2029 Ballers Ready To Make The Varsity Leap This Fall

For the class of '29 it has been a summer of building sweat equity and pushing through the grind in anticipation of competing at the varsity level in high school football.   The anticipation of padding up and making an early impression is seemingly never-ending, and for many dominates young-baller thinking throughout the summer.   But, beyond the uncertainty, for a select few it is more motivation than anticipation, as they already know they can play with the big boys and have prepared to make that critical early impression...and eventually see action or even start by the time playoffs roll around.   In years past, I must admit, I did not spend much time tracking the up-and-coming freshman class, choosing to wait until they officially hit the gridiron as varsity players. But, as I have gotten to know some of these guys and followed their exploits in other sports and training progress in the off-season, it has fired me up to see what they can deliver early in their careers.   In this report we are taking a look at seven rising-star playmakers from all over the state who are getting ready to take the varsity game by storm.   So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys are doing to get ready for this fall:   Braigan Dinkel, 5'11, 175, QB, Russell. First out of the chute is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat teams with his arm or his legs. He is coming off an injury that motivated him even more to get ready in the off-season. As a passer he has good pocket presence and mechanics and moves his feet well buying time and keeping his eyes downfield. His arm is more than ready, as he can make the throws at all three levels with tight ball placement. Having hit the K-State camp earlier in the summer, he will finish up at McPherson and Ottawa later this month. He has also been putting the finishing touches on his off-season preparation and training with Sharp Performance. Get this guy on your watchlist as he has all the tools.   Lexton Trotter-Rivera, 5'11, 190, TE/LB, Wichita NW. He is getting ready to join a powerful Wichita NW team and brings an athletic, two-way game that may translate to playing time as a freshman. He has been training hard in the off-season with step dad, Coach AJ Johnson, and step brother [player_tooltip player_id='403631' first='Cordale' last='Johnson'], one of the top players in the '27 class. As a former QB who has transitioned to TE/LB, he uses his physicality and quickness to create separation off the ball, running disciplined routes and can make the contested catch over the middle. On the other side of the ball he is a headhunter LB with good instincts and closing speed and delivers a blow on impact. Get this guy in your sights - he is a baller.   [player_tooltip player_id='1582714' first='Blake' last='Thomas'], 5'11, 190, RB/DB, Blue Valley SW. After leading his team to an undefeated Blue Valley district championship he has been hitting it hard in the off-season getting ready to take his game to the next level on varsity as a two-way playmaker RB/DB combo. With his speed, athleticism and baller mentality he makes things happen when he steps on the field. He has been busy this summer, improving skills at the KC Varsity Combine and competed in camps at Benedictine, McPherson, Lindenwood, and is headed to Pitt State next Saturday. His off-season work is paying off, as he has crushed his PR's in the major lifts and has his 40 down to 4.7. This guy is ready to bring the fireworks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1331011' first='Ryder' last='Sedlacek'], 5'10, 165, QB, Hanover. After winning titles in football and hoops last year he has had his game face on this off-season getting ready to compete at the varsity level. This summer he starts most days lifting first thing in the morning and does speedwork, as well as throwing and working mechanics, in the afternoon. He has also continued to improve skill sets and training with Kegan Schumann of Revive Performance. With his dual-threat, high-IQ game he knows how to deliver when it counts and has the arm to slice and dice defenses or burn them executing the RPO and when extending plays. This guy is a winner in an excellent program and is going to make some noise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1663254' first='Adonis' last='Dunnigan'], 5'11, 175, DB/WR, Manhattan. All eyes will be on the Indians this fall as this guy gets ready to make his much-anticipated entry into the varsity game. He has been burning it up this summer working out with his KU-bound brother, [player_tooltip player_id='904447' first='James' last='Dunnigan Jr'], who is one of the top, if not the best, DB's in the nation. With his explosiveness (just shy of a 40" vertical already) and athleticism, he is developing into a smothering shutdown corner who can play anywhere in the secondary. On offense he is a talented wideout who runs precise routes and has the wheels to take it to the house. This guy is the real-deal and is getting ready to put an exclamation point on it this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1488557' first='Cael' last='Claibourn'], QB, 6'1, 180, QB, Emporia. Where do I even start with this guy? As a dual-threat QB he is a dangerous runner using his speed, quickness and instincts. Through the air he has a strong arm throwing out of the pocket and is adept on the move. Approaching prototype size, with promising skill sets already, he has been busy cross-training and preparing for this fall. A 4-sport athlete, he dominated in track, baseball and hoops this summer and later in the month will be competing in the USATF National Junior Olympics in the long jump and triple jump. His training is paying off as he has put on 10 pounds while getting even more explosive. Get your popcorn handy, this guy is getting ready to put on a show.   [player_tooltip player_id='1651118' first='Landon' last='Reed'], 5'11, 185, LB/RB, Derby. He is another baller coming up through the ranks to help lead the next wave of standout players for the Panthers. This summer he has been training with Coach Daniels locally who has helped him get faster and stronger than he's ever been. Camp season has been busy this summer and will wrap up later this month when he travels to Pitt State. His goal is to dress on varsity by the end of the season and hopefully see action - a goal I think he has under-promised and will over-deliver on this fall. He has also had a standout baseball summer, hitting close to a 400' home run, stole 30 bases and has an 80+ mph fastball. This guy is going to ball out in '25.   In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action this fall – you will not be disappointed.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

For the class of '29 it has been a summer of building sweat equity and pushing through the grind in anticipation of competing at the varsity level in high school football.