The collegiate football recruiting process has made a dramatic change in the last couple of years with the transfer portal and NIL money being tossed around like candy.

The search for immediate contributions from transfers already with collegiate experience has no doubt cut into the funds major colleges have to bring in freshman recruits from the high school level.

However, there is still a place for high school recruits at the next level, particularly at junior college, Christian association, NAIA and NCAA Division II and III programs. And D-I schools still have vast high school recruiting processes - just not as much money to spend on them.

And as usual, many area high school recruits are currently looking for the right college fit to continue their respective football careers.

The first day that NCAA D-I and D-II football recruits could ink with programs during the current cycle was the three-day early signing period of Dec. 3-5, when most of the blue-chip major college recruits sign. The traditional National Signing Day, where many of area NCAA D-I and D-II players will sign, is Wednesday, Feb. 4. However, the vast majority of area recruits will continue weighing options for a while before making their respective college decisions. And most will sign with smaller schools.

Here is a look at some of the area teams and their seniors who are looking to play in college (2025 overall, conference records in parenthesis):

Four Rivers Conference

St. James (4-7, 2-4): Both LB Zane Achterberg and OL-DL Josh Carpenter are looking at NCAA D-II school Missouri S&T as well as a number of NAIA schools. Achterberg earned Class 3 all-state honors after being one of the state’s top tacklers for the second straight season, finishing with 212 - including 61 solo. Carpenter made 33 tackles - 16 solo - with five for loss. Carpenter has one year of military responsibility before beginning a possible college career.

Sullivan (9-4, 6-0): The FRC champion Sullivan Eagles by CB-WR Oliver Borton (48 tackles, one int.; five catches for 64 yds) who has signed with NAIA’s Missouri Valley and RB Mark Jennings (1,578 yds 98.2 per carry), 17 TDs) who has signed with NAIA’s Culver Stockton. RB-OLB Chase Blue (567 yds rushing, six TDs; 53 tackles, one int.) considered football but signed to play baseball with East Central Community College.

St. Clair (10-4, 5-1): The Bulldogs have two players looking to play somewhere in CB D.J. Ball and DL Adam Folks.

Union (6-5, 4-2): The Wildcats have DL/LB Brody Sitze (24 tac., three sacks)  looking at D-II schools S&T and Missouri Baptist.

Pacific (3-6, 3-2): The Indians have RB Brock McKinney (842 yds (6.6), 11 TDs rushing) is has committed to Missouri Baptist.

Hermann (2-9, 1-5): The Bearcats have LB Aiden Eikermann (124 tac. - 89 solo - two sacks, one int.) who is to sign with D-II University of Central Missouri.

Owensville (0-10, 0-6): No Dutchmen response.

South-Central Assoc.

Mountain Grove (10-2, 7-0): The SCA champion Panthers has standout QB/DB Aden Estep (1,189 yds, 17 TDs rushing; 376 yds, 10 TDs passing) who is hopeful to study engineering in college, so S&T is a possibility.

Thayer (10-2, 6-1): The Bobcats have WR-DB Cordell Washington who has committed in both football and track at D-II school Southwest Baptist. While TE-OLB Riley White has offers from several NAIA or D-III schools including Missouri Valley, Central Methodist, Ottawa and William Woods and still has visits scheduled with NAIA Baker and D-II Missouri Western.

Cabool (1-9, 0-7): Bulldog QB-CB Carson Long is not playing football, but is planning to play baseball at junior college school Missouri State-West Plains.

Houston (4-6, 3-4): No Tiger is looking to play football at the next level.

Ava (6-5, 4-3): No Bear player is looking to play in college.

Salem (4-7, 2-5): No Tiger player is looking to play in college.

Willow Springs (3-7, 1-6): The Bears have no players looking to play in college.

Mountain View Liberty (10-3, 5-2): Not available.

Others

Cuba (2-8, 0-5): The Wildcats have two players wanting to continue their football careers. OL Wyatt McMillian is looking to play at S&T while WR-DB Ryan Thompson, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, is looking to walk on to a program somewhere.

Rolla (5-6): The Bulldogs have four players looking to play football at the next level. All-State DB Jack Mrozowicz (140 tac. - 86 solo - nine for loss, two int.) will attend S&T on a two-sport package, playing both football and baseball. DL Easton Smith (45 tac. - 29 solo - seven for loss, six sacks) has committed to D-II Truman State. TE Cameron Brown (nine rec. for 226 yds, three TDs), has committed to Culver Stockton. P-PK Carter Reeves (34-of-37 extra-pointers, two-of-four FGs; 19 punts at 37.9) will play at Missouri Valley. And all-state WR-RET Colton Petersmith will play D-I baseball in the Big 10 Conference at Nebraska.

Lebanon (6-5, 3-2): The Yellow Jackets have four players who will play D-II football - RB Brayden Christian (1,111 yds, 12 Tds rushing) at Pittsburg State, OL Jackson Rebmann at Pittsburg State and OL-DL Tommy Jennings and Hayden Perkins at Missouri Western.

Waynesville (0-10, 0-5): The Tigers have two players looking to continue their football careers, DL Devonte Martin (51 tac., five sacks, three forced fumbles) at D-II Washburn and ATH-DB Aden Maust at Missouri Valley.

Camdenton (3-8, 1-6): The Lakers have no player looking to play at the next level.