High school football gets underway this weekend in the St. Louis metropolitan area. As we begin another exciting season of prep football, here are some of the area’s top players to watch.
Chase Abbington (Fort Zumwalt South): The 6’4″ 220-pound senior running back scored 28 touchdowns as a junior. Committed to Missouri.
Ramon Alton (Kirkwood): Senior tailback rushed for 1,177 yards and 20 touchdowns in leading Pioneers to Class 5 Show-Me Bowl last season.
Kellen Ash (Parkway South): Senior linebacker had 19 sacks as a junior. Committed to Kansas.
Andy Bauer (DeSmet): Massive junior offensive tackle who will anchor the Spartans’ line play. Already committed to Missouri.
Eric Beisel (Rockwood Summit): Excellent linebacker who recorded 110 tackles as a junior. Committed to Missouri.
Jordan Bishop (Kirkwood): Senior quarterback who passed for 940 yards and 19 touchdowns for Class 5 state runners-up.
Ranell Crossland (Hazelwood Central): Talented 6’4″ athlete who will be a big-play receiver and defensive back. Had seven interceptions as a sophomore.
Ezekiel Elliott (John Burroughs): Tremendous senior tailback who scored 42 touchdowns as a junior to lead Bombers to Class 2 Show-Me Bowl. Committed to The Ohio State University.
Denzel Conway (MICDS): Senior tailback who is primed for a breakout season after rushing for nearly 500 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior.
Kahlid Hagens (Maplewood): Dual-threat quarterback who passed for 2,237 yards and 18 touchdowns to lead Blue Devils to the Class 2 semifinals.
Andre Harris (Kirkwood): Athletic 6’2″ senior wide receiver who has big-play ability. Committed to Iowa.
Steven Irving (Soldan): All-PHL quarterback who passed for 2,653 yards and 32 touchdowns to lead the Tigers to the Class 4 playoffs.
Merrick Jackson (Althoff): A 6’2″ 320-pound defensive tackles who anchors Crusaders’ line play. Committed to Illinois.
Roderick Johnson (Hazelwood Central): An excellent 6’7″ 320-pound junior lineman who is being recruited from coast to coast.
Jimmy Jones (Hazelwood East): Talented junior running back who rushed for 1,013 yards and 12 touchdowns for Class 5 state semifinalists.
Gabriel Lloyd (Miller Career Academy): The Public High League Defensive Player of the Year. Led league with 153 total tackles.
Derrick Mitchell (Vashon): Versatile senior excels at quarterback, running back, receiver and kick returner. Committed to Iowa.
Darius Mosley (O’Fallon): Talented senior athlete who makes big plays on both sides of the ball. Committed to Illinois.
Jonathan Parker (CBC): Senior tailback who rushed for 982 yards and 10 touchdowns for Class 6 state runners-up.
Aarion Penton (CBC): Talented senior receiver who had 842 yards and 18 touchdowns for Class 6 state runners-up. Committed to Missouri.
Todd Porter (O’Fallon): Talented quarterback who passed for 1,823 yards and 14 touchdowns for IHSA Class 7A state quarterfinalists.
Deantrell Prince (Christian-O’Fallon): Versatile performer who had more than 900 yards receiving as a sophomore.
Kaprix Sloan (Granite City): Workhorse senior tailback who led the Warriors to a berth in the postseason as a junior.
Markel Smith (Vianney): Junior running back who rushed for 1,498 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Natereace Strong (East St. Louis): Talented sophomore who rushed for 780 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman last season.
Antar Thompson (Maplewood): Outstanding two-way lineman who returns to anchor the Blue Devils, who advanced to the Class 2 semifinals. Committed to Missouri.
Anthony Virdure (Lutheran North): All-State basketball player who also excels on the football field as a receiver and defensive back.
Donnie White (DeSmet): Excellent senior defensive end who is ready for a big season after recording six sacks last year.
Corey Winfield (Riverview Gardens): Excellent receiver who had 27 receptions for 510 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior.
