Next Up: More '29 Ballers Getting Ready To Roll

As mentioned in an earlier article on rising-star 2029 players, this is the first year I have paid much attention to the guys getting ready for their first year of varsity football. Before, I have waited until they got the first year under their belt, but as an ancient crooner once said, the times they are a changin'.   In the past, players trying to make the quantum leap from middle school to full-blown varsity football, were few and far between. That's not a news flash. Most just aren't ready physically or mentally.   However, there are a select few who are ready now and are not looking to just dip their toe in the varsity pool and hope to get acclimated over time. These young guns are coming into their freshman season power-sliding into the varsity parking lot with no intention of easing into the next level.   These guys started preparing for this moment at a young age and seem to be further along than some of their predecessors at this stage.   On the surface it is easy to say the guys making a push to play early are just part of a small percentage maturing early, or the increased social media presence skews our perception of things, but there is more to it. Strong youth teams and program networking start the trajectory early with outside professional trainers and position experts following soon after in what becomes a year-around quest to fully optimize their game.   Obviously, this is not a new blueprint for early success, just one that is extraordinarily difficult to maintain and ultimately achieve.   In reporting on this second wave of 2029 ballers, I am introducing six multi-positional players who have been pushing all the right buttons getting ready to take the big step this fall. The first two are a couple of exciting dual-threat QB prospects, followed by two versatile WR/DB's and then wrap up with a trench warrior and a kicker/punter who is already way ahead of the curve.   So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys have been doing to get ready for the first year of varsity ball:     [player_tooltip player_id='1738191' first='Kellen' last='Weisguth'], 6'0, 180, QB, Blue Valley West, '29. The first playmaker out of the chute is a dual-threat quarterback looking to compete for the open slot left by graduating all-state QB Tate Nagy. He has been busy this summer getting ready both mentally and physically, pouring over the Jaguar playbook, training in the team strength and conditioning program, as well as fine-tuning his game working at the JV/V level for OTA's, scrimmages and in 7v7 competition. He took advantage of hitting the Manning Academy in June and then recently had a good performance at the McPherson camp. The rest of the summer he will continue to lift hard and train within the program as well as work on footwork and mechanics with QB Coach (Austin)Allen, a former standout Arkansas Razorback QB. His off-season work is reaping dividends already as he has put on 15 pounds and grown several inches since last year. This guy is ready roll this fall.   Chase Cain, 6'0, 170, QB/ATH, Olathe North, '29. He hit the ground running this summer and has been dedicated to getting ready. He has been perfecting his QB skill sets training with noted QB coach, Justin Hoover, @CoachHoover, with Spin It QB Academy twice a week. Earlier in the summer he attended his first college camp at K-State and in recent camp action was able to work with numerous college QB's, including KSU's Avery Johnson. With his already good size and athleticism, he is developing into a dangerous dual-threat QB who can sit in the pocket and throw surgical strikes or the long bomb, or extend plays with his legs and slice and dice defenses on the move. His passing mechanics are consistent with mature footwork, a tight shoulder rotation and release and well-timed weight transfer. With his football IQ and athleticism and with a strong off-season under his belt, he is ready for the varsity game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1744766' first='Ashton' last='Crosswhite'], 6'0, 170, WR/DB, Washburn Rural, '29. It has been a busy summer getting ready for this two-way baller who can split out wide or line up in the slot as a receiver, and can play any of the secondary positions on defense. He has also been busy as a slugger in baseball, batting .445 with 1.256 OPS, 27 stolen bases and 5 homers. Once he shifted gears to football, to make sure he was ready and knew what to expect he has been training with older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1744709' first='Ayden' last='Crosswhite'], a 6'3, 230 pound rising-star senior, who plays tight end and defensive tackle. As a receiver, younger bro has been working on his mechanics and route running footwork, hip drop and acceleration, explosive initial step, consistent routes and selling body language. He has sticky hands and is fearless making the contested catch over the middle. On defense he is athletic enough to shutdown receivers as a corner or move back as a ballhawk safety. After a solid off-season of training he is taller and heavier than he was a year ago, while getting faster. This guy is ready for the next level.   Nick McCarty, 5'10, 160, WR/DB, Olathe South, '29. He is another multi-positional playmaker who can line up at wide receiver or defensive back and has been grinding through off-season workouts since early this year to get ready. As a receiver he has exceptional hands and is able to smoothly pluck the ball out of the air at the last second. He also runs precise routes that he has worked on all summer, getting separation off the ball, making decisive cuts, mixing up tempo - anything to keep the DB on his heels. He can line up in the slot or split wide and with his burst and acceleration can blow by defenders on the deep ball. On defense he is versatile and could see time as both a cornerback and safety. He has been locked in on his training days this summer and it has paid off, putting on muscle while still improving speed. He is dedicated to his craft and putting in the grind to get better. Get this guy on your watchlist as he is ready to compete.   Andrew Driscoll, 6'0, 210, OL/DL, Russell, '29. He is the only trench warrior in this report and one that has had a strong off-season of training to get ready for his first shot at varsity football. On the offensive side of the ball he has mostly played the interior line positions and is versatile enough to play either guard or center. He is a pounding blocker with a powerful frame, great feet and heavy hands. On defense he uses those same attributes as a defensive tackle who can dominate the run game between the tackles while also putting pressure on the quarterback in passing situations. His summer has been busy with a focus on getting stronger and more explosive, with a lot of time in the weight room. The work has paid off as he set PR's in all the major lifts this summer. He has also been working on footwork, speed and agility and fine-tuning mechanics along the way. This guy is ready for the varsity challenge.   [player_tooltip player_id='1743366' first='Rhys' last='Poggio'], kicker/punter, Blue Valley SW, '29. Last and certainly not least we have a rising-star, 5-tool kicker/punter who is ready to make the jump to high school ball. He has been working hard at his craft the last three years getting to this point, traveling to events, kicking at sunrise or at night or even barefoot between trees. In a recent session he and fellow 2029 baller [player_tooltip player_id='1582714' first='Blake' last='Thomas'], 5'11, 185, ATH, BVSW worked out together to help each other improve. Whatever it takes. As a kicker he has an explosive leg with repeatable mechanics and excellent ball flight command. He already has the capability to drive field goals from the 50+ yard range and routinely pins the opposition deep with his booming kickoffs. He is also a weapon as a punter who can launch the towering high-spiral turn over punts or break out the Aussie-style rollout punt as needed. He has trained his mind to focus on the reps, rhythm and maintain a cool confidence even in the most stressful situations. This guy is going to be a serious asset for the Timberwolves.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action – you will not be disappointed.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

As mentioned in an earlier article on rising-star 2029 players, this is the first year I have paid much attention to the guys getting ready for their first year of varsity football. Before, I have waited until they got the first year under their belt, but as an ancient crooner once said, the times they are a changin'.