Mauling, Brawling Trench Warriors Deep in the Grind

Next up is the latest report in the on-going series on positional group standouts and what they are doing in the off-season to get ready for this fall.   The plan is to continue to drop almost daily reports on all of the key position groups to get coverage for as many ballers as possible in the '26 off-season.   If your name or a deserving teammate doesn't pop up here let me know about it via DM on X - guys with initiative are rewarded.   In this report, we are circling back to the guys in the trenches to take a look at a couple of rising stars out of the class of '29 and then a handful of ballers getting ready for a big senior season.   So without further adieu, let's check these guys out:   [player_tooltip player_id='1545283' first='Dominic' last='Santiago'], 6'0, 245, OL, Shawnee Mission South, '29, up first for the trench dominators is a rising star two-way baller who played right tackle last fall as well as defensive tackle and end on defense. He is coming off a standout freshman season with Blue Valley West and has since transferred his high-ceiling game to SM South. With his powerful lower body and mature mechanics, he can play multiple positions but typically lined up at right tackle where he was a punishing blocker in the run game and in pass pro essentially walled off his side with quick feet and heavy hands. On defense he has a quick first step, football instincts and an aggressive attitude that he uses to blow through gaps and make plays in the backfield. This off-season he has been pounding the weights, working on cardio and getting to know his new teammates. He is also planning on hitting several camps. This guy is the real deal.   Kaiden McCatherine, 6'2, 280, OL, Ark City, '29, he is another player who started turning heads last fall as a pile-driving blocker and who was versatile enough to play guard or tackle on the offensive side of the ball. He was particularly effective at right tackle, using his formidable size, quickness and agility to dominate in the trenches. In the run game he drives off the line with power, caving in down blocks and plays from snap to whistle with the result usually burying the defender in the turf. In pass pro he already has seasoned mechanics, squaring up and locking in on his target to seal off the perimeter on his side. Once the year ended he immediately went into off-season training to get even bigger, stronger, and faster for this fall, with coaches even having to open the weight room for him on weekends. He is also getting ready for track this spring and is still in the process of deciding which camps to hit this spring and summer. This guy is ready to take the next big step.   [player_tooltip player_id='1343607' first='Tyler' last='Brown'] , 6'5, 265, DL/TE, Oxford, '27, up first for the seniors-to-be is a guy I have been following for awhile now and despite flying under the radar is ready for a huge season this fall. He is a multi-positional player on both sides of the ball who has next-level size, speed and athleticism. On offense he is a dangerous tight end with a wide catch radius and once he hauls in the reception is a problem after the catch. He was also a pounding blocker who had 25 pancake blocks. On defense he has excellent read and react skills to go with great burst and explosiveness from either his DT position or when sliding down to the nose. He is a disruptive force who flows to the ball quickly and last fall accounted for 70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and picked off a pass. He is getting ready for track and is still deciding on camps to attend. With his 4.8 speed at 265 pounds he is getting ready to go scorched earth on teams this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1083296' first='Ryan' last='Slaughter']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ryan-slaughter/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ryan-slaughter/"></a> , 6'3, 250, OL, Wichita East, '27, he is coming off a solid season a year ago as a two-way player at offensive tackle and on defense will line up as a three-tech or slide wide and penetrate coming off the edge. As an OT he uses his lower-body power and agile feet to pummel defenders in the run game. When he shifts to pass pro he has a quick first step, a knack for squaring up at the snap and weaponized hands that effectively seals off defenders coming off the edge. He plays a high-IQ game, doing his homework to pick up on pattern tendancies in film review. Once the season ended he went into wrestling and will throw the shotput this spring. He is also training with Coach Tabor and PIA and has already shaved his 40-time down to 4.9. He also has a loaded camp schedule including trips to Arkansas State, Tulsa, Iowa State, South Dakota , NDSU, Ole Miss, and Rivals 250. This guy is going to be ready for a breakout season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115927' first='Gunner' last='Goalden'], 6'0, 275, OL/DL, Hesston, '27, and last but certainly not least we have another two-way baller who has been a starter since he was a freshman and is already a battle-tested trench warrior. On offense he is a versatile enforcer at tackle or guard, but where he really shines is as a penetrating, disruptive defensive tackle who had 70 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and a half-dozen hurries last fall. With a powerful base, quickness and excellent lateral closing speed he essentially shuts down the run game between the tackles. When the opposing team tries to pass he has the instincts and burst to blow through gaps and cause chaos in the backfield. Once the season was over he went right into training and is working on all aspects of his game with Coach Rashad. He is also lifting in his school's off-season training program. This guy's next-level game is locked and loaded on having a standout final season.   In conclusion, get out and see these talented players - 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 and what they are doing in the off-season to get ready for this fall.