Baller Defenders Getting Ready For Breakout Seasons

Next up is the latest report in the on-going series on positional group standouts.   In this report we will look at the defensive side of the ball and cover multiple positions from the returning classes.   Up first will be three defenders coming off good junior seasons, followed by players from the sophomore and freshmen classes who stepped up in a big-time way last year.   So without further adieu, let's check these guys out:   [player_tooltip player_id='1923949' first='Mitchell' last='Frank'], 6'3, 210, Edge/LB, Bishop Carroll, '27, up first for the senior-to-be ballers is a headhunter of an edge/outside linebacker who is coming off an all-state season and established himself as a dominating defender. With his length, burst and explosiveness on display last fall he racked up 52 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and had five sacks. With great instincts and read and react skills, he hits gaps and comes off the corner like a heat-seeking missile. With his next-level closing speed and knack for being around the ball he essentially shuts down the perimeter on his side. This off-season he has been working on footwork, initial step quickness and overall strength and speed with Coach Tabor and PIA. He has already received significant college interest and will be juggling spring day visits and camps this spring when he also throws the javelin for Carroll. This guy is the real-deal, get out and see him while you still can.   Brenton Findley, 5'11, 190, OLB, Andover Central, '27, next up is another outside linebacker who has been flying under the radar so far and despite missing a couple of games last fall was able to put up impressive defensive numbers. For the year he piled up 75 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, five sacks and received all-conference honors. With that kind of play, he won't be under the radar anymore. As a versatile defender he can play outside or inside, come off the edge or even drop back and play defensive back as needed. He split gaps in the blink of an eye and moves well laterally tracking ball carriers on the perimeter. He is also a strong open-field tackler and when he arrives brings the sledgehammer. Right now he has been locked in on his off-season training and then this spring is an excellent high jumper on the track team. He is also preparing for the up-coming You Are Athlete camp and is narrowing down his list of other camps to attend. This guy is set for big season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1631999' first='CJ' last='Hess'], 5'11, 175, DB, Bishop Miege, '27, the final senior-to-be in this report is a guy I have had my eye on since last fall and he seemed to get better as the season went on. He is a multi-positional baller who can play as a suffocating shutdown corner, drop back as a ballhawk safety and disrupt passing lanes or slide in and bring tight coverage at the nickel. For the season he had 33 tackles, a pair of tackles for loss, a timely interception in the playoffs, blocked a field goal and only allowed a single score in coverage in 13 games. Since the season ended he has been a man on a mission, pounding the weights in the Miege off-season training program daily and is also playing 7v7 with GrindTime to continue to master his craft. Next up he is transitioning to track this spring and will run sprints as well as competing in the long jump and high jump. This guy was just getting warmed up last fall and is going to dominate in '26.   [player_tooltip player_id='2103536' first='Carter' last='Baker'], 6'4, 215, Edge, Eisenhower, '28, the only sophomore in this report is an all-state Edge who played last year for Garden Plain but has since transferred to Eisenhower where he will play his last couple of seasons. He is coming off a standout sophomore year when he had 70 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, and since then has hit a growth spurt and will play this fall at 6'4 and weigh in at 215 pounds. Last year was a springboard season and between his growth and off-season training focus he is going to be a force to be reckoned with this fall. With his length and athleticism he can bend and burst coming off the edge to get around blockers or just use his lower-body strength and heavy hands to bull rush right over the top to get to the quarterback. Since the season ended he has been working with trainer Brian Butler and is already gearing up to play baseball. This guy has next-level skills and is going to be a big asset for the Tigers.   [player_tooltip player_id='2128265' first='Braxton' last='Stroda'], 6'0, 195, LB/ATH, Junction City, '29, up first for the freshmen is a guy who I have been following since last fall when he emerged as one of the few starting middle linebackers for a 6A school as a freshman. He plays a mature game in a demanding position for his age and has stepped up to the challenge. With his explosive game and overall athleticism, he blows up gaps and rips through double teams to get in the backfield. He has the speed and instincts to track quickly and uses those attributes to destroy plays before they get started. Last year he had 35 tackles, four tackles for loss, forced a pair of fumbles and added a fumble recovery. He has been busy in the off-season as he wrestled and is now getting ready for baseball this spring. He has also been lifting and doing speedwork several times a week and is getting ready to hit camps at KU and K-State. This guy is going to be a ball-buster this fall.   Tucker Rice, 5'11, 165, DB/QB, Salina Central, '29, and last but certainly not least is a young gun who got acclimated to the varsity game as a part of last-year's 5A state championship team. He is a two-way baller who can play as a dual-threat quarterback on offense and is a promising defensive back on the other side of the ball. With an all-state QB returning his quickest route to playing time will probably be in the secondary. He is an athletic playmaker and as he gets more experience and puts the work in he is going to be a baller. He has been training with Sharp performance with teammates King Anderson and GriffinHall, as well as playing 7v7 with GrindTime. In the spring he will run the 100, 200 and 400 on the track team and then this summer will play baseball. With all that going on he is still deciding on which camp/combines to attend and other than Washburn in early June is undecided on the others. This guy has a high-ceiling game and is ready for the next step.   In conclusion, get out and see these talented playmakers - you won't be disappointed! Also, if you know of any players not getting any/enough coverage that they deserve, please feel free to DM me via X so we can take care of that!   And, most importantly...   Keep Grindin'

Next up is the latest report in the on-going series on positional group standouts.