Mixed Class Trench Warfare: Wichita/Surrounding Area

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Initially, I intended to shift gears immediately from supporting the latest 2026 ranking updates and start on 2027 ballers, but the transition wasn't quite as clean as anticipated. Invariably, I run across notes on players either inadvertently overlooked or who popped up in tape review.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consequently, this report will include three trench warriors from the class of 2027 and two from 2026 as a I taper off the latter and start focusing on the younger classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below we will be taking a closer look at the guys along the line of scrimmage, and more specifically, on the offensive side of the ball. There are a couple of guys who I have been following, with the rest having made a good impression and stood out in my daily film review researching other players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too late to make a good first impression, or something like that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a look at some of the gladiator linemen getting ready to wage war in the trenches:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944972' first='Zein' last='Rector']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zein-rector/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'0, 240, OL/DL,&nbsp;<em>Nickerson</em>, '27, is coming off a good sophomore season as a pounding, brawler of a blocker in the trenches. He can play multiple positions along the offensive front but has staked his claim as a rock-solid left tackle. He is quick and agile, with a powerful frame and plays with an aggressive edge. His specialty is the downfield pancake block where he grinds the defender into the turf. With his excellent feet and mobility he can make all the blocks, from chipping off and attacking linebackers, caving in on down blocks, or walling off the edge in pass pro. He has a great motor and is active from snap to whistle looking for his next victim. Get this guy on your watchlist as he is getting ready to dominate in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588356' first='Weston' last='Jackson']</strong>, 6'3, 255, OL, <em>Derby</em>, '27, is quietly becoming another Derby standout in the trenches after coming on strong and earning a starting position by the time the playoffs rolled around. According to scouts and coaches I have talked to, he made significant strides as the season went on and seemed to get better with every game. He is a flexible baller who can play either guard position or tackle and once the ball snaps, shifts gears to looking for a defender to hit in the mouth. He has excellent size and will only get bigger and stronger in the standout Panther program. With his athletic frame, along with good footwork and leverage he locks on and controls defenders. He is off to an excellent start to his high school career and will be a force in the trenches in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1277778' first='Shawn' last='Kirksey']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/shawn-kirksey/"></a> </strong>, 6'3, 285, C/DL, <em>Wichita Heights</em>, '27, is a big, bruising lineman who is working his way to becoming a force in the trenches so far in his high school career. Offensively he can play center or guard and on defense is an anchor of a defensive end who can slide down and play DT. He has good size with a large base and strong hands that he uses effectively on both sides of the ball. On offense, he is a massive road grader of a blocker and is particularly effective making down blocks in the run game between the tackles. On defense he owns his space and is difficult to dislodge from the hole once established. With another year of experience under his belt he will be ready to take the next step this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780131' first='Nick' last='Pittman']</strong>, 6'2, 290, OL, <em>Bishop Carroll</em>, '26, is coming off an injury-shortened year which was particularly frustrating as he was well positioned to dominate in the trenches. He is a massive presence in the middle and is versatile enough to play anywhere along the line of scrimmage, but really stands out as a physical battering ram of an interior lineman. When he wasn't dealing with injuries he had not allowed a sack and has already established himself in the weight room as a member of the 1000+ pound club. With his agile feet and overall strength he blasts defenders in the box and is effective pulling and leading on the perimeter or chipping off to nail a linebacker. He is big-time motivated for a strong senior year and appears ready to go off this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='638565' first='Leeland' last='Barth']</strong> 6'2, 285, OL, <em>Olathe North</em>, '26, is another mauling, brawling trench warrior who is coming off a solid junior season giving coaches and fans a good look at what he has to offer. He has become a multi-positional beast in the making who has a big frame with a lot of power ready to unleash on the defense as soon as the ball is snapped. His lower-body strength comes from an eye-popping 600+ pound squat that he uses to unload on defenders between the tackles, but has the nimble feet and agility to pull or wall off the perimeter in pass pro. He is an active baller who routinely drives defenders 20 yards downfield and last year posted 50+ pancake blocks. This guy is peaking at the right time and will be ready to own it in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, start following these guys if you aren't already. You will not be disappointed. And, as always, let me know if you run across any <em>"under the radar" </em>guys. Keep grindin'...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->