Two-Way Linemen Crushing The Off-Season Grind

The coverage on positional group players and what they are doing in the off-season to get ready for this fall continues.   Today we are circling back to the guys in the trenches.   The true grinders.   Coming up on the halfway point in the off-season the training grind can sometimes feel like all work and no play. Where the skill positions can break up the monotony playing 7v7, the trench warriors just double down, grinding without fanfare.   And, it is this boring, repetitive, and unglamorous work from the guys in the trenches that wins championships.   Mastering the mundane - easier said than done.   In this report we are taking a closer look at trench warriors from each of the returning classes who are locked in on the off-season grind.   Up first is a rising star two-way athlete who has developed into one of the top OL/DL prospects in the state and has been a man on a mission this off-season getting ready for fall. Following him are a handful of ballers at different stages in their varsity career development who have caught my eye as they burn the candle at both ends getting ready for the 2026 season.   So without further adieu, let's take a closer look at what these guys have been up to and zoom in on their plans for the rest of the off-season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113284' first='Ayden' last='Koehn'], 6'4, 270, OL/DL, Cheney, '27, (PICTURED ABOVE) - first up is a seek-and-destroy two-way baller in the trenches who is coming off a standout junior season when he piled up 70+ tackles, 15 TFL and a pair of sacks while earning all-state honors. At either OT he has a quick kick step, weaponized hands and an 80" wingspan that he uses to wall off in pass pro or use his powerful base to pile-drive defenders in the run game. On defense he dominates as a 3-tech throttling the ground attack or storming the gates coming off the edge as a DE. Once the season ended he shifted gears to hoops and has had a strong season with numerous 20+ point games and helping his team as they drive into post-season play. He has also been training hard with Coach Tabor and PIA and will be going to multiple spring games/practices/tours at NIU, Illinois State, North Dakota State, Northwest Missouri, and Missouri Western. This guy is going to be an apex predator this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1880064' first='Eamon' last='Gander'], 6'3, 230, DL/TE, Blue Valley NW, '27, up next for the seniors-to-be is another two-way playmaker who is athletic enough to also get a look at tight end this fall. He started his junior season flying under the radar somewhat but by the end of the season had established himself as a versatile baller developing into a promising prospect. On defense in particular he was a ball-buster with a high-motor who uses great instincts to fire through gaps or raw power to dismantle double teams getting into the backfield. Once the season came to a close he went right into the off-season grind, pounding the iron to get more explosive while also training on the nuances of defensive line play with Coach Jeddy @coachjeddy_DL as well as with Coach Potts at TopSpeed for speedwork and agility. He is also working on his TE skills and catching the ball. Camp/combines decisions are still being determined. This guy is getting ready for a big senior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2147320' first='Jonathon' last='Couch'], 6'2, 285, OL/DL, Emporia, '27, up next is a guy who caught my eye last year when looking at some his teammates as an athletic and versatile two-way lineman who can handle whatever comes his way along the line of scrimmage. On offense he is a guard with strength and physicality who brings the sledgehammer blocking between the tackles but has good feet and agility for his size that he uses to chip and cut off fast-flowing linebackers. On defense he is strong inside at DT, blowing up gaps in the run game and causing chaos in the backfield with his closing speed. Once the season ended he went right into training, lifting five days a week for strength and explosiveness. He is also fine-tuning his ability to fire off the ball, working on speed pushes, broad jumps, hill sprints and box jumps. This spring he is headed to camp/combines with teammate Ben Collins at KC Varsity, Lindenwood, K-State big man camp, ESU, KU and Grand View. This guy is going to have a breakout season this fall.   Keegan McBee, 6'4, 270, OL/DL, Leavenworth, '27, and last but certainly not least for the up-coming seniors is a guy who has not been getting as much attention as he probably deserves but is getting ready to change all that this fall. With ideal size, strength, reach and football IQ he can play multiple positions along the offensive front but last year focused on handling business at either tackle position. He has excellent burst with quick feet and is an agile, physical blocker who can plow through defenders in the run game, but also squares up and uses his balance and athleticism to seal off in pass pro. Once the season closed he went right into training for this fall and then this spring will throw the javelin on the track team. He and fellow baller teammate Big Kam, who I have been following closely as well, have been pounding the iron in the school's off-season training program and providing leadership for a team that made it into post-season play a year ago. This guy is going to dominate this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1337345' first='Peyton' last='Gibson'], 6'2, 255, OL/DL, Russell, '28, first up for the juniors-to-be is a guy I started following last year who has been amping up his game every year. He is coming off a solid sophomore season after starting both ways as a freshman in the varsity trenches. On offense he can play either guard or tackle and on the other side of the ball lines up at the nose or as defensive tackle. With his strength and power, along with quick feet and heavy hands he can handle any of the blocks needed to dominate in the run game but is also adept at squaring up and controlling defenders trying to breach the edge in pass pro. Once the season was over he went into wrestling and is getting ready for the state tournament. He has also been lifting consistently and working on speed and conditioning. His work is paying off as he is already stronger and faster than last fall. With two seasons under his belt as a battle-tested baller he is going to be a force this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='2075596' first='Jacob' last='Cannezzaro'], 5'10, 230, OL/DL, Blue Valley, '29, and last but certainly not least in this report we have our only trench baller who took the field last year as a freshman. He is coming off a good season getting acclimated to the varsity game and demonstrating he was ready to play at this level. Last fall he lined up primarily at offensive guard where he showed glimpses of standout play to come and will be a front-runner for one of the starting spots this fall. In the run game he comes out of his stance with good pad level and lowers the boom on run-game blocks. He is also athletic and quick enough to pull and lead backs on the perimeter or chip off and pick up aggressive linebackers. Once the season was over he started training with ex-NFL player, Jeb Putzier of Gridiron Fit and is planning on the FBU and KC Varsity camps in KC, and the Pitt State and William Jewell Mega camps. Get this guy on your watchlists as he is ready for the next step.   In conclusion, get out and see these talented players - 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 coverage on positional group players and what they are doing in the off-season to get ready for this fall continues.