Camp Standouts: More 2025 “Junior Day” Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, I featured five athletes from the class of 2025 who were among the 70-plus prospects who participated in the Junior Day Combine at Shawnee Heights High School on May 7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a second look at seven more prospects from the class of 2025 and the numbers they posted at the combine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442625' first='Jayden' last='Norman']</strong>, DL, 6'1”, 215, Topeka High, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norman is currently ranked No. 155 overall by Prep Redzone. He posted solid numbers across the board. His vertical jump was recorded at 34.6 inches and his broad jump was 113 inches. In the speed drills, he ran a 4.85 second forty and a 4.58 second Pro Agility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115458' first='Lafayette' last='Thompson']</strong>, ATH, 5'7”, 150, Washburn Rural, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson is a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions. Athleticism is the key word when describing his talent, as he tested exceptionally well at Shawnee Heights. He posted the top numbers in the vertical jump (41.2 inches) and broad jump (114 inches). He was clocked in the forty at 4.51 seconds and the Pro Agility at 4.39 seconds. Thompson is currently ranked No. 66 overall among his 2025 Kansas peers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570289' first='Detrick' last='Johnson']</strong>, DL, 6'1”, 215, Topeka High, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is an edge rusher who can play on the line or as a linebacker. The Topeka High prospect benched 185 lbs. 13 times and jumped 108.5 inches in the broad jump. He also showed off his speed at the event. He posted times of 4.78 seconds in the forty and 4.37 in the Pro Agility. Johnson is currently ranked No. 163 overall in the class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228516' first='Broderick' last='Desch']</strong>, RB, 5'9”, 175, Hayden, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Desch is a running back who can also play defensive end for the Wildcats. He has a nice combination of size and speed which he demonstrated at the combine. He was clocked in the “Forty” at 4.9 seconds and posted a 4.65-second run in the Pro Agility. He also bench-pressed 185 lbs. 10 times. Desch was a new addition to the rankings last month and is currently ranked in the No. 370 slot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Baron Blakenship,</strong> LB, 6'1”, 220, Washburn Rural, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blakenship showed off his strength at the combine. He bench pressed 185 lbs. 18 times and was clocked in the Pro Agility at 4.80 seconds. Heading into his senior season Blakenship can play linebacker or on the defensive line. He will be expected to be a key cog in the Junior Blue defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273525' first='Robert' last='Griffith Jr.']</strong>, OL, 6'0”, 275, Royal Valley, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffith was one of multiple offensive line prospects at the camp. The Royal Valley was near the top of the leader board completing 18 reps benching 185 lbs. His forty time was 6.27 seconds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1273534' first='Billy' last='Lanich']</strong>, OL, 5'11”, 185, Cair Paravel, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lanich plays eight-man football for Cair Paravel. He can play on the offensive and defensive lines and proved he has the speed to play linebacker. His times in the forty and Pro Agility were 5.20 and 4.79 respectively. He completed 15 reps in the bench press which was impressive since that's his weight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->