Top Talent Making the Off-Season Count

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The off-season is a busy time for scouts who enjoy keeping their finger on the pulse of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a good time to not only flush out as many ballers, playmakers and dominators of all shapes and sizes currently flying under the radar for one reason or another, but also keep an eye on the trajectory of the state's rising stars and proven performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we are focusing on some of those proven-performers who have received differing levels of attention and exposure to date, but are all focused on the transformation to be the best version of themselves once the season kicks off this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at five of those rising stars:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["557340"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1564d5c9fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557340' first='Warrick' last='VanBlaricon']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/warrick-vanblaricon/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'5, 295, OL,&nbsp;<em>Salina Central, </em>'27. &nbsp;This time last year he was recovering from a baseball injury that limited him more than he would have liked, but he is making up for lost time this spring. As a D1-prospect with prototype size and skill sets he is looking for the events with the right fit and exposure that will help him optimize his game rolling into the fall season. Hitting the ground running he was at KU's Junior Days recently, and will be at K-State's Junior Day today. He is getting ready for the KC Varsity Combine, followed by the Revive Performance Combine at McPherson College later this month. After that he's headed to K-State, KU, Mizzou, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Minnesota. <em>All within 2 weeks</em>. He has big plans for taking his game to the next level and is off making that happen. The word is getting out, this guy means business and is getting ready to dominate this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780500"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1564d5caf2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carter-hajek/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'11, 215, ATH,&nbsp;<em>Nemaha Central</em>, '26. Everytime I get ready to write about this guy, it's the same thing. Where do I even begin? Suffice it to say he is one of the most decorated players in recent memory. With 115 TD's scored in three seasons and having already been named both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, he incredibly still has a season to go. With a resume like that he understands the criticality of off-season work. He is currently playing baseball and supplementing his football training by hitting the weights as well as speedwork and agilities since the first of the year. A couple of weeks ago he visited Washburn and then last week was on site at South Dakota. He also plans to visit Fort Hays State and Central Missouri in the near future. This guy is one of the few <em>apex predators</em> roaming the Sunflower state and is going to put on an encore performance this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1562422"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1564d5caa3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562422' first='Cody' last='Holzrichter']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cody-holzrichter-2/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'3, 290, OL/DL,&nbsp;<em>Haven</em>, '27. He is another large and in charge lineman coming off a good sophomore year and is ready to the take it to another level in 2025. With his size, strength and versatility in the trenches he is developing into a standout offensive guard. After getting acclimated to the varsity game the last couple seasons he is training hard for a stepping-stone season this fall. He has been lifting weights and doing his mobility and speedwork since early in the year and has also learned a lot training with Coach Rashad Daniels. He is already faster and significantly stronger than last fall and is looking to optimize further with camp action this summer. Things are going to get busy in the near future, as he will be hitting camps at KU, K-State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Arkansas. The big guy is getting ready to own it this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1333005"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1564d5cb36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333005' first='Cody' last='Wright']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cody-wright/"></a> </strong>, 5'11, 185, LB, <em>Colby</em>, '26. He is another baller flying under the radar so far but is getting ready to change all that in a hurry. He dominated as a multi-positional playmaker on defense and is looking forward to stepping up this fall as an all-purpose running back on offense as well. It's already been a busy year, as he played hoops this winter, just wrapped up 7v7 with Sharp Performance and has been consistently pumping iron behind the scenes. He is currently running track and is one of the best in the state in the 400m, looking to go sub-50 seconds in the coming weeks. His work is already reaping dividends as his broad jump is an explosive 9'10 and is looking to crack the ten-foot barrier soon. He is putting the final touches on his spring/summer camp plans and so far has decided on Nebraska-Kearney, along with KU, KSU, and Washburn. Get your popcorn ready, he is going to put on a show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1452348"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1564d5cb79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1452348' first='Andre' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/andre-johnson-2/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/andre-johnson-2/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'0, 210, RB/LB,&nbsp;<em>Rossville</em>&nbsp;'26. He is another versatile baller on both sides of the ball looking for an eye-popping senior season this fall. Last season he helped lead the Bulldogs into the playoffs as a powerful back on offense and a ball-buster of a linebacker on defense who posted 100+ tackles a year ago. He was slowed earlier this year with a broken hand suffered in the playoffs, but is close to one hundred percent recovered. Even with little time to prep due to the injury, he still finished fifth in state in powerlifting at 198. He is currently running track, where he runs the sprints and is one of the top javelin throwers in his class. He is still finalizing his camp schedule but so far is planning on hitting Kansas State and Washburn and is considering others later in the summer. This guy has all the tools to be a dynamic two-way destroyer in 2025. Look for him to have a huge season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, these guys are going to be playing on Saturdays soon so get out and see them this fall while you still can. Give me a shout via DM on X if you run across anyone flying under the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, of course,<em> keep grindin'...</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->