Centennial League Preview: Six Defensive Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Centennial League does not have as many teams as it once did when I covered it for the Topeka Capital-Journal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the league is down to just six teams it is not short of college-level talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at one top defensive prospect from each school in the league as season-opening games are just two sleeps away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259756' first='Michael' last='Boganowski'], </strong>DB, 6'2”, 185, Junction City, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone's No. 1 ranked player in the class of 2024 plays for Centennial League team Junction City. He would tackle an elephant if you put a football in its trunk. He has excellent closing speed from the safety position and enjoys making tackles. During his junior season, he racked up 123 total tackles and finished with four interceptions. He holds multiple Division I offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145962' first='Max' last='Stanard']</strong>, DB, 6'0”, 195, Manhattan, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanard is no stranger to hitting people either. The South Dakota State commit is a hard-nosed player with lightning quickness. This will be his third year as a starter for the Class 6A State Defending Champion Manhattan Indians. During his junior season, he finished with 92 total tackles and four interceptions. He had one pick-six and is a weapon as a return man on special teams. Prep Redzone has Stanard ranked as the No. 27 player in the Kansas class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145518' first='JC' last='Heim']</strong>, OLB, 6'3”, 218, Washburn Rural, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly recruited linebacker from Washburn Rural, [player_tooltip player_id='145518' first='JC' last='Heim'] is another player who traveled the camp circuit this past spring and summer. He is a gifted linebacker and a super smart ball player. He finished his junior campaign with 73 total tackles and five quarterback sacks. He has a nose for the football forcing five fumbles and recovering three as a junior. Heim is ranked No. 30 by Prep Redzone in the class of 2024 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145964' first='Jude' last='Konrade']</strong>, LB, 6'1”, 200, Hayden, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden's Konrade can really stick a ball carrier. During his junior season he made 170 total tackles, nine of those were tackles for loss.  He is electric off the blitz and can also play in coverage.  He is a smart defensive player who avoids dumb penalties. He had a busy summer and I saw him at one of Pittsburg State's camps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826366' first='Isaiah' last='Kincade'], </strong>DB, 6'0”, 190, Topeka High, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kincaide is very athletic and also plays running back. However, I think his best chance of playing college ball is on the defensive side and as a contributor on special teams. He has been timed with a 4.52-second forty and 4.44-second shuttle. He has solid closing speed as a free safety, but he can also man up and pressure a receiver at the line of scrimmage. He would be a good fit for an NAIA or JUCO program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kody Le</strong>, DL, 6'1”, 240, Emporia, '25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Le is a solid defensive lineman who I saw participate in multiple camps this past summer. He is strong enough to stop the run and quick enough to pressure the quarterback on passing downs.&nbsp; Le is just a junior so he still has plenty of time to refine his game and get bigger and stronger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->