EAST ST. LOUIS — Kortez Rupert was faster than most of the other players on the field as soon as he suited up for his first football game in elementary school.

Years later, that trait has stayed true for the East St. Louis High senior wide receiver.

"It's his speed," East St. Louis coach Darren Sunkett said. "He's a kid who gets up on (defensive backs) so quickly it doesn't give them an opportunity to react. When you have that kind of a vertical threat, you'll be able to do a lot of things."

That flash-like speed has had plenty of defenders staring at the back of his jersey as he screams past them.

Rupert, No. 12 on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 football recruiting countdown of the area's top senior college recruits, committed to Indiana University in June.

"Indiana felt like home

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