Camp Grinders Prep For Breakthrough Season This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The June camp-combine season rolls on, with this second week being particularly busy as numerous D1-level camps are taking place, including the <em>KU Mega Camp</em> getting going later today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the guys working to be elite it is time to pack your bag and get your mind right for the frequent <em>roadtrip</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we will take a look at five guys with busy summers ahead who are already hitting the road. The first two players are a couple of punishing trench warriors closing in on the all-important senior season, followed by three rising stars approaching their junior year who are getting ready to put an exclamation point on their game this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at these guys:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566710' first='Garrison' last='Vikander']</strong>, 6'2, 220, OL/DL, <em>Manhattan</em>, '26. He is coming off an excellent junior season helping his team go 12-1 as a versatile two-way player with a nose for the ball. On offense he can line up as a guard or tackle and is a pounding blocker, particularly when pulling or chipping off to pick up linebackers. Where he really shines, however, is on the defensive side of the ball as an OLB, on the edge or sliding down in a 5-technique. With his headhunter instincts he stuffs blockers as he works through traffic to get to the QB. When teams try to turn the corner he has the speed and lateral quickness to shutdown backs trying to hit the perimeter. He has a busy summer lined up heading to camps at Missouri Western, Missouri Northwest, Washburn, Pitt State, and Emporia. After finishing as the 6A state runner-up a year ago he and his teammates are aiming for another shot at the title and he is going to be a big part of that this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1536103' first='Jaylen' last='Wilson']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaylen-wilson/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'3, 265, DL,&nbsp;<em>Andover Central</em>, '26. After helping his team win the 4A state championship a year ago, the&nbsp;<em>“Boogieman”</em>&nbsp;has been hard at it in the off season fine-tuning his game for the upcoming senior season. He is a mauling, brawling force on defense who really shines as an anchor of a nose guard, but is athletic enough to move out on the edge and cause disruption in the backfield. On the year he piled up 30 tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks dominating in the trenches. He has already hit the ground running on the camp circuit and is just getting back from an impressive performance at the Iowa State camp. Right now he is juggling offers from NW Oklahoma, Central Methodist and GCCC, with more on the way. With last year's team graduating numerous seniors he is going to be one of the players being counted on to provide leadership. He is getting ready to own the trenches in a couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403631' first='Cordale' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cordale-johnson/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cordale-johnson/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'1, 165, DB/WR,&nbsp;<em>Maize</em>, '27. He is coming off a springboard sophomore season as a three-way player who can do a little bit of everything. On offense he is a clutch receiver with a standout catch radius and sticky hands. On defense he can play safety or corner but really stands out as an athletic CB with length and speed who can bust the receiver in the chops at the line and then flip hips off the snap and stay glued to the receiver's hip pocket. Playing zone he has great read and react skills and can make stretch plays with his next-level closing speed. On special teams he is a dangerous return man with big-time zip running back kicks and punts as needed. He just wrapped up track season, has been working out locally with Coach Rashad and is getting ready for camps at Tulsa, Kansas State, KU and NW Missouri this month. Get your popcorn handy, this guy is going to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1643737' first='Reign' last='Illian']</strong>, 6'4, 200, QB, <em>Maize South</em>, '27. After playing for Kapaun a year ago as a sophomore he has since moved on to Maize South. He has also seen a significant growth spurt in the last year, growing a couple of inches and putting on 30 pounds while getting faster. Throwing from the pocket he has well-schooled mechanics, with great footwork, a seamless shoulder rotation and and quick release. He has a high-powered rifle for an arm, dismantling defenses with quick surgical strikes in the short game, or dialing it up and burning teams down the sidelines with the long touch pass. When the play breaks down he is athletic extending plays and is also adept at throwing off platform under duress. He has already been busy this summer, having wrapped up the Elite 11 camp, and OU, Texas and DFW showcases. He also just returned from a visit to Vanderbilt. This guy is a gunslinger who is going to open fire on Friday nights this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566712' first='Armane' last='Redmond']</strong>, 5'8, 170, RB/DB, <em>Salina South</em>, '27. He is coming off an injury-marred sophomore season playing through a broken hand as a running back and in the secondary. It was a difficult season for the team as a whole as the wins were few and far between, but in between all that he was able to display his potential. In particular, against Campus earlier in the year, he carried the ball 18 times for 123 yards and scored two touchdowns. He has been hard at it in the off season preparing to make up for lost time. With the ball in hand he makes decisive cuts before exploding through arm tackles and breaking to daylight. On defense he can play as a roving safety or move out on the flank and work as a lockdown corner. He is just getting back from the K-State camp and is getting ready to go the KU camp later this month. This guy is getting ready to surprise some people with a huge season in 2025.</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, you will not be disappointed. 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 –</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Keep grindin'…</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->