Monday Morning Review: '26 Grinders Ready For Fall

Wrapping up a busy June of camps, combines, school visits and the on-going grind to be great, we slide into the week-long moratorium kicking off today. A mid-summer break of sorts from organized events and direct coaching to take care of any last-second loose ends, focus on injury rehab if needed or recharge burnt-out batteries.   For others, it is still a work week. The start of the critical July homestretch, where the guys striving to be elite put the finishing touches on the off-season grind.   It is also an important time for visualizing your coming success and get your mind right for an apex performance this fall. If you are focusing on building muscle and speed only, you're missing out. Talent takes you a long ways on the gridiron journey but aptitude alone won't help you clear those last few hurdles striving for elite levels of performance.   The mind is an ultra-powerful weapon and once harnessed there is little you can't accomplish.   In this report we are taking a quick look at five guys who have been hitting it hard in the off-season getting mind and body ready for a blistering senior season. All five are among the best in the state at their positions and are locked and loaded to show it this fall.   So, without further adieu, let's check these guys out:   [player_tooltip player_id='780429' first='Zane' last='Farney']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zane-farney/"></a> , 6'0, 190, RB/ATH, Sterling, '26. As one of the top RB's in the state the last few years, he has been busy getting ready for a sizzling senior season this fall. He is returning from consecutive seasons rushing for 1,500+ yards and has been a two-time player of the year finalist as an electric runner with great lateral quickness and a lightening-like burst. He was also a versatile standout on defense, racking up 67 tackles on the year from his safety spot. This fall he will move to CB to utilize his skills in neutralizing opposing receivers. He has been busy on the camp circuit, hitting Dordt, Northwestern, Oklahoma Baptist and Washburn camps so far, with Missouri S&T and Emporia State in July. With half a dozen offers in hand to date he has his eyes locked in on pulling off the rare 2K rushing season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1264072' first='Colton' last='Bannister']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/colton-bannister/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/colton-bannister/"></a> , 5'11, 195, LB, Wellington, '26. He is coming off another lights-out season as one of the top linebackers in the state who has piled up two-straight 100+ tackle seasons. Last year he took the trajectory even higher, racking up 116 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, a couple of sacks and an interception. He is a heat-seeking missile of a linebacker with next-level read and react skills, fine-tuned instincts and closing speed that he effectively utilizes to slam the door shut on opposing running attacks. He and his teammates recently wrapped up a positive camp at Fort Hays and with 7v7 weekly and the on-going training grind to get even more physical he will be ready to rip it up this fall. If you like headhunter linebackers who play sideline to sideline get out and see this guy bring the heat.   [player_tooltip player_id='1515918' first='Peyton' last='Hare']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/peyton-hare/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/peyton-hare/"></a> , 6'2, 200, QB/LB, Eureka, '26. He is another multi-sport stud in the making who will be delivering a blow-out senior season this fall. With prototype size and speed, he is coming off a standout junior season as a game-breaking dual-threat quarterback who can do a little bit of everything. Last fall he ran and passed for 1,800+ total yards and 25 TD's and gave fans and coaches a look at the trailblazing to come. He has been busy in the off-season with basketball, took 2nd in state in the 198-pound class in powerlifting and was one of the best 400m guys in the state. He recently returned from camps at Washburn and Kansas Wesleyan, with McPherson, and Emporia State, weekly 7v7 and a team camp at Butler in July. Get your popcorn handy and watch him put on a show this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113404' first='Kade' last='Mitchell']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kade-mitchell/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kade-mitchell/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kade-mitchell/"></a> , 5'10, 175, RB/DB, Hayden, '26. Speaking of putting on a show, I have had my eye on this guy for awhile. He is a multi-sport standout who is playing baseball with the Capital City Monarchs this summer while also training twice a day, four days a week with his teammates and a personal trainer. He is also a versatile, multi-positional, three-way player who generated 1,600+ total yards running and receiving last year and was a defensive player of the year finalist. With the ball in hand he is a dangerous runner, receiver and return man with burst and acceleration, who can be utilized split out or in the slot as needed. He has had rave reviews from camps this summer and the scary thing for the opposition is he is just starting to get warmed up. This guy is going to deliver some three-way fireworks in 2025.   Ty Newton, 5'10, 165, DB, Shawnee Mission NW, '26. And last, but certainly not least we have a baller of a defensive back who is getting ready for a springboard senior season. Even after an excellent junior year when he piled up 34 tackles and had a half dozen pass break ups, he is still not getting as much attention as he should. With his 40's clocking consistently in the 4.5's, he is fearless getting in the receiver's grille, busting chops at the snap of the ball and then giving them the glove treatment on their routes; or can deftly sink into zone and cause disruption. This guy means business when he works as a smothering corner who can also quickly collapse down on the run to his side and shut off the perimeter with hard-nose open-field tackles as needed. He has been busy getting geared up for an exciting season and by all indications will shine this fall.   In conclusion, get out and follow their progress - you will not be disappointed. And, as always, if you run across any teams or players flying under the radar give me a shout via DM on X.    And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

Wrapping up a busy June of camps, combines, school visits and the on-going grind to be great, we slide into the week-long moratorium kicking off today. A mid-summer break of sorts from organized events and direct coaching to take care of any last-second loose ends, focus on injury rehab if needed or recharge burnt-out batteries.