Bethany College And New Coach Grossner Add Eight Kansas Athletes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bethany Swedes are coming off an 0-10 season in 2022 and have a new head coach in Mike Grossner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grossner coached at Baker University from 2004-2018 and led the Wildcats to the NAIA National Championship game in 2016.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will look to return Bethany to past KCAC glory and to do so will need to improve the Swedes' in-state recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the eight Kansas players signed by Bethany so far in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='246085' first='Dalton' last='Whitworth'], QB, 5'11'',170, Rock Creek (Photo Above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethany is adding a gifted signal caller in Rock Creek's Whitworth. He had a solid senior season for Rock Creek, throwing for 3,233 yards and 38 touchdowns. The Mustangs have a track record of winning and Whitworth's leadership in the huddle contributed to that. &nbsp;He has an accurate arm and understands the importance of protecting the ball and continuing drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='237195' first='Terrel' last='Anderson'], LB, 5'10, 185, Piper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is a fast and physical linebacker. He finished with 55 total tackles and three tackles for loss during his senior season with the Pirates. He was used as a red zone option at Piper scoring three touchdowns on the ground. He could have an immediate impact on special teams for Bethany.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dakota Becker, DL, 5'11", 250, Erie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Becker is a run-stopper. He gets off the ball, can bulldoze his way over opposing guards, and finishes off tackles. Becker can defeat the double-team or take it on and keep his linebackers clean. He is an unselfish player who will fit in well on the Swedes' Defensive Line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banky Hayes, DE, 6'0”, 190, Moundridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Swedes are adding another eight-man talent, this one from nearby Moundridge. Hayes is a baller. He can use his physicality or his speed to beat offensive linemen. Hayes will probably be used as a pass-rushing defensive end, but don't be surprised if a move to middle linebacker is in his future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noah Esposito, RB, 5'11'', 175, Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Swedes are getting a top eight-man running back out of Lincoln. Esposito rushed for 471 yards and four touchdowns on a sub-.500 team. He can block out of the backfield, is a threat in the passing game, and could play early on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hector Fontanez, FB, 5'9'', 210, Columbus</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fontanez is an interesting prospect. He is physical, raw, and has a nose for football. He had more of an impact on defense than offense at Columbus, but it looks like Bethany plans to utilize him as a fullback. Grossner's offenses at Baker always had a FB/HB/TE type of guy who could cause match-up problems. He just might be getting that type of weapon in Fontanez.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='126880' first='Angel' last='Lopez'], OL, 6'2", 300, Remington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lopez could be a future all-conference center for Bethany. The Remington product is strong and a solid snapper. He appears to be a solid captain for an offensive line and puts in his work studying the opposing defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaleb Marshall, OL, 5'10", 280, Salina Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Swedes could have one humdinger of competition at the center position. Marshall, a Salina Central product, also has experience as a center, but could possibly move to guard. He is another solid run-blocker and it looks like Bethany has added some quality depth to the offensive line ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->