Playmakers Hitting Summer Training Hard For August

With camp season shifting gears late in June, players continue to work at their craft but with a lot less roadtrip time. There are still some top-notch individual camps and combines coming up and team camps are accelerating, but now the work is shifting toward connecting as a team as opposed to the focus being on individual training.   Grinders will continue to push themselves to get in killer condition for August, but now it is more about getting the mind and body peaking at the right time instead of chasing PR's.   In this report we are taking a quick look at five guys who have been busy in the off-season taking their preparation to another level. The first two are a couple of headhunter linebackers from '26, followed by a pair of next-level studs representing the class of '27 and then a dual-threat QB from out west who is getting ready to rip it up this fall.   So, without further adieu, let's check these guys out:   [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> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dalton-wulf/"></a> , 6'0”, 195, LB, Clearwater, ‘26. He is coming off a junior season in which he led the state in total tackles with 128, and also averaged a whopping 14+ tackles a game. With his powerful base, quickness and finely-tuned read and react skills he essentially shuts down the running game between the tackles but has the speed to cut off backs going wide. He also added five sacks, five tackles for loss and picked off a pass and closed out the year on a roll, averaging 16 tackles per game in his last three games. He has been to a number of local camps, was recently at K-State and still plans on hitting camps at Friends and Southern Nazarene in July. A beast at the linebacker position, he is getting ready to defend his tackle title and help his team hit the ground running this fall. This guy is on the cusp of a huge senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1698501' first='Micah' last='Mayer'], 5'11, 215, MLB, Goddard, '26. He is another middle linebacker who is coming off a strong junior season as a run-stomping defender with next-level instincts. He reads plays quickly, hammering the running attack at the line of scrimmage and also shoots gaps like a heat-seeking missile to get to the quarterback. His off-season has been all about work and is training with legendary Coach Tabor of PIA Athletes when not working with his team. He has also attended a number of camps and has been working with Southwestern Defensive Coordinator Drew Smith on tips for amping up his game. He also received his first offer from Bethany after attending a recent camp in Lindsborg. His training is paying off, as he has gotten bigger and faster since last fall. This guy isn't getting as much attention as he should yet, but he is going to be a force in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1311567' first='Cole' last='Zeka']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cole-zeka/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cole-zeka/"></a> , 6'3, 230, DE/TE, Wellington, '27. He is a rising-star multi-sport baller who has been floating just under the radar but that won't stop coaches and scouts from making the pilgrimage to Wellington in the near future. He is coming off a solid season establishing himself as a versatile playmaker on offense, with the athleticism to flip to the other side of ball and take over as a gate-crashing defensive end coming in hard and fast off the edge. As a defender he is a destroyer where ever he lines up and is a brutally-tough assignment for blockers, while on offense he has all the skill sets, with size, speed and a standout catch radius. He recently was at the GCCC camp at Kapaun and traveled to both KU and K-State camps earlier in the summer, with McPherson and Pitt scheduled for July. This guy is getting ready for a monster season for the Crusaders this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1343607' first='Tyler' last='Brown']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyler-brown-3/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyler-brown-3/"></a> , 6'4, 255, TE/DL, Oxford, '27. He is another two-way sophomore coming off a season getting acclimated in the trenches on both sides of the ball. With his ideal size and length, he can play any number of positions but this fall will line up at tight end and defensive tackle. On offense he has significant potential as a tight end with an excellent catch radius and the power to be a devastating run blocker. On defense he can anchor the defense in the middle at the nose, but is also effective slipping out wider as a mauling, brawling defensive tackle with a quick first step and good lateral movement. He and his teammates recently finished a successful camp at Emporia State and will be heading to Winfield for a team camp at Southwestern in July. This guy is getting ready to dominate this fall.   Maxson Smiley, 6'0, 185, QB, Colby, '28. Last, but certainly not least, we have a freshman QB who caught my attention last fall as an electric performer poised and ready for his opportunity. He is coming off a freshman season when he backed up a senior QB, but absolutely shredded defenses in junior varsity with a staggering 3,700+ total yards and 24 touchdowns. He has a dangerous offensive game as a dual-threat who can carry the ball like a RB but also throw pin-point passes when he goes to the air. He has been busy this off-season, playing basketball and just wrapped up a standout baseball season. He has already hit camps at KU and K-State as well Nebraska Kearney, the latter of which invited him back for their QB Academy in July. Get your popcorn handy, this guy is going to put on a show this fall.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys this fall – you will not be disappointed! Also, DM me via X if you know of any other players flying under the radar.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

With camp season shifting gears late in June, players continue to work at their craft but with a lot less roadtrip time. There are still some top-notch individual camps and combines coming up and team camps are accelerating, but now the work is shifting toward connecting as a team as opposed to the focus being on individual training.