Skill Players Fine-Tuning Their Game This Summer

The summer stage of the off-season gauntlet is gathering momentum as school and spring sports come to a close.   And, as we have discussed in prior reports, the summer months are a tricky time frame with all the distractions and opportunities to stray from the off-season grind   For the young guys the hunger to establish themselves is the driving force. For the upperclassmen, getting a next-level scholarship is in full focus.   To get tempted to take time off or get involved in any counter-productive activities at this stage in the off-season work process is something disciplined grinders don't allow to happen.   In this report we will take a look at five guys who are locked in on the coming season. This group is from each of the returning classes and are ballers who play a variety of skill positions and have been hitting it hard, cross-training in other sports as well as staying focused on off-season football training.   So, without further adieu, lets jump in and see what these guys have been doing in the off-season:     [player_tooltip player_id='1662488' first='Dacen' last='Dedman'], 5'8, 160, RB/LB, Halstead, '29, coming off an injury that cost him most of his freshman season he hit the rehab hard and has responded with an impressive track season as well as setting PRs in all the major lifts. A four-sport athlete, he can play as a hybrid RB/WR on offense and lines up at LB or in the secondary on defense. He also plays basketball, baseball and this spring his track season has been en fuego as he qualified as a freshman for state in the 100m (10.8 best) and as part of an all-underclassman 4x1 team (43.5 best). He also competed in the triple jump, 4x4, 4x2, 200m, and long jump throughout the season. His summer plans are to continue to train with Sharp Performance, working on speed and quickness. This guy is going to have a big sophomore season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2101924' first='Joey' last='Dooley'], 6'3, 195, QB, Lawrence, '28, up first for the ballers approaching their junior season is a dual-threat QB who caught my eye early last year as he amped up his impressive game as the season went on. When the dust settled he had completed 71 passes in 127 attempts, for 850 yards, seven TD's and only threw four picks all year. He was also a dangerous runner, picking up 491 yards rushing, averaging seven yards a carry and bumped his total yards to 1,400+ and 13 TD's in only eight games. This off-season he has been playing basketball and track and is fine-tuning his game working out with older brother Jackson Dooley, who just wrapped up a record-setting, All-American senior year for Benedictine. This guy is just getting warmed up and will bust out in a big time way this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='2035499' first='Chasyn' last='Cosner'], 5'9, 170, RB/LB, Holcomb, '28, next up for the juniors-to-be is a two-way baller who hit the ground running as a sophomore last fall, rushing for 1,000+ yards, averaging 9 yards a carry and scoring 15 TDs on his way to all-conference honors. He kicked his season into overdrive in the third game of the year when he helped the team stay undefeated by picking up 246 yards rushing on 13 carries, averaging 19 yards a pop and scored three touchdowns. He is also a ball-buster LB with great instincts and a nose for the ball. Once the season ended he went right into wrestling and this spring has been pounding the iron and doing speedwork training with his teammates. He is getting ready to go scorched earth on a loaded Holcomb offense this fall as he continues to take his game to the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612738' first='Max' last='Holman'], 5'10, 165, WR/DB, Liberal, '27, up first for the playmakers approaching their senior year is another two-way, multi-positional baller who caught 30 passes for 384 yards and four TD's last year, including a season high six for 123 yards and a score against Seaman in the playoffs. He is a dangerous receiver who runs good routes and has the speed and athleticism to gain separation early and often. With sticky hands he tracks the ball well and can make the tough, contested catch. On defense he is a ballhawk who can play corner or safety and intercepted three passes. He is also a solid option returning kicks, averaging 25+ yards per return last fall. His summer is going to be busy with camps at KU, K-State, Washburn and Pitt State coming up. This guy is primed for a breakout season this fall.   Demarye Smith, 6'0, 205, RB, Maize, '27, and last but certainly not least for the approaching seniors is a rock-solid running back who helped lead the Eagles to a 10-1 record with 670 yards rushing and receiving, averaging seven yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns. He is a pounding runner, with a strong lower body and the explosiveness to blow through arm tackles on the way to paydirt. Last fall he was a versatile weapon as he can catch the ball out of the backfield and is a pile-driving blocker when not pounding the rock. He has been working with local standout Coach/Trainer Rashad Daniels on fine-tuning his game. He is also getting ready to get busy on the camp-combine circuit, with plans to hit Missouri Western, Washburn and Chadron. Last season was just a warm up as this guy is focused on shifting into beast mode this fall.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys dominate this fall - you will not be disappointed. Also, DM me via X if you run across any players flying under the radar.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

The summer stage of the off-season gauntlet is gathering momentum as school and spring sports come to a close.