ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - From Mizzou, to the NFL, back home to Kirkwood High School, college football Hall of Famer Jeremy Maclin enters his fifth season as head coach of his alma mater, where he was a two-time All-State selection.
“This is where I’m from, so any chance I have an opportunity to give back to where I’m from and pour into these kids, help these kids grow, mature, achieve what they want to achieve in life, I’m all for it,” Maclin said.
Last year, the Pioneers made it to the state semifinal, taking down CBC for the Pioneers first district title since winning state in 2016.
“We ready to build,” Kirkwood senior Jacob Eberhart said. “We always face adversity, there’s nothing like facing it again and we’re the same people. We’re going to live on the legacy of last year. We are going to state.”
A big part of that team was Jacob Eberhart. The two-way star enters his senior season, hoping to build off his strong junior campaign.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He is arguably one of the best players in the state of Missouri right now,” Maclin said. “I’m fortunate that he’s on my team. He’s grown each and every day, each and every week.”
Last season Eberhart caught 42 passes for 795 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense, while totaling 45 tackles and three interceptions on defense. 247Sports Composite ranks Eberhart as a top five recruit for the class of 2026 in the state of Missouri.
“On the field he does a lot, but off the field he is just a good guy to be around,” Kirkwood senior wide receiver Jamiir Sloan said. “That’s my guy. We grew up together. He makes everybody smile even when he’s not feeling the best.”
This summer, Eberhart announced his commitment to the University of Illinois, continuing a family legacy. He follows in the footsteps of his late father, Jason, who played for Illinois.
“It was very big not just because I committed to Illinois and my dad went there, carrying on a legacy also meant getting all the offers I had,” Eberhart said. “Getting through all the stuff I had to go through, my mom was really proud of me, that’s the only thing I want to see because she’s been through a lot and I know a lot of pressure’s been put on her. It’s going to feel good taking the weight off of her - going to college, doing what I’m supposed to do for my dad and everybody looking up to me.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Through every part of life, Eberhart has always had his family, team, and Coach Maclin.
“Coach Mac has done so much for me. It’s a blessing. We’ve had ups and downs, but he stuck with me and I thank him for that.”
Walking on the field for his final season with the Pioneers, Eberhart said he’s feeling nostalgic.
“Me and Jamiir were talking the other day about how we came so far and the adversity we had to face together. It built us as a brotherhood. We’re ready for this season, we know what we got, and I know who’s behind me when I go out on the field.”
Kirkwood starts the 2025 season at Fort Zumwalt West on Thursday, August 28.
Copyright 2025 KMOV. All rights reserved.