Summer Grind Warriors Taking It To The Next Level

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Monday is upon us and with it comes the opportunity to continue the ongoing grind to be elite. Some Mondays are harder than others, particularly coming off a weekend of camp/combine action and roundtrip travel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, as the grinders already know, the difference between players who succeed and those who don't is sometimes as simple as getting out of bed on a Monday morning when you are cranky and don't want to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Usually</em>, when you have committed to the grind, you don't have to be pushed, your vision will relentlessly pull you forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every workout is a deposit in the bank of the next season. Build the balance with consistent sweat equity and you won't be overdrawn this fall when your team needs you the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we will take a look at&nbsp;five guys who are off and running the June gauntlet of camps, combines, visits and no skipped workouts as they prep to punish the opposition this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's check out these rising-stars getting ready to deliver in 2025:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586976' first='Pharrell' last='Adams']</strong>, 6'0, 215, LB, <em>Wichita East</em>, '26. The first baller out of the gate is the <em>"Beast from East"</em>, one of the top returning linebackers in the state who has piled up an impressive 210 tackles and 37 tackles for loss in the last two years as a starting LB. He has been busy gathering momentum in the off-season, which has included multiple D1 offers from all over the country. As a rock-solid inside linebacker, he is versatile enough to play the nickel and blanket receivers in coverage, but where he really stands out is as a headhunter of an open-field tackler who brings the knockout punch on arrival. All that hill training and early-morning effort has paid off, as he is up to 215 pounds and still clocking 4.6's in the 40. Already busy on the camp circuit, June amps it up even more as he is headed to camp/combines at Kansas, Arkansas State, Alabama State and Tulsa. Get your popcorn ready, this guy is going to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braxton Liby</strong>, 6'3, 195, WR, <em>Maize South</em>, '26. He is coming off a standout junior season as a versatile wide receiver who hauled in 50 receptions for 500+ yards and scored five touchdowns last fall. With his prototype size and athleticism, he stands out as a dangerous receiver with a great catch radius who can make the contested grab over the middle or climb the ladder for the TD in the endzone. Coming off the line of scrimmage, he creates instant separation, rolling into disciplined routes to make the sure-handed catch. Once he slices and dices the defense in the short game, he uses his burst and acceleration to burn up seams and sidelines on the long ball. He has already been busy hitting camps and is in the process of finalizing his summer schedule as we speak. His off-season training transformation has been successful as he has put on 20 pounds while getting faster. This guy has all the tools and skill sets needed and is getting ready to put it on full display this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cade Liggett</strong>, 6'0, 185, ATH, <em>Pratt</em>, '28. If there is a surprise baller alert going out this guy is going to be close to the top of the list. Coming off an injury-marred season a year ago, he has been seriously locked in on the off-season grind and making up for lost time. After helping his 4x400 team win the state title while running a 49-flat split, he also clocked the fastest 200M in the '28 class. On offense he is a dangerous running back who makes decisive cuts and then uses his quickness and acceleration to explode into the secondary in a hurry. On defense he can play linebacker or safety, using his read and react skills and next-level closing speed to collapse on the ball before the back can hit the perimeter. His off-season has already been busy, with plans to hit the Kansas University and Fort Hays camps in the coming weeks and with more to follow as he firms up his schedule. This guy is flying under the radar right now but he is getting ready to change that in a big-time way this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Farrens</strong>, 6'1, 190, WR/LB, <em>Campus</em>, '28. He is another freshman looking for a breakout season this fall as a versatile playmaker who can line up at multiple positions on both sides of the ball. He already has the size and athleticism to compete and is getting ready to convert that into a launch pad of a sophomore season. On offense he will be used in tight and as a wide out, while on defense he can play outside linebacker or drop back in the secondary as needed. He has the skills and baller instincts to go both ways and is a ballhawk where ever he is positioned on the field. He has already had a busy off-season working out with Coach Tabor with <em>@PIA</em> and running it up with the ballers at <em>@Drills101</em>. He recently attended the Garden City camp at Kapaun but intends to limit his camp exposure while staying focused on his team's off-season training and upcoming team camp schedule. Get this guy on your watchlist as he is getting ready to make some noise this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658644' first='Max' last='Walters']</strong>, 5'10, 175, RB/DB, <em>Centralia</em>, '28. He is another young gun two-way baller getting ready to make a name for himself this fall. On offense he in a slashing running back who uses his quickness and burst to hit the perimeter but can also blow through arm tackles running up the middle. On defense he has a nose for the ball and can play LB or anywhere in the secondary. He has been busy this off-season playing hoops, just wrapped up baseball and is in the process of applying his locked-in work ethic and drive to an aggressive training plan with <em>Revive Performance</em> that includes power lifting, cardio conditioning, speed work, plyometrics, and flexibility. He was recently at the Nemaha combine where he tested well, but is still in the process of finalizing his summer camp and travel plans. This guy is another one not getting much attention yet but fast forward to this fall and he is getting ready shine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, keep these guys on your watchlist as they prep for this fall, you will not be disappointed. Also if you run across any teams or players flying under the radar give me a shout via DM on X.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as always -</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Keep grindin'…</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->