2020 All St. Louis Football Team Defense (Underclassmen)
There are so many worthy players who deserve recognition and more articles will be coming soon about these underclassmen who fought through one of the craziest seasons ever in high school football. Some of these players were able to play…
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Continue ReadingThere are so many worthy players who deserve recognition and more articles will be coming soon about these underclassmen who fought through one of the craziest seasons ever in high school football. Some of these players were able to play a full schedule while others lost games to COVID rules. As a former player and scout, but as a coach and a father, thank you all for battling each and every week.
For those of you not on this list, you are not being overlooked. You just need to decide how bad you want to be on this team next year and make Prep Redzone take notice of your game.
DL Grant Finley Grant Finley 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Chaminade | 2022 State MO , Chaminade (2022)– Powerful with his first step and quick to shed, Finley came into his own as a junior. All his movements have a purpose and with his ever-growing size, Finley is a hot name in recruiting circles after a premiere junior season.
DL Tyson Ford Tyson Ford 6'4" | 260 lbs | DL John Burroughs | 2022 State MO , John Burroughs (2022)– The junior did nothing on the field to discount his 2022 top player in the state ranking on this site. Ford uses his length, flexibility, and speed to win as a pass rusher and run defender.
DL Jamond Mathis, Duchesne (2023)– WOW! Mathis burst onto the scene in 2020 and took over games. Mathis is a warrior on offense as well appearing on this site for his offensive prowess but he is a college defensive linemen. Already strong for a young player, Mathis plays with good lockout and shed, is powerful with his arms, and finishes with force on tackles. I expect over 20 offers for the sophomore before March.
DL Ashtin Rustemeyer Ashtin Rustemeyer 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL Lutheran-St. Charles | 2022 State MO , Lutheran St. Charles (2022)– While defensive linemate, Gabe Rubio, one of the top players in the state, garnered tons of well-earned awards, Rustemeyer was the dirty worker of the defense in 2020. Rustemeyer’s motor never shuts off and he plays every snap as if his hair is on fire. A smart tactician, Rustemeyer will start rolling in offers once college coaches breakdown his film and see how advanced he already is for a young player.
LB Chris Skiljan, DeSmet Jesuit (2022)– Skiljan played his best football in the playoffs for the Spartans and was a force in the team reaching the championship game. Skiljan hits like a Mack truck and actually looks as if he enjoys doling out punishment on the offensive players. A rising star in recruiting circles, Skiljan’s football future is on the rise.
LB Nathan DeGuentz, Duchesne (2022)– Another small-school player who worked hard in the offseason and that dedication paid off on the field. A rangy, long defender, DeGuentz squares the runner up in the hole, drops his weight, and snaps on the tackle. A smart college coach lines him up as a 3-4 OLB and lets the big dog eat.
DB Jalen Lee Jalen Lee 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Fort Zumwalt North | 2022 State MO , Francis Howell North (2022)– Lee is a lockdown corner who can slide in and play in the slot if need be. The junior was up for any challenge in 2020 and won a majority of the battles he entered. His recruiting is beginning to take off and with his size and speed, intelligent college programs will take heed.
DB Kaleb Purdy Kaleb Purdy 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB De Smet | 2022 State MO , DeSmet Jesuit (2022)– A leader as a sophomore, Purdy upped his game in 2020. Never one to be a stat chaser, Purdy got the secondary lined up, matched up versus tight ends, and even jumped into the slot to lock down receivers. His versatility makes him a hot commodity among college recruiters.
DB Cameron Epps, Chaminade (2022)– I personally believe Epps has the potential to be one of the most elite cornerbacks to come out of St. Louis. The junior has the size, a strong jam, flips his hips with ease, and will tackle on edge. Already in possession of multiple college offers, Epps will garner many more.
DB Jay Harris, Timberland (2022)– Harris plays cornerback like a linebacker. He is violent with his hands and wants to hurt ball carriers. With his high-end height and build, college coaches are going to be beating down the Wolves coaches’ doors to get a piece of Harris and his skyrocketing projections into the next level. Harris will be a better college player than high school.
DB De’Shawn Fuller De’Shawn Fuller 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB St. Mary's | 2022 State MO , St. Mary’s (2022)– If you are a regular to this site, you know I love aggressive defensive play. (That’s how I played). Out of all the players on this all-star team, the smallest guy might be the toughest and most vicious. Fuller packs a ton of explosive power into his 5’10 frame and when he detonates, everyone around him feels his heat. Quick with a jam, ballet-like with his feet, and easy to turn and run, Fuller is a powder keg player who is only getting better.
DB Jordan Coleman Jordan Coleman 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB De Smet | 2022 State MO , DeSmet Jesuit (2022)– Coleman played opposite the preeminent cornerback in the state (Jakalin Johnson) and more than held his own. Actually, there were games this season where Coleman was the more effective player. Blessed with length, hip flexion, and the ability to plant and go, the junior is a soaring prospect who has the ability to cover the principal receivers in the state.