Wichita/Surrounding Area Rising Stars Watchlist

Off-season training is getting ready to gear up as basketball and wrestling wind down, 7v7 kicks into gear and the spring sports start ramping up.   There is only so much time in the day to also train for this fall, so this time of year is sometimes a challenge to shoehorn in speedwork and dedicated lifting.   In this report we will take a closer look at five multi-positional players from the Wichita area who are already off and running on good high school careers. They are also dedicated to the off-season grind, with many training with standout professionals, @PIAthletes and @RashadDaniels12.   So, without further adieu, let's take a look at some ballers on the rise:   [player_tooltip player_id='1229063' first='Drew' last='Dechant']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/drew-dechant/"></a> , 6'3, 205, QB/DB, Hutch Trinity, '26, he is a versatile, two-way junior quarterback who is flying under the radar but not for long. An athletic QB with a high-ceiling, he has prototype size and a powerful arm who can muscle the ball into tight windows at all levels. He has good mechanics throwing from the pocket but when the play breaks down he is comfortable extending plays and throwing moving either direction. On the year he completed 85 of 181 passes for just under 1,000 yards, nine TD passes and only had three interceptions. On defense he was a headhunter from the secondary, racking up 51 tackles, one TFL and an interception. He is also a good punter, averaging 34 yards per punt, with eight pinned inside the twenty yard line. He is going to shine this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113284' first='Ayden' last='Koehn']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ayden-koehn/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ayden-koehn/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ayden-koehn/"></a> , 6'4, 225, OL/DL, Cheney, '27, he is part of the next wave of standout Cardinals coming into his junior year who is already a battle-tested warrior in the trenches on both sides of the ball. This past season he took his game to the next level, piling up 17 pancake blocks, seven tackles, a blocked punt and did not allow a single sack all year. He has impressive feet with a quick initial step getting positioned and then agile enough to stay locked on as the play develops. He is a punishing blocker on down blocks and moves well walling off the perimeter in pass pro. On defense he is a mauler at tackle or can overwhelm blockers coming off the edge. He is playing hoops and getting ready to train with Coach Tabor and @PIAthletes. This guy is going to dominate in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1521132' first='Zander' last='Ford']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zander-ford-2/"></a> , 6'0, 170, QB/DB, Rose Hill, '27, he is an athletic gunslinger who faced a trial-by-fire season leading the 2-7 Rockets, but in the process gave a glimpse of great things to come. On the year he passed for 1,460 yards, completing 62% of his passes and a dozen TD passes in only seven games. He has an excellent arm with a compact, seamless throwing motion and smooth release. He spent a lot of the time running for his life and became adept at firing strikes on the move and throwing off platform when extending plays. He is an athletic multi-sport baller who is also a standout basketball player, currently leading his team in points, steals and assists. He is getting ready to train with Coach Daniels @RashadDaniels12. Get your popcorn ready, he is going to put on a show this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1305565' first='Braylon' last='Lies']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braylon-lies/"></a> , 6'0, 160, WR, Eisenhower, '27, he is getting ready for a breakout season after flying under the radar last year playing alongside an all-state wide receiver. He picked up good experience starting every game for a Tiger team that went deep into the playoffs and should be a major target in their high-octane offense this fall. Last season, he had four catches for 45 total yards and carried once for 10 yards. An athletic, versatile receiver with quick feet, he generates immediate separation off the ball and then rolls into precise routes. He has sticky hands and is fearless going over the middle, making the contested catch and going up to high-point the ball. He is also a standout in basketball and plays 7v7 with Kansas Elite. This guy is getting ready for a breakout season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1629811' first='Taylen' last='Washington'], 6'1, 190, OLB/Edge, Derby, '28, he is an athletic young baller who is a playmaker on the rise and another potential standout coming up through the Panther program. He already has good size and strength and has good growth opportunity. He is a versatile defender who can dominate in the trenches as a five technique and stuff the run between the tackles or stand up and storm the gate as a disruptive force coming off the edge. He can also play as a rangy, aggressive outside linebacker on the weak or strong side. He is already training for the coming fall and is currently fine-tuning his skill sets with the Wichita Wheat in 7v7. This guy is getting ready to take the next step in 2025.   In conclusion, get these guys on your watchlists and follow their high school careers. And, as always, if you know of any players/teams flying under the radar give me a shout via DM on X.

Off-season training is getting ready to gear up as basketball and wrestling wind down, 7v7 kicks into gear and the spring sports start ramping up.