Highland Defensive Recruits Impressive
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The Highland Scotties landed an impressive crop of Class of 2021 talent from Kansas High Schools.
Here is a look at those 22 Kansas Student-Athletes who signed at Highland. A class that added big and fast beasts for their front seven.
LB, Peneueta Saili, 6’2”, 245, Jefferson West – Sali is an explosive linebacker who likes to hit people. He has the frame and speed that he potentially could move to the defensive line. Highland will be a perfect program for Saili to come in and have an immediate impact.
LB, Colin Juneneman, 6’2”, 185, Hanover– Juneneman was signed as a linebacker and knows how to tackle. He finished his senior season with 68 tackles, five of which were for a loss. He also played running back for Hanover and scored 23 touchdowns.
LB, Tre’Vion Prosper Tre’Vion Prosper 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Highland Park | 2021 State KS , 6’2”, 215, Highland Park– Prosper is a raw talent that will improve his game quickly. He is long, fast, and tough. Prosper can hit people and is hungry to lead a winning program. He is ready to be a diamond in the rough. This is an exciting sign for the Scotties.
LB, Dylan Thompson, 6’4”, 185, Jackson Heights – Thompson is an aggressive player who is tall and will benefit from adding some weight. He also is an accomplished basketball player and a quality leader on the field and in the classroom.
LB, Riggs Martin Riggs Martin 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Hugoton | 2021 State KS , 6’2”, 215, Hugoton– Martin has a motor that runs full throttle. He will compete against a deep linebacking corps that will improve each day in practice working with and against each other. He arguably could be the best of this foursome in pass coverage.
DL, Eli Tucker Eli Tucker 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Girard | 2021 State KS , 6’2”, 295, Girard– I watched Tucker play early in the 2020 season and he dominated the opposition’s offensive line. He is big, strong, and quick. He is not intimidated and understands how to play disciplined defense.
DL, Dee Wideman, 6’4”, 265, Girard – Wideman is faster than his teammate Tucker. The two Girard Trojans will be thick as thieves at Highland and will help each other improve. Tucker will wreak havoc against Jayhawk Conference offensive lines. He is expected to play for the East Squad in the 2021 Kansas Shrine Bowl.
DL, Dane Whalen Dane Whalen 5'11" | 250 lbs | ATH Osage City | 2021 State KS , 5’10”, 260, Osage City– Whalen had an eye-popping senior season for the Indians. He finished with 68 tackles including an incredible 21.5 tackle for loss. Whalen can split blockers and bull rush them. He is scheduled to participate in the 2021 Kansas Shrine Bowl.
DL, Tony Cobb, 6’2”, 270, Piper – Cobb is the rawest of the four defensive line recruits and the is the second heaviest. He is a bowling ball on wheels. Will likely line up a nose guard or tackle in the Scotties’ defensive front.
QB, Cory Macon Cory Macon 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB KC Piper | 2021 State KS , 6’2”, 210, Piper– Macon is a talented dual-threat running back. He has an accurate arm and is not afraid to run with the ball when pass protection breaks down.
RB, Jonathan Wright Jonathan Wright 6'1" | 190 lbs | RB Conway Springs | 2021 State KS , 6’1”, 190, Conway Springs– Wright is a disciplined running back who follows his blockers and rushes between the tackles. He rushed for 900-plus yards in his senior season and found the end zone 20 times. He has good and takes care of the football.
WR, Cleven Huggins, 6’4”, 180, Macksville– Huggins is a mismatch waiting to happen. He can flat out get-up and pull down the football. Post him up against a corner or an inside backer and watch him go work. He can break tackles or run away from them. Huggins is the most exciting prospect from this group of receivers and a guy you want to get the football to.
WR, Cameron Beardsley, 6’0”, 180, Valley Heights– Beardsley is a jack of all trades. He played quarterback and cornerback for Valley Heights but is being recruited as a receiver. He has been clocked at 4.6 in the forty. He is an intelligent player who will shine regardless of the position he ends up playing in college.
WR, Caden Brinegar, 6’1”, 175, Marysville – Brinegar is an ultimate team-player who will do what the team needs him to in order to win games. He played free safety and receiver for Marysville. He was signed to play on the offensive side of the ball for Highland. In 2020 he had 16 catches for two touchdowns, rushed for 172 yards and two scores, and finished with two interceptions.
WR, James Eaton, 6’5”, 190, Tonganoxie– Eaton is a big target with soft hands. Balls were hard to come by at Tonganoxie with an awesome running game, and leading receiver Dallas Bond Dallas Bond 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Tonganoxie | 2021 State KS . Eaton’s pass-catching skills play at the JUCO level and he an excellent blocker.
WR, Justin Fountain, 5’9”, 170, Olathe East– Fountain was an All-Sunflower League punter, but Highland plans to use him as a slot receiver. He played defensive back and receiver for the Hawks. The Scottie coaching staff feel he can be a weapon in space as he is not afraid to go over the middle.
WR, Andrew Gimino, 5’10”, 160, Kapuan Mt. Carmel – Gimino played quarterback for Kapaun but has been recruited as a receiver. He is fast, has nice hands, and will be an asset on special teams.
OL, De’Andre Hudson De’Andre Hudson 6'3" | 330 lbs | OL Wichita Southeast | 2021 State KS , 6’3”, 330, Wichita Southeast – Hudson is a young giant. I watched him compete in 2020 and he has excellent footwork. The Highland training staff will love molding this man child in the weight room. Hudson loves playing football and will continue to grow with an up-and-coming program.
OL, Joshua Clark Joshua Clark 6'1" | 275 lbs | OL Olathe West | 2021 State KS , 6’1”, 280, Olathe West – Clark is an impressive lineman who run-blocks well. He was ranked in the Top 25 offensive lineman in the Prep Redzone Kansas player rankings for the class of 2021.
OL, Tolulope Adejo, 6’4”, 265, Sumner Academy – Adejo projects as a tackle. His pass-blocking skills are more advanced than his run blocking. He is a physical specimen who will compete for a starting position.
OL, Calvin Wilson Jr., 6’4”, 230, Ottawa – Wilson has been ranked in the Prep Redzone player rankings as a top prospect. He projects as a solid run-blocking guard. He is fast enough to pull and set up a wall on screen passes.
DB, J’Qwon Johnson J’Qwon Johnson 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Wichita West | 2021 State KS , 5’10”, 16, Wichita West – Johnson was the seventeenth ranked defensive back in the Class of 2021. He has a long reach and he’s a big-time jumper. He will create turnovers and should contribute on special teams.