Underclassmen Multi-Positional Players On The Rise

My usual approach is to gather up ballers from similar position groups, with emphasis on quarterback and running back play, and do a mini-deep dive to give fans, coaches and other scouts a feel for what the player is all about rather than just a couple of sentences hitting the highlights.   However, I like to depart from that and pull random players from my latest film analysis/breakdown and report on them regardless of ranking, stats or social media presence.    My region of coverage is the Wichita and surrounding area, which is approximately a 90-mile radius around the city limits of the legendary Air Capital City. I also cover SE Kansas, which is essentially all the schools, east of highway 77 to the Missouri border and then south of highway 54 to the Oklahoma border.   Within those regions I have the latitude to report on all positions, offense and defense, which is where we are on this particular report.   I like to take a break from deep-diving the skill players and give a shout to the guys dominating in the trenches and those bringing the hammer out of the secondary or off the edge.   In this report we are focusing on five two-way, multi-positional players coming off good sophomore and junior seasons who are getting ready to take off this fall.   So, without further adieu, let's take a quick look at "The Mid-Week 5" gearing up for the 2025 season:   [player_tooltip player_id='586960' first='LJ' last='Bowens'], 5'9, 175, RB/ATH, Blue Valley NW, '26, he is coming off a standout junior season as a game-breaker tailback who can hammer the ball up the middle and also burn the perimeter up with his track speed. Teams found out quickly, however, that he was far more than just a track guy when he piled up 1,177 yards rushing, averaging seven yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns on his way to all-state honors. He is an explosive runner who rips through defenders and gets big yardage after the inital hit. Even when teams tried to load the box he can still slash and pound to the second level where he is a fluid, elusive runner in space. He is already training for this fall and getting ready to play 7v7 with Kansas Elite. Get your popcorn ready, this guy is going to put on a show this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1608509' first='Jared' last='Whitney'], 6'0, 170, DB/ATH, Clearwater, '26, is coming off a solid junior season and gave coaches a glimpse of great things to come in 2025. He is a versatile, athletic defensive back who can play safety as needed, but has really shown promise as a suffocating cornerback who can go grille-to-grille with the wideout and then flip hips and shadow the route from snap to whistle. He has great instincts and read and react skills that enable him to quickly collapse down and stuff the run game. When the play tries to go wide he has the closing speed to cut off the corner and make punishing open-field tackles. Last year he made 30 tackles and had a forced fumble. He is another stud playing with the Kansas Colts this spring. This guy is a baller and will be producing some fireworks this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1562422' first='Cody' last='Holzrichter'], 6'3, 315, OL/DL, Haven, '27, is coming off a good sophomore season getting acclimated to the varsity game and it didn't take him long to make an impression on the gridiron. He can play anywhere along the line but has been particularly effective as a mauling, brawling offensive guard. With his dominating size, he is a man among boys and is effective using his power and bulk to overwhelm defenders between the tackles. He has a quick first step for his size and plays with an aggressive attitude. He is solid walling off in pass pro and can pull if needed but where he really stands out is as a bulldozer in the trenches plowing through down blocks and opening gaping holes. He is already working out with Coach Daniels and getting ready for a major season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1268347' first='Rylan' last='Morrell'], 5'10, 175, RB/LB, Nickerson, '27, he is another two-way baller coming off a good sophomore season that should be the stepping stone to a huge season this fall. On offense he is a fast and powerful running back who slashes and gouges the defense running inside. On the outside he makes quick cuts and uses his excellent burst and acceleration to run to daylight. He is a tough, scrappy runner between the tackles who gets a lot of yardage after the first hit and last fall racked up just under 600 yards rushing and three touchdowns. On defense he is a headhunter of a linebacker with a nose for the ball who flies to contact. Last fall he was in on 55 tackles, had three tackles for loss and a sack. This guy got better with every game and is on the cusp of a big season in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1622720' first='Anthony' last='Nguyen'], 6'2, 235, DE/DL, Wichita South, '26, he is another baller flying under the radar that I accidently stumbled on and am glad I did. He had a good junior year as an edge rusher on a mission, piling up 34 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks. He made his mark early last year, helping his team throttle rival Southeast in the opening game of the year by dominating his side of the ball with four tackles, two tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. He has a strong frame and quick feet which he leverages well hitting linemen in the mouth and causing chaos in the backfield. He comes off the ball low with good bend and has the speed to blow by the blocker, or bull rush and go over the top. He reads plays and formations quickly and when the ball is snapped he is off to deliver a jackhammer hit. He is getting ready for a big year this fall.   In conclusion, these guys are getting ready to make some noise this fall. Additionally, as always, if you know of any players or teams flying under the proverbial radar, please give me a shout via DM on X. Keep grindin'.

My usual approach is to gather up ballers from similar position groups, with emphasis on quarterback and running back play, and do a mini-deep dive to give fans, coaches and other scouts a feel for what the player is all about rather than just a couple of sentences hitting the highlights.