me," Rulo said.

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Mason Marden 'does so many things so well' to lead Ladue's defense: No. 4​

LADUE — The idea of losing his voice from shouting defensive instructions to his Ladue football teammates brought a smile to senior linebacker Mason Marden. "I mean, it'd be worth it," Marden said. It hasn't happened yet, but Marden knows it could.

In that vein, the Rams tackling prodigy has taken steps to protect his vocal chords from the constant screaming and yelling required to prepare the defense for any given play. "He knows how to yell from his diaphragm," Ladue head coach Adam Hamilton said. "The good news is, he's been doing it long enough that he knows when he needs to raise his voice and when he needs to conserve it."

The 6-foot-3 and 225-pound Marden has been a thunderous rock in the middle of Ladue's defense the past three years and is ready for one more campaign in the navy and white.

"I just want to do whatever it takes for the team to win," Marden said. Marden, No. 4 on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 football recruiting countdown of the area's top senior college recruits, has committed to Arizona State University.​

He isn't worried about the nearly 1,500 miles that separate him now from his future collegiate home.

"It was always just who treated my family the best, who I felt like built that bond with me," Marden said. "They were real with me throughout the whole recruiting process. They showed that to me early and seeing how they coach the guys, I just love everything about them. I love the players, and the first time on campus I just really clicked with them ... just the constant contact and how I'm going to fit into their defense."

Arizona State, under coach Kenny Dillingham, won the Big 12 championship last season and advanced to the College Football Playoffs. The Sun Devils lost 39-31 to Texas in double overtime in the quarterfinal round.

Despite securing 11 wins for the first time since 1996, the playoff loss lingered with Sun Devils players, something that stuck with Marden and made him even more excited about joining.

"They all really care about the next season," Marden said. "They always have a chip on their shoulder. Even though they made it to the playoffs, they were still hungry because they felt like they didn't win a national championship."

Ladue’s Mason Marden attempts to catches the ball during a football practice on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Ladue High School in Ladue, Mo.
Paul Halfacre, Post-Dispatch

Marden committed to Arizona State in May. He also had offers from Cincinnati, Colorado State, Dartmouth, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Minnesota, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Stanford, Western Michigan and Wisconsin.

The voice that has helped call out plays for the past three seasons at Ladue will be important when he takes the field at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.

"I know I have to be a lot more vocal, but you know, I'm ready for that pressure," Marden said.

Marden was a menace to ball carriers last year with an area-leading 166 tackles, including 11 for a loss. He also had three sacks and two interceptions. A second-team All-Metro selection last year, Marden was the safety net in the middle of the Rams' defense.

"It's a great thing knowing that you have somebody behind you like that," Ladue senior defensive lineman Brendan Huddleston said. "He's always been there. If I'm not making a play, then he's the one making the play."
Like Huddleston, Marden is a film-watching fiend.

"I'd say the biggest improvement I've had is breaking down film," Marden said. "When I go out there and I see things I've seen on film before, I already know the play, so I can kind of cheat." That cheat code has opened up a new dimension for Marden and his coaches in scheming Ladue's defense around him. That and his freakish athleticism.

"Frankly, a man that large should not move that fast," Hamilton said. "It's not as simple as him being the quarterback of the defense. He does so many things so well. He allows us to be very unique with how we use that position, and that allows us to do some things that are not traditional. It gives us some advantages, because we can exploit the fact that he's big, fast and smart."

After slogging through a four-win campaign last year, Ladue's least amount of wins in a full season since 2007, Marden is willing to do whatever it takes to help restore the program to its former glory in his final high school season.

In addition to defense, he also caught 15 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns last season.
"I just want to be a utility player for wherever my team needs me," Marden said. "Whether that's in the nickel, playing (as a down lineman) and rushing the passer, I just want to be as versatile as possible, because I really want to see our team succeed as much as possible."

​

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Eberhart's 'Jacob plays' are filling up highlight reels for Kirkwood: No. 3​

KIRKWOOD — Jacob Eberhart remembers the first time he played a football game.
He jumped out of bed, put on his pads, helmet and even had his mouthpiece in while he sat down at the table for breakfast.

Eberhart, now a Kirkwood High senior, had to take out the mouthpiece for cereal, but everything else stayed on for hours before he took the field for that youth game. "I was eating breakfast with my helmet on," Eberhart said. "My (mother) got mad at me and told me to take it off, and I was like, 'No, I've got to be ready for the game.' "

That was when Eberhart was 10 years old, and safe to say the 6-foot-3 and 210-pound do-it-all athlete has been ready ever since.

And the first day Pioneers coach Jeremy Maclin saw Eberhart on the practice field, he knew he had something special. "Day one, when he came here, you could see it," Maclin said. "It was all about catching him up to speed. But you knew as far as his athletic ability from the first day."

Eberhart, No. 3 on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 football recruiting countdown of the area's top senior college recruits, verbally committed to the University of Illinois in July.

He had dozens of NCAA Division I offers, many from high-level programs. "I picked Illinois because I felt like it was a very great community," Eberhart said. "There are a lot of ties, and I knew that they had my best interest at heart."

Eberhart said Terry Hawthorne — the Illini's director of defensive player personnel and a 2009 East St. Louis High graduate — was instrumental in recruiting him. Illinois is coming off a 10-3 season that included a 21-17 win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl. Eberhart, who is listed on the Pioneers program as an athlete, is a Mack truck on the field.

"He's a versatile athlete and a guy who I believe is going to be able to do so many different things," Maclin said.
Maclin is prepared to set loose the wrecking ball anywhere and everywhere on the field this season, and Eberhart said he is ready to do whatever the Pioneers need.

Eberhart led Kirkwood with 15 touchdowns last year, 13 of those receiving. He caught 42 passes for 795 yards. On defense, he had 45 tackles and three interceptions as the Pioneers advanced to the Class 6 semifinal round. He's being recruited as a defensive back, and he routinely makes highlight plays receivers coach Tyler Manne calls "Jacob plays."

"That's why he's listed as an athlete," Manne said. "He can go up, make plays on defense and then offense. He makes some unbelievable catches, whether it's going off two feet or going up with two hands. He makes one-handed catches look easy. He makes those special plays, and we kind of just get used to it."

Maclin, a former Kirkwood High standout who played at the University of Missouri before embarking on an NFL career with three teams, pointed out how good Eberhart is as a defender. When asked, Maclin gave a slight smile about if he could get free from blanket coverage by Eberhart. "I'm happy with what I was able to do," Maclin said. "but I'm just glad I get to watch (Eberhart) this year."

Kirkwood defensive backs coach Terrence Curry said Eberhart’s intangibles are as valuable as the statistics he’s compiled.
"He's a hard worker, dedicated to the game and has fun playing the game," Curry said. "What do I like more about him? He's vocal. He's a leader."Eberhart's offensive abilities were on full display last season as the Pioneers opened a lot of eyes by reaching the Class 6 state semifinals.

In four postseason games, he made 27 receptions for 582 yards and six touchdowns, including 192 yards and two TDs in Kirkwood's 28-26 upset of CBC in the district title game. The Pioneers fell at Nixa in the semifinals, and Eberhart hopes to help his teammates finish the job before he heads to Champaign.

"I'm not bigger than the standard, so it's my goal as a team to make it up to state," Eberhart said. "My standard is going to be to help Kirkwood football the best I can, my last year. Give it all I got and pour into this team what these coaches pour into me and show everybody what Kirkwood football is."

 

[cphawkinthelou]

SLUH's Keenan Harris set to display two-way skills before heading to Mizzou: No. 2​

Keenan Harris had something to say.

And the St. Louis U. High two-way football standout needed to do it immediately. The Junior Billikens faced a long walk to their locker room following a disastrous first half in last year's Class 6 District 3 semifinal contest at Ritenour.
Harris felt it was necessary to cancel the journey.

"He didn't want everybody to be dragging their heads and being down and depressed any further," SLUH coach Adam Cruz recalled. "So he asked me if we could just huddle on a baseball field nearby."
Cruz was somewhat surprised by the strange request.

But he relented.
Harris had a solid reason for the move.
And it wasn't fatigue.

"We didn't need any more moping," Harris said. "Walking all the way to the locker room was only going to make matters worse. What we needed was to get together and talk as soon as possible."


SLUH’s Keenan Harris runs with the ball during a football scrimmage on Friday, July 18, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters, Mo.
Paul Halfacre, Post-Dispatch

Cruz and Harris both spoke about their disappointment in their team's first-half effort, which put the Junior Billikens into a three-possession hole. "In my mind, I knew we had to go to the nearest corner and get our minds right," Harris said. "That was the only way we were going to get back into the game."

The ploy worked.

SLUH went out scored four times in a span of 13 minutes to record the biggest comeback in the long history of the program, which began in 1916. The Junior Bills rallied for an eye-popping 43-40 win after trailing by 20 points early in the second half.

"He figured by the time the guys got back up (to the locker room), some of them already would have checked out," Cruz said. "They'd start feeling bad for themselves." Added Harris, who had 12 tackles in the contest, "We just had to chill and get our act together." The 6-foot-1-inch 220-pound linebacker, safety and wide receiver is the unquestioned leader of this veteran group.

Harris will be taking his talents to the University of Missouri, where he is expected to play linebacker. He selected the Tigers over 38 NCAA Division I schools clamoring for his services.

"They were the first school to offer me (a scholarship), and that was big for me," Harris said. "They were with me through the whole process and I've got a great, strong bond with all the coaches."
The No. 2 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects, Harris is also a pass-catching wizard and has been one of the Junior Bills' few two-way players over the last three seasons.

Known for his speed and uncanny ability to recognize where the opposition is going with a play, Harris has had a hand in 315 tackles with 41 for losses in his career. Teams gear their offense to run as far away from Harris as possible, yet he still posts impressive numbers. He always seems to come up huge in the biggest games and recorded a season-high 13 tackles in a loss to Metro Catholic champion CBC in 2024.

Harris also caught 23 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns last season. "We knew from the day he walked on campus that we had a pretty special player," Cruz said. "He's one of the most competitive kids I've ever met. Even in practice, he goes 120 percent in everything we do."


SLUH's Keenan Harris (8) extends for a diving catch attempt during a football game between St. Mary's and SLUH, Friday, October 18, 2024, at Saint Louis University High School in St. Louis, Mo. Ben Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.

Harris credits a good majority of his success to his mother, Keena. Cruz recalls one of the rare times that he had to bark at Harris for something that happened in practice. A few hours later, Cruz got a call from Keena.

"I thought maybe I was in trouble for being too hard on him," Cruz said. "Instead, she told me I did the right thing and if he ever gave me any trouble again to call her and she would take of him for me."Keena, who works for the AFL-CIO, raised Keenan with an iron fist. "Now is the time for me to teach him that you can't do things like that with adults," Keena said. "You learn how to move on with life and don't do something like that again."

Keenan can play both safety and linebacker and could fit in at a hybrid-type position at Mizzou, which encompasses the skill sets of both positions. Harris is also a basketball standout. He led the Junior Bills in scoring (13 points) and rebounding (8) last season. But football has always been his first love.

Cruz said Harris has plenty of upside and feels he can only get better and better. "There are days when there's just no stopping him," Cruz said. "Hopefully, we've got a lot of those coming up."

 

[cphawkinthelou]

SLUH's Keenan Harris set to display two-way skills before heading to Mizzou: No. 2​

Keenan Harris had something to say.

And the St. Louis U. High two-way football standout needed to do it immediately. The Junior Billikens faced a long walk to their locker room following a disastrous first half in last year's Class 6 District 3 semifinal contest at Ritenour.
Harris felt it was necessary to cancel the journey.

"He didn't want everybody to be dragging their heads and being down and depressed any further," SLUH coach Adam Cruz recalled. "So he asked me if we could just huddle on a baseball field nearby."
Cruz was somewhat surprised by the strange request.

But he relented.
Harris had a solid reason for the move.
And it wasn't fatigue.

"We didn't need any more moping," Harris said. "Walking all the way to the locker room was only going to make matters worse. What we needed was to get together and talk as soon as possible."

View attachment 887847
SLUH’s Keenan Harris runs with the ball during a football scrimmage on Friday, July 18, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters, Mo.
Paul Halfacre, Post-Dispatch

Cruz and Harris both spoke about their disappointment in their team's first-half effort, which put the Junior Billikens into a three-possession hole. "In my mind, I knew we had to go to the nearest corner and get our minds right," Harris said. "That was the only way we were going to get back into the game."

The ploy worked.

SLUH went out scored four times in a span of 13 minutes to record the biggest comeback in the long history of the program, which began in 1916. The Junior Bills rallied for an eye-popping 43-40 win after trailing by 20 points early in the second half.

"He figured by the time the guys got back up (to the locker room), some of them already would have checked out," Cruz said. "They'd start feeling bad for themselves." Added Harris, who had 12 tackles in the contest, "We just had to chill and get our act together." The 6-foot-1-inch 220-pound linebacker, safety and wide receiver is the unquestioned leader of this veteran group.

Harris will be taking his talents to the University of Missouri, where he is expected to play linebacker. He selected the Tigers over 38 NCAA Division I schools clamoring for his services.

"They were the first school to offer me (a scholarship), and that was big for me," Harris said. "They were with me through the whole process and I've got a great, strong bond with all the coaches."
The No. 2 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects, Harris is also a pass-catching wizard and has been one of the Junior Bills' few two-way players over the last three seasons.

Known for his speed and uncanny ability to recognize where the opposition is going with a play, Harris has had a hand in 315 tackles with 41 for losses in his career. Teams gear their offense to run as far away from Harris as possible, yet he still posts impressive numbers. He always seems to come up huge in the biggest games and recorded a season-high 13 tackles in a loss to Metro Catholic champion CBC in 2024.

Harris also caught 23 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns last season. "We knew from the day he walked on campus that we had a pretty special player," Cruz said. "He's one of the most competitive kids I've ever met. Even in practice, he goes 120 percent in everything we do."

View attachment 887846
SLUH's Keenan Harris (8) extends for a diving catch attempt during a football game between St. Mary's and SLUH, Friday, October 18, 2024, at Saint Louis University High School in St. Louis, Mo. Ben Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.

Harris credits a good majority of his success to his mother, Keena. Cruz recalls one of the rare times that he had to bark at Harris for something that happened in practice. A few hours later, Cruz got a call from Keena.

"I thought maybe I was in trouble for being too hard on him," Cruz said. "Instead, she told me I did the right thing and if he ever gave me any trouble again to call her and she would take of him for me."Keena, who works for the AFL-CIO, raised Keenan with an iron fist. "Now is the time for me to teach him that you can't do things like that with adults," Keena said. "You learn how to move on with life and don't do something like that again."

Keenan can play both safety and linebacker and could fit in at a hybrid-type position at Mizzou, which encompasses the skill sets of both positions. Harris is also a basketball standout. He led the Junior Bills in scoring (13 points) and rebounding (8) last season. But football has always been his first love.

Cruz said Harris has plenty of upside and feels he can only get better and better. "There are days when there's just no stopping him," Cruz said. "Hopefully, we've got a lot of those coming up."

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Sorry if photos aren't coming through, the Post Dispatch's website is a pile of crap...

 

[cphawkinthelou]

"Strong, fast, big, and smart" DeSmet's Titan Davis is the total package: No. 1


Titan Davis wasn't sure about giving up his dreams of quarterback glory at first.

The De Smet senior was both a signal caller and defensive end throughout his junior high career at Hoech Middle School in the Ritenour district.

In one of his initial practices with the Spartans, Davis was told by coach John Merritt that his days under center were over.
"I knew right from the start that he was going to be a special, special defensive lineman," Merritt said.
The veteran coach was right.

The No. 1 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects, Davis has developed into one of the top defensive players in the country, moving up as high as 10th in the nation by some recruiting services.

​

The 6-foot-5, 270-pound man-child has given a verbal commitment to attend the University of Michigan. He chose the Wolverines over more than 36 NCAA Division I schools including Alabama, which was a close runner-up.

Davis was a terror on both sides of the ball in little league and junior high. He began his career at De Smet with thoughts of playing two positions.

Those wishes were dashed almost immediately.
"The coaches were telling me that (defensive) line was where I'd fit in best," Davis recalled. "One day, I just decided to go that way."

De Smet junior Titan Davis (97) makes the tackle during the Class 6 football championship game at Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Paul Halfacre, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Paul Halfacre

The move almost backfired.

In one of his first full workouts at defensive end, Davis broke his hand battling against a more experienced senior.
That cost Davis a good chunk of his freshman campaign.

"I figured he'd be mad at me, but he wasn't," Merritt said. "I think he knew all along that was where (he) should end up."

Davis promptly gave up all thoughts of running the offense. To this day, he still hasn't even toyed with the idea of throwing a pass or two in practice.

"Defense is my home now," Davis said. And the Spartans are grateful.

Davis is a difference-maker on a loaded defense that dominated opponents on the way to winning the Class 6 state championship last season. He had 18 tackles for losses and also recorded nine quarterback sacks. Davis had a knack for coming up with big plays when they were needed. He had a key interception in a 34-14 state semifinal win over Liberty-Kansas City.

"He's really just been unstoppable since the last three games of his sophomore year," Merritt said. "He's strong, fast, big and smart. He's got amazing technique and he's always pushing himself to get better."


Davis does most of his damage despite being double- and triple-teamed on a regular basis. He had seven games of two tackles or more for losses last season including three each against Creighton Prep and Chaminade.


De Smet lineman Titan Davis intercepts a pass to a Liberty player. De Smet defeated Liberty in a Class 6 football semifinal game at De Smet High School in Creve Coeur on Saturday November 30, 2024. Photo by Tim Vizer

The Overland resident possesses a quick first step and can play any spot on the defensive line. A deadly edge rusher, he is able to shred off blockers and his long arms enable him to grab and hold on to opponents. Most importantly, Davis has a strong upside that had college coaches drooling.

"I just try to get out there and find a way to make some plays," Davis said. "Sometimes it was kind of hard because we've always had such a great defense with great players. But the plays will come. As long as you do your job, the plays will come to you."

Davis credits Spartans defensive line coach Terrance Poe with assisting his progression the last couple seasons. Poe also helped Merritt persuade Davis to go the defensive line route.

Merritt describes Davis as a gentle giant who always willing to help a classmate.
"He'll see a freshman that's lost in the building and automatically help him get to where he needed to be," Merritt said.
Davis likes to keep a low profile at the Ballas Road school, which is hard for someone his size.

"I'm definitely an observer first," Davis said. "Just see what's happening around me and then react."
An avid fisherman, Davis and a couple of his teammates like to hit area lakes and ponds when time permits.


"That's what I do when I take my mind off of things and don't want to be bothered by anybody," Davis said. "For hours at a time. It helps me relax." Davis is focused and ready to help the Spartans in their quest to claim back-to-back state championships for the first time in the long history of the program.

"If we just lock in to what the coaches are telling us, there's no reason we can't do it again," Davis said.

 

[cphawkinthelou]

Some serious "heavy hitters" this year. Some near misses with guys in the top 15

Some Big 10ers struck gold. There's alway next year...