Five From 2024 Headed to Wichita-Area Colleges

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is that time of year when commitments are being made and plans fine-tuned to ramp up and get ready to play at the collegiate level. In this report we will highlight five players who have committed to top-end programs in Kansas and touch on why they were able to take the next step in their football journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will be a number of reports coming out to cover all of the athletes from Kansas high schools headed to small college and junior college programs. In this report we will feature athletes headed to <strong><em>Southwestern College</em></strong> in Winfield and <strong><em>Emporia State University</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the players getting ready to take the next step:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southwestern</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182652' first='Sam' last='Hampton']</strong>, 5'11, 240, DT/OL, Bishop Carroll, ranked #385. Coming off an excellent senior season, he will fit right in as a part of the Moundbuilder wrecking crew on defense. A quick, active force along the line of scrimmage, he fires off low and hard and with his strong hands and good feet routinely destroys double teams. He has good read and react skills and flies to the ball. He has a strong base and is deceptively fast, particularly moving laterally. His game should translate well at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182650' first='Aden' last='Armstrong']</strong>, 6'2, 225, DE/OL, Halstead, ranked #383. A potential diamond in the rough for Southwestern as he brings a long, rangy, hard-hitting game to the next level of competition. An athletic performer up and down the line of scrimmage, he can line up tight and stuff gaps or come off the edge to disrupt plays in the backfield. He uses his leverage well and has good hands, not letting the blocker get under his pads. With his size and skills he should be a good fit for the Moundbuilders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1180644' first='Brady' last='Hill']</strong>, 6'2, 165, WR/DB, Halstead, ranked #265. He is a versatile all-around athlete who will be able to help the Builders in any number of ways. He is coming off an excellent senior season when he was an all-conference linebacker, but he is also a top-notch receiver who can work wide or in the slot, as well as operate as a speedy return man. He will probably end up playing defensive back or receiver at Southwestern but with his excellent length and versatile skill sets he could help in any number of ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Schaefer</strong>, 6'0, 240, K, Augusta, ranked #367. He is coming off a solid senior year where he made 100% of his field goals and was 22 out of 25 on extra point attempts. He has a cannon for a leg and routinely drove the ball through the end zone on kickoffs. He also has demonstrated kicking finesse, expertly dropping in "pooch" kicks as needed. And, he is not afraid to lower the boom on kickoff return men who try to get past him. He will be a good addition to the SC special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emporia State:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1180344' first='Bobby' last='Trujillo']</strong>, 6'0, 215, RB/LB, Emporia, ranked #209. A versatile all-around playmaker who can run the football on offense as well as play linebacker or defensive end on defense. He has a solid frame with a powerful base and plays an ultra-aggressive game. He lines up all over and is particularly effective on the edge where he gets off the ball quick and into the backfield in a hurry. He is also comfortable shifting inside to play middle linebacker and plug the gaps as needed. He is a good read and react player who has a nose for the football and should be a good for Emporia State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, all five are bringing the talent and drive needed to take their game to the next level. Definitely put them on your list of local players to get out and see perform in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->