2025 Grinders Getting Ready to Shine

In a football context being a "Grinder" is a good thing. The usual connotations are positive: things like work ethic, consistency, perseverance, leadership, teamwork...the list goes on.   And, in some instances it is the deciding factor in whether a standout athlete is able to take the next step and play at the collegiate level.   With the sand in the hourglass continuing to flow ever faster, these are the special breed of performer gearing up for their last opportunity to play at the highest level possible in the all-important senior year of football. These guys are not taking anything for granted, they are staying focused on putting in the work, stiff-arming all the distractions and getting down to business.   In my recent film study there were a few of these guys that really stood out. Listed below are five Grinders shifting into overdrive and coming down the home stretch to the 2024 season.   The Five:   [player_tooltip player_id='351575' first='Amare' last='Williams'], 5'9, 175, RB, Shawnee Mission Northwest, is ranked #197. He is coming off a solid junior season when he gave Northwest fans and rival defensive coordinators a good idea what to expect in 2024. An athletic running back who largely operates as a single back in the NW offense, he sees the field well and patiently sizes up options before hitting the gaps. He is not blazing fast, but uses his speed effectively and can accelerate in a hurry. It is usually one decisive cut and then turn on the jets to hit the perimeter or take it up the middle. He is also effective catching the ball out of the backfield and can turn a swing pass into a big play in the blink of an eye. He has a low center of gravity and is difficult to tackle one-on-one. He is getting ready to shine in '24.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115476' first='Kaleb' last='Dewey'], 5'11, 205, LB/DB, Gardner-Edgerton, is ranked #264. As the leading tackler on the state champions this past season, there is on-going pressure to succeed and he is ready for the encore in 2024. A bone-jarring tackler from the linebacker position, he can also play a hybrid strong safety, play free over the top, as well as crash the gates from the edge. He has great football instincts and his lightening-quick read and react skills enable him to stack up plays in a hurry. He has a quick first step and his closing speed is impressive. He is a disruptive force blowing up gaps and playing with physicality. He also has an intense motor and plays with linebacker swagger, ripping the ball out and delivering big-time hits when his team needed it. Get out and see this kid and his encore in '24.   [player_tooltip player_id='141077' first='Clayton' last='Sondgeroth'], 5'10, 175, ATH, Mill Valley, (pictured above) is ranked #280. A highlight-reel ready to happen at any time, he is coming off a dynamic junior season in helping Mill Valley win another state championship. A versatile performer who can play lock-down corner or as a ball-hawk free safety, he can also play wide receiver and is especially dangerous as a return man. He is a very elusive runner who took punts and kickoffs to the house last year. He is one of those old-school players who one minute runs a kick back, the next he downs a punt on the one-yard line and then is a torpedo destroying the other team's kickoff return. As a defender he is an excellent open-field tackler and has standout closing speed. Get your popcorn ready, this guy is for real.   [player_tooltip player_id='442623' first='Thomas' last='Osborne'], 5'11, 210, LB/RB, Topeka Seaman, is ranked #294. He is coming off a solid junior season when he stacked up 60 tackles, with three tackles for loss and an interception. A jack-of-all trades on defense, he can play linebacker, strong safety or come off the edge, as well as play in the backfield on offense. He really shines as an instinctive linebacker who diagnoses plays quickly and packs a punch on contact. He is a hammer inside the tackles and an aggressive missile coming off the edge. His mechanics are good, excellent knee bend, fluid hips and impressive lateral quickness. In coverage he reads schemes and plays quickly and can play man or effectively swarm the zone as needed. Looking like another stud out of Seaman.   [player_tooltip player_id='911401' first='Merak' last='Greinert'], 6'3, 200, QB/FS, Olathe Northwest, is ranked #281. An athletic dual-threat quarterback and free safety, he is coming off a good junior campaign that showed a sign of things to come. As a passer, he stands tall in the pocket and delivers a very catchable ball. He has excellent throwing mechanics, with a tight shoulder rotation, quick release and follow through. He has a strong enough arm and throws well on the rollout either way. As a runner he offers a dynamic dimension as he is not only a deceptively fast playmaker, but one who plays with the physicality to get the extra yard. On the defensive side of the ball he is a rugged open-field tackler and plays an uber-aggressive game. He demonstrates a competitive approach in his play and is one of those guys who wills his team to win. Get out and see him play in 2024.   In conclusion, you will be hearing more and more about these guys as we accelerate toward the 2024 season. And, as always, if you have questions, comments or know of other deserving players that aren't getting any/not enough coverage, feel free to contact me via DM on X.

In a football context being a "Grinder" is a good thing. The usual connotations are positive: things like work ethic, consistency, perseverance, leadership, teamwork...the list goes on.