Best in the West - Five 2028 Prospects to Watch

The new 2028 rankings have been released and here are five prospects from the Western side of the state to keep an eye on for the 2028 class. Here are those rankings for one to view. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/kansas/rankings/2028-rankings/ ">https://prepredzone.com/kansas/rankings/2028-rankings/ </a> 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> More times than not freshman don't really make that much of an impact or play a big role on varsity rosters but it does happen at times. There are always kids that are early developers, well coached at an early age or just take advantage of the opportunity to shine when given the chance. Most come from smaller schools but occasionally you get a big school prospects that is just ready to shine. In this article i'll be showcasing five prospects that have already made their mark in the Sunflower State out west. One of these prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='1542931' first='Trenton' last='Schartz'], was just highlighted by my colleague Wade Cargile in a recent article.    Already possessing prototype size for a quarterback prospect and the elite skill sets to be a dominating force in the air and the ground game. Well ahead of his peers when it comes to size, strength and skill for his class. He has already put up big numbers this past season, which is more than rare for someone his age. Regardless of classification, he will be one of the better quarterbacks in the state in the coming years.    When Ellis entered the football season this past fall, they did so playing a new style of football. No longer a school playing in the 11-Man game, but now as an 8-Man program. Luckily for them they had a good quarterback to lead them into the style change. Surprisingly enough, that quarterback was just an incoming freshman.   The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder brings a physical athlete that already showed quality skills as a quarterback but a more than capable runner when called upon. He was a big reason why the Railroaders started off hot and finished with a 5-4 record and a playoff berth in year one.   Predominantly an quarterback, he did play on the defensive side of the ball on occasions. He had 20 tackles (7 solo and 13 assisted) and one sack on the season. But it was the offensive side of the ball he made the most noise. This past fall he threw for 1,326 yards on 85 of 186 passing (15.6 average per pass) and 24 touchdowns. He only had nine interceptions and a 89.3 quarterback rate. He also rushed for 635 yards on 108 carries an a additional 13 touchdowns. Good enough for an six yards per carry. Production of just under 2,000 total yards and 37 touchdowns is pretty amazing, let alone with it coming from someone so young.   So definitely keep you eye on Schartz as he looks for a even bigger sophomore campaign this coming fall. Also his older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1515810' first='Carson' last='Schartz'] (2026 class) was a First Team All-Mid Continent performer at linebacker this past season. He comes into the 2028 rankings at #30 in the state.      An ever developing athlete who excelled on the defensive side of the ball as a freshman. Also got the opportunity to carry the rock on occasions. Still needs to fill out his frame but that is to be expected for someone his age. But he does show good athletic ability and toughness right out of the gate.    As of recent, Republic County has struggled in the wins department but they did get a taste of victory a couple of times this past fall. One of the big surprises was the addition of Siemsen who put up big numbers from his linebacker position but also contributed on the offensive side of the ball when called upon.   Standing 5-foot-9, 135-pounds, he may not be the biggest player out on the field but had no problem getting into the mix and making big tackles for the Buffaloes. This past fall he had 63 tackles (17 solo and 46 assisted) and two interceptions form his linebacker position. When he played offense, he chipped in 32 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.   Next seasons he should still be a big contributor on the defensive side of the ball but may still need to wait his turn on the offensive side of the ball due to a loaded backfield with the three top rushers returning. He enters the 2028 rankings as the #34 prospect.    He may not have put up big numbers as a freshman but he showed ample size, strength and speed to be a very promising player in the coming seasons. He will be looked upon to carry a lot bigger load at running back with the heavy graduation loss of talented seniors.    Lakin experienced quite the season with a 6-3 records this past fall. Much of that had to do with 2A All-State performer in [player_tooltip player_id='390291' first='Colter' last='Oldham'] but he and three other seniors depart in the offensive backfield. This opens up the opportunities for Loeppke to carry the load this coming fall.   The Broncos love to spread the rock around in their flexbone offensive and Loeppke very well could be the primary B-Back in their offensive attack this coming season. This past fall he rushed for 141 yards on just 12 carries and two touchdowns. He had a impressive 11.8 yards per carry. It was his nine carries for 86 yards performance against Southwestern Heights that caught my attention.   He may not have the overall production like a [player_tooltip player_id='1542931' first='Trenton' last='Schartz'] from Ellis but his potential is very high due to his overall size/speed and the lack of returning running backs on roster. Look for him to give Coach Chris Bamberger the needed weapon to built around for the coming seasons. He enters the 2028 rankings at #36 in the state.    Long and very athletic specimen. This past fall he did not look like a freshman out on the field. His potential height, length and frame makes for him to be an intriguing future college prospect. As he fills out his frame, he could end up being one of the very best prospects in all of Western Kansas by the time he graduates.    Thomas More Prep-Marian had a very solid season this past fall and luckily for them they had a very heavy contribution from a really talented sophomore class but it was a freshman that may be the biggest future prospect of them all.   The Monarch's were blessed to have a really long and athletic freshman playmaker in Nehls. Standing now at 6-foot-4, 185-pounds, he is the type of athlete that colleges are looking for when it comes to measurable. It will be exciting to watch him grow in stature these next few seasons.   This past fall he played both wide receiver and outside linebacker. He was a Second Team All-Mid Continent League performer at Wide Receiver. He makes a excellent one-two punch with 2027 receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1530374' first='Jacob' last='Seib'] who was First Team.   He had 20 receptions for 302 yards and three touchdowns. With an average of 15.1 yards per catch. On the defensive side of the ball he used his length and athletic ability to dominate with 51 tackles (24 solo and 27 assisted), three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Nehls has the potential to be one of the higher recruited prospects in all of Western Kansas by the time he graduates. He enters the 2028 rankings at #37 but watch out for him to rise in the future.    Coaches son, who produced at a very high level on both sides of the ball as an freshman. Also a very good wrestler, he brings a good combination of size, length, strength and flexibility.   He will definitely be a prospect to keep an eye on due to what he brings overall as a playmaker on offense, defense and special teams. Look for him to put up big numbers these coming seasons.    Sometimes prospects have the benefit of playing early in their careers due to playing at a smaller school. Amrein could be argued that he is one of these type of kids to benefit but he has shown on his own merit that he was physically and athletically ready to carry the load this past fall.   Standing 6-foot-1, 170-pounds he produced in about every way possible and one could argue he is more so an athlete than just one set position. On the offensive side of the ball he 77 carries for 376 yards rushing and four touchdowns but also provided 15 catches for 150 yards and a additional two touchdowns. He was just as dominate on the defensive side of the ball where he had 40 tackles (33 solo and 7 assisted), one tackle for loss, and one sack on the season. Also showed his worth when it came to special teams where he was very electric and productive as a return man.   He was a Second Team All-Mid Continent League 8-Man performer as a return man and that him come into the 2028 rankings at #39 after his productive freshman season.   Once again be on the look-out for more ballers from the 2028 class but also from the 2026 and 2027 classes. Showcasing the best 8-Man kids throughout the state and the top players in general from the western side of Kansas. 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.

The new 2028 rankings have been released and here are five prospects from the Western side of the state to keep an eye on for the 2028 class. Here are those rankings for one to view.

https://prepredzone.com/kansas/rankings/2028-rankings/

Again profiles for each of these athletes have been created on Prep Redzone and can be claimed by using the following link.

https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor

More times than not freshman don't really make that much of an impact or play a big role on varsity rosters but it does happen at times. There are always kids that are early developers, well coached at an early age or just take advantage of the opportunity to shine when given the chance. Most come from smaller schools but occasionally you get a big school prospects that is just ready to shine.

In this article i'll be showcasing five prospects that have already made their mark in the Sunflower State out west. One of these prospects in Trenton Schartz Trenton Schartz 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Ellis | 2028 State KS , was just highlighted by my colleague Wade Cargile in a recent article.