Elite Football Combine: Missouri 2023 wide receivers
The Elite Football Combine is one of the top events in Missouri every year and this year’s event, held on March 12 at the Lou Fusz indoor facility in Earth City, did not disappoint. We will be taking a look…
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Continue ReadingThe Elite Football Combine is one of the top events in Missouri every year and this year’s event, held on March 12 at the Lou Fusz indoor facility in Earth City, did not disappoint.
We will be taking a look at some the top performers at the event divided by class year, positions and home state, and listed alphabetically. For more Combine coverage, please check out the links at the bottom of the page.
Arhmad Branch Arhmad Branch 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Festus | 2023 State MO , Festus
Branch was one of the breakout standouts of the 2021 season when he caught 34 passes for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns after the basketball prospect decided to come out for football for the first time.
At the Elite Combine, the 5-foot-11, 162-pounder showed off his basketball athleticism by recording a broad jump of 10 feet and a vertical leap of 33 1/2 inches — both numbers that placed him among the best at the Combine. Branch also recorded a 4.5-second pro-agility time and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds just about a week after his basketball season ended.
Branch is still new to the game of football, but his upside makes him a prospect to watch. It also doesn’t hurt that his high school coach is A.J. Ofodile, who played three seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens and served as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri.
Maximo Filion Maximo Filion 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Park Hill | 2023 MO , Park Hill
Filion, who made the trip across the state from the Kansas City area, measured in at 5-11 and 180 pounds and showed off his athleticism in the testing. He recorded a vertical leap of 33 1/2 inches and a broad jump of 9-2. He posted a pro-agility time of 4.6 seconds.
Ian Kelly, Francis Howell North
Kelly, who checked in at 6-1 and 179 pounds, turned in one of the top pro-agility times on the day at 4.03 seconds. He ran the 40 in 4.7, recorded a broad jump of 9-2, a vertical leap of 27 inches and a powerball toss of 36-6.
Kelly earned first-team all-conference honors as a defensive back and a returner last season after recording 722 total yards (556 rushing, 166 receiving) and 10 touchdowns to go along with 68 tackles and two interceptions. He averaged 35.6 yards per kickoff return and returned two for touchdowns.
The Knights’ standout is a versatile player with experience at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive back and returning kicks, so he could be a valuable jack-of-all-trades player at the next level.
Victor Klote Victor Klote 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Raymore-Peculiar | 2023 State MO , Raymore-Peculiar
Klote is a bigger receiver, measuring in at 6-1 3/4 and 199 pounds, but still recorded impressive testing numbers that showed the strength and athleticism that he has showed on film.
He recorded a 4.79 40, 4.66 pro-agility, 36-7 powerball toss, 9-2 broad jump and 29-inch vertical leap.
Playing on a Ray-Pec team with two Division I prospects at wide receiver, Klote was credited with just one reception for five yards in five games at the varsity level last fall. But his film shows a wideout who is a strong and aggressive blocker who helps open opportunities for his teammates to break bigger plays down the field.
Blake Larson Blake Larson 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Hillsboro | 2023 State MO , Hillsboro
Larson, who measured in at 5-10 1/2 and 153 pounds, was one of the quickest and fastest players on the day. He ran the 40 in 4.69 seconds and the pro-agility drill in 4.1 seconds. He also recorded a 31-inch vertical leap and 8-11 broad jump that, while they didn’t rank among the top marks in those tests, still show that he’s more than just a speedy guy.
Playing for a run-heavy Hillsboro squad that attempted just 97 passes last season, and only completed 55, Larson caught five passes for 49 yards. Both numbers ranked fifth among the Hawks.
Larson’s junior individual game-by-game film shows a fast and shifty wide receiver. Hillsboro returns two 1,000-yard rushers next season, so the team may not throw the ball very much, but Larson will be a guy to keep an eye on.
Caleb Lochmann Caleb Lochmann 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Lafayette | 2023 State MO , Lafayette
Lochmann, who measured in at 6-2 and 182 pounds, made more of an impact on defense during his junior season — he was listed as a linebacker and defensive back — but was listed as a wide receiver for the Combine.
He recorded 57 tackles and one sack on defense along with five receptions for 75 yards.
Lochmann tested well at the Elite Combine. He recorded a broad jump of 9-10, a vertical leap of 31 inches, a powerball toss of 38-8 to go along with a 4.31 pro-agility and 4.81 40.
Gavin Marsh Gavin Marsh 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Marquette Senior | 2023 MO , Marquette
Marsh, like Branch, was one of the breakout performers of the 2021 season when he caught 42 passes for 987 yards and 12 touchdowns and averaged 23.5 yards per catch. And, like Branch, Marsh was one of the top overall performers at the Combine.
A 5-11, 177-pounder, Marsh recorded the top pro-agility time of the day at 3.91 seconds and one of the top 40 times at 4.62 seconds.
He also showed strength and athleticism with a powerball toss of 38-7, a broad jump of 9-4 and a vertical leap of 30 inches.
Marsh is one of the top 2023 prospects in Missouri who has yet to receive a scholarship offer, but that should change soon. He’s a productive wide receiver with the speed and quickness to separate from defenders.
Logan Minton Logan Minton 6'8" | 200 lbs | TE Lafayette | 2023 State MO , Lafayette
There were no Missouri prospects listed at tight ends in the Class of 2023 at the Combine, so we won’t have a separate story on that position. Instead, however, we will highlight this unique prospect here.
Minton measured in at 6-7 1/2 and 185 pounds and while he was listed as a wide receiver, he’s been ranked as a tight end for Prep Redzone and likely projects there – unless he gains more traction as a basketball or volleyball prospect. He obviously needs to put on considerable weight to play tight end at the next level, but he’s a very good athlete.
Minton ran the 40 in 4.77 seconds, recorded a 4.22 pro-agility time, a 37-foot powerball toss, 8-4 broad jump and 27-inch vertical.
Listed as a tight end and defensive end, Minton caught two passes for 18 yards and made 11 tackles during his junior season.
Elite Football Combine Coverage
Class of 2023: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Offensive-Defensive Linemen | Linebackers | Defensive Backs