Off-Season Grinders Flying Under the Radar...For Now

Depending on what a player's end goals are, flying under the radar can be a humbling and frustrating circumstance to deal with.   If you are playing for a love of the game but don't plan to take it any further than high school, or you have determined you don't have the tools to play at the next level, or just have better things to focus on than a silly game, then the under-the-radar thing is no big deal.   But if you are a baller and you have your sights set on playing in college, flying under the radar is both a helpless and an exasperating predicament to be in. You know you can ball with the best of them. Your coaches know it. The fans know it. But there are disconnects somewhere that are keeping this from happening.   There are the usual suspects - playing on a bad team, with little history of ballers before you, in an obscure location, or playing out of position to help the team, or in the shadow of someone already commanding the spotlight...the list goes on. Then, add in that you aren't much of a self-promotor, you have no on-line footprint to speak of, or have not reached out to anyone in anyway, your chances of upping your elevation is probably slim.   But for the ballers out there hope springs eternal. And, although I don't recommend hope as a gridiron strategy, it is a must for perservering through the tough times of feeling ignored.   In this report we will take a look at five playmakers from each of the classes who are flying under the radar so far, but not for long. Some of them more than others, but among all of the players below it is safe to say they are not getting near the attention their exploits on the field have warranted.   So without further adieu, let's take a closer look at these guys and what they are doing in the off-season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1515812' first='Dalton' last='Wulf']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dalton-wulf/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dalton-wulf/"></a> , 6'1”, 195, LB, Clearwater, ‘26. As the first example of a baller flying under the radar we have a ball-buster of a linebacker coming off a junior season in which he led the state in total tackles with 128, and also averaged a jaw-dropping 14+ tackles a game. He added five sacks, five tackles for loss and picked off a pass and closed out the year strong, averaging 16 tackles per game in his last three games. His next-level instincts and read and react skills enable him to make plays all over the field. He is geared up for the McPherson Junior Day camp this weekend and is still deciding on his summer camp/combine plans. This guy is laser focused on defending his tackle title and on helping super-charge the Indian defense this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1599861' first='Brody' last='Telfer']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brody-telfer/"></a> , 5'11, 205, RB/LB, Emporia, '26. He is another versatile two-way baller who has not been getting much attention playing on a team that struggled a year ago, but has been hitting it hard in the off-season to help change all that in 2025. A powerful running back on offense, he has a low-center of gravity and excellent burst that he uses to blow through arm tackles. On defense he is a headhunter linebacker who moves well laterally with good closing speed. He has been busy in the off-season with wrestling and track and working with the Fellowship of Christian athletes. He has been pounding the iron and has already set the bench press records at his school. Primed for a breakout season this fall, he is also going to be a force in helping change Emporia football fortunes this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1556861' first='Wes' last='Riegel']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/wes-riegel/"></a> , 6'3”, 185, WR/ATH, Blue Valley North, ‘27. Flying "under-the-radar" might be a stretch as he started turning heads last fall, but he certainly hasn't received the attention he deserves. A versatile receiver with good wheels, sticky hands and a big catch radius, he can play in the slot or split wide. He is fearless going over the middle and can make the tough, contested catch in traffic or go up and high-point the ball in the endzone. He has kept busy playing 7v7 with Building Champions and running sprints on the track team this spring. He is also gearing up for camp season, with K-State, Iowa State and KU at the top of the list. Last fall he hauled in 28 receptions for 519 yards and five TDs and was just getting warmed up. Get your popcorn ready, he is going to put on a show this fall.   Cameron Newton, 5'9, 155, WR/DB, Derby, '28. He is another young Panther I have had my eye on and one who is getting ready to make strides after a promising freshman season. As a versatile two-way baller he is showing signs of becoming a dangerous receiver on offense and a ballhawk defensive back on the other side of the ball. His athleticism and quick burst creating separation off the line before rolling into precise route running has been impressive. He has been pounding the weights and conducting daily speedwork and it is already paying off. So far this off-season he has put on 10 pounds and is faster than he was last fall. Currently he is playing spring basketball and getting ready to hit camps at Drake, K-State, KU, and is considering others. This guy is a rising-star playmaker ready to take the next step.   [player_tooltip player_id='1643493' first='James' last='Klanderman'], 6'2, 175, QB, Manhattan, '29. I have been keeping my eye out for the next wave of ballers getting ready to test the varsity waters and have only reported on a handful to date but this guy is definitely being added to the list. Already possessing prototype size and athleticism, he also has the polished mechanics in the pocket and the adaptability on the move of a much older player. He can make all the throws with pin-point ball placement, from quick-timing strikes, deep-velocity throws and hits long-ball targets in stride. He also throws well on the move and is a good runner extending plays. He is currently running track and is in the process of finalizing his spring/summer camp list. Get this guy on your watchlist as his high school career shifts into launch mode this fall.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys on the gridiron this fall – you will not be disappointed. Also, DM me via X if you run across any other players flying under the radar.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

Depending on what a player's end goals are, flying under the radar can be a humbling and frustrating circumstance to deal with.