Unranked 2027 Kansas 8-Man Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach next Tuesday's ranking update for the 2027 class, here are five more prospects from the 8-Man ranks to keep an eye on. This update will showcase some ballers who are considered Swiss Army knives for their respective programs. It is such a luxury for teams to have talent that is able to produce all over the field on any given Friday. For sure those coming from smaller schools. <br><br>Once again profiles for each of these athletes have been created on Prep Redzone and can be claimed by using the following link.<br><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor">https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a><br><br>Athletes are encouraged to claim their profiles and check back next week to see where they landed in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1613456"],"_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-679c18a9a4cf2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Axtell was loaded with top end talent in the 2025 class but it was the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Detweiler who was the Swiss Army knife for the Eagles this past fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Offensively he was lined up at Quarterback, Wide Receiver and Running Back throughout the season. Defensively he is a Outside Linebacker but projects more so as a secondary player at the next level. He is a very good and fluid athlete that you can tell is a coaches son. What he lacks in size currently is made up with a high football IQ. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Detweiler is a bona fide Swiss Army knife for the Axtell. He has been a part of two of the four straight state titles the Eagles have won under his father Eric. They have a winning streak of 52 games, which is a 8-Man state record. With the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id='281972' first='Brandon' last='Schmelzle'] (University Kansas commit) and his first cousin [player_tooltip player_id='284529' first='Eli' last='Broxterman'], Wyatt will be looked upon as a major part of the program in the coming seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively he has played Quarterback, Running Back and Wide Receiver. He was 7 of 9 passing for 149 yards, four touchdowns threw the air and only one interception. As a runner he had 11 carries for 107 yard and two more scores. As a receiver he hauled in nice catches for 171 yards and three additional touchdowns. Giving him nine touchdowns on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball he had 46 tackles (38 solo), three sacks and two interceptions as a sophomore. He had very similar stats as a freshman where he had 45 tackles and five interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the graduation of so much high level talent, Detweiler will be a big part of a new team looking for their fifth straight title. He was an Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man II Linebacker this past fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1613461"],"_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-679c3b498aac0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Little River standout played both Running Back and Quarterback this past fall for the Indians. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Garrison is athletic back who excels on the gridiron and on the hardwood. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not much of a receiver at this point in his career but has the potential be weapon anywhere on the field in time. Has a strong lower body that helped him average 7.3 yards per carry this past fall. Also a very good defender at his linebacker spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garrison was a big part of an 8-3 Little River squad that lost in the state quarterfinals to Central Plains. With the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id='1466324' first='Logan' last='Renken'], it will be interesting to see if he moves to quarterback this coming fall after splitting time with Renken. Even though he is mainly a running back, he did throw for 188 yards on 10 of 15 passing and three touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As an running back, he was a Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man I. He rushed for 889 yards on 122 carries and 12 touchdowns. Time will tell this next season if he does indeed stay at running back and try to get over that 1,000 yard rushing mark. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was also a dominate linebacker where he had 63 tackles (40 solo and 23 assisted), two tackles for a loss and one interception on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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='1616000' first='Connor' last='Wilson'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dighton ","_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-679c3b498ab95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A tall athletic playmaker that excels on both sides of the ball for the Hornets. He uses his length to be a major weapon as a wide receiver on offense and as a defensive end on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It will be determined which side of the ball he best projects at for the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot-4, [player_tooltip player_id='1616000' first='Connor' last='Wilson'] is the type of prospect frame wise that college coaches are looking for. An All-State performer on both side of the ball as a sophomore for a team that lost in the 8-Man II state semifinals. He was a Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man II wide receiver but also was First Team All-Northwest Kansas League at the same position. Defensively he was a Second Team All-Northwest Kansas League as a defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the season he had 28 receptions for 427 yards and 10 touchdowns. Average 15.3 yards per catch on the season. Defensively he was an absolute terror off the edge due to his length and athletic ability. He had 82 tackles (39 solo and 43 assisted), six tackles for loss and six sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1613503"],"_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-679c3b498abe7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A rangy receiver at 6-foot-0, 145-pounds, Schalk is the type of wide receiver that has his better days ahead of him as he fills out physically. Plays both side of the ball as he is also a safety for the Spartans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schalk was a big reason why Cedar Vale/Dexter made this playoffs this past fall before falling to Madison-Hamilton in the first round of the 8-Man I state playoffs. He and fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1544782' first='Cooper' last='Criss'] will have all eyes on the Spartans this coming fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had 36 catches for 746 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. More impressively was his 20.7 yards per catch average. His big play ability allowed him to become an Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man I wide receiver but also an First Team All-South Central Border honorary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1614327"],"_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-679c43bd58b1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walker is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound speedster who can track and high point a deep ball well or take a quick reception and take it to the house with ease. Did play some snaps at running back during the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His best football days are ahead of him as he physically fills out his frame. Also plays in the secondary on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past fall Walker help lead his South Gray to an 6-4 record and an 8-Man I playoff berth before falling to Leoti-Wichita County in the first round of the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not the biggest receiver out on the field but he is sure handed and provided the Rebels with many big plays on the season. He has the ability to stretch the field with his speed but also take a quick hitter to the house. He should be the main receiving weapon this coming season as South Gray loses their big bodied senior receive target in Jesus Marquez. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was a Honorable Mention All-Southern Plains Iroquois Athletic Association wide receiver. Also a member of the 1A State Champion Golf Team as a freshman that has gone back-to-back the last two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again be on the look-out for the new 2027 ranking updates this coming week. I'll also be sharing plenty more unranked prospects from this class out in Western Kansas or throughout the state from the 8-Man game in the coming weeks. If you know of any players that need the proper attention out in the western side of the state, just message me a DM on my X please.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->