Twelve Kansas Athletes Sign With Washburn

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Potential Wideouts Added</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a>Here is a look at the Kansas players signed by Washburn who are expected to compete on the offensive side of the ball, including five athletes recruited for the wide receiver position.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='87660' first='Amr' last='Sabbarini'], 6-0, 185, WR, Washburn Rural</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Junior Blue athlete has the size to cause match-up problems for opposing defenses, and could grow into a tight end at the next level. The three-year starter at Washburn amassed 17 touchdowns over those three years. He is ranked No. 81 in the KS Prep Redzone rankings for the class of '23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='170063' first='Eddie' last='McLaughlin'], 5-10, 175, WR, Leavenworth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McLaughlin played quarterback at Leavenworth but is being recruited to play wide receiver by Washburn. During his senior year, he rushed for 1,365 yards, passed for 1,031 yards, and accounted for 24 touchdowns. He is ranked No. 71 overall in the KS Prep Redzone rankings for the class of '23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='254399' first='Keenan' last='Schartz'], 5-11, 170, WR, Manhattan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schartz helped lead Manhattan to a 6A State Championship in 2022 and like McLaughlin played quarterback, but look to make a possible position change. He had more than 2,700 total yards of offense in 2022, throwing for 20 touchdowns and rushing for 11. He is scheduled to participate for the West Team in the 2023 Kansas Shrine Bowl.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='395576' first='Keller' last='Hurla'], 6-1, 180, QB, St. Marys</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hurla is a standout dual-threat quarterback. As a senior at St. Marys, &nbsp;he combined for 52 touchdowns and more than 3,000 total yards of offense. Hurla is scheduled to play for the East squad in the 2023 Kansas Shrine Bowl</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='87651' first='Silas' last='Jones'], 6-0, 185, WR, Norton Community</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a versatile athlete who knows how to contribute. He rushed for 567 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. Jones spent most of his time on offense in the backfield at Eudora, but it appears that The Washburn coaching staff may want to use his size to convert him to a wideout. He could be deadly lining up in the slot. He could also contribute on special teams as a potential kicker or punter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Troy Heiman, 6-3, 175, WR, Silver Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heiman has great hands and is a big target. He is another guy who could grow into the tight end position at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mackey James, 5-9, 235, FB, Highland Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James is a powerful, raw talent who could play multiple positions. He could make an early impact on special teams as a blocker or tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Local Defensive Talent Signs With Bods</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the Kansas players signed by Washburn who are expected to compete on the offensive side of the ball. All five of these players played less than an hour from the Topeka campus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='35664' first='Ty' last='Weber'], 6-3, 230, LB, Washburn Rural</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weber could end up being the top recruit in this group. He is a fast, physical, hard-hitting linebacker who finishes tackles. Weber finished his senior season with 134 total tackles, 19 of which went for a loss. He is scheduled to participate for the East Team in the 2023 Kansas Shrine Bowl. Weber is currently the top-ranked linebacker in the KS Prep Redzone rankings for the class of '23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='87680' first='Kale' last='Hammerschmidt'], 5-9, 175, DB, Eudora</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammerschmidt is a tough-nosed strong safety. He was second on the team in tackles with 63 during his senior season. He is scheduled to participate for the East Team in the 2023 Kansas Shrine Bowl. He is ranked No. 98 overall in the KS Prep Redzone class of '23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='127692' first='Jaiden' last='Bender'], 6-4, 200, DE, Eudora</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bender is explosive and can flat-get off on the snap. He is physical and fast, and projects as an excellent pass rusher at the DII level. Bender is ranked No. 28 overall in the KS Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='244920' first='Elijah' last='Clarke-Boyd'], 6-2, 240, DE, Junction City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarke-Boyd's progression at the college level could be based on team needs. He is big enough to play inside and fast enough to play on the outside of the defensive line. He is ranked No. 109 overall in the KS Prep Redzone class of '23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nate Chandler, 5-11, 185, LB, Manhattan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chandler is a compact and speedy football player. The question will be what position will he play. Washburn lists him as a linebacker, however, as a senior, he had a significant impact on offense. He could create match-up problems on either side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->