Upperclassmen Reeling in Offers
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The calendar has turned to June, which means camp season is officially in full swing and summer workouts have begun. Several prospects throughout the state kicked off the first weekend of June by traveling across the country to put their…
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Continue ReadingThe calendar has turned to June, which means camp season is officially in full swing and summer workouts have begun. Several prospects throughout the state kicked off the first weekend of June by traveling across the country to put their skills to the test in front of recruiters. Many rose to the occasion, and some even earned offers along the way. Here’s a recruiting update on eight upperclassmen that reeled in offers to start the summer.
Class of ‘24 Kickers:
All too often kickers are forgotten when it comes to recruiting updates. Sure, the position group doesn’t traditionally produce high-profile prospects, but these players are just as deserving of recognition as their peers. Especially some of the legs from this upcoming senior class. Top-ranked kickers Kenten Laughman Kenten Laughman 6'3" | 175 lbs | K Mill Valley | 2024 State KS of Mill Valley and Jayce Quirin Jayce Quirin 5'11" | 165 lbs | K Parsons | 2024 State KS of Parsons, shined during the first weekend of June.
They each competed at Central Arkansas’ kicking showcase, and both prospects also picked up offers over the weekend. Kenten Laughman Kenten Laughman 6'3" | 175 lbs | K Mill Valley | 2024 State KS landed his first D-I offer from Central Arkansas, while Jayce Quirin Jayce Quirin 5'11" | 165 lbs | K Parsons | 2024 State KS received offers from Coffeyville Community College and Fort Hays State.
Offensive Linemen:
The trenches in the Eastern Kansas League will be a site to see this fall. There’s a number of offensive linemen from this league drawing next-level interest, and Baker North Baker North 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL Bishop Miege | 2024 State KS of Bishop Miege and Andrew Babalola Andrew Babalola 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Blue Valley Northwest | 2025 State KS of Blue Valley NW were two of the latest hogs in the spotlight.
First Team All-State guard, Baker North Baker North 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL Bishop Miege | 2024 State KS , recently added to his collection of offers, as Fort Hays State, Pittsburg State, and William Penn University reached out to the big man.
For Andrew Babalola Andrew Babalola 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Blue Valley Northwest | 2025 State KS , he’s quickly becoming one of the top prospects in the upcoming junior class. The athletic 6-foot-6 tackle has now added offers from Ole Miss and the University of Miami.
Class of ‘24 Defenders:
Since the creation of the Class of ’24 rankings, offensive players have headlined the class for the most part. However, defensive prospects are beginning to rise. Prospects such as Trey Ridley Trey Ridley 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Blue Valley NW | 2024 State KS of Blue Valley NW and Ray Smith III Ray Smith III 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Olathe East | 2024 State KS of Olathe East, have been leading the charge as of late.
The D-I offers have started to roll in for Top 10 prospect, Trey Ridley Trey Ridley 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Blue Valley NW | 2024 State KS . In addition to a few offers he received at the end of May, Ridley has recently been offered by Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois as well.
Olathe East linebacker, Ray Smith III Ray Smith III 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Olathe East | 2024 State KS , is on the fast-track for a Top 50 appearance in the next update. Over the past week, the 8th ranked backer has picked up offers from Northwest Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State, and Southern Illinois.
Pass Catchers:
Capping off this recruitment update are two of the most highly anticipated pass catchers for the 2023 season. Gavin Hoffman Gavin Hoffman 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Blue Valley NW | 2024 State KS of Blue Valley NW and Caden Butler Caden Butler 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Lincoln | 2025 State CA of Olathe North are two tremendous talents out of Class 6A, and their recent offers are a reflection of that.
Gavin Hoffman Gavin Hoffman 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Blue Valley NW | 2024 State KS has done nothing but turn heads over the past few months, and his start to the month of June has been no different. After posting ridiculous numbers at a college camp, Hoffman has been offered by Arizona State, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue, and Texas Tech.
It was only a matter of time before Caden Butler Caden Butler 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Lincoln | 2025 State CA landed on the radar of Power 5 programs. Just this past weekend Butler received offers from Oregon, Nevada, and Washington.