Minnesota Finance

All three of the Division 1 teams in the Kansas City region put together impressive seasons in 2023, and their players hope to hear their names called at draft time.Kansas State draft prospectsOne guy many will watch is Piper product, Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe. Beebe graduated from Piper High School in 2019 before joining the Wildcats football team. Last season, Beebe racked up numerous awards: first-team All-American, Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, and first-team All-Big 12. He was also the school’s first consensus All-American offensive lineman. Scouts predict he’ll get picked in the third round.Another Wildcat hoping to hear his name called is former Lee’s Summit West star wide receiver Phillip Brooks. He was an All-Big 12 honorable mention as a wide receiver and returner. He had 43 starts with the Wildcats and played in a school-record 65 games. He was one of 33 area prospects the Chiefs hosted earlier this month.Kansas Jayhawks draft prospectsFor the Jayhawks, offensive guard Dominick Puni hopes to hear his name. The six-foot-five, 313-pound guard started all 13 games at left guard in 2022 and was first-team All-Big 12 in 2023. Experts praise his size and pass protection, projecting him to be a thirdor fourth-round pick. Defensive end Austin Booker hopes to hear his name. The transfer from Minnesota was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and first-team All-Big 12. He is 6’4″ tall and weighs 240 pounds. He is projected to go in the third round and is being compared to Maxx Crosby, the Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher. Experts praise his speed, power, and relentless pursuit of the quarterback.Missouri Tigers draft prospectsMoving on to the Missouri Tigers, after a top-10 finish last season, they have multiple guys who will hear their names called. Ennis Rakestraw could look to fill the hole left by L’Jarius Sneed’s departure. The Chiefs have become a popular landing spot for Rakestraw, a big, physical corner who can match up well man-to-man. Rakestraw’s teammate Darius Robinson earned first-team All-SEC honors last season. He led the Tigers with 14 tackles for loss and 8-and-a-half sacks. Teams like Robinson because he could play inside or rush the passer out on the edge. NFL Network’s draft expert Bucky Brooks says Robinson could go anywhere between the middle of the first round and the top of the second round. Another Tiger who could hear his name called is tackle Javon Foster. Foster was a three-year starter who capped off his career with third-team AP All-American honors and first-team All-SEC honors. Experts expect him to be picked in the fourth round.