Five 2027 Kansas Prospects to Watch

Signing day is fast approaching in the coming weeks for 2026 prospects. All of the hard work those seniors put in throughout their high school careers are about to come to fruition. My attention is quickly turning to 2027 class for the masses to be aware for the coming year.   We also just dropped our latest 2028 ranking updates and you'll definitely need to check that out. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/january-rankings-update-who-was-added-to-our-kansas-2028-list/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/january-rankings-update-who-was-added-to-our-kansas-2028-list/</a>   Here are five 2027 prospects on the rise from the Western half of the state.    Hesston is known for the their passing attack under head coach Tyson Bauerle and he has yet another signal caller that is ready to catch college coaches attention.   The 6-foot-1,195-pound Humphreys is an strong armed dual threat quarterback who possess a thick and powerful lower half that makes him difficult to bring down. Willing to step up in the pocket and keeps his eyes down the field. He works through his progressions and also throws well on the run. His mechanics are ever improving but he does have a longer throwing motion at this time. He excels in the classroom where he holds a 4.0 GPA.   This past season he was named Honorable Mention All-State 3A quarterback and was also second team All-Central Kansas League at the same position.   On the season he was 110 of 159 passing for 1491 yards and 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Overall he had a 113.5 QBR rating and was a 69.2% passer. When it comes to his legs, he rushed for 229 yards and nine touchdowns this past season.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16011742/691394decc4483b5a6c160ad">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16011742/691394decc4483b5a6c160ad</a>     This past season Liberal had a very strong season and finished third in the always competitive Western Athletic Conference. A big reason for their success was their dynamic passing attack and very active defense.   The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Holman was a big contributor and looks to take over as the primary receiver with the graduation of Jame Fieser. Fieser was first team All-5A and will represent the Redskins in this years Shrine Bowl. He also takes care of business in the classroom where he holds a 3.4 GPA.   As for Holman he is a plus athlete that excels at both receiver and defensive back. He definitely has the ideal size of a college secondary player.   Offensively he shows the ability to really attack and high point the ball. Willing to make the tough catch when being contested.   His offensive skill set translates very well to defensive back. He shows the ability to recognize route development and to play the ball on a secondary receiver when in zone. Does well getting in and out his backpedal and breaks on the ball very nicely. When playing man, he shows the ability to play tight coverage and stay over the top of the receiver. Also a willing tackler.   This past season he was Honorable Mention Non-Senior All-State 5A wide receiver and second team All-Western Athletic Conference defensive back.   As a receiver he had 30 receptions for 384 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively he had 22 tackles, three interceptions, four passes broken up and had eight pass defended.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20098880/6913702210678cbff3df2f58">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20098880/6913702210678cbff3df2f58</a>     Great Bend had one of their best seasons in school history and a big reason for their success stemmed from their very athletic and aggressive defense. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound [player_tooltip player_id='1124985' first='Kale' last='Kern'] teamed up with his All-State older brother in [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'] to form arguably the best linebacking unit in the state. The elder Kern will represent Great Bend in the Shrine Bowl this coming summer.   Kern is also a very good student and holds a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.   He is best described as a physical downhill linebacker who can bring the pain. Sure and fundamental tackler who led all of 5A in tackles with 137 on the season. He diagnosis run plays very quickly. Plays his gap(s) at a high level and gets off blocks very effectively. Does not run around incoming blockers. Explosive defender who can play either inside or outside but more suited as a inside linebacker. Prototype college linebacker build. Overall Kern is one of the better linebackers in all of the state and comes in as the #1 linebacker in our rankings for 2027.   This past fall he had not only had those 137 tackles but also chipped in 14 tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.   He was named Honorable Mention All-State 5A at linebacker, first team All-Non Senior All-State 5A and lastly first team All-Western Athletic Conference at the same position.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19474795/6933aa67227a8d2f14ef0da0">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19474795/6933aa67227a8d2f14ef0da0</a>     Regardless of classification, Cheney had one of the better defensive fronts in the whole state this past season. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Koehn teamed up with All-Stater [player_tooltip player_id='1228897' first='Nolan' last='Durr'] to make an formidable front. Durr is headed for Fort Hays State and will represent Cheney in the Shrine Bowl.   Yet another very good student, Koehn holds a 3.75 GPA in the classroom.   Koehn has the size, length, frame, arm length and athletic ability colleges look for in a 3-Tech defensive tackle or even a strong side defensive end. He is explosive by nature and has a quick first step. A non-stop motor that allows him to play sideline to sideline. He uses his hands and arm length very well. Able to disengage from blocks quickly and shows a good swim and bull rush. Also shows a good understanding of playing passing lanes and getting his hands up. Definitely uses all of his 80 inch wingspan.   He is also a very good left tackle on offense. Quick feet, plays in space well, gets to the second level effectively and uses his arm length effectively on his pass sets. He also plays with a good solid base, stays square on his short pulls, plays with good aggression and shows a good understanding of playing with good pad level/leverage by getting his helmet under the defenders chin.   This past fall he had 70 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.   He was named First Team All-State 3A and First Team All-Central Plains League as both an defensive and offensive lineman. He plays both football and basketball for the Cardinals.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16114576/6952f4ba4a6128ad4fc94a60">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16114576/6952f4ba4a6128ad4fc94a60</a>     The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Holzrichter is first and foremost a absolute road grader that has no qualms about getting down and dirty on the football field. Also yet another good student, where he holds a 3.7 GPA.   The Haven bruiser had 164 pancakes over 10 games and gave up zero sacks allowed on 237 passing attempts this past fall.   He definitely has the measurable colleges look for in a offensive guard. Once he gets his paws onto a defender and starts moving his feet, he overwhelms his opponent with his size and strength. He does get off the ball fairly quickly and does a good job when it comes to short pulling or blocking down.   There is definitely room for improvement with his game though. He could always improve his ability to become more flexible to help him bend and play with a better pad level. Being lighter on his feet would help him all-around but for sure with pass blocking. There is still a lot to like when one watches Holzrichter and I definitely look forward in seeing him develop throughout the off-season.   He was named First Team All-State 2A and First Team All-Central Kansas League offensive line.   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21606117/69128b4f1e7a4800429c8c99">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21606117/69128b4f1e7a4800429c8c99</a>    I look forward in showcasing plenty of deserving 2027 and 2028 prospects in the coming months as we finish up this school year. Then as we get into the summer where these prospects are able to showcase themselves at camps/combines and ever improve themselves physically and athletically strength and conditioning wise. If you ever have someone I need to be aware of, just message me on X at @Coach_Mitchum.

Signing day is fast approaching in the coming weeks for 2026 prospects. All of the hard work those seniors put in throughout their high school careers are about to come to fruition. My attention is quickly turning to 2027 class for the masses to be aware for the coming year.