Central Kansas Players Flying Under the Radar

With talent growing exponentially in Kansas and just a couple of us (myself and my mentor Jeremy Deckard @KSScoutDeck) trying to cover the entire state for PRZ, there are players who are going to be unfortunately overlooked. While it doesn't happen as much as it used to, it still happens and I know how frustrating and painful it is when you are good player who doesn't get any recognition.   In this report we will take a look at some of the Central Kansas region players who have been hitting it hard this offseason but haven't been getting the attention they deserve. Featured are a couple of quarterbacks as well as a handful of multi-positional players who are peaking at the right time for this fall.   So, without further adieu, I bring you, the Weekend Five:   [player_tooltip player_id='1213985' first='Kolton' last='Rohloff']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kolton-rohloff/"></a> , 6'0, 255, DT/G, Cheney. '25. He is coming off a banner season last year when he and his teammates finished 13-0 and won the state championship. A two-way starter since he was a sophomore he has also received all-state mention both years. He is a powerful force in the trenches, with a strong base and quick feet. He moves well along the line of scrimmage whether he is blocking on offense or shutting down the run game between the tackles on defense. A powerful interior lineman, he has solid mechanics in pass protection and blows up defenders on down blocks in the run game. With his agile feet and quick initial step, he expertly gains leverage before unleashing one of his piledriving blocks. He has been training hard in the offseason so he and his 'mates can take a stab at being back-to-back champs.   [player_tooltip player_id='780458' first='Conrad' last='Gomez']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/conrad-gomez/"></a> , 6'0, 170, QB, Junction City. '26. He is coming off a solid sophomore year and start to his high school career. A rising star dual-threat quarterback in the making, he is a dangerous runner who can also keep the defense honest with his arm. He has well-trained mechanics when setting up in the pocket and has a smooth delivery, but where he really shines is in throwing on the move. When the play breaks down or he is on the perimeter, the play is just getting started for him. When on the move, either left or right, he fires accurate strikes in the short-to-medium routes. He also has a strong enough arm to burn defensive backs down the seams and sidelines with the long ball. As a runner he is elusive, with quick feet and excellent burst. He is getting ready to go off in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='291673' first='William' last='Owens']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/william-owens/"></a> , 6'2, 230, TE/ATH, Wichita East. '26. He is coming off a good start to his high school career, when he played his sophomore season at Newton. He has since transferred to Wichita East as a two-way, multi-positional player, who can play all over the field but where he really shines is as a ball-buster of a defensive end. He has good size, with a strong, rugged base and heavy, weaponized hands. He comes off the edge shot out of cannon with great body lean to get in the backfield and cause disruption in a hurry. He is strong in stuffing the run game between the tackles, but also quick enough to chase down running backs on the perimeter. Get out and see a stud in the making rise to the occasion this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1333014' first='John' last='Lujan'], 5'10, 200, RB, Derby, '25. Coming off a solid junior season he has been somewhat overshadowed by some of his well-known teammates. However, he brings a dangerous dimension to the Derby attack with his electric feet, quickness and burst with the ball. Lining up in the slot, on the wing or in the backfield he has a low center of gravity with a powerful base that he uses effectively working through traffic and shredding arm tackles. He is used quite a bit as a pass receiver out of the backfield and moving around the formation. He has excellent hands and is fearless going for the ball on contested catches. He is also a stud on special teams as a highlight reel ready to happen on punts and kicks. This kid is getting ready to shine this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1333007' first='Jace' last='Jefferson'], 6'0, 180, Andover Central, '25. If there is a definition of a kid flying under the radar it is probably him. He is coming off an outstanding junior season when he completed 165 out of 295 passes for 2,214 and a 56% completion percentage. He also fired 24 touchdown passes for the year. Unfortunately, he has yet to be ranked which is an oversight on our part. He has excellent pocket mechanics, standing firm and not bouncing around behind the line of scrimmage. His mechanics are good, with a compact shoulder rotation and release. His ball placement is superb, whether it is on quick strike short-to-medium bullets in the flats or layering the ball over the middle. He throws an easy-to-catch long ball, hitting his receivers in stride. He also throws well on the run. He is getting ready to take his game to the next level this fall.     In conclusion, get these guys on your watchlist. They are getting ready to make some serious noise this fall. And, as always, if anyone knows of players flying under the radar feel free to reach out to CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

With talent growing exponentially in Kansas and just a couple of us (myself and my mentor Jeremy Deckard @KSScoutDeck) trying to cover the entire state for PRZ, there are players who are going to be unfortunately overlooked. While it doesn't happen as much as it used to, it still happens and I know how frustrating and painful it is when you are good player who doesn't get any recognition.