Two-Way Trench Warriors Ready to Dominate This Fall

Yesterday I launched the first of a couple of reports taking a look at a small sample size of some of the top trench talent in the state. In that report the focus was on pile-driving offensive lineman, while in today's report we will keep it in the trenches, but look at players on both sides of the ball.   And as mentioned before, the football off-season grind can be that and more for the trench warriors along the front lines. With no 7v7, camps still largely dormant and most of the attention going to skill-position players, it can be a challenging, lonely grind if you don't approach it the right way.   In this report we will touch on guys who are making the grind both meaningful and urgent, by closely measuring progress to target, working with position specialists and trainers, optimizing in-school training opportunities, and stratifying last fall's tape.   Some of these playmakers are already well-known and among the best and the brightest the state has to offer, while others are rising stars getting ready to make their mark this fall.   So, without further adieu, let's check out what these guys have been doing in the off-season:   [player_tooltip player_id='934065' first='Angelo' last='Engler']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/angelo-engler/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/angelo-engler/"></a> , 6'3, 300, OL, Blue Valley NW, '27, up first is a battle-tested trench warrior who has been honing his skills in arguably the toughest conference in the Sunflower state (the dreaded EKL). He is coming off a breakout season when he did not allow a sack all year, had zero holding calls, zero tackles for loss and registered 30+ knockdowns, while leading the team in finishes and pancakes. This off-season he is currently working with @Gridiron_Fit, doing strength training and speedwork and is planning on hitting camp/combines at Missouri Western, Washburn, South Dakota and NW Missouri, while also fitting in numerous school visits in the spring. His efforts are already reaping dividends as he has shed 20-25 pounds, is stronger and faster and is geared up to be a lean, mean fighting machine this fall. He will definitely be ready to leave it all on the turf in '26 with another dominating season.   [player_tooltip player_id='944913' first='Trevon' last='Briley']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trevon-briley/"></a> , 6'3, 260, DT/Edge, Junction City, '27, next up is a versatile wrecking ball of a defender who can play down as a defensive tackle, or come in hard and fast as a defensive end or off the edge. Last fall he was all over the field, piling up 60 tackles and 15 tackles for loss, using his athleticism and instincts to knife through gaps between the tackles and make crushing plays in the backfield. When he moves out on the edge, he uses his quick feet and relentless bend and burst to get around pass blockers or just powers right over the top with a brutally-effective bull rush. With his strong read and react skills and closing speed he gets on the ball fast. He is currently playing hoops and will throw the discus and shot put for the track team this spring. This summer he will be going to camp/combines at the UA Next Camp, as well as Kansas, Kansas State, Wyoming and Missouri. This destroyer is amped up and ready to dominate this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1881280' first='Brooks' last='Bayer'], 6'3, 245, Edge/ATH, Spring Hill, '27, up next is a D1 prospect who was flying under the radar somewhat to start last fall but quickly collapsed that narrative with a commanding junior season that elevated him to among the top players in the state. With his prototype size, speed and athleticism, last year's DPOY was a rampaging force on defense, racking up 70 tackles, a jaw-dropping 27 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and had a couple of picks and three fumble recoveries for good measure. Right now he is playing hoops and powerlifting and is looking forward to baseball and track in the spring. He has also continued training for this fall and has already set PR's in the major lifts, the 40 and the jumps. And, if there is any free time left he plans on hitting camps/making school visits to Illinois State, South Dakota, Washburn, Lindenwood, and hopes to get out to Yale and up to South Dakota. Get your popcorn handy, he's going to put on a show this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1275244' first='Kai' last='Lowry']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kai-lowery/"></a> , 6'1, 240, DE/TE, Shawnee Mission NW, '27, coming up next is a baller who Coach Cook pointed out last fall and it didn't take long to see why he was excited about him. When he got his opportunities he took advantage of them and stepped up with 22 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and caused a fumble in seven games of action. As a versatile two-way playmaker, he is a hammering blocker of a tight end on offense who is difficult to bring down after the catch and on defense is a seek-and-destroy edge rusher who uses quick feet, lower-body power and heavy hands to carve up double teams and get in the backfield. Right now he is recovering from finger surgery but is still getting in his cardio and doing d-line work. The plan is to be ready to attend camps in April and then be good to go this fall. He is another one who hasn't been heard of as much as he should but is getting ready to bust out this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='944902' first='Nolan' last='Hadley']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nolan-hadley/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nolan-hadley/"></a> , 6'3, 295, OL, Maize, '27, and last but certainly not least is a guy who I followed closely last year and got to see him play a couple games as he and his teammates ripped through the regular season undefeated and were the #1 team in 6A. They would later fall to eventual state champ Manhattan, but it was a standout season and he was one of the reasons why. With his next-level size and seasoned trench mechanics, he is an explosive blocker in the run game, but also has the feet and skills to wall off defenders in pass pro and put an emphasis on that by not allowing a sack all year. Currently he is another baller working out with Coach Rashad Daniels as well as pounding the iron as a powerlifter for the school. He has a number of D1 and D2 visits set up and will be hitting the UA All-American as well as the Rivals camps among others. This guy is a master of his craft, get out and see him dominate while you still can.     <a href="https://x.com/willxmcmonagle"></a>In conclusion, get these guys in your sights as they are going to own it this fall.   And, most importantly...   Keep Grindin'

Yesterday I launched the first of a couple of reports taking a look at a small sample size of some of the top trench talent in the state. In that report the focus was on pile-driving offensive lineman, while in today's report we will keep it in the trenches, but look at players on both sides of the ball.