2026 Western Kansas Elite Prospect Spotlight

When it comes to the Western Kansas there are some big time prospects from the 2025/2026/2027 classes that have gotten a lot of publicity ranging from the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='733209' first='Linkon' last='Cure'], [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'], [player_tooltip player_id='944909' first='Gus' last='Corsair'], etc. I want to put the spotlight on some other 2026 prospects that are deserving of recognition.   You can find top end talent regardless of the classification or the league that these kids come from. Doesn't matter if it is the Western Athletic Conference, the Great West Activities Conference, the Mid Continent League, Central Kansas League, etc. In this scouting write-up, I'll be showcasing five prospects from the Western Athletic Conference that deserve a lot more attention when it comes to college recruiters.   Once again profiles for each of these athletes have been created on Prep Redzone and can be claimed by using the following link.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor">https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a>    An explosive back that really came into his own this past season after an injury his sophomore year. He shows very good speed, agility and quickness.   Even at 5-foot-9, 180-pounds, he has the ability to carry quite the workload for the Indians. Also a good receiver out of the backfield. His best days are still ahead of him as he further develops and gets stronger.    This past fall Hays reached the 5A State Title game before falling to Kansas City powerhouse Saint Thomas Aquinas. Lind was a big reason why the Indians had such a big year and why many still have their eyes on them as legit contenders this coming fall.   Unfortunately for Lind he missed much of his sophomore year with a broken leg but rebounded in a absolutely huge way this past fall when he rushed for a staggering 1,678 yards on over 260 carries and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He averaged 6.0 yards per rush on the season. Also a quality receiver out of the backfield, he had 229 yards receiving and seven additional touchdowns.   Due to such an prolific junior season, he was recognized as First Team All-State 5A and First Team All-Western Athletic Conference running back. Blessed with an dominate and physical road grading offensive line that mostly returns next season, it will be interesting to see if he eclipses the 2,000 yards rushing mark this coming fall?   Holden is a triplet and has his two other brothers also on roster. His older brother Evan was a standout linebacker for the Indians before signing with Fort Hays State University after the 2022 season.    Three sport athlete that excels at football, basketball and baseball. Strongly built playmaker that contributes at a high level on both sides of the ball.   As an receiver he is able to play both wide receiver and tight end. Shows the ability to make the tough intermediate catch but also the speed to stretch the field. He has a big catch radius and able to high point the ball nicely.   On the defensive side of the ball, he shows very good skillset in coverage as an outside linebacker. Sideline to sideline capabilities. Pure and simple Hall is a definite college athlete in whatever sport he may choose.    Great Bend is loaded with plenty of explosive athletes at the receiver and linebacker positions but Hall still shows he is capable of making plenty of noise himself as a playmaker for the Panthers. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, the three sport star is definitely someone college recruiters need to have their eyes on.   On offense this past season he had 19 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He showcased his abilities to play either tight end or wide receiver. He was a weapon from anything short to stretching the field for the home-run shot. Overall he averaged 15.7 yards per catch.   The defensive side of the ball is where he garnered most of his attention. The Panthers had four high level linebackers at their disposal and Hall was rewarded as a First Team All-Western Athletic Conference selection due to his play at outside linebacker. He had 41 tackles (21 solo and 20 assisted), one tackle for loss, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and forced one more himself.    Tafoya already has the look of a college linebacker. Possessing very good size, speed and strength. He shows the ability to play inside and outside as a linebacker. Sideline to sideline player who is always looking to play downhill with bad intentions. Sets the edge very nicely.   Also excels as a tough nosed runner and blocker on the offensive side of the ball. A prospect all colleges should be all over.    Tafoya was a big reason Liberal had a lot of success this past season. Helping them finish with a 7-3 record and bowing out in the playoffs to a talented Hutchinson squad.   Already looking like a college linebacker physically, he put up some absolutely huge defensive numbers this past fall. In just 10 games, he had 90 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks. Those numbers were good enough for him to be honored as an Honorable Mention All-State linebacker and a Second Team All-Western Athletic Conference linebacker. There is a real chance Tafoya could eclipse the 100 tackle mark this coming fall.   On the offensive side of the ball he showed to be a productive ball carrier and blocker from his fullback position. Then junior rushed for 360 yards on 33 carries and five touchdowns. Good enough for a staggering 10.9 yards per carry. Also had seven catches for 59 yards as a receiver out of the backfield.   Should be one of the higher recruited players in the Western Athletic Conference and I definitely look forward in seeing his further development.    If you are looking for an outside linebacker that lives in the offensive backfield, look no further than Holladay. He played all over for the Panthers. Mainly an outside linebacker but he also played with his hand on the ground as a defensive end and at times as a stand-up end. Capable of dropping into coverage, his game is mostly spent getting after a quarterback and playing sideline to sideline. Very strong in setting the edge when called upon to do so. Overall a really good athlete.     It has become quite the common theme with me showcasing Great Bend linebackers but they are a very blessed and talented group that is very well coached. [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'], [player_tooltip player_id='1124985' first='Kale' last='Kern'], [player_tooltip player_id='1622489' first='Jacob' last='Hall'] and Holladay had some form of All-Western Athletic Conference honors at linebacker this past season. All four return for the Panthers. He garnered Second Team All-League.   This past fall he registered 68 tackles (24 solo and 44 assisted), 11 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks. It would be an understatement saying he lived in the offensive backfield. Standing 6-foot-0, 190-pounds, he has the frame to really put on a lot more size and strength to his frame. A high level prospect colleges need to keep a definite eye on for sure.   With the graduation of Jace Schartz, there is a strong possibility you could see him play a lot more running back this next fall.    Trejo is a large and in charge type of offensive lineman. Ever improving on his quickness off the snap and working to improve his flexibility, agility and mobility. He uses his 6-foot-3, 300-pound body to engulf defenders. Ever improving in the weight room, he already shows really good strength at the point of attack. Capable of playing both offensive tackle and guard.    With the graduation of Matthew Trejo and [player_tooltip player_id='1115443' first='Hudson' last='Rice'], who is headed off to South Dakota School of Mines, Davian looks to take over as the leader of the Redskins offensive line. This past season he had 17 pancake blocks from his primarily left tackle position.   An ever developing college prospect who should be one of the finer lineman in all of the Western Athletic Conference. First and foremost a mauler in the run game but ever improving as a pass blocker. He excels best when he is down blocking in the run game. Does a good job recognizing what the defense is trying to do to him on any given play.   Participates also in power lifting outside of football. His best days of football is still very much in front of him as he improves his quickness, flexibility and mobility.   Be on the look-out for more 2026 prospects from the Western Athletic Conference and throughout the western half of the State of Kansas in coming write-up. It is a very good year for college prospects in both the 2026/2027 classes.   I'm always looking for the next studs to showcase and evaluate. So don't be afraid to follow and message me at @Coach_Mitchum on X.