Trench Warriors Ready To Track and Smack in '26

The off-season coverage of position groups and what they are doing to get ready for this fall continues.   Today we are circling back to take a closer look at battle-tested warriors in the trenches on both sides of the ball.   Kicking off the report are three ballers from the class of '27 who are prepping for huge seasons this fall, followed by a couple of rising stars from the loaded class of '28   So without further adieu, let's take a closer look at what these guys have been up to and what their plans are for the rest of the off-season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1742091' first='Kameron' last='Joel Geathers']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kameron-joel-geathers/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kameron-joel-geathers/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kameron-joel-geathers/"></a> , 6'2, 290, C/DL, Leavenworth, '27, (PICTURED ABOVE) - up first is a large-and-in-charge two-way player who can go at either center or guard on offense and helps anchor the defensive line on the other side of the ball. "Big Kam" has been on a roll of late, helping his team to a school record nine wins and strong playoff run and then went right into off-season training for his approaching senior year. With his size, strength and quick feet, he hammers defenders in the run game and expertly uses his hands and feet to wall off in pass pro. On defense he is an anchor in the middle at DT with good read and react skills and a quick first step who can shut down the run game between the tackles. This off-season he has been training daily, pounding the weights and working on speed and cardio. The work is paying off as he is a streamlined 290 pounds rolling into what is going to be an encore finish for the big man this fall.   Steven Cantrell, 6'4, 275, DL, Washburn Rural, '27, up next is a battle-tested warrior in the trenches who is coming off a strong junior season playing on the defensive line for the Blues. For the year he was active up and down the line of scrimmage as well as penetrating gaps to cause chaos in the backfield and ended up with 41 tackles and three sacks. With prototype frame and reach, he has a quick first step and violent hands that he uses effectively in the trenches. Once the season came to a close he immediately started grinding, doing his weight training before school with teammates, @C_Danielson44 and @BaumJadyn46674, while also training twice a week with @TopSpeedLLC to focus on overall speed and cardio, and one session per week with standout d-line trainer @coachjeddy_DL for positional training and learning the nuances of trench warfare. He is also throwing the shotput and discus for the track team and is finalizing plans for camps. This guy will be a beast this fall.   Markus Bollinger, 6'4, 235, DE/TE, Shawnee Mission West, '27, last and certainly not least for the up-coming seniors is a guy who has been on my watchlist since early last year and is developing into a versatile prospect on both sides of the ball. On offense he is an athletic tight end who can steamroll defenders blocking in the run game or flex out and stretch the field as a deep-threat receiver. On defense he is a rangy defensive end who has the quickness and closing speed to shut down the perimeter run game on his side or aggressively storm the gates off the edge to get to the quarterback. He has a busy off-season mapped out, continuing to train with his teammates and has junior day plans to go to South Dakota, Lindenwood, and NW Missouri State coming up. In addition, he has a number of camps in mind for the spring and summer that will be decided shortly. This guy has next-level size and athleticism and is getting ready to dominate in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1599229' first='Dallas' last='Gray']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dallas-gray/"></a> , 6'2”, 210, DE/Edge/LB, Wichita Northwest, ‘28, first up for the approaching juniors is a rising-star defender who can play in the trenches if needed but really excels as a dominating force coming off the edge or as an athletic linebacker who can seamlessly shift from pass coverage to blowing up backs trying to hit the perimeter. Last fall as a sophomore he put his physicality on display with 75 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five sacks. His presence was felt immediately as he had 14 tackles and a pair of TFL in his first game. Once the season was over he went right into working out with Coach Rashad (Daniels) and is gearing up for camps at K-State, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Kansas. He is also busy showing his athleticism in track, competing in the 300m hurdles and long jump. This guy was just getting warmed up last year as a sophomore and with the kind of off-season he is having look for him to have an all-state season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1590414' first='Derek' last='Leggett']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/derek-leggett/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/derek-leggett/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/derek-leggett/"></a> , 6'4, 270, OL/DL, Sedgwick, '28, up next is a two-way baller who has flown under the radar somewhat as an underclassman playing on a rebuilding team last fall. After helping the Cardinals to a playoff season as a freshman starter, he continued his development as a sophomore who has the size and strength to play anywhere along the offensive and defensive fronts as needed, but has impressed as an offensive tackle. With ideal reach, heavy hands and an excellent positioning step, he locks on defenders in pass pro as well as routinely delivering pancakes in the run game. This off season he has been a man on a mission, working on speed and agilities with Coach Rashad (Daniels), training with Coach Andra at BattleAx for power and strength and is targeting specific technical OL training with Coach Darren Marquez. He is also out for track and has a busy camp schedule planned in the coming months. This guy is ready for a breakout season.     In conclusion, get out and see these talented players this fall - 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'

The off-season coverage of position groups and what they are doing to get ready for this fall continues.