2026 Ballers Shifting Into Off-Season Overdrive

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With winter sports coming to a close and the weather making a turn for the better it's that time of year when ballers across the state have the annual camp-combine-clinic decision to make. And, with all the choices out there it can be a daunting proposition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to the decision making, there are those pesky preliminary factors, like optimizing skill development considerations, or determing which one offers the best opportunities for exposure to college coaches. There are also size choices to make. Some are focused on the big mega-camps while others prefer a more favorable coach-to-player ratio. Then there are the nagging cost considerations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some choose not to go that route at all, focusing instead on their school's off-season program or utilizing outside trainers, or both.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no right way to approach this stage in the off-season. It is up to the individual to determine which approach is going to help the most in improving their skill sets and conditioning for the upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we are focusing on five guys coming off good junior seasons who are taking different approaches to optimizing their spring-time training as they prepare for the all-important senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at the&nbsp;<em>Monday Five</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113457' first='Nate' last='Sims']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nate-sims/"></a>&nbsp;,</strong>&nbsp;6'2”, 180, ATH, <em>Ottawa</em>, ‘26. First out of the gate is one of the state's best coming off a junior year when he gave everyone an indication of great things to come. He is one of those elite ballers who simply does things you can't coach. Last fall he got warmed up, catching 27 passes for 609 yds and averaging 22 yards a pop. He also ran the ball 24 times for 233 yards, averaging just under 10 yards a carry and scored 14 touchdowns total. On special teams he took two kickoff's back for TD's and on defense piled up 62 tackles and had a pick out of the secondary. He is a KU-commit already and will have his official visit June 6-8. Right now he is focused on track, going scorched earth on the competition already in the 100 and 200 meters. Like many elite upper classmen, he has chosen not to go the camp route this summer and will stay focused locally. Get your popcorn ready, this guy is going to put on a show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904440' first='Dalton' last='Hornback']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dalton-hornback/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dalton-hornback/"></a>&nbsp;</em></strong>, OLB/Edge, 6'2, 220,&nbsp;<em>Derby</em>, '26. He is coming off a standout junior year as a defensive end and anchor on the edge for the powerful Panther defensive front. He is a versatile playmaker on the edge or can move wide and play outside linebacker as needed. With his ability to diagnose plays and instant read and react skills, he flies to the ball with impressive closing speed. He has a powerful frame with a good combination of size and speed that defensive coordinators are looking for at the next level. Last fall he had 51 tackles, eight TFL, four sacks, and had a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He is going to be busy this spring, as he just got back from junior day at South Dakota, and will be at Washburn this week. He is also considering additional events as time permits. As one of the top defensive ends in the state, he is locked and loaded for a dominating senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1264072' first='Colton' last='Bannister']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/colton-bannister/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'11, 185, LB,&nbsp;<em>Wellington</em>, '26. He is another dominator on the defensive side of the ball who put the state on notice last fall as one of the top linebackers in the state. Stacking up an eye-popping 116 tackles, he also had 12 tackles for loss, a couple of sacks and a pick just for good measure. He is an active headhunter who shuts the run game down between the tackles or shoots the gaps like a torpedo blowing up plays in the backfield. Currently he is playing third base for the Crusader baseball team, but is also focused on his off-season training, lifting and getting in speedwork, as well as working on hip flexibility, lateral quickness and exploding to the ball. He is still considering camps, but is looking forward to the team's summer camp in Hays. After starting the last two seasons and piling up some incredible defensive numbers he is going to bring the sledgehammer for his senior season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1609901' first='Landon' last='Heise']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-heise/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'3, 275, OL,&nbsp;<em>Kapaun</em>, '26. After coming off an all-conference junior season in the trenches, he didn't waste anytime getting back into the off-season grind this year. He just finished wrestling season and is in the process of finalizing his spring-summer camp plans, but has been busy in the meantime. Already receiving offers, he wrapped up visiting Northeastern State this weekend and has already been to Washburn and recently, Missouri Western. Follow-on plans include attending camps at Lindenwood, Fort Hays, and then heading back to Washburn. With his next-level size, powerful frame and lateral mobility, he has the tools to make any of the blocks in the run game or walling off in pass pro. A smart player, he plays an analytic game, studying tendencies that he uses for leverage and exploiting weaknesses. He has made big gains in training and is primed and ready to pile-drive the competition in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904445' first='Zane' last='Viegra']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zane-viegra/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zane-viegra/"></a> </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zane-viegra/"></a> </strong>, 6'3, 190, <em>Hays</em>, '26. Recovering from a broken tibia in last year's playoffs, he has been focused on accelerating his rehab as well as sharpening his skills playing 7v7. As a coming senior, he is looking to provide leadership on a team that surprised people last year with a 5A state runner-up finish. He has a next-level frame and is athletic with an arm that he has worked to fine-tune with Coach Cagle and the Midwest Passing Academy (MPA). His camp schedule is still a work in progress, but he is planning on hitting K-State, South Dakota, Drake and Kansas so far. In a couple of weeks he will be attending junior day and the spring game at Central Oklahoma, followed by a trip to North Dakota State. In addition, he has been working closely with his wide receivers several times a week and is hard at lifting and conducting speedwork. He is dialed in on his senior year and is getting ready for a break-through season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, keep these guys on your watchlist as they prep for this fall. It won't be long before we see them playing on Saturdays. Also, if you run across any teams or players flying under the radar give me a shout via DM on X.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as always, <em>Keep grindin'…</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->