For most college football teams, being able to recruit local athletes plays a big role in how successful your team and program will be over a period of time. That does not just apply for NCAA teams, it is just as important for NAIA schools. Just take a glance over Lindenwood's playoff roster and you will see 18 players from the St. Louis metropolitan area.

The St. Louis area recruits are making a big impact for the Lindenwood Lions who are just one win away from the school's first ever national championship. The local kids are led by Denodus O'Bryant (Washington High School), Roren Thomas(Soldan), Jeff Hynes (McLuer North), Dan Jones (Timberland), Chidi Oteh (Clayton), and Alvin Davie (Cardinal Ritter) just to name a few.

During the season, 26 percent of the touchdowns the Lions have scored on offense, defense and special teams have come from a St. Louis native.

Recruiting of the St. Louis area has become something that has become a top priority for the Lindenwood Lion's coaching staff. Through the six years of coach Ross' tenure, he has worked hard to build a good relationship with the area football community.

“Coach Ross and his staff have shown the willingness to take a look at any kid that shows interest in being a part of the Lindenwood football program,” said a St. Charles area high school football coach. “The attitude and the makeup of the Lindenwood football program has changed over the years and it has become a place where kids want to go.”

Even though the Lions have to compete with the likes of Mizzou, Illinois, Washington University and many other colleges for the top local talent they also have other Big 12, Big 10 and SEC teams trying to pluck the best talent.

“You have the big boys then the rest,” said John Lewis, who was a long-time high school coach in the St. Louis area. “The major conferences will come in and take the elite kids and the elite talent. It is important for these schools to get these kids.”

The Lions might not have a chance at the top flight kids but it is the next level that coach Ross has recruited and these athletes have helped shape the Lindenwood program to what it has become today.

Take for example two local kids that were recruited by many NCAA schools. O'bryant and injured wide receiver Mike Bunton (Parkway North) were two of the top athletes in their class and both chose to take their talents to Lindenwood.

These kids are the players that can shape your program. When local kids see the type of success they are having at Lindenwood it shows them that you can succeed and get noticed there.

“When you see the people you have competed against or played with having all this success you want to be in the same situation,” Lewis said. “Everybody wants to play for championships and everybody wants to win and when your program does it year in and year out it really helps recruiting.”

When the Lions take the field for their first national championship game, there will be a lot of local athletes that will take notice and move the Lions to the top of their list.

St. Louis athletes competing for a national championship
Denodus O'Bryant – Washington
Javon Alexander – Hazelwood East
Taylor Jasin – Duchesne
Roren Thomas – Soldan
James Wofford – Timberland
Ryan Zimmermann – Francis Howell Central
Dan Carlisle – Francis Howell North
Matt Leiss – Parkway North
Chris Howard – Parkway Central
Malach Radigan – Francis Howell
Dan Jones – Timberland
Mike Errante – Parkway Central
Jeff Hynes – McLuer North
Tremiek Drake – Lindbergh
Chidi Oteh – Clayton
Kellen Dreyer – Warrenton
Nick Stemmler – DuBourg
Alvin Davie – Cardinal Ritter