Under the Radar Ballers Ready For a Breakout Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The pre-season is upon us and the grind continues. The grind during the season is similar to the off-season, as it is still about focusing on process rather than outputs or outcomes, except in the fall you gear the grind to weekly targets. Like winning every Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laser-focus on process and the outcomes take care of themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Process goals can help you understand exactly what needs to be done now, usually with quantified, meaningful goals. Not worrying about the outcome/output that will take place in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By focusing on process instead of outcome or output you are mapping the blueprint for what you need to accomplish every day in every practice, in order to win on Friday nights. You control now - the past just vaporized and the future is just a mirage...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the journey that's important. You can't worry about end results. It's about committing to the grind on what you control, every minute of every day. It's about having a winning attitude and discipline, in practices, weight training, conditioning, in the classroom, in everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>‍In this report, we are taking a closer look at five guys who have already figured out that focusing on the process, by virtue of a relentless year-around grind, is how you become elite. In this report we are taking a look at three seniors who are getting ready for big close-out seasons, and then a couple of sophomores who are ahead of the curve getting ready for the 2025 season.</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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1261248' first='Gad' last='Munganga']</strong>, 6'0, 170, WR/DB, <em>Topeka West</em>, '26. He is coming off a solid junior season as a versatile wide receiver who can line up in the slot or flank out wide to force mismatches. He is used in a number of creative ways, on the reverse, quick-strike short passes where he picks up big yardage after the initial hit and torching teams on the long ball down the seams once he sets them up with the quick game. He has the speed and quickness to secure separation immediately off the ball before rolling into precise route running. His hands are strong and he is fearless going over the middle to make the contested catch. This summer he has been locked into lifting, running, and sharpening routes. He may get some secondary action this fall so he is training to go both ways if needed. A multi-sport baller, he is also a standout basketball player. This guy is set for a big year in '25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1590414' first='Derek' last='Leggett']</strong>, 6'3, 250, OL/DL, <em>Sedgwick</em>, '28. He has been busy in the off-season working through the rehab of a knee injury while training for a breakout year. He is off to a stellar start to his varsity career, starting as a freshman and establishing himself as a mauling, brawling strike force in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Once the season was over and through rehab, he maintained the off-season grind, working with Coach Rashad Daniels on speed, explosiveness, agility and being the complete player and with Coach Andra at Battle Ax Gym on power workouts for strength and trench technique. He was also busy on the camp-combine circuit this summer. The work is already reaping dividends as he has grown several inches, put on 15 pounds, established PR's in the key lifts and has gotten faster in the process. This guy is ready to dominate and will soon be getting significant attention from scouts with their finger on the pulse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664439' first='Cooper' last='Bruna']</strong>, 6'0, 180, RB/LB, <em>Hanover</em>, '28. He is another <em>Hanover </em>guy who caught my eye recently as a promising two-way baller who has the skill sets needed to excel on both sides of the ball. He is also a force on special teams, in particular as a head-banger taking out the kick return before it gets started. On offense he is an elusive running back with quick feet and agility and the ability to make defenders miss in space. On the other side of the ball he is a fast-tracking LB with great read and react skills and the closing speed to get to the ball in a hurry. With his lateral burst he quickly stuffs the gap or cuts off speedy backs trying to hit the perimeter. His summer has been packed hitting camps and combines and training locally with top coach/trainer Keegan Schuman. He is also a rising star in hoops, averaging eight points a game as a freshman. Get this guy on your watchlists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carson Mason</strong>, 5'10, 170, WR/DB, <em>Hoisington</em>, '26. He is coming off an excellent junior campaign as a two-way baller who made things happen on offense as a dangerous wideout and as a ballhawk in the secondary. As a receiver, he can line up in the slot but where he has really shined is in splitting wide and torching defenders on a variety of short and mid-range passes before setting up the long ball. He is also a talented stalk blocker on the perimeter. On defense he is a lock-down corner who can get in a receiver's face mask and shadow him the entire route. He has had a busy camp-combine summer attending seven events and grinding through the team's summer weights program. The work is starting to pay off as he has put on 15 pounds, gotten taller and has his forty time down to a speedy 4.6. More than anything, however, it is his work ethic, commitment to watching film, and football IQ that separates him on the gridiron. This guy is ready to go off this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jarrell James</strong>, 5'11, 175, DB/RB/ATH, <em>Wichita South</em>, '26. And last, but certainly not least, we have a multi-positional playmaker who can line up in a variety of positions on both sides of the ball. On offense he can play as a slot receiver or as a versatile all-purpose back who can pound the rock while also catching the ball out of the backfield. On the other side of the ball he is a smothering cornerback who can shut down the team's top receiver by mashing him at the line or sink in zone and take out the pass with his play-recognition baller instincts. When the run game gets going he flies to the ball and is a pounding open-field tackler. This summer he has been getting in plenty of speedwork and hit several camps including recently at Pitt State. The work is paying off as he has put on 15 pounds while still getting faster. He has also focused on the mental game and working on the details and nuances of his craft. This guy is ready for a breakout season this fall.</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 -->