2025 Summer Standout Defenders

Kicking off the summer months prior to practice starting, I wanted to shine the spotlight on five standout players to help jump start their summer prep. This time of year may be the "off-season" but it is hardly that with a daily/weekly combination of mental and physical training, practice, 7v7, camps, clinics, consulting, etc, etc. eating up most of the available time.   The key is to structure and time it all so you roll into August in the best shape of your life and not burn out from too much ill-advised prep work.   In this article we will be focusing primarily on linebackers and running backs, with most of the emphasis on headhunting linebackers who are the heart and soul of their respective defensive units. I added a couple of players who are also dominate on the offensive side of the ball for a little positional variety.   The following five standout players from the class of 2025 caught my eye on the latest round of camp and tape review. So, without further adieu, I bring you, the "Mid-Week Five":     [player_tooltip player_id='1115458' first='Lafayette' last='Thompson'], 5'8, 160, RB, Washburn Rural, is ranked #65. He is coming off a standout junior season as a shifty scatback of a runner who is a threat to take it all the way. He has continued to build on that in the off season and has been awarded three straight RB MVP's at camps, including most recently at @6starfootballKS camp where he ripped off a 4.4 laser forty. He typically lines up as the sole running back and taking the handoff he has great vision looking for any microscopic hole he can hit and accelerate through. He is more rugged than his size would indicate, shredding arm tackles and delivering high-impact lead blocks when not carrying the ball. He also catches the ball well out of the backfield where he uses his blazing speed to instantly create separation. Get your popcorn out for this kid he is the real deal.   [player_tooltip player_id='390291' first='Colter' last='Oldham'], 6'1, 220, LB/FB, Lakin HS, is ranked #116. He is coming off an excellent junior season as a dominating two-way player. On offense he is a piledriving fullback/running back who is noticeably elusive with nimble feet and on defense is a rock-solid linebacker who arrives in a hurry and delivers a blow. On offense a year ago he piled up 1,050 yards rushing with 14 TD's. Running the ball, he plows over and through defenders and is usually not dragged down by one person. Where he really shines, however is as a master-blaster linebacker who shuts down the running game between the tackles. A year ago he was in on 81 tackles and added an interception. He has outstanding football instincts and when he reads and reacts to the play looks like he is shot out of a cannon flying through the line gaps. Get out and see a stud in the making this fall.   Larkin Turner, 6'0, 205, LB, Junction City, is currently unranked. He is coming off a solid junior season when he put the rest of the league on notice that he was here to play the game at an elite level. This past spring he has been active and his skill sets and athletic ability are starting to generate interest from numerous scouts. Although he can play any of the linebacker positions he really shines as an outside linebacker who storms the gates coming off the edge or collapsing down to stop the run inside. He has a strong base with heavy hands that he uses to jack offensive linemen in the jaw and work laterally through traffic to get to the ball. He has a high football IQ and when he reads the play shows excellent closing speed and is a hammer on impact. Get out and see a kid coming into his own this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115474' first='Owen' last='Barth'], 6'0, 205, LB/FB, Shawnee Mission NW, is ranked #276. He is coming off a good junior season and has been hard at it in the offseason taking his game to the next level as the LB MVP at the recent @6starfootballKS camp. A tough-as-nails, two-way player, he is a strong running back with good burst and acceleration slicing through the hole and pounding defenders on contact. He is a bulldozer of a blocker and is particularly adept at blocking in space. As a receiver out of the backfield he has soft hands and catches the ball well. On defense he excels as a slobber-knocker linebacker who shuts down the running game on the perimeter and will fight through defenders and traffic to track down the ball carrier. He has a powerful frame and quick feet and is athletic and instinctive enough to always seem to be around the football. Get out and see a guy who is ranked too low make some noise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='281972' first='Brandon' last='Schmelzle'], 6'2, 195, ATH, Axtell HS, is ranked #25. And, last, but certainly not least, we have arguably one of the best athletes in the state. He is coming off three years of elite play on the football field as well as being a four-sport superstar in the making. Most recently he won first in state in the long jump with a leap of just under 22 feet. He has been and will continue to be busy this summer in the camp-clinic circuit. As a superb athlete he can essentially play anywhere on the field, but on offense you want the ball in his hands as last year he loaded up an eye-popping 50 touchdowns running and passing. He has excellent size, speed, explosiveness and is a deceptively shifty runner, with a good arm. On defense he is a high-flying safety and a human vacuum cleaner in pass defense. Last year alone he picked off nine passes. Get out and see one of the best in the state this fall. You will be watching him star on Saturdays very soon. Let's hope it is in-state...     In conclusion, get out and see these guys while you still can. And, as always, if you know of anyone flying under the radar that deserves a look, feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

Kicking off the summer months prior to practice starting, I wanted to shine the spotlight on five standout players to help jump start their summer prep. This time of year may be the "off-season" but it is hardly that with a daily/weekly combination of mental and physical training, practice, 7v7, camps, clinics, consulting, etc, etc. eating up most of the available time.