High school football season is just around the corner as teams will be gearing up for official practice, which begins in August.
The St. Louis area is continuing to produce a number of high-caliber high school football players in the Class of 2017 and 2018.
One of those top prospects in the area is senior offensive lineman Marquis Hayes of Pattonville High. The 6’6” 320-pound Hayes gave a verbal commitment to Oklahoma University last week.
Rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Hayes chose Oklahoma over schools such as Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas State, Miami (FL) and many others. Rivals also rated Hayes as the No. 8 offensive guard in the nation’s Class of 2017.
Another top area prospect to give an early commitment was Lutheran North quarterback Aqeel Glass, who cast his lot with Florida International. The 6’5” 220-pound Glass put up some impressive numbers as a junior in leading the Crusaders to the Class 2 state quarterfinals. Glass passed for 2,811 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior. He had one game in which he threw seven touchdown passes.
Glass’ teammate at Lutheran North, Jordan Sommerville, just gave a verbal commitment to the University of South Dakota. A wide receiver, Sommerville was one of the Glass’ top targets during the season. As a junior, Sommerville caught 54 passes for 588 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
Standout running back Andrew Clair of SLUH gave a verbal commitment to Bowling Green State. The 5’9” 175-pound Clair rushed for 1,303 yards and scored 21 touchdowns as a junior for the Junior Billikens.
The top targets on the Metro East side are 6’5” 250-pound defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa of Edwardsville and five-star recruit Jeff Thomas of East St. Louis. Epenesa ended his recruiting early by committing to Iowa last year. Thomas is being courted by national champion Alabama, Missouri and a host of other top programs. He recently clocked a stunning time of 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Following behind the Class of 2017 is a loaded class of talented athletes in the Class of 2018. Many of them are already fielding a number of offers from high-level Division I programs.
Top prospects who are receiving a lot of recruiting attention include wide receiver Kamryn Babb (CBC), lineman Trevor Trout (Chaminade), lineman Michael Thompson (Parkway North), quarterbacks Kaleb Eleby (Pattonville), Tyler Foote (John Burroughs) and receiver/defensive back Dallas Craddeith (Hazelwood Central). These are just a few names in a very talented group in 2018.
