Shawnee Heights Prospects Impressive At Day 5 Practice

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today was day five of the Kansas high school football season and practice is looking more like football and more than just agility work and drills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On my final stop at football practices for the week I watched several prospects from Shawnee Heights compete in a physical practice with at least one bone-rattling, snot-bubbling hit, that had the team and coaches going nuts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five Thunderbird prospects from the class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545648' first='Allen' last='Baughman'], </strong>RB, 5'8”, 185</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baughman is a hard-running running back who ran for 1,496 yards and 20 touchdowns during his junior season. He is a difficult back to tackle and his skills project well with multiple offensive systems. He can really hit the holes created by his lineman and is patient enough to wait for them to open up. He has solid lateral movement, but his north/south running ability is what makes him special. Baughman has been talking with multiple college coaches in the DI, DII, and NAIA ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rykan Carver</strong>, OL/DL, 6'1”, 280</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carver played tackle for Shawnee Heights last season, but he could also transition to guard. He is quick and has a low center of gravity. Run blocking is his strength. He gets to the second level really well and blocks in open space while on the kickoff return team. He would be an asset on screenplays as a lead blocker. Carver also plays nose tackle on the defensive side of the ball, he has one offer from an in-state NAIA program. He looked really good in drills fighting off double teams and is hard to move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex Dittman</strong>, LB, 6'1”, 215</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dittman can play outside or middle linebacker. His quickness is what sets him apart on the field. He can really get to the quarterback with or without the benefit of a blitz call. He knows how to wrap up and finish tackles. He is long, strong, and likes to hit people. He currently does not have any offers but is open to playing at any level, which is an attitude I appreciate. He also has an extensive HUDL highlight package.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Malcom</strong>, WR/P, 6'1”, 195</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really like Malcom's game.  He made the most impressive hit during practice (See the above description). He lowered his shoulder and delivered the first blow as a ball carrier in a 2-on-1 drill. He absolutely railroaded the opposing tackler. He might never be the number one target on a college offense, but he is never going to hurt a team or buckle under pressure either. He has nice hands, is not afraid to run routes across the middle of the field, and can block when called upon. He is really tough and could play fullback, slot, tight end, and just about every position on the offense except quarterback and tackle. He just comes off as a great team player you want to build a program around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jon Scott</strong>, LB, 6'1”, 190</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott does not have much of a HUDL package so coaches will have to go watch him, get him to attend a camp, or he needs to upgrade his highlight reel. He is fast and wraps up tacklers. He looked good in 1-on-1 drills. He has a chiseled frame and you can tell he is not afraid of the weight room. He seemed very engaged during practice and quite coachable. His ceiling might be NAIA or JUCO ball and he is looking for his first offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->