2018 Missouri high school football recruits

Posted on: November 17, 2020 at 20:22:06 CT

Continuing our series examining the top ten Missouri high school recruits per year by Rivals, I thought I would shoot forward in time to the class of 2018. In all fairness, it is probably premature to analyze these players as they are only in their third years of college, but thought it would be interesting because this was the much ballyhooed “Tiger Ten” class, most of whom visited Columbia together on a recruiting visit, causing a tremendous storm of hope and anticipation during the Barry Odom era, only to lead to much hand-wringing disappointment when, one after another, the members of this highly rated class decided to go elsewhere. The class has been injury riddled and very much a mixed bag so far as you will see below, and continues to bring heavily into question the reliability of recruiting rankings:

1. Trevor Trout DT St. Louis (Chaminade)

Massive, athletic defensive lineman (four-star, number 58 player in the country) inked with USC. Sat out the 2018 season as a redshirt. Battled various injuries during the 2019 season, playing briefly in two games with no defensive statistics. Currently sitting out the 2020 season with a back injury.

2. Michael Thompson DT St. Louis (Parkway North)

Another massive, athletic defensive lineman signed with Oklahoma. Four-star, #96 player overall tore his ACL and sat out as a medical redshirt in 2018. Transitioned to offensive tackle for the 2019 season but did not appear in any games as he learned the new position. Left the Sooners following his redshirt freshman season and enrolled at Division II Missouri Southern whose season has been postponed due to COVIS, intending to return to the defensive side of the ball. Does not currently appear on the Lions’ roster.

3. Mario Goodrich CB Lee’s Summit (West)

Four-star, #99 player overall committed to Clemson. Played as a backup during his true freshman season, appearing in every game and registering six tackles, including one stop during the National Championship game against Alabama on special teams. Returned as a backup CB as a sophomore, with seven tackles and one interception. Expected to emerge as a starter this season, has been hampered by an ankle injury and has four tackles in four games as a backup.

4. Ronnie Perkins DE St. Louis (Lutheran North)

Once considered a heavy Mizzou lean, the four-star, #128 player overall took his talents to Oklahoma. Played in every game as a true freshman, starting the last seven, and was named first-team freshman All-American by ESPN with 37 tackles and five sacks. Became the full-time starter at DE for the Sooners as a sophomore during 2019. Earned 2nd team All Big-12 honors with 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks. Failed a drug test prior to the Peach Bowl (CFP semi-finals) and was suspended for the game, as well as the first five games of the 2020 season. Won on NCAA appeal and was allowed to return to action following the first three games this season, and has returned to register eight tackles in two games. Considered a solid mid-round NFL prospect following this season.

5. Kamryn Babb WR St. Louis (CBC)

Four-star, #174 player overall signed with Ohio St. then tore his ACL and missed his senior season in high school. Suffered another ACL tear prior to his freshman season and sat out as a medical redshirt for the Buckeyes. Had yet another knee injury prior to the 2019 season and did not play while recovering. Has not appeared in any games this year and his athletic career appears in serious doubt.

6. Daniel Parker Jr. DE Blue Springs (H.S.)

The one and only “Tiger Ten” to sign with Mizzou, he has been a solid, if unspectacular, performer ever since. Four-star defensive end converted to tight end during fall camp prior to his freshman season and played in every game with six starts as a true freshman. Earned SEC All-Freshman honors with six receptions and a touchdown, also serving as a valuable blocker on the offensive line. Played every game, with seven starts as a sophomore, contributing 15 receptions and 140 yards. Encountered a severe eye infection following his sophomore season (it was initially worried he might lose his sight) but fortunately recovered after several optical surgeries. Has contributed four receptions this season, continuing his role as a primarily blocking tight end.

7. Dallas Craddeith S Florissant (Hazelwood Central)

Four star defensive back committed to Iowa. Redshirted in 2018, then appeared in one game with no stats in 2018. Buried on the depth chart, has appeared in no games this season.

8. Daniel Carson. DE Independence (William Chrisman)

Three-star player committed to Texas. Sat out as a redshirt for the Longhorns in 2018, then appeared in four games with one tackle last season. Buried on the depth chart, he has not played during the 2020 season.

9. Cameron Brown WR St. Louis (CBC)

Three-star athlete committed to Ohio St. and converted to cornerback prior to feshman season. Played as a backup as a true freshman during 2018, with one tackle during the first five games. Missed the rest of the season with a leg injury. Played every game as a backup as a sophomore with 14 tackles. Had one tackle as a backup this year, before tearing his Achilles’ tendon and is out for the season.

10. Kaleb Eleby QB Pattonville (H.S.). ***

Three-star dual QB committed to Western Michigan. Came off the bench to start the final five games of his true freshman season and passed for 1,092 yards and five TD’s. Did not appear in any games as a sophomore. Has started the first two games of the season for the Broncos this year (season delayed by COVID) and has been very solid, with 546 yards and six TD’s. Most famous for pulling off the “Dan Marino fake-spike play” last week in the thrilling win over Toledo and garnering “ESPN Play of the Day.”

***- Eleby was not a member of the “Tiger Ten.” The final member was Ayodele Adeoye, a four-star linebacker from St. Louis (Ritenour) who had enrolled at IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season in high school and committed to Texas. He currently starts at LB for the Longhorns.