Football Friday Grinders Coming Down the Homestretch

With July zooming by like it has the season start will be here in the blink of an eye. So if you do blink, make it a quick one so you can finish preparation for the coming season.   And, at this stage in the off-season if you're just now getting serious about this fall, good luck. The grinders have been at it since the first of the year, so there is a lot of work to make up in what little time is left.   Most of the guys I cover don't fall into that category so enough said there...   In this report we are going to take a look at five grinders flying under the radar so far but have hit the off-season training hard and are all ready for breakout seasons this fall.   So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys have been doing to get ready:   [player_tooltip player_id='1656510' first='Bryis' last='Alford'], 5'11, 175, QB/DB, Baldwin, '27. Starting since his freshman year, he is coming off a frustrating sophomore season when he got hurt in the third game and missed the rest of the regular season. Fast forward to this year and he is once again healthy and after a strong off-season the athletic, versatile quarterback and safety is ready for a big junior campaign. On offense he is a dual threat QB who fires darts from the pocket or when throwing on the move. His ability to improvise and use his arm and legs to extend plays has been impressive to date. He can also beat teams on the ground, using his quick feet and burst. His off-season training is paying off as he hit some camps and has gotten taller and added muscle while getting significantly faster. This guy is pumped up and primed for a stepping-stone season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1732199' first='Avonte' last='Housh'], 6'0, 255, OL/DL, Atchison '26. This guy is a mauling, brawling two-way baller who is coming off a solid junior season in the trenches. With his powerful frame, low-center of gravity, agile feet and heavy hands he can hammer blocks on offense in the run game and also use his athleticism to wall off in pass pro. Last year he only gave up one sack and that was to Shrine Bowl MVP @ayden_ellington who had four sacks in the all-star game. His training has been strong this off-season as he has been in the gym and on the field perfecting his craft. He is bull-strong, with one of the top bench presses in the school at 360 pounds and also powered through 23 reps at 225. He has also gotten much faster clocking 40's in the 4.8's all summer. This guy has been on an off-season mission and with his drive and high-octane effort, he is ready for a big senior season.   Kendrick Harrison Jr., 5'10, 185, RB, Wichita Southeast, '27. He is another Wichita SE baller who caught my eye recently and I have had him on my watchlist since. His sophomore season was solid as he started as a running back and got acclimated to the varsity game. With his strong base, quick feet and RB-instincts, he makes decisive cuts before showing his burst and is in the secondary in a hurry. He is a strong runner as well, burning through arm tackles and delivering a blow running between the tackles. His off-season has been focused as he ran track to improve speed and agility and has drilled down his 40-time to a speedy 4.6. He has also been busy in the weight room, putting on 15 pounds of muscle while getting faster and also showed his explosiveness with a recent 33-inch vertical. This guy is locked and loaded for a breakout season this fall.   MiKail Phillips, 6'0, 245, Edge/LB, Derby, '27. He is another baller I stumbled on during a recent marathon film session. He just transferred from Lakeridge HS in Mansfield, Texas and has joined the top-notch Derby program. With his power, physicality and speed he is a battering ram of an edge rusher or as an outside linebacker as needed. Coming off the edge he uses his low-pad level and powerful hands to blow through double teams and cause chaos in the backfield. His off-season has been busy as he has worked hard in the weight room and has put on 10 pounds of muscle. His speedwork has paid off as well, as he has his 40-time down in the 4.7's. The Panther defense was already a force to be reckoned with but in adding a player of his caliber they are going to be even more formidable. This guy is ready to go off - get out and see a star in the making.   Ty Karcher, 6'1, 225, DE/OL, Emporia, '28. As the only freshman in this article, he is coming off a strong initial varsity season adjusting to the size and speed of the game. He already has good size and is athletic enough to overwhelm opponents in the trenches on offense and will rotate in as an edge rusher on defense. With his strength, good reach and quick feet he is a left tackle who protects the QB and crushes defenders trying to get through him. His off-season training has been consistent and is already reaping dividends as he has gotten significantly bigger while still getting faster. After hitting the Emporia State camp he has been working with his teammates to turn things around under new coach, Daniel Goodman. He has also been busy playing baseball this summer as a pitcher and first baseman. This guy is a sleeper who is getting ready to shine in 2025.   In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action this fall – you will not be disappointed.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

With July zooming by like it has the season start will be here in the blink of an eye. So if you do blink, make it a quick one so you can finish preparation for the coming season.