Measurements:

Height: 5’11

Weight: 183 pounds

Classification: (RS) Junior

School: Missouri

Testing Numbers:

Arm: 32”

Hand: 8 1/2”

40: 4.51s

Broad: 10’

Vert: N/A

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Prospect Background:

This young man tells a story through his play on the football field. He’s been through some tough times on his journey to this point and on the field, he wants to make the opposing team feel every bit of that same feeling.

In fact, no one can tell you this story better than Rakestraw himself who once tried to attend an Under Armor camp with several of his teammates but was the only one turned away.

“I got in the car, I cried, and I made sure that any All-American, anybody that stepped in front of me, I was going to make them pay,” Rakestraw said.

That’s exactly what this young man did as he entered his senior year of high school with no Power 5 offers. This was before he didn’t allow a single touchdown all season and was the driving force behind the Duncanville High playoff run which saw him limit two All-Americans qide receivers in Rakim Jarrett (formerly a 5 star recruit of Maryland) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (formerly a 5 star of Ohio State) to 5 receptions for 36 and 37 yards in consecutive games.

Rakestraw also began running track his senior season in high school, which saw him win the Junior Varsity District Title in the 200m with a 22:98s time.

By seasons end, Rakestraw received offers from elite college football programs like Texas and Alabama. However, Rakestraw would chose to stay loyal to the school that gave him his first Power 5 offer in Missouri.

It was here where he became a three year starter. He could have potentially been a four-year starter but an ACL tear in 2021 only allowed him to appear in four games that season.

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Stats:

• Freshman
  • 6 Pass Break-Ups
  • 24 Tackles
  • First Freshman to start for Missouri in a season opener since 2017

• Sophomore
  • Coverage Snaps: 100
  • Targets: 18
  • Receptions Allowed: 12
  • Yards Allowed: 140
  • TD Allowed: 1

• Redshirt Sophomore
  • Coverage Snaps: 377
  • Targets: 51
  • Receptions Allowed: 30
  • Yards Allowed: 395
  • TD Allowed: 3

• Redshirt Junior
  • Coverage snaps: 277
  • Targets: 28
  • Receptions Allowed: 18
  • Yards Allowed: 197
  • TD Allowed: 1

Alignments/Number of Snaps:

• Nickel
  • 2021: 28
  • 2022: 101
  • 2023: 104

• Cornerback
  • 2021: 173
  • 2022: 546
  • 2023: 337

• Box
  • 2021: 12
  • 2022: 55
  • 2023: 20

• Safety
  • 2021: 1
  • 2022: 14
  • 2023: 1

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Prospect Overview:

It’s hard not to watch Missouri football and not notice Ennis Rakestraw Jr. This kid is determined to be a problem in any way he can on the defensive side of the ball.

It’s impossible to mention Rakestraw Jr. without first talking about the physicality and aggressive nature with which he plays the game of football with. He plays a nasty, up in your face brand of football — which can be concerning a bit given his injury history, but the young man clearly loves the game.

Rakestaw Jr. attacks blockers full throttle and if you aren’t willing to commit to the block, he will make a play on the football. He thrives in press man coverage and carries himself with an attitude like the man across the LOS owes him something. While there are concerns that receivers with above average speed could hurt him deep, he plays with a live for today – die tomorrow type of edge.

I appreciate how Rakestraw Jr. fights through traffic. He does a great job of locating his route and finding a way of making plays on the football. In 2023 he only allowed one touchdown which came on a screen with blockers in front and only five total first downs on the season. He isn’t necessarily a ball hawk with only one career interception, but Rakestraw is an extremely talented football player.

Some people question his long speed, with rightful concerns but I’m encouraged by a rep vs Kentucky where he chases down ball carrier to prevent a score after being out of the play. Through concerns, there are times where he can allow a few too many yards after catch with a lack of closing speed in off coverage.

As stated with one career interception, I’d like to see him play the ball more aggressively. He seems more interested in impacting the receiver. Yet what concerns me the most is how handsy he can be. He wasn’t flagged often but I’m not sure how well that will translate.

Rakestraw projects as a pure man cover corner at the next level. He possesses inside and out versatility and impacts the game in the type of way that you don’t see on the stat sheet. He’s a very nuanced player that happens to lack the physical gifts but makes up for it in physical play.

Cover Image Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports