2024 Recruiting Spotlight: MIAA Signees In Top 100
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I will admit it I am partial and biased about the level of football played in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The MIAA, in my opinion, is the toughest Division II football conference top to bottom year in and year…
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Continue ReadingI will admit it I am partial and biased about the level of football played in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The MIAA, in my opinion, is the toughest Division II football conference top to bottom year in and year out.
And yes, I graduated from Pittsburg State and Emporia State Universities. As a sports writer, I covered the MIAA off and on for six-plus years at multiple newspapers. So I still get very excited when I see Kansas athletes sign to play for the Gorillas, Hornets, Washburn Ichabods, and the Fort Hays State Tigers.
I also get frustrated, but also very proud, when I see Kansas athletes cross state lines to play in Nebraska, Missouri, or Oklahoma. Several players in the past couple of days and weeks have announced their commitment to MIAA football programs.
Here is a quick recruiting update on Sunflower State Athletes ranked in the Top 100 of Prep Redzone Kansas Rankings who have committed to play for MIAA schools.
This is the second edition of “Recruiting Spotlight” since the updated 2024 rankings were released on January 3. There will be more updates to come including more athletes who have signed with MIAA teams.
Ray Smith III Ray Smith III 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Olathe East | 2024 State KS , LB, 6’2”, 220, Olathe East (Northwest Missouri)
Smith is currently ranked No. 41 overall and has committed to play for Northwest Missouri. The Bearcats are getting a tough-nosed linebacker who knows how to finish off tackles.
Jayce Glasper Jayce Glasper 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Wichita NW | 2024 State KS , QB, 6’2”, 185, Wichita Northwest (Missouri Western)
Glasper is currently ranked No. 42 overall and has committed to play for Missouri Western. The Griffons are getting a well-coached athlete who could play quarterback or move to tight end.
JC Heim JC Heim 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Washburn Rural | 2024 State KS , LB, 6’3”, 225, Washburn Rural (Washburn)
Heim is ranked No. 44 overall and will be staying in Topeka after signing with Washburn. The Ichabods are getting a quick, hard-hitting option for their linebacking corps.
Jaren Heim Jaren Heim 6'2" | 215 lbs | DB Washburn Rural | 2024 State KS , DB, 6’2”, 215, Washburn Rural (Washburn)
JC’s brother Jaren will be joining him on the Ichabod roster. Jaren will mostly likely play in the defensive backfield, but could possibly make a move to linebacker. Heim is currently ranked No. 45.
Roman Hauser Roman Hauser 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Norton Community | 2024 State KS , TE, 6’4”, 230, Norton (Nebraska Kearney)
Hauser is currently ranked No. 48 and has committed to play for Nebraska Kearney. The Lopers are getting one of the top Kansas tight ends from the Class of 2024.
Kason Messenger Kason Messenger 6'1" | 220 lbs | ATH Cheney | 2024 State KS , DL, 6’4”, 285, Cheney (Missouri Southern)
Messenger is an athletic defensive end who parlayed a strong spring combine showing last year into multiple offers. He has committed to play for the Missouri Southern Lions.
Brayden Kunz Brayden Kunz 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Conway Springs | 2024 State KS , ATH, 6’2”, 205, Conway Springs (Northwest Missouri)
Kunz is one of the most dynamic athletes in the Kansas Class of 2024. He is coming off back-to-back season rushing for more than 2,000 yards. He will hope to compete for playing time in the Bearcat backfield right away.
Sage Huffman Sage Huffman 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Blue Valley West | 2024 State KS , RB, 5’9”, 185, Blue Valley West (Emporia State)
Huffman recently committed to play for Garen Higgins’ Hornets program. He is ranked No. 69 overall and hopes his athleticism will be featured at Welch Stadium for years to come.
Kaiden Seamster Kaiden Seamster 6'3" | 205 lbs | ATH Chanute | 2024 State KS , ATH, 6’3”, 205, Chanute (Washburn)
Craig Schurig’s coaching staff is stocking up on home-grown Kansas talent. Chanute’s Seamster I ranked No. 70 overall and is an explosive athlete whose position and role on the team are to be determined.
Weston Langvardt Weston Langvardt 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Chapman | 2024 State KS , OL, 6’4”, 280, Chapman (Missouri Western)
The Chapman offensive lineman has committed to Missouri Western. He is currently ranked No. 76. He could play guard or tackle for the Griffons depending on how the roster shakes out over the next four years.
Augustus Thuston Augustus Thuston 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Chanute | 2024 State KS , OL, 6’5”, 285, Chanute (Washburn)
Thuston is currently ranked No. 82 overall. He has signed to play with the Washburn Ichabods. Chapman may get a chance to block for teammate Seamster on Saturdays.
Isaiah Holthaus Isaiah Holthaus 6'3" | 195 lbs | ATH Tonganoxie | 2024 State KS , ATH, 6’3”, 195, Tonganoxie (Fort Hays State)
This is a huge get for the Tigers. Chris Brown’s staff somehow poached one of the best wideouts on from the eastern half of Kansas. Holthaus is an excellent route runner with nice hands.