Dual-Threat Gunslinger QB’s Ready To Air It Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dual-threat quarterbacks these days are as athletic and physically gifted as any I have seen over the years. Many play numerous sports but most all have one thing in common, they grind it out in the off-season to get better at their craft.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year a new wave of quarterbacks come into play and it puts that much more pressure on the proven ballers to continue to raise the ceiling on their game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a nutshell, there is a lot of QB talent in the Sunflower state, with some already getting recognized but there are numerous others who are still looking for the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we are taking a closer look at five quarterbacks - four seniors and a junior - from around the state who are poised and ready to deliver the goods in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys have been doing to get ready for this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1643737' first='Reign' last='Illian']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/reign-illian/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'4, 205, QB,&nbsp;<em>Maize South</em>, '27. He has been making up for lost time this off-season after a frustrating sophomore year marred by a broken ankle. Since then he moved on from <em>Kapaun</em> to <em>Maize South</em> and also hit a growth spurt along the way, getting taller and putting on 30 pounds while getting faster. A dual threat dominator with prototype D1 size and athleticism he is comfortable working the pocket and picking teams a part or extend plays on the move, throwing off platform or from different launch angles. He can make all the throws, from lightning-quick short passes, deep velocity throws into the second and third level and the long touch pass down the sidelines. He has had a busy summer working with noted QB coach Justin Hoover, going to camps and getting a lot of D1 attention from the likes of <em>Vanderbilt, OU, TCU, KU, North Dakota</em> and <em>Tennessee </em>among others. This guy is getting ready for a monster season this fall..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904445' first='Zane' last='Viegra']</strong></strong>, 6'3, 195,&nbsp;<em>Hays</em>, '26. He is another rising star who was blindsided a year ago by injury after suffering a broken tibia in last year's playoffs. He responded in a positive manner and accelerated his rehab and went on to have a successful 7v7 season this past spring. With excellent size and next-level skill sets he is a dual-threat QB who can stand tall in the pocket and rifle the ball all over the field or get on the roll out or RPO and use his running ability to help move the chains. This summer he has been busy hitting camps and making school visits to <em>UCO, Drake </em>and<em> Iowa State</em>. He has also been focused on providing senior leadership and in working on the mental aspects of the position. He has been working on processing speed and pre-snap reads, optimizing instant recognition and reading defenses. His mental toughness and leadership are among his numerous strengths and it is going to be a big part of his breakout season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586963' first='Zane' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zane-smith-2/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'11, 185, QB,&nbsp;<em>Topeka High</em>, '26. He is coming off a good junior year when he gave fans and coaches a glimpse of great things to come. A dangerous dual-threat quarterback, he is a versatile signal caller who throws surgical strikes in the short game or can dial it up and burn teams with the long ball. His accuracy and ball placement are outstanding and don't suffer when he works the perimeter to throw on the run or extend plays when his team needs it. He has spent a lot of time this summer working on timing routes and chemistry with his receivers and getting locked in to air it out this fall. He has also been fine-tuning his processing speed and in making quick pre-snap reads and isolating weak spots in the defense. His off-season work is starting to pay off as he is in the best shape of his life and ready to roll in 2025. This guy is a winner and a force multiplier as a leader who is going to have a big-time season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401677' first='Connor' last='Hanika']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/connor-hankia/"></a>&nbsp;,</strong>&nbsp;6'5”, 195, QB/ATH, <em>Topeka Hayden</em>, '26. He is another senior with next-level size and athleticism who hasn't gotten near the attention he deserves. Coming off a standout season a year ago when he and his teammates were the state runner-up, they will be locked and loaded to return to the championship game and leave with different results this year. He has the kind of size D1 schools are looking for and when you roll in his athleticism and ability to make things happen he is getting ready to get significant attention this fall. He and his teammates have been playing together since they were in the seventh grade and are ready to return to the big game. He is a multi-positional baller who can play tight end or as a hybrid wideout but really excels as a big-play quarterback. With his solid pocket mechanics and strong arm he gets rid of the ball quickly, firing accurate strikes short or long. This guy is going to bust out in a big way this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='585907' first='John' last='Hoytal']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/john-hoytal/"></a> ,</strong> 6'3”, 200, QB, <em>Washburn Rural</em>, ‘26. He is another quarterback who has been flying under the radar somewhat but has been hard at it in the off-season getting ready for a big-time year in 2025. He has been busy since earlier in the year as a standout basketball player and has been getting in a lot of time and effort working on timing and chemistry with his top returning receivers. With his ideal size and athleticism he has all the tools to be a dangerous dual-threat quarterback who is comfortable sitting in the pocket and zipping the ball all over the field or using his legs to extend plays and throttle the defense when they try to squeeze him in the pocket. He has grown a couple of inches and put on weight while getting faster and with last year's growth and maturity rolls into this fall as a guy ready to rip it up. With his powerful arm, mobility and senior leadership he is getting ready to help his team take it to the next level this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action – you will not be disappointed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as usual…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Keep grindin'</em></strong>…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->