Updated On300 reveals what might be ‘best class ever’ in Missouri

Savvy recruiters have known for years that there’s always good talent to be found in Missouri. That’s especially true during some cycles in Kansas City and St. Louis. But nothing quite compares to what we’re seeing with the 2023 Class in the Show-Me State.

The newly updated On300 rankings feature nine players from Missouri, including five recruits in the top 132 in the country.

“There were a lot of good players in the 2022 class from Missouri, but nothing compares to this 2023 class,” a longtime Big 12 recruiter said. “I’ve been recruiting the state for more than a decade. This 2023 class is the best class ever. I ran into schools and coaches that I’ve never seen before in Kansas City and St. Louis.

“That kind of sucks for me. I’ve been on some of these guys for two years now. But now everybody knows about them and is recruiting them. Guess the secret is out on the Show-Me State.”

Kansas City EDGEs lead way

The top junior recruits in Missouri are a pair of EDGE rushers from rival schools in Kansas City.

Chandavian Bradley of Platte City (Mo.) Platte County checks in at No. 42 in the On300. He’s followed closely by Adepoju Adebawore of North Kansas City, Mo., at No. 50 in the On300.

Bradley and Adebawore faced each other in the season last year with Platte County winning the game, but both showcased why they’re among the best pass rushers in the country.

According to On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Bradley is wide open between schools like Iowa State, Kansas State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and many others. Spring visits will be key for sorting through the finalists on his list, especially after he’s racked up new offers from LSU, Auburn, Tennessee and others in the last two weeks.

Adebawore has also seen his stock shoot through the roof in January and February. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine favors Oklahoma and Kansas for Adebawore, but like with Bradley, upcoming visits in March and April will likely determine what happens with his recruitment.

St. Louis absolutely loaded

While the top two players from Missouri are on the Kansas City side of the state, St. Louis is also full of blue-chip talent.

Technically he’s now at IMG Academy, but four-star athlete Samuel M’Pemba is originally from St. Louis and is being recruited by programs with area ties. He checks in at No. 103 in the On300. On Sunday, M’Pemba locked in his spring visit date to Michigan. But Notre Dame is listed as the team to beat in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

The fastest-rising player in Missouri — and maybe in the entire country — is also on the St. Louis side of the state.

St. Louis Christian Brothers College running back Jeremiyah Love now ranks as the No. 127 player in the country. The new ranking also slots him as the No. 5 running back in the country. Just in the last few days, Love has picked up offers from Alabama and Notre Dame.

Along with his 996 yards and 14 touchdowns on 95 carries as a junior, Love is one of the top track stars in Missouri. He won the Class 5 100-meter championship with a 10.76-second time. He also has a 22-foot-long jump.

Christian Gray also climbed in the On300 from No. 164 to No. 132. The St. Louis DeSmet star cornerback has a slew of national offers. But Notre Dame is clearly the team to beat, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. The Irish are listed with a 94.5% chance of landing Gray.

Marvin Burks Jr. of Cardinal Ritter is also a new name on the On300 from Missouri. He’s now the No. 225 player in the country. The 6-foot-2, 181-pound safety is considered a solid lean toward Missouri, despite getting heavy interest from a number of top national programs.

Other Missouri names to know

Missouri tight end commit Brett Norfleet of St. Charles (Mo.) Francis Howell is at No. 252 in the On300. Despite his commitment, he continues to be heavily recruited, including recently picking up offers from Alabama and Auburn.

Lee’s Summit (Mo.) High’s Joshua Manning was newly minted as the nation’s No. 272 overall player in the On300. He also saw his On3 ranking climb to No. 7 overall in the Show-Me State and No. 40 at the receiver position. His recruiting stock is red-hot with recent offers from Arkansas, Missouri and a slew of other top programs.

Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North offensive tackle Cayden Green also checked in on the On300 at the No. 300 spot. Green is considered an early heavy lean to the Oklahoma Sooners, according to the On3 RPM. He’s expected to be in Norman this weekend for a visit.