Southwest Missouri: 6 Hoopers That Would Make Great Football Players
It’s National Signing Day for high school football prospects across the nation. These kids won’t be signing a letter of intent to play football, but something tells me all six of these future college hoopers could help someone on the gridiron.
NOTE: All six players are currently uncommitted
Christian Bundy, Nixa (2017)
Basketball playing tight ends are now as prevalent as rappers that want to act. At 6’6, 220lbs Bundy has the frame to hold his own on the football field. He’s also an explosive athlete with great feet. He’ll play college basketball next year, but if that doesn’t work out he could have a future in football.
WINNER WINNER. Congrats to @baptistbundy23 on being voted #DunkOfTheWeek on @PrepHoops ???????? pic.twitter.com/z2Liegl4Nd
— Overtime (@overtime) December 9, 2016
Tyem Freeman, Hillcrest (2019)
I’m not going to compare him to Dorial Green-Beckham, but have you seen this guy dunk a basketball?! He’s a physical freak of nature and the show he put on at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions dunk contest is just the tip of the iceberg. The 6’4 wing is dropping 20 PPG and has Hillcrest Basketball back on the map under Joel Brown. His future is bright in hoops (like high-major D-1 bright), but even LeBron played a little football.
Dune Piper, Hartville (2017)
Hartville doesn’t offer football, but if they did Piper would’ve been an all-state RB/DB candidate. He’s the best defender in the Ozarks because of his intensity and aggressiveness. At times he struggles to stay out of foul trouble because he has no problem hitting people. Southwest Missouri was robbed by not seeing the 5’10 powderkeg on the gridiron.
Brady Smith, Licking (2017)
If you throw it up, Smith will go get… so if it works on a basketball court, why not try it on the football field? There’s just something intriguing about 6’5 receivers that can run like deer and high-point footballs. Smith is a great basketball player and will make a college program somewhere better next year. But, it would be fun to see him play football. It is also worth noting that Licking doesn’t offer football either.
@bradysmitty with the #dunkoftheweek #SCtop10 @OzarksOzone @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/BOcWFEeVE4
— Nathan Wilson (@NathanW42486442) December 13, 2016
FINALLY someone tagged us with this @bradysmitty slam from Tuesday night. Thing of beauty. (h/t h20_randomizer Instagram) pic.twitter.com/72DMdmn9Cg
— Matt Turer (@MattTurer) December 29, 2016
@NathanW42486442 is fearless ???? pic.twitter.com/QCaBWidbWY
— Brady Smith (@bradysmitty) December 20, 2016
Logan Thomazin, Walnut Grove (2018)
He’s an all-state baseball player and Walnut Grove’s all-time leading scorer in basketball, but you can make a case that his best high school sport would be football. Walnut Grove doesn’t have a football program, but if it did the Tigers would be placed in Class 1 and Thomazin would be putting up PlayStation numbers as a dual-threat quarterback while throwing up the Johnny Manziel money sign. The 6’2 2018 G is receiving D-1 interest in baseball and ranging interest in basketball, why not throw football into the mix?
Sam Timmons, Lamar (2017)
It’s scary to think that Lamar’s football program could be even better, but that certainly seems to be the case without Timmons on the field. Now, it’s not like the Tigers were hurting for talent, but a 6’6 TE/WR with a catch radius similar to DGB’s definitely wouldn’t hurt anything. With that being said, Timmons is also doing just fine. He was a first-team All-Big 8 selection last year and will likely be the Big 8 Player of the Year for a Lamar team that is currently ranked No. 6 in Class 3.
Thanks to Ozarks Sports Zone for the photos (credit Christopher Parker)