OL Riggs highlights Midlands Junior Day
COLUBMIA, Mo. - The Rivals100.com Junior Day returned to its roots this past Saturday with its third event in the state of Missouri in the past three years. This time the event was held at the University of Missouri and some of the area’s best players were on hand – including Festus, Mo., offensive tackle Kyle Riggs.
Riggs, who committed to Missouri, early in the recruiting process has been the talk of the spring evaluation period in the Midlands Region. Many college coaches have tried to visit the tiny town in Southeast Missouri and offer him a scholarship – but the answer every time has been no.
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“I’m committed to Missouri,” Riggs tells the coaches.
And from appearances alone, the Tigers have landed themselves one heck of a player. Riggs measures in at 6-foot-5 and 303 pounds – making him one of the most impressive players physically at any of the Junior Days that Rivals100 has hosted this year.
Riggs said even though he’s committed the event was good for him and his father because he knows that despite saying he’s a solid commitment he knows the calls will still come on May 1. And now after listening to the talk from Rivals100 Junior Day speaker Joe Hornback, he knows how to handle those calls better.
“I know that it’s best to be honest with them,” Riggs said. “I also got a lot of good stuff out of listening to Tyler Luellen. His advice on telling coaches the truth and being honest with them will come in handy when the schools call me.”
One of the state of Kansas’ top players was also in attendance.
Olathe (Kan.) East offensive lineman Todd Haselhorst showed up and measured in at 6-foot-3 3/4 and 285 pounds. That was a little shorter than the 6-foot-5 that he’s reported himself at, but still he looks to have a solid frame and it’s easy to see why Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri have already offered scholarships.
One of Oklahoma’s top prospects was also on hand. Oklahoma City (Okla.) Millwood defensive tackle/offensive center Mayjor Connally measured in at 6-foot-1 and 267 pounds.
Connally lists Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and SMU as his top teams.
Two sleeper prospects from Kansas City, Kan., were also there and definitely passed the eye-ball test.
Ronnie Carter (left) of Schlagle High School came in at a very impressive 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. He's getting heavy early interest from teams like Kansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma.
Carter’s name has been floating around the recruiting circles for a while.
But one name that hasn’t is Marques Nelson of Sumner Academy in KCK.
If Nelson can play a lick of football, he’ll definitely get some solid looks from the coaches because of his 6-foot-2 ¼ and 209-pound frame.