Weekend Shout Out - Propects Owning the Grind

With the season less than six months away it is amazing how quickly the off-season is racing by before our very eyes.   Blink and 10 weeks have vaporized - just like that- procrastinate at your own peril.   Like the old saying goes:   Opportunity does not waste time with those who are unprepared.   The kind of players I like following are the ones who take the initiative to get better. They don't have to be told to get up before the butt crack of dawn to work out.   These are guys who commit to the grind and day after day make regular deposits in the off-season bank and delay gratification until this fall.   The kind of ballers who won't be overdrawn when the season is most challenging and when their performances are needed most.   In this report we will take a look at some of those playmakers from each class. A few are already among the best in the state, others are rising stars who are putting in the time and effort to own the '26 grind and be ready to take the next step toward being among the best.   So, without further adieu, let's check out what these guys have been doing in the off-season:     [player_tooltip player_id='1937906' first='Clayton' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/clayton-johnson-2/"></a> , 6'1, 155, QB, Salina South, '29, up first is a young gun QB who backed up one of the top passers in 5A last fall but has used the opportunity to continue to improve his craft. Last fall he played some safety and WR in varsity action, as well as ripping it up in JV as a dual-threat QB who ran and passed for 1,000+ yards and added 20 total TD's. Once the season ended he went right into hoops and will run track this spring. He is also grinding through his football training, getting in 7v7 action a couple times a week to work on fine-tuning footwork and throwing mechanics. Get this guy on your watchlists as he is getting ready to step up.   [player_tooltip player_id='2079301' first='Sam' last='Moody'], 6'2, 175, DB/WR, Blue Valley SW, '29, up next for the freshmen ballers is a guy who caught my eye when I was checking out some of the young talent for the Timberwolves. He is a rising star d-back who can play either safety as a ballhawk in coverage and is a guy who will collapse down on the run and deliver a blow at the line of scrimmage. With his length, quickness and athleticism he is definitely a high-ceiling prospect. Once last fall closed he shifted gears to hoops and started a.m. workouts. This spring he will run track and is narrowing down the list of camp/combines he intends to attend in the spring and summer. This guy is ready to shine this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='205592' first='Cameron' last='Akins']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cameron-akins/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cameron-akins/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cameron-akins/"></a> , 6'0, 180, DB/ATH, Wichita East, '28, up first for the '28 guys is a three-way playmaker with D1 size, speed and athleticism. And, as good as he is on offense and as a return man, he really ratchets things up on defense. He is a talented CB with next-level read and react skills who jacks WR's in the jaw at the line, but can turn at the snap, flip hips and suffocate on the run with some serious glove treatment. He is versatile enough to play corner or safety as needed and last year didn't allow a TD in coverage. He is currently gearing up for track as one of the top 100-200-400-4x100 sprinters in the state and plans to hit the camp circuit this summer. This guy is for real and is ready for an en fuego season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2107087' first='Keigan' last='Hulsey'], 6'3, 230, Edge/TE, Bishop Carroll, '28, up next is another sophomore who has stepped up to the varsity game quickly and has demonstrated that he can be a force in the trenches on both sides of the ball. He is a two-way baller who plays tight end on offense and is really starting to shine as a dominating edge rusher on defense. With standout size, strength and quickness, he caves in the run on his side while also blowing up blockers to get in the backfield and cause chaos. Once the season ended he went right into off-season football training with Performance Factory and has a full slate of camps to hit this summer. Get this guy on your watchlists.   [player_tooltip player_id='1626551' first='Carter' last='Wagner'], 6'4, 195, QB/DB, Olathe NW, '28, last but not least for the sophomores is a guy bouncing back from a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder which required surgery. He ended up missing last season but has been cleared as of last November and hasn't wasted any time getting back in the groove. He is currently playing basketball, doing winter workouts for baseball and training for football. With D1 size and athleticism, he is a dual-threat QB who can beat teams with his arm or his legs. He has been working with his QB trainers on footwork and passing mechanics and is close to finalizing his summer camp schedule. He may be flying under radar now but that will change quickly this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='1579589' first='Griffin' last='Hall']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/griffin-hall/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/griffin-hall/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/griffin-hall/"></a> , 5'10, 175, Salina Central, '27, first up for the juniors is a dual-threat gunslinger who had one of the most electrifying seasons in the state last fall as he led his team to the 5A State Championship. On the year he passed for 1,827 yards and had a jaw-dropping 29-2 TD pass-to-interception ratio. He also rushed for 980 yards to give him just under 3,000 total yards and 38 total TD's for the year. He is already heavy into the off-season grind to get better, playing 7v7, training with Sharp Performance to fine-tune his craft, get faster and more explosive and will also play baseball in the spring. Get your popcorn ready, he is going to put on another show this fall.   Pete Keller, 6'0, 210, LB/FB, Kapaun, '27, speaking of state championships, this guy helped the Crusaders win the 4A State title last fall as a powerful FB on offense and a versatile linebacker who can play inside or out. On offense he is a strong runner who can also blow open gaps as a lead blocker. On defense he was even more impressive as a headhunter linebacker with great instincts who knifes through gaps to get in the backfield and shuts down running and passing on the perimeter with his aggressive, head's-up play. Once the title was in hand he moved into a busy off-season, playing basketball and golf and is another one getting off-season workouts in before school. He is a baller ready for a big senior year.   Trenton Erbert, 5'11, 185, WR, Eisenhower,'27, last and certainly not least we have another junior athlete who is coming off a solid season a year ago and has been focused on getting ready for this fall since late last year. It was a frustrating season for the normally high-flying Tigers, but he showed signs of his high-ceiling game as a hybrid receiver who can play tight end or split out as a wide receiver and use his 4.5 speed to burn the opposition on the long ball. He has skipped other sports this year to get ready for his senior season of football and is powerlifting and has been working through the school's off-season training program. He is planning on participating in the up-coming Washburn Camp and is still considering others. This guy is getting ready to shine this fall.   <a href="https://x.com/willxmcmonagle"></a>In conclusion, get these guys in your sights as they are going to burn it up this fall.   And, most importantly...   Keep Grindin'

With the season less than six months away it is amazing how quickly the off-season is racing by before our very eyes.