Top 20 college football performers from area high schools in 2021

Here is a look at some of the top performers from 2021 (in order of class, descending):

Justin Rigg, tight end, Springboro — Kentucky

One of a handful of local “super seniors” who took advantage of an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rigg started all 13 games and caught 20 passes for 189 yards and four touchdowns. He appeared in at least one game in six seasons and finished with a school record 63 games played for the Wildcats.

After catching two passes for 11 yards in a Citrus Bowl win over Iowa, Rigg finished his career with 50 catches for 547 yards and degrees in agricultural economics and communication.

Sean Mahone, safety, Lakota West — West Virginia

A three-years starter for the Mountaineers, Mahone earned All-Big 12 honorable mention and was second on the team with 81 tackles, including four for loss. He also had a pair of interceptions last season as a sixth-year senior. The 6-foot, 203-pounder earned a degree in management information systems and is working toward a Master’s in business administration.

Jeffery Pooler Jr., defensive end, Dunbar — Northwestern

The West Virginia transfer started five games and had 25 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks last season.

Danny Davis, receiver, Springfield — Wisconsin

Davis led the Badgers with 478 yards receiving on 32 catches this season. The life sciences communication grad played 51 games and finished 13th in Wisconsin history with 1,642 receiving yards 131 receptions. He caught 14 touchdown passes and ran for 245 yards and two more touchdowns.

Nathan Monnin, offensive line, Piqua — Kent State

The No. 138 prospect in Ohio in the class of 2017 outperformed his ranking by starting 37 games for the Golden Flashes and making the All-MAC third team. Now a 6-5, 295-pound fifth-year senior, Monnin was a two-star tight end prospect for the Indians.

Matt Ruffolo, kicker, Alter — Kentucky

Another super senior for the Wildcats, Ruffolo made 10 of 13 field goals in 2021 with a long of 45. He also made 54 of 56 PAT kicks, broke the school’s single-season records extra-point kicks and finished his career 26 for 32 on field goals, an 81.3-percent mark that is third in Wildcats history. Ruffolo has a degree in finance and is working toward his MBA.

Tyler Bentley, defensive tackle, Lakota West — Pittsburgh

A fourth-year junior, Bentley played all 14 games for the Panthers and had 20 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack He started six games, including the last five. The 6-2, 300-pounder took a redshirt as a freshman and has played in 36 games since then while majoring in administration of justice.

Isaiah Bowser, running back, Sidney — Central Florida

Bowser overcame a midseason injury to run for 703 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games as a senior grad transfer from Northwestern, where he earned a degree in learning and organizational change. He will be back at UCF for a fifth season of college football this fall.

Demetrius Hardamon, linebacker, Beavercreek — Bowling Green

Hardamon appeared in all 12 of BGSU’s games with one start and finished the year with 27 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The junior also had five QB hurries on the season and blocked a PAT kick.

Ja’Don Rucker-Furlow, cornerback, Belmont — Miami University

The 6-2, 192-pounder had 22 tackles including 1.5 for loss in eight games. He also had four pass break-ups. Eight of his tackles came against rival Cincinnati.

Ryan Montgomery, running back/return man, Franklin — Cincinnati

Montgomery played in all 13 games and served as Cincinnati’s primary punt returner for the third straight season. He ran for 309 yards and three touchdowns while catching six passes for 42 yards and ranked second in the AAC in punt return average (11.4 yards).

Credit: Aaron Doster

Credit: Aaron Doster

Tavion Thomas, running back, Dunbar — Utah

One of the surprise stories of the 2021 college football season, Thomas was third in the nation with 21 rushing touchdowns and finished 37th in the nation with 1,108 rushing yards. The UC transfer, who was living in his car in Dayton for a period of time last summer, will be a Ute for another season.

Leonard Taylor, tight end, Springfield — Cincinnati

Another key player in the Bearcats’ run to the College Football Playoff, Taylor played in all 14 games and started 13 while catching 28 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns. The criminal justice degree holder has played 48 college games but announced he will use his extra year of eligibility and be a super senior in 2022.

Malik Vann, defensive end, Fairfield — Cincinnati

A four-star recruit who has been a contributor since stepping on campus, Vann had 33 tackles including 8.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks, for the AAC champions last season. He is also going to be a super senior in 2022. Vann has 21 career tackles for loss and nine sacks.

Erick All, tight end, Fairfield — Michigan

A true junior who became a regular this season, All caught 38 passes for 437 yards and two touchdowns for the Big Ten champions. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten and is likely to be one of the conference’s top players at his position in 2022.

Connor Bazelak, quarterback, Alter — Missouri

The 2020 co-freshman of the year in the SEC threw for 2,548 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games last season but battled injuries down the stretch. After coach Eli Drinkwitz named redshirt freshman Brady Cook the starter for the Tigers’ bowl game, Bazelak entered the transfer portal and ultimately transferred to Indiana.

Jestin Jacobs, linebacker, Northmont — Iowa

A third-year sophomore, Jacobs played in all 14 games for the Hawkeyes last season and had 53 tackles, including .5 for loss, and figures to be in line for major playing time in 2022.

Michael Brown-Stephens, receiver, Springfield — Minnesota

The former Wildcat played in all 13 games last season and caught 23 passes for 392 yards and a touchdown as a third-year sophomore.

Jutahn McClain, running back, Fairfield — Kentucky

The highest-rated member of the 2020 class in the area played in nine games and had 165 yards rushing on 34 carries last season. He also caught six passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

Rod Moore, safety, Northmont — Michigan

The three-star recruit had by far the biggest impact of area true freshmen in 2021. He started the last five games at deep safety for the Wolverines and finished with 32 tackles and one pass breakup.