The Trenches: Offensive Lineman Joining NAIA Programs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Kansas continues to feature Kansas athletes who have signed with college football programs, but who are not among our currently 330 players ranked in the Class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a sixth report on soon-to-be ranked talent.  This report shows some love for 14 big men who have committed to play for NAIA programs in Kansas. During the record-keeping process, they all were listed as offensive linemen, but a couple of them have been recruited to play on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182649' first='Hunter' last='Anderson'],</strong> OL, 6'3”, 250, Chanute (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson was a key cog in Chanute's successful 2023-2024 season. He can long snap and is one of four offensive linemen in this group heading to Winfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182650' first='Aden' last='Armstrong'],</strong> OL, 6'2”, 220, Halstead (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Armstrong is an athletic lineman who might well end up on the defensive side of the ball for the Moundbuilders. He could also be a dangerous pooling guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182651' first='Nathan' last='Davis Jr.'],</strong> OL, 5'11”, 260, Wichita Northwest (Benedictine)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis is a thick run-blocker who is very strong. He had multiple offers from in-state and out-of-state programs but ended up choosing Benedictine to be his future football home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182652' first='Sam' last='Hampton'],</strong> OL, 5'11”, 240, Bishop Carroll (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hampton is another gifted player who could play on either side of the football. Southwestern has him listed as a defensive lineman. He is quick and can create space between him and potential blockers or defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182653' first='Carter' last='Gilmore'],</strong> OL, 5'10”, 220, Atchison (Kansas Wesleyan)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilmore led a resurgent offense in Atchison. He can be a pulling guard and just bull over defenders. He is headed to Salina to play for Kansas Wesleyan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182654' first='Justin' last='Kililikan'],</strong> OL, 5'11”, 230, St. James Academy (Baker)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kililikan is joining the offensive line at Baker. Baker runs a fast-paced open offense that needs linemen who can block in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182655' first='Rylan' last='Lee'],</strong> OL, 6'3”, 295, Olathe East (Bethany)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee projects to play tackle for the Bethany Swedes. He has solid footwork for a big man and should get a chance to be a three or four-year starter in Lindsborg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182656' first='Ryan' last='Mcreath'],</strong> OL, 6'0”, 235, Junction City (MidAmerica Nazarene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junction City always produces linemen with solid work ethics and strong fundamentals. Mcreath is one of those bright talents and he will head to Olathe to play for the Pioneers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182657' first='Andrew' last='Moreno'],</strong> OL, 5'10”, 250, Garden City (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moreno is a bowling ball that just knocks down pin after pin. Run-blocking his is specialty and he will add depth to the Moundbuilders' trenches. Winfield could very well be an awesome place to watch practice next fall to watch this group of big men work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182658' first='Nolan' last='Norberto'],</strong> OL, 6'0”, 225, Leavenworth (St. Mary's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter Coronel's offensive line at the University of St. Mary's is adding a quick and strong homegrown talent. He projects as a guard and is the ideal agile lineman for the Spires RPO-dominated offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182661' first='Norelvis' last='Rojas']</strong>, OL, 5'9” 220, Ulysses (Bethany)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rojas plays with a low center of gravity and legs that don't stop churning. The Ulysses product is one of two Tiger prospects heading to Bethany to join head coach Michael Grossner's resurgent program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182662' first='Gavin' last='Runyon'],</strong> OL, 6'0”, 295, Abilene (Ottawa)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Runyon could be the center of the future for the Ottawa Braves. He could also move to guard if needed. The Abilene Cowboy has a perfect football frame and solid leadership skills. I would not be surprised to see him redshirt one year and then up a four-year starter in Otter Nation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182663' first='Karson' last='Warner'],</strong> OL, 5'8” 230, Ulysses (Bethany)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warner could play tackle or guard, but I see him and Rojas as being book-end guards for years to come. The two of them will test each other and support each other in their college endeavors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182664' first='De'Andre' last='Wilson'],</strong> OL, 6'2”, 285, Shawnee Mission North (MidAmerica Nazarene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson is a Bison prospect who will be reading to butt heads against Pioneer upperclassmen next fall. Wilson is a compact guard will quick hands and feet. He won't have to travel far to play for MidAmerica Nazarene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->