Area Grads competing in NCAA Football as of 11/5/2022
Updated YTD numbers and commentary on the Kansas and Missouri grads competing in the NCAA. Check out the commentary and the all inclusive lists.
Each week I highlight the collegiate football exploits produced by players from Missouri and Kansas. I never know who I will highlight until I assemble and review the year to date data after all of the weekend’s games have been played. It was different this week. I knew who would be highlighted as I watched the performance unfold on national TV. Devin Neal (Lawrence/Kansas) had an outstanding game as the Jayhawks defeated the No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowboys. The former Chesty Lion has established himself as a premier DI player before the end of his sophomore year. Just three minutes, thirty-nine seconds into the game, he put KU up for good with a 31 yard touchdown run. That would be his only TD for the day, but what followed added up to 224 yards on 32 carries. He added 6 catches for 110 yards, the longest going for 53 yards. During this game, Devin surpassed his 707 rushing yards of his freshman year. And he has three games left. Oh, wait. Make that four games. Neal’s performance assured bowl eligibility for the Jayhawks.
Jared Scott (St. Louis University High/Missouri Western) turned in his best game of the year on Saturday, rushing 23 times for 136 yards and garnering one reception for another 23 yards. Shamar Griffith (Hannibal/Truman State) now leads all NCAA rushers from Missouri and Kansas. Shamar rushed for 165 yards on 15 carries while scoring 3 TD’s. The Pirate turned Bulldog is now averaging 106.3 rushing yards per game. And I love “firsts”. Jarin Sanders (Shawnee Heights/Coe College) recorded the first TD of his collegiate career. The freshman’s third quarter score started a string of 34 unanswered points in the Kohawk’s 34 to 14 win over Nebraska Wesleyan.
See all of the rushers ranked right here:
Scroll down for the quarterbacks and receivers.
By the time the Southwest Baptist/Quincy game was over on Saturday, the game featured the two most prolific passers to come out of Missouri and Kansas to compete in the NCAA this year. Tionne Harris (Vianney/Quincy) turned in another fine game to lead the Mo-Kan QB’s with 290 passing yards a game. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 233 yards and 3 TD’s. Many times that is enough to be the leading passer for the game. But not in this game. Cooper Callis (Jackson/Southwest Baptist) connected on 24 of 35 passes for 378 yards and 4 TD’s. Cooper pushed Southwest Baptist past Quincy and himself into second among all Mo-Kan QB’s in the NCAA.
See all of the quarterbacks ranked here:
Scroll down for the Receivers
Bo Reeves (Rossville/Central Missouri) came up huge when his team needed him. The redshirt freshman entered the game with one career TD reception. And he ended the regulation time on Saturday with that one TD reception. Then he opened the scoring in OT with a 24 yard TD catch. Bo then closed out the second OT and the game with the 20 yard game winning catch. His totals for the day were 5 catches for 105 yards and 2 TD’s. Jaylen Varner (Marshall/Emporia State) came up big early for Hornets. His 58 yard TD reception at the 4:47 mark in the first quarter put Emporia State ahead for good in their win over Lincoln, 35 to 17. That catch was his 8th and team leading TD reception. Taj Butts (DeSmet/Missouri) hauled in his first career catch. The redshirt freshman will certainly remember that 10 yard reception.
See all of the receivers ranked here:
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