Freshmen Standouts Flying Under the Radar

With only a couple of reports left for a busy 2024, I decided to continue the deep dive into the interesting class of 2028.   The freshman class is always intriguing, as it is a mix of kids who have matured early and are ready to step on the varsity stage and a bunch of undersized, but hungry, kids who haven't hit that last growth spurt yet.   Below are five guys from the class of 2028 who have demonstrated this past fall that they can not only start at a young age, but excel given the right opportunity.   In this report we will take a quick look at freshmen from all over the state and from a variety of positions who are off and running after good starts to their high school careers.   So without further adieu, let take a look at these guys:   [player_tooltip player_id='1590403' first='Braylen' last='Dold'], 5'10, 165, DB/WR, Garden Plain, '28, is coming off an excellent freshman season showcasing his versatile, multi-positional game. Playing both ways, he excels as a running back or receiver and is dangerous on the jet sweep and reverses. Where he is particularly effective, however, is as a ballhawk free safety with great instincts and a nose for the football. For the year on offense he gained 141 total yards, which included a 10-yard score against Belle Plaine. On defense he piled up 27 tackles, three tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions. He also punted on occasion and returned kicks and punts as needed. He is a four-sport athlete who is just coming into his own. Get your popcorn out for this kid in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1590405' first='Caysen' last='Colton'], 6'0, 175, LB, Shawnee Mission NW, '28, is coming off a good freshmen season where he played well enough to impress coaches and scouts. He can play any of the linebacker positions but has really amped it up as a head-hunting middle linebacker. He plays the game pissed off and with a linebacker mentality. He is a downhill hitter that will bring the hammer, especially in making forceful open-field tackles . He reads the play quickly and with his outstanding instincts and good closing speed collapses down on the ball in a hurry. When he shifts to blitz mode, he shoots the gaps like a heat-seeking missile and destroys plays in the backfield. This kid is the real deal, get him on your watchlist for 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1590409' first='Tyler' last='Davis'], 5'10, 165, QB, Shawnee Mission North, '28, is an up-and-coming young gun quarterback who showed enough this past fall to start getting some attention. As a passer he has already developed mature passing mechanics, with a tight shoulder rotation, quick release and follow through. He is primarily a pocket passer so far, but is athletic and moves well when throwing on the move in either direction. He is also effective extending plays when everything breaks down, keeping his eyes downfield and is adept at throwing off platform and from different launch angles as needed. He studies the game and reading defenses and is already solid working through progressions. Get out and see him go off next fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1590411' first='Houston' last='Robb'], 5'11, 185, LB, Blue Valley SW, '28, is another diamond-in-the-rough linebacker who is coming off a solid freshmen year showing his coaches what all he has to offer. He can play outside linebacker if needed but really stands out as physical middle linebacker who moves well and is brawler in the trenches. He has already developed outstanding read and react skills and has excellent football instincts. He moves well laterally through traffic, has good closing speed when flying to the ball and is a top-end open-field tackler. He is already hard at it putting in the off-season training needed to be a champion. Get this guy on your watchlists and follow his promising high school career.   [player_tooltip player_id='1327831' first='Maxson' last='Smiley'], 5'11, 175, QB, Colby, '28, is coming off a good freshman season getting acclimated to the varsity game and is already showing signs that he getting ready to go off. As a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, he can beat you with his arm or his legs. He is an outstanding, elusive runner with good speed and acceleration when he breaks into the secondary. He is also a very good passer at this stage in his development, with a smooth, effortless delivery and good pocket mechanics. He can make all of the throws, from short strikes to deep velocity throws and has also shown good touch on the long ball. This kid is just getting warmed up, get him in your line of sight.     In conclusion, get these young guns on your watchlist and follow their progress for the next few years. And, as always, let me know via DM on X if you run across any ballers flying under the radar.

With only a couple of reports left for a busy 2024, I decided to continue the deep dive into the interesting class of 2028.