2026 Western Kansas Prospect Spotlight

As we head into Spring, I have been focusing heavily on 2026 prospects from the Western half of the state. This article will be much the same but be on the look-out for more content pertaining to 2027 and 2028 kids in the coming write-ups. Also I'll be changing focus toward 8-Man kids throughout the state as well.   This update will have a very heavy North Central Kansas flare with prospects ranging from the Mid Continent League, the North Central Activities Association and the High Plains League. Many of these kids may not be household names quite yet but hopefully with the proper attention, they will definitely be on people's radars after this coming fall.   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>       McGowan, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound tight end/defensive end from Ellsworth is a very intriguing prospect that stars not only in football but also in basketball for the Bearcats. This past winter he averaged 10 points per game, 8.3 rebounds, 4.4 steals per game and 2.1 blocks per game. Showing off his length and athletic ability nicely on the hardwood.   When it comes to football, he is a ever developing prospect that shows not only very good athletic ability but more importantly a long limbed frame that has plenty of room to fill out. Explosive off the edge and shows very good ability to play sideline to sideline. Known for his defensive endeavors, he also shows he is a dependable pass catcher at tight-end when called upon. Added strength and size to his frame will only make him a even more dominant prospect going forth.   This past season he had seven receptions for 99 yards on offense but as an defender he had 54 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and three forced fumbles (one recovered for a touchdown).   He was a First Team All-North Central Activities Association tight end and defensive end this past fall.   Keep an eye on McGowan in not only his physical development as a prospect but Ellsworth as a team returns a good amount of talent, namely from this years junior class. He will be a major focus for opponents along with [player_tooltip player_id='1325120' first='Tucker' last='Goss'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1634903' first='Micah' last='Galvan']. Look for the Bearcats to build on their 5-4 record from this past fall.       Hutchinson, a 6-foot-0, 170-pound S/ATH hails from Smith Center where he starred as a safety on defense but also showed to be quite the weapon for the Redmen's Barta Bone offense. Described as a player who shows very good instincts on both sides of the ball, a definite leader on and off the field, a very good overall athlete with an athletic frame and a excellent tackler from his safety spot. Definitely someone colleges need to have an eye on this coming fall if you are looking for a high level safety prospect.   The defensive side of the ball is where he makes his name, where these past two seasons he has accumulated nearly 100 tackles. No slouch on the offensive side of the ball, where the last two seasons he has over 750 yards rushing, over 500 yards passing and nearly 20 touchdowns.   He has been a two time All-Mid Continent League first teamer at safety and this past season was a second team honoree at running back. Also a quality wrestler, where he finished 5th in the 157 pound division at the 3A-2A-1A State Wrestling meet.   This past season Smith Center did not quite have the season they are accustomed to, where they finished 4-5. They ended their season with a playoff loss to Medicine Lodge. The Redmen should be one of the most improved teams in the state this coming fall with majority of their roster returning. The biggest jump likely coming on the offensive side of the ball where a upperclassmen Hutchinson should be a big reason for the improvement.   Also both his father (Brock) and grandfather (Dennis ) were highly successful and respected coaches for Smith Center through the years.       Standing 6-foot-2, 250-pounds, Cantu excels at both offensive line and defensive line for Lakin. Powerful frame and very heavy hands, Cantu is an definite mauler for the Broncos. On offense he uses his strong base and quick feet that allows him to effectively get positioning and leverage on defenders. He moves well pulling, on trap blocks and chipping off to pick up second level defenders. Along the defensive line he shows a high level motor, a very good get off and plays with good pad level allowing him to stuff the run with ease.   He helped lead Lakin to a 6-3 record where they feel to Halstead in the playoffs this past fall. He was honored as a First Team All-High Plains lineman.   Statistically he had 30 tackles (12 solo and 18 assisted) and two tackles for loss. Known more so as a run-stopper at defensive tackle, he is still a capable defender to string plays out sideline to sideline.   Most definitely a prospect to keep an eye on this summer and coming fall. Added size will determine his likely playing position at the next level.       The 6-foot-0, 175-pound Just, who hails from Minneapolis, is a two-sport star that has been the heart and soul of the Lions starting early in his career. He has shown to be a quality quarterback in football and also the star guard on the Lions basketball team. This past winter he averaged 18.9 point per game on the hardwood. Overall he is a high level athlete who possess an athletic frame and also shows a very high level of leadership in anything that he does.   As a quarterback he has a 89.4 QB Rate this past fall. A dual-threat playmaker who had 35 carries for 114 yards rushing and one touchdown. It is through the air where he does most of his damage. This past fall he was 108 of 180 passing for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns. He arguably had an even bigger sophomore season statistically. Over two seasons he had nearly 3,000 yards passing and 30 total touchdowns.   He as a Second Team All-North Central Activities Association honoree at quarterback and defensive back.   It will be interesting to see what sport he leans towards for college? As he is a capable to play at the next level at either football or basketball. Nonetheless he is a prospect one needs to keep aware of this next year.       The 6-foot-0, 170-pound running back, Backman is a big time speedster for Norton where he has been clocked as low as a 4.34 forty. Even with those attributes, he has had to wait his turn sharing the backfield with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='716132' first='Eli' last='Jones'] and fullback [player_tooltip player_id='1398451' first='Logan' last='Willour'] the last two seasons.   Over the past two seasons he has rushed for 1,168 yards, had 445 yards receiving on 33 receptions and had 23 total touchdowns for the Bluejays. With the graduation of both Jones, Willour and [player_tooltip player_id='1115036' first='Tyce' last='Melvin'], look for Backman to be the focal point of the offense this coming fall.   He garnered First Team All-Mid Continent League honors as a running back. He helped lead the Bluejays to a 8-2 record before they fell to eventual state champions in Southeast Saline in the playoffs. Look for Norton to once again be a top contender in 2A. They are always in that position under the leadership of Coach Lucas Melvin.   Backman is the type of athlete college covete and it will be interesting to see his development not only from a strength/size perspective but also his leadership role now that he is a main rushing option for the Bluejays.   Keep a watch-out as these prospects rise up the future rankings once they are able to further showcase their abilities. I'll be giving more updates on these past featured athletes throughout the summer and this coming fall. As always, if you run across anyone flying under the radar shoot me a message on my X where you can find me at @Coach_Mitchum.

As we head into Spring, I have been focusing heavily on 2026 prospects from the Western half of the state. This article will be much the same but be on the look-out for more content pertaining to 2027 and 2028 kids in the coming write-ups. Also I'll be changing focus toward 8-Man kids throughout the state as well.