Around the Metro: Members of the No Fly Zone

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part II in the <em>‘Around the Metro'</em> series will be turning its attention to the sky so to speak. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive advancements in the modern game are a thing of beauty to see. Passing games have become more unique, and pass-catchers have become more diverse. Especially within the Kansas City metro. This has presented a major challenge for prospects in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, much like offensive skill players, defensive backs are also developing at an accelerated rate in the KC metro. Some of the top DB's in the state hail from this area, and there are plenty more ready to be noticed. Here are six to keep an eye on throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1312857"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66aadf7a8b8d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Starting us off first in Part II was a recent addition to the Class of ‘25 Rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='1312857' first='Makhi' last='Butler'] of Lansing is a very underrated corner in this senior class. During the ‘23 campaign he earned an <em>All-League Honorable Mention</em> nod after racking up 39 total tackles, three interceptions, and 12 pass break ups. Butler is an athletic bump-and-run corner that excels at high pointing the ball, and displays soft hands. He holds one offer from <em>Kentucky State University</em>, but could draw more interest with another strong season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1308345"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66aadf7a8b937"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawrence Free State fielded one of the top defensive units in the state last year, holding opponents to under 19 points per game. They return some notable players this season, and one that shouldn't be overlooked is [player_tooltip player_id='1308345' first='Noah' last='Rupp']. Despite his slender frame, Rupp is without a doubt a run-stuffing safety. His ability to quickly run the alley allows him to blowup outside zone plays and screens. In addition to this, his lengthy arms not only aid him in coverage, but they also help force fumbles. Rupp looks to be a key defender for the Firebirds this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311523"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66aadf7a8b979"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is much to like about this next prospect. [player_tooltip player_id='1311523' first='Lawson' last='McGraw'] has the frame of a prototypical hybrid safety. Standing at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, McGraw has the ability to play in the secondary as well as in the box at linebacker. He earned playing time as a sophomore in the always competitive <em>Eastern Kansas League</em>, and had some success along the way. McGraw carried that momentum into this year and has put together strong showings at multiple camps over the summer. He has the potential to be an exciting defender over the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1260097"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66aadf7a8b9b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1260097' first='DyVair' last='McCray'] has all the tools necessary to become an impact player for the Leavenworth Pioneers. He's a gifted athlete that possesses the speed and agility to stick with just about any pass-catcher, and doesn't shy away from helping defend the run. He could improve at taking better angles of pursuit and being more fluid in coverage, but there's plenty of time in his career to correct that. Given his dynamic play style, look for Leavenworth to use the junior in a variety of ways during the ‘24 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1357083' first='Adam' last='Olson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Shawnee Mission South","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66aadf7a8ba6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1357083' first='Adam' last='Olson'] of Shawnee Mission South is one of two unranked prospects in this report eying a spot in the rankings. Olson was one of a few sophomores to earn a starting role in the <em>Sunflower League</em> last season, and he quietly put together a solid year. Despite some struggles, Olson received <em>All-League </em>honors, as he accumulated 78 total tackles and six pass breakups. With a year of experience under his belt, look for his game to elevate as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1357088' first='Milo' last='Burton']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Olathe East","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","fullHeight":true,"anchor":"acf-block-66aadf7a8baf0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding off this group of six is the other unranked defensive back that will be on our radar this season. Much like Olson, [player_tooltip player_id='1357088' first='Milo' last='Burton'] of Olathe East was also a first-year starter in the <em>Sunflower League</em> in 2023, and earned <em>All-League</em> honors as well. Burton's a safety that boasts an athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, and his baseball background makes it easy for him to track the ball in the air. The multi-sport prospect has a promising future on the diamond, but could also draw interest on the gridiron as he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->