Eight Ranked Players Headed To NAIA Programs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone is getting closer to featuring all of the ranked athletes in Kansas who have to this point committed to playing college football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at ranked players from Kansas who have signed with NAIA programs MidAmerica Nazarene and Southwestern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopefully, each of the ranked athletes in the Kansas Class of 2024 will have had their “one shining moment” in a report announcing their colleges of choice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beginning next week Prep Dig will begin featuring unranked players in Kansas who have signed to play college football and will begin the process of adding more players to the 330 players already ranked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146116' first='Mason' last='Hopper'],</strong> LB, 5'11”, 215, Derby (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopper a physical linebacker from Derby won't have far to travel to play in Winfield. The Moundbuilders are adding a strong athlete with quality speed. Hopper is ranked No. 188 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='544698' first='Hayden' last='Puryear']</strong>, DL, 6'1”, 220, Junction City (MidAmerica Nazarene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Puryear is a gifted run-stopper who I saw play last fall. He has a solid first punch and gets off the ball quickly. He is ranked No. 203 among his Kansas peers. He will continue to get stronger for the Pioneers and MNU can be guaranteed they are getting a well-taught and disciplined player from a solid Junction City program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115640' first='Zetan' last='Vink'],</strong> QB, 5'10”, 185, Ottawa (MidAmerica Nazarene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vink is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat teams with his arms or legs. He is also versatile enough that he could change positions during his college career. The Ottawa senior is ranked No. 216 overall in the Class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103635' first='Scotty' last='Cary']</strong>, DL, 6'3”, 230, Junction City (MidAmerica Nazarene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paul Hansen's Pioneer staff are not adding just one defensive lineman from Junction City, but two. Cary is an underrecruited lineman who can take over the line of scrimmage and is quick enough to be disruptive in the backfield. Cary is currently ranked No. 238 in Prep Redzone Kansas rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115646' first='Elijah' last='McFadden']</strong>, LB, 6'1”, 180, Manhattan (MidAmerica Nazarene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneer coaching staff must have spent a lot of time traveling west on I-70. MidAmerica Nazarene added a third piece to its future defense this one off the Manhattan Indians' roster. McFadden is a tackling machine, who can fight off blockers, or run down ball carriers. Prep Redzone Kansas has McFadden ranked in the No. 247 slot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1107718' first='Zander' last='Haslett'],</strong> TE, 5'11”, 200, Hillsboro (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haslett is on the short side for a tight end, but he runs solid routes and is not afraid to go over the middle of the field. He could also play defensive end or linebacker for the Moundbuilders.&nbsp; The Hillsboro Trojan athlete is ranked No. 282.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112062' first='Bobby' last='Tadele']</strong>, LB, 6'0”, 195, De Soto (MidAmerica Nazarene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tadele is a super quick linebacker who hits hard. He will compete for time on special team units right away and could have a legitimate chance at being a four-year starter in Olathe. The De Soto Wildcat linebacker is ranked No. 318 in the Kansas Class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115642' first='Aiden' last='Hefley'],</strong> LB, 5'10”, 180, Wamego (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hefley is an unselfish player who has learned how to win games at Wamego. The Moundbuilders are adding solid depth to their defensive unit. I would not be surprised if Brad Griffin's staff doesn't raid Wamego for another uncommitted linebacker or two. Hefley is ranked No. 319 among his Kansas peers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->