4A PREVIEW: Rising Prospects Looking to Breakout

<p>High school football is coming soon in Kansas. In this report, we examine several prospects throughout 4A in Kansas who are looking to either break out on the field or in recruitment. Many of these prospects possess the talent and traits necessary to play at the next level. Here are five athletes to watch this fall.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2225012' first='Rylan' last='Grandon'] had a solid 2025 season, racking up 68 tackles (19 solo), two tackles for loss, and one sack. Grandon is a prospect who's expected to take a major leap this upcoming season. </p>   <p>He displays the ability to work laterally, keeping his vision in the backfield and attacking downhill with solid angles and pursuit of the ball carrier. He's willing to stack, shed, and fill running lanes within the interior. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RoosterG_33/status/2084031021314449777?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Zane Thomas brings physicality on both sides of the football at linebacker and fullback/running back. The young prospect has the talent and potential to play at the next level, and the 2026 season is a starting point. </p>   <p>Stewart plays with a high motor, working sideline-to-sideline to chase down ball carriers. He also attacks the north and south running lanes with a solid burst. He's a prospect to watch throughout the 2026 season. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZaneStewart80/status/2070267216461697127?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2101916' first='Tate' last='Smith'] is going to garner more attention this fall after coming off a strong 2025 season and a 2026 season with high expectations. He threw for 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions last year. </p>   <p>Smith is a true gunslinger with a winding release that allows him to thread the football into tight windows with good velocity. He can improvise outside the pocket while keeping his vision downfield.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Tate17Smith/status/2059312081711607930?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2265952' first='Cooper' last='Brown'] possesses the size to compete at the next level. Brown can line up between the 0-3 tech, causing havoc against both the run and pass as he's expected to have a big senior season this upcoming fall.</p>   <p>Brown displays a solid bull rush, creating inside leverage through solid hand placement, punch, and the ability to drive with his lower body power to create pressure. He's also a stout run defender who can clog up running lanes. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Cooper_Brown75/status/2081890979079225776?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2265959' first='Freddy' last='Blount'] racked up 27 tackles (22 solo), two sacks, and two PBUs in 2025, and that's expected to increase this season. The high motor prospect is going to garner more attention this upcoming fall. </p>   <p>Blount displays solid read-and-react ability in zone coverage, flashing a quick first step to break on the football and contest at the catch point. He's also able to fight under blocks and make plays at the line of scrimmage. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FreddyBlount32/status/2001375135312548057?s=20 </div></figure>    <p></p>

High school football is coming soon in Kansas. In this report, we examine several prospects throughout 4A in Kansas who are looking to either break out on the field or in recruitment. Many of these prospects possess the talent and traits necessary to play at the next level. Here are five athletes to watch this fall.