KC high school players sign Division I college football scholarships in early period

Ronnie Bell, Park Hill, WR, Michigan

Once a Missouri State basketball signee, Bell (6-1, 170) re-opened his football recruitment last week and committed to Michigan three days later. The Simone Award winner caught 89 passes for 1,605 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Ekow Boye-Doe, Lawrence, DB, Kansas State

Boye-Doe (6-1, 170), who bulked up between his junior and senior seasons, fielded offers from five Division I schools this summer before signing with the Wildcats. He had a shutdown campaign at cornerback this fall, recording 42 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass breakups despite rarely seeing passes come his direction.

Milton Braasch, Shawnee Mission East, RB, Colgate

Braasch (6-0, 220), named the Sunflower League’s co-player of the year, didn’t let intense focus from opposing defenses deter him from breaking tackles and amassing 1,646 yards rushing. He scored 27 touchdowns for an offense that averaged 42 points per game.

Ja’Ron Burks, Raytown South, WR, Missouri State

Burks (6-3, 180) is a tall target in the passing game and can also play defensive back. He is most often noted for his explosiveness off the line, as well as after the catch.

Jack Burns, Bishop Miege, OL, Cornell

The 6-3, 285-pound lineman, who played at left guard, left tackle and center throughout his career, made way for a state-champion offense that averaged 475 yards and 50 points per game. Burns recorded more than 100 pancake blocks in his third year as a starter.

Cartez Crook-Jones, Grandview, DL, Kansas State

Primarily a defensive end, Crook-Jones (6-5, 230) recorded 11 sacks in his senior season. He added 19 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, one recovery and three blocked kicks.

Dominic Gicinto, Raytown, WR, Missouri

Although he is small in stature, Gicinto (5-9 170) is an impact player who relies on speed and athleticism. He had 85 receptions for 1,346 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns this year.

Devin Haney, Park Hill, CB, Northern Illinois

A two-time all-state selection, Haney (6-2, 180) had 12 career interceptions. He was credited with 22 pass breakups his senior season.

T.J. Kennedy, Lee’s Summit, OL, Western Illinois

A Suburban Gold Conference first team selection, Kennedy (6-6, 325) was the top blocker for a team that averaged 197 rushing yards per game.

Jordan Murray, Lee’s Summit North, TE, Missouri State

An all-conference pick on offense and defense, Murray (6-4, 225) projects as a blocking tight end at the next level. He caught 10 passes and one touchdown as a senior.

Brody Parker, Blue Springs South, TE, Southern Illinois

Capable of playing just about anywhere, Parker (6-6, 235) served as the Jaguars’ quarterback this fall and threw for 12 touchdowns. He previously started at linebacker.

Daniel Parker, Blue Springs, DL, Missouri

Parker (6-4, 245) played on both sides of the line for the Wildcats, making his biggest impression on defense, where he had 17 sacks and 22 tackles for loss.

Tristan Pfeiffer, Grain Valley, DE/LB, Western Illinois

Limited to three games because of injury this season, Pfeiffer (6-4, 240) still managed 44 tackles and 3  1/2 sacks.

Zach Starforth, Raymore-Peculiar, OL, Illinois State

Starforth (6-4, 285) was a second team all-state selection in Missouri Class 6 and also a first-team pick for the Suburban Gold Conference

Ivan Webb, Schlagle, RB, Missouri State

After spending his junior season playing behind future Kansas State running back Cornelius Ruff, Webb (5-11, 200) burst onto the Class 5A scene and led the entire state in rushing with 2,842 yards. In 237 carries, he ran for 35 touchdowns.

Kenton Wilhoit, Oak Grove, LB, Illinois State

Splitting time on both sides of the ball, Wilhoit (6-1, 210) had 62 tackles in 2017. He also rushed for 661 yards and six touchdowns.

Jeremiah Wilson, Center, RB, Missouri State

A “multi-purpose athlete” in the words of his high school coach, Wilson (6-1, 205) ran for 1,361 yards, averaging 10.1 yards per carry, and also had 672 receiving yards. He totaled 28 touchdowns.

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 5:32 PM with the headline "KC high school players sign Division I college football scholarships in early period."