Another running back to watch is 6-0, 228-pound Devin King of DeSmet. He has no offers to date but one recruiting service rated him as the No. 1 player in his class two years ago. But a series of injuries slowed him down.

Iowa has offered 6-0, 160-pound cornerback Bryant Allen of Maplewood, who also is the top-rated point guard in the state.

The best defensive lineman in Missouri is 6-4, 275-pound Sheldon Richardson of Gateway Tech.

The best offensive lineman is 6-5, 300-pound Darius Ford of Hazelwood East, who has been offered by Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.

There are several promising quarterbacks. The four best could be 6-0, 200-pound Jordan Webb of Union, who would command more offers if he was taller; 6-1, 180-pound Nathan Scheelhaase of Kansas City Rockhurst, who has 4.55 speed; 6-0, 180-pound T.J. Moe of Fort Zumwalt West; and 6-1, 190-pound Blaine Dalton of Blue Springs South, who has committed to Missouri.

Other standouts are 6-5, 210-pound wide receiver Alex Sanders of Springfield Glendale, 6-4, 225-pound tight end/defensive end Tommy White of Boonville and 5-11, 210-pound running back Montee Ball of Wentzville.

Iowa is making a presence in the St. Louis area because of assistant coach Eric Johnson. But Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State are zooming in on the area. Nebraska's influence isn't being felt as it has been in the past.