Seniors Ready for the Spotlight: Part III

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football season officially kicked off this week in Kansas, as teams across the state have held their first few practices of the 2023 campaign. It's safe to say players were eager to hit the field, especially knowing that Week 1 is now just a few weeks away. With the season now here, we'll be concluding our preseason coverage for the Class of '24 with Part III of <em>Seniors Ready for the Spotlight</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This last group in the series emerged as contributors in 2022, but during the '23 campaign, they're poised to be key leaders for their respective programs. Each of them are capable of being <em>All-League</em> selections this season, and there's a chance they even earn <em>All-State</em> honors. Be sure to remember this group of five during all the action this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Talan Browne","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Thomas Aquinas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe tight end group for the Class of '24 continues to make a strong impression on our staff. We've spoken about this particular group multiple times during the off-season, and for good reason too. It's been a position we've consistently discovered talent at during the off-season, and even now ahead of Week 1. Meet 6-foot-4, 230-pound, u003ca href=u0022https://x.com/brownetalan?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003eTalan Browneu003c/au003e, the latest tight end to catch our eye. The St. Thomas Aquinas product was primarily used as a blocker in the Saints' run-heavy offense during the '22 campaign. But, when Aquinas did go to the air, Browne proved to be their top pass-catching tight end. He's an aggressive blocker, and he does a great job of executing his assignment in the play-action game. Browne has the skillset to blossom into a solid tight end at the collegiate level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1112073' first='Lamar' last='Lynch']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Bishop Miege","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAnother private school prospect folks should look out for is u003ca href=u0022https://x.com/lamarlynchjr07?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='1112073' first='Lamar' last='Lynch']u003c/au003e of Bishop Miege. He transferred to the Stags' program this past spring after having a standout junior season at Piper High School. It didn't take long for him to make his presence felt at Miege, as he ended his junior year winning the u003cemu003eClass 4A State Championshipu003c/emu003e in the 200-meter dash. Not only does he possess elite speed, but he's also a very versatile prospect. While at Piper, Lynch was moved around on defense to create mis-matches, which led to him racking up 34 total tackles and six sacks during the '22 campaign. In addition to his play on defense, Lynch proved to be a deep threat at receiver as well, averaging over 18 yards per catch. He's a player the Stags' coaching staff will be able to plug-in virtually anywhere on the field.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1105455' first='Micah' last='Johnson']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Goddard","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIn Part II of this series, we mentioned that while this senior class does boast some high-profile names at running back, there's still quite a few under the radar prospects that recruiters should be aware of. Last time we highlighted Tyrone Butler, and this time we'll be taking a look at u003ca href=u0022https://x.com/micah_johnson8?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='1105455' first='Micah' last='Johnson']u003c/au003e of Goddard. Much like [player_tooltip player_id='1112073' first='Lamar' last='Lynch'], Johnson also possesses sprinter speed. Not only did he showcase his wheels on the gridiron last fall, but they were on full display during track season as well. Johnson finished 3u003csupu003erdu003c/supu003e in the 100-meter dash at the 5A state track meet, and he also qualified for state in the 200-meter dash and the 4x1 relay. He ended the '22 campaign just shy of 950 yards rushing, but don't be surprised to see him rush for well over 1,000 this season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Kole Manley","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Eudora","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIn a flexbone style offense, having a quarterback that can command the rest of the unit is imperative for a successful season. This type of offense needs a signal caller that can be decisive and on time. u003ca href=u0022https://x.com/kolemanley?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003eKole Manleyu003c/au003e of Eudora displayed both of these qualities in 2022, which led to a drastic improvement offensively for the Cardinals. Manley helped lead Eudora to an 8-2 record in his first season starting, and their offense averaged an impressive 42 points per game. He was responsible for over 1,200 yards of total offense and 20 total touchdowns as a junior. He's an underrated dual-threat that can make defenses pay if they don't respect Eudora's passing game. His role is likely to expand with Eudora replacing their leading rusher from last season, so look for him to eclipse his numbers from his junior year.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1181637' first='Jack' last='Harvey']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Baldwin","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe last prospect featured in this three-part series is one that isn't well known as of right now, but that is sure to change by the end of the '23 campaign. Be sure to remember u003ca href=u0022https://x.com/jackharvs12?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='1181637' first='Jack' last='Harvey']u003c/au003e of Baldwin. He possesses all the necessary intangibles to be one of the top two-way prospects in Class 3A this season. Harvey's built like a D-I athlete, standing at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. He's a beast in the weight room, and he has the quickness to match his physicality. Baldwin likes to utilize these two attributes by lining him up under center, ensuring that the ball is constantly in his hands. On the defensive side, Baldwin's staff has Harvey lined up at safety, but his play style fits the mold of an inside backer. It'll be interesting to see which position he gets recruited at, but one thing's for sure, he's going to be an exciting player to watch during the '23 campaign.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dce49e4ad88"} /-->