The Best of the West - 2027 Elite Western Kansas Prospects

I have been spending much of the time writing about the lesser known 11-Man prospects throughout the western side of the state of Kansas or the diamond in the rough 8-Man kids found from all corners for 2027. Now I'll be turning my attention to the those who have already been ranked.   I pride myself in being able to uncover those who don't quite have the same publicity as their more elite counter parts but I want to make light in this article those who should be getting plenty of D-II, Juco, FCS and FBS looks in the coming seasons.   I'll be showcasing four prospects from the Western Athletic Conference and two from the Central Kansas League. One of the most impressive aspect about all of these student-athletes are the fact they are high level students with 4.0 GPA's.   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>   Athletes are encouraged to claim their profiles and check back next week to see where they landed in the rankings.    Even as an sophomore, Corsair is arguably the states top interior lineman prospect. A powerful lineman that has played all along the line but stars from his center position. Will be one of the higher ranked center prospects in the 2027 class nationally.   Plays with very good power, good hand usage at the point of attack, leverage is a plus but shows he can play against speed due to his very good feet. Excels best in the run game currently but ever improving as a pass blocker.    The 6'3", 290-pound Corsair was a big reasons why he and his Indian teammates made the class 5A State Championship game before falling to a very talented Saint Thomas Aquinas program out of Kansas City.   On the season he had zero sacks allowed, only gave up two pressures and had 68 tasty pancakes. He was an First Team All-State 5A center but also was a First Team All-Western Athletic Conference at the same position. The field was the not only place he took care of business but also in the classroom where he carried a 4.0 GPA.   Corsair should continue to get plenty of more FBS offers as the coming seasons go on. Holds offers currently from both Kansas and Iowa State. Father Chris, played college football at Emporia State back in the 1990's.    Elite level athlete who excels not only on the gridiron but also in Track and Field. An explosive athlete who not only has very good speed but an elite level jumper. Has a very good frame to further fill out in the coming years but should only continue to get faster and even more explosive. Three sport athlete, as he also plays on the Panthers basketball team.    This past fall Great Bend had a magical season going 9-1 before falling to rival Hays in the 5A playoffs. They did split on the season as the GB did win the first match-up. Both Hays and Great Bend should once again be major 5A favorites to reach the state championship out west this coming season. [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'] may get most of the headlines due to them both being D-1 prospects but others like Ohnmacht are a big reason for the Panthers success.   The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is a freak athlete and has D-1 potential himself. His father Chad played for Kansas State. As a freshman, he was the 5A state champion in the triple jump with a leap of 47-foot-3.5. His vertical jump comes in at a staggering 38.5 inches. So you definitely know you're dealing with an elite level athlete. Also elite in the classroom with a 4.021 GPA.   Last fall he was an Honorable Mention All-State 5A selection as an athlete and was also an First Team All-Western Athletic Conference athlete.   Offensively he had 35 catches for 466 yards and six touchdowns. Averaged 13.3 yards per reception. Even though he was not a quarterback, he still was 5 for 7 passing for 149 yards and another four touchdowns. As a passer he averaged a staggering 29.8 yards per pass.   On the defensive side, he had 31 tackles (20 solo and 11 assisted) from his free safety position. As an receiver and secondary player, his numbers could've be much higher but he plays alongside Premer who brings a lot of high level production.    A disruptor from his defensive tackle position. Explosive and plays with a really high motor. Ever improving on his leverage and hand usage but once he masters that part of his game, the sky is the limit. Has the frame to further get bigger and more explosive. Could play defensive end but probably a interior defender at the next level. For sure after being in a college strength and conditioning program.    Much like [player_tooltip player_id='944909' first='Gus' last='Corsair'], Geist was a big part of Hays success this past season, even if both were in the 2027 class. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound defensive tackle is a dominate force in the present but will only be a bigger terror in the coming years as he gets bigger and stronger. Proudly has an 4.0 GPA in the classroom.   He put up some eye popping numbers from his nose guard position this past fall. The schedule the Indians faced this past season was quite daunting and he faced many of the top interior offensive lines in the state. Tanner was still able to put up 70 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks on the season.   Honors wise he was Honorable Mention All-State 5A defensive line and was an First Team All-Western Athletic Conference performer at defensive tackle. His weight room numbers are impressive with his three core lifts being well over 1000-pounds with a 365-pound bench, 500-pound squat and a 335-pound clean. Also excels on the wrestling mat.      If you're looking for a athletic linebacker that can really bring the pain, look no further. Kern has the ideal frame, length and strength of a big time college linebacker. Shows good sideline to sideline capabilities due to his athleticism. Sets the edge very nicely and also shows the ability to drop into coverage when called upon. You can tell he is well coached due to his overall technique. A very willing blocker and physical fullback on the offensive side of the ball.    Standing at 6-foot-1, 215-pounds, Kern looks the part of a high level college linebacker. His older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'] is one of the top linebackers in the state in the 2026 class and is will be highly recruited as we go into the spring. The brothers make for a formidable linebacking duo.   Yet another excellent student, Kern carries a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. He was a Second Team All-Western Athletic Conference selection at linebacker. He missed four game this past fall due to injury but still racked up some pretty good defensive numbers. He had 41 tackles (8 solo and 33 assisted), two interceptions and one touchdown.   On offense he displayed the ability to be a high level lead blocker from his fullback position. When the Panthers had [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'] in the backfield, the younger Kern was generally there to lead the way.   Also a quality wrestler, he should be one of the most sought after prospects in the state by the end of his high school career.    One of the top small school prospects in the state regardless of class. Brody brings an dominate force to the defensive side of the ball who has the ideal frame and length colleges look for.   A terror off the edge and the ability to get to the sideline very quickly. His get off is top notch and he is very explosive at the point of contact while showing really good hands. Thick lower body but still shows good bend when coming around the edge. Very capable defensive tackle when called upon to move inside.   A definite high level prospect who also plays basketball.    If you are looking for an ideal college defensive end prospect, Pfannenstiel is your guy standing at 6-foot-4, 230-pounds. His length, speed, strength and technique is already at a high level but will only continue to improve as he gets bigger and stronger.   Played this past couple of years at Russell but has since transferred to 2A power Hoisington. He should make for a really good defensive end duo with fellow 2027 prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1611906' first='Preston' last='Merlau']. The Cardinals lost in the 2A state semifinals this past fall but the prior year lost in the state championship game in a close one to Nemaha Central. By him transferring to Hoisington, it should keep the Cardinals in the title hunt for years to come.   Yet another excellent student, Brody carries a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. This past fall he was a First Team All-Mid Continent League defensive lineman for the Broncos and was a Honorable Mention All-State 2A defensive lineman.   He is a capable tight end on offense but it is on the defensive side of the ball he makes his mark. This past season he had 51 tackles (16 solo and 30 assisted), nine tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks.   These five prospects are currently the upper echelon of Western Kansas when it comes to college prospects in the 2027 class. I look forward to see more kids rise to the top this coming summer and fall. Nonetheless every FBS, FCS, D-II and Juco should be after these High-Plain studs who not only take care of business on the field but in the classroom. Be on the look-out for more top notch prospects in both the 2026 and 2027 classes from western side of the state.   Again one can find me at @Coach_Mitchum on X.

I have been spending much of the time writing about the lesser known 11-Man prospects throughout the western side of the state of Kansas or the diamond in the rough 8-Man kids found from all corners for 2027. Now I'll be turning my attention to the those who have already been ranked.