By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
If there's a player in Shawnee County or the nearby area that Washburn University football coach Craig Schurig and his staff thinks has the ability to play in the MIAA, Schurig and Co. want them playing for the Ichabods.
And in a year that was considered talent-heavy in Washburn's backyard, the Ichabods made that a priority, signing seven Shawnee County products thus far, including four from Class 6A semifinalist Washburn Rural in a 2024 recruiting class that is expected to reach about 55 signess when all the paperwork is completed.
JC Heim, Washburn Rural
Jaren Heim, Washburn Rural
"You don't want to play against them,'' Schurig said of the local talent base. "And what was neat was those kids really, I think, researched things out well. They talked to kids that are currently here and I think our school's done a good job of advertising Washburn and making it where they feel like home here.
"Then obviously our facilities are outstanding, so when they do their campus visits they're like, 'Yeah, the best place we can go to is at home.' ''
Branton DeWeese, Washburn Rural
Jamond Lane, Washburn Rural (facing)
Washburn Rural twins Jaren Heim (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) and J.C. Heim (6-3, 225), both linebackers, signed on Wednesday along with Junior Blues quarterback Branton DeWeese (6-0, 185) and Rural defensive lineman Jamond Lane (6-0, 280).
Silver Lake standout Blake Redmond (26) has signed letter of intent with Washburn after earning All-Shawnee County honors. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods also landed Shawnee Heights defensive lineman Christian Gonzales (6-1, 275), Topeka High defensive back Isaiah Kincade (6-0, 195) and Silver Lake running back Blake Redmond (5-9, 160).
The Heims, DeWeese, Lane, Gonzales and Redmond were all TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 picks as seniors while Kincade was a Second 22 selection.
"It was a good year (for local prospects) and a lot of those kids were on the verge of maybe some of the bigger schools sniffing around and that kind of thing, but they're perfect for MIAA and their work ethic and all that stuff is really good and their football's good, so we're very excited,'' Schurig said.
"Obviously, when you have local talent it really helps.''
In addition to the county signees announced Wednesday, Washburn also signed Sabetha twins Jacob Grimm (6-5, 285) and Joshua Grimm (6-5, 300).
The current 49 member 2024 recruiting class includes 21 Kansans along with players from six other states, including 12 players from Missouri, six from Georgia, four from Texas, three from Arizona, two from Colorado and one from Nebraska.
There's also diversity among position groups, with nine players projected as linebackers, eight offensive linemen and defensive backs, seven running backs, six defensive linemen, four wide receivers, three quarterbacks and tight ends and one player listed as an athlete.
It all adds up to the biggest signing class of Schurig's career.
"It is and it's because of a combination of reasons,'' Schurig said. "We had quite a few kids graduate and we're pretty much transitioning out of the Covid time and so some of the guys that may have had a year left got really good jobs so they are moving on.
"And then locally and in-state it just seemed like there was a lot of good fits for us. With the Heim boys and the Grimm boys we got a couple of twin packages which was awesome and we've got a lot of legacy kids coming, where mom and dad went to school here, which is really cool.
"We felt like we needed to fill some needs for sure and then with the group that left, and then some kids that aren't going to continue to play because they got great job opportunities, scholarship-wise we had a good amount to offer, which was great.''
Washburn, which fought through an injury-riddled season in 2023 is coming off a 2-9 campaign, but Schurig feels like the '24 signing class paired with the Ichabods' returning cast will allow WU to right its ship in a hurry.
"We're still going to be young, but very talented, and we just have to get them going in the same direction,'' Schurig said.
"It's exciting because you know the talent base that you're going to be coaching is really strong, Now we've just got to get them going. It's a very talented and very diverse group that we're bringing in.''
Washburn recruiting capsules:
Declan Battle | QB | 6-0 | 185 | Louisburg, Kansas | Louisburg High School
A 2024 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection … a two-time all-state quarterback selection and a defensive back all-state selection and was a finalist for the Frank Fontana Simone Award and was a 4A Sports In Kansas Offensive Player of the Year finalist and was a Tri-County Offensive Player of the Year … earning first-team all-league honors at quarterback and defensive back earning honorable mention all-state setting the school record for passing yards as a senior … a second-team all-state selection in baseball as a junior earning first-team all-league honors at quarterback and an honorable mention all-state quarterback and was the Tri-County Offensive Player of the Year … an honorable mention all-league selection as a sophomore at quarterback … son of Aaron and Torrie Battle … a brother, Colston … a sister, Tatum … his father played football at Washburn and his mother is Washburn's all-time leader in hits softball.
Dominic Bentrup | DE | 6-1 | 220 | Fenton, Missouri | Rockwood Summit High School
Earned first-team all-state, first-team all-district and first-team all-league as a senior … recorded 94 tackles with 16 sacks and 16 tackles for loss as a junior en route to first-team all-state honors as well as first team all-district and first-team all-league honors … as a sophomore he was a first-team all-league and first-team all-district selection after recording 53 tackles with 15 for loss and eight sacks … recorded six sacks with 26 total tackles and six tackles for loss as a freshman en route to first-team all-league honors … a four-year member of the honor roll … son of Josh and Andrea and Elaina … majoring in business.
Izzy Bills | RB | 5-7 | 165 | McKinney, Texas | Emerson High School
As a senior he was named first-team all-district running back and running back of the year for the second year in a row after rushing for 1,381 yards on 188 carries adding 1,664 all-purpose yards … a first-team all-district running back and running back of the year earning team MVP honors after rushing for 1,087 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns with 10 catches for 150 yards and three receiving touchdowns … had a total of 1,412 all-purpose yards averaging 25 yards per kickoff return … rushed for 1,020 yards with 16 rushing touchdowns and 12 catches for 185 yards and four touchdowns adding six return touchdowns for scores tallying 1,455 all-purpose yards with 26 total touchdowns as a sophomore and finished third at the state meet in the 100m … rushed for 1,005 yards as a freshman with 13 rushing touchdowns averaging 8.5 yards a carry and a 27.8 yards per return … will also compete in track and field at Washburn … a member of the Burner Nation Track and Field squad placing third at the TAFT state championships in the 100m in a time of 10.7 … son of Clemale Bills and Aisha Small-Bills … two sisters, Hajiir and Nafisah … a brother Ashiy … majoring in communications or business.
Sam Brummund | LB | 6-3 | 220 | Omaha, Nebraska | Skutt Catholic High School
Recorded 115 tackles with eight tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, five pass break ups and a fumble recovery en route to Lincoln Journal Star, Huskerland Preps first-team all-state honors and Omaha World Herald Class B honorable mention all-state accolades as well as all-district and all-league first team honors as a senior … had 86 tackles as a junior with seven tackles for loss and two interceptions … as a sophomore he had 23 tackles and a sack … also played baseball … a NCPA Academic All-State selection in 2023 and an all-league academic pick in 2021, 2022 and 2023 … son of Brad and Jennifer Brummund … a brother, Gavin … a sister, Marin … his father played baseball at Doane and his mom played volleyball at Marquette … majoring in kinesiology.
Tre Calhoun | ATH | 6-3 | 190 | Marietta, Georgia | Wheeler High School
Played prep football at Wheeler High School … son of DeVaughn and Marquitta Foxx … a sister, Ty'Leal … two brothers, Tai'Vion and Truss … undecided on major.
Aden Canty | TE | 6-4 | 210 | Marietta, Georgia | Marietta High School
As a senior he was a first-team all-region selection and an honorable mention all-state pick and was named the outstanding defensive lineman … as a junior he also played basketball … a member of the National Honor Society … son of Kelby and Cheryl Canty … a sister, Payton … majoring in sports management.
Vinny Carter II | OL | 6-1 | 255 | Kansas City, Kansas | Bishop Ward High School
As a senior he recorded 56 tackles with 13 tackles for loss and had 39 pancake blocks … as a junior he recorded 64 tackles with eight tackles for loss and six sacks … had 84 tackles with 13 tackles for loss and two sacks as a sophomore … son of Vincent and Aniessia Carter … a sister, Vivianna … majoring in business management.
Davon Chatman | LB | 6-3 | 205 | St. Louis, Missouri | McCluer High School
An all-state, all-metro, all-district and all-league selection as a senior after recording 140 tackles with four interceptions, 15 tackles for loss and four sacks … as a junior he was an all-state, all-league pick after recording 157 tackles with 17 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions … son of Louise Ganaway … a brother, Tashaun … a sister Aniylah … majoring in biology.
Cooper D'Albini | TE | 6-5 | 215 | Spring Hill, Kansas | Spring Hill High School
An all-league and all-county at tight end as a senior … as a junior he was an all-league selection in football and a state qualifier in the high jump … also played basketball … son Doug and Lesley D'Albini … a sister, Morgan … father played football at Brown … major in business.
Gage Depee | LB | 5-10 | 195 | Branson, Missouri | Branson High School
A first-team all-state and first-team all-conference linebacker and a second team all-league selection at running back after rushing for 1,008 and nine touchdowns recording 118 tackles with four sacks and an interception … first-team all-league and all-distict in baseball and first-team all-league at linebacker and a second team all-league at running back … son of Chad and Sheri … two sisters, Hattie and Britney … his father played football at Southwest Baptist … majoring in business finance.
Branton DeWeese | QB | 6-0 | 185 | Topeka, Kansas | Washburn Rural High School
Named first team all-state by the Wichita Eagle and Sports In Kansas and was a KSHSAA 6A honorable mention all-state selection while picking up Shawnee County Top 22 First Team honors and named the Centennial League's Offensive Player of the Year and first-team quarterback after completing 116 of 188 passing attempts for 1,696 yards with 28 touchdowns while also rushing for 350 yards and seven touchdowns on 59 carries … as a junior he was named to the Top Sports News All-Shawnee County Top 22 and was a CJ Online second-team all-league pick earning honorable mention all-state accolades from Sports In Kansas, the KSHSAA and the Wichita Eagle … voted team offensive player of the year as a sophomore earning first-team all-league honors as well as TopSports.News Top 22 all-county and Offensive Newcomer of the Year, an all-state honorable mention selection and a CJ Online second-team all-county pick … son of Burt and Michelle DeWeese … a sister, Lexi … majoring in management and marketing.
Isaiah Edwards | LB | 6-0 | 220 | St. Louis, Missouri | Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School
A member of the Lions football team … son of Craige and Veronica Edwards … a brother, Johnathan … a sister, Naomi … majoring in communications.
Mehki Elmore | RB | 5-10 | 165 | Fort Worth, Texas | Brewer High School
Competed in both football and track … as a junior he was a second-team all-district leading the team in all-purpose yards rushing for 800 yards averaging 9.0 yards per carry … as a sophomore he also competed in power lifting … son of Marcus and Erika Williams … majoring in computer science.
Wade Enman | OL | 6-3 | 280 | Paola, Kansas | Paola High School
A first-team all-league selection on the defensive line and a second-team all-league offensive lineman … an all-state honorable mention pick all as a senior … as a junior he was a second-team all-league selection on the defensive line … son of Carl and Lori … two sisters, Macayla and Lana … majoring in business.
Brax Fisher | WR | 6-1 | 180 | Abilene, Kansas | Abilene High School
As a senior he was a first-team all-state selection at wide receiver earning first-team all-league honors at wide receiver and safety and was selected as a Top 100 selection leading 4A in receptions receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and was also selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl … son of Tonya and Laura … a brother, Landen … majoring in business.
Donovan George | RB | 5-10 | 170 | Blue Springs, Missouri | Blue Springs High School
Rushed for 934 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior … son of Felix George … a brother, Devon … a sister, Desiree … majoring in business or sports management.
Zuri Glenn | WR | 6-0 | 160 | Phoenix, Arizona | Corona del Sol High School
As a senior he had five touchdowns earning first-team all-region with 36 catches for 650 yards … as a junior he had 28 catches for 500 yards and eight touchdowns earning honorable mention all-region … son of Paul and Andrea … a brother, Isaiah … two sisters, Journee and Nina … majoring in sports management.
Christian Gonzales | DL | 6-1 | 275 | Topeka, Kansas | Shawnee Heights High School
Recorded 70 tackles with four sacks, three forced fumbles, eight tackles for loss and an interception earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors and first-team all-state from KSHSAA and Sports In Kansas as well as a top 100 senior selection and a Kansas Shrine Bowl selection … as a junior he had 53 tackles with two sacks, one forced fumble and 12 tackles for loss with first-team honorable mention all-state honors and first-team all-league honors … as a sophomore he had 55 tackles with four sacks, two forced fumbles and 12 tackles for loss blocking a field goal en route to second-team all-league honors and honorable mention all-state honors … son of Marcelino and Angel Gonzales … a brother, Marcelino, Jr. … a sister, Winter … majoring in criminal justice.
Jayson Green | DE | 6-5 | 225 | Atlanta, Georgia | Riverwood International High School
Played on the offensive and defensive lines … son of James and Katesha Green … two sisters, Jasmine and Jayla … majoring in business.
Jacob Grimm | OL | 6-5 | 285 | Sabetha, Kansas | Sabetha High School
An all-state and all-league selection on the offensive and defensive lines and was a Top 100 senior selection … was selected all-state honorable mention on both the offensive and defensive lines as a junior also earning all-league honors on the offensive line and all-league honorable mention honors as a defensive lineman and was selected a top 100 non-senior selection … also competed in baseball and basketball … an academic first-team selection … son of Chris and Cherie Grimm … three brothers, Joshua, Kaleb and Kyle … his brother Joshua is signing to play football at Washburn this fall as well … majoring in physical therapy.
Joshua Grimm | OL | 6-5 | 300 | Sabetha, Kansas | Sabetha High School
A first-team all-state selection on the offensive line as well as all-league on both offensive and defensive lines and was named KSHSAA top 25 seniors and a Top 100 selection and was a second-team all-state offensive line pick and an honorable mention all-state defensive lineman selection as a senior … as a junior he was a first-team all-league offensive lineman and an honorable mention all-league defensive lineman earning first-team all-KSHSAA Covered on the offensive line and an honorable mention all-state pick by KSHSAA Covered and named to the top 100 non-senior listing as a junior also earning first-team all-league in wrestling as a junior and was a first-team all-league selection in the shot put and discus … an all-league honorable mention selection on the offensive line as a sophomore and an honorable mention all-league pick in wrestling and track and field … was honorable mention all-league in the shot put and discus as a freshman … son of Chris and Cherie Grimm … three brothers, Jacob, Kaleb and Kyle … his brother Jacob is signing to play football at Washburn this fall as well … majoring in physical therapy.
Keith Guidry | DB | 6-0 | 160 | Fort Worth, Texas | Arlington Heights High School
Will also compete in track and field at Washburn … son of Rochell Thompson and Warren Guidry … majoring in business.
Brody Hayes | S | 5-11 | 190 | Clay Center, Kansas | Clay Center High School
As a senior he was named Sports in Kansas 3A Defensive Player of The Year as well as Sports in
Kansas first-Team all-state defensive back and was Sports in Kansas honorable mention all-state running back and was a first-team all-league defensive back, first-team all-league running back, first-team all-league returner who was voted by VYPE as the 2023 Salina Area Player of the Year, named to Top 33 All-Class By Sports in Kansas and KSHSAA recording 101 tackles, six tackles for loss with two Interceptions including one returned for a touchdown adding seven pass break ups, 1,417 all-Purpose yards, 22 touchdowns (12 rushing, 8 Receiving, KR Touchdown and Pick 6) also competed in powerlifting … as a junior he was named first-team all-state at defensive back and was named Sports In Kansas Defensive Player of the Year finalist after earning Sports In Kansas Honorable Mention all-state honors at running back, first-team all-league at defensive back and first-team all-league at running back recording 105 tackles with one interception, 1,499 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns … finished fourth at the state meet in power lifting and was a first-team all-league pick and honorable mention all-state selection in baseball … as a sophomore he was an honorable mention all-league selection at defensive back recording 57 tackles with four interceptions with 649 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns … a honorable mention all-league in wrestling … played varsity his freshman season and at shortstop in baseball … a member of the National Honor Society … son of Patrick and Arica Hayes … a brother, Jett … his mother played volleyball at Washburn and his father played football at Washburn … majoring in health and fitness promotion/sports management.
J.C. Heim | LB | 6-3 | 225 | Topeka, Kansas | Washburn Rural High School
As a senior he was named Sports in Kansas 6A Defensive Player of the Year after recording 173 total tackles with 112 solo stops adding 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions with three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries returning one for a touchdown blocking three kicks and one punt while also rushing for 530 yards on 90 carries scoring 12 total touchdowns … also as a senior he was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County Defensive Player of the Year, All-Shawnee County Top 22, first-team all-Centennial League, Sports In Kansas All-Class Top 11 team and SIK's first-team all-state while earning KFBCA All-Class Top 11, and first-team all-state honors at linebacker, a Wichita Eagle first-team all-state and Top 11 All-Class team and was picked for the Kansas Shrine Bowl earning Kansas Sports Central Linebacker of the Year, an SIK Top 100 senior selection and named Washburn Rural's team MVP … as a junior he recorded 73 tackles with 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, five forced fumbles with three fumble recoveries including one for a score and three punt blocks earning first-team all-league at linebacker and honorable mention all-state honors … recorded 74 tackles as a sophomore with eight tackles for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble en route to honorable mention all-league honors at linebacker and running back … also competed in basketball and track … son of John and Jennifer Heim … two brothers, Jaren and Jordy … a member of the honor roll … mother played volleyball at Highland CC and Neosho CC … majoring in business.
Jaren Heim | LB | 6-2 | 220 | Topeka, Kansas | Washburn Rural High School
Recorded 123 tackles with 68 solo stops as a senior adding 10 tackles for loss with four sacks, four interceptions returning one for a touchdown with four fumble recoveries returning three for scores with three forced fumbles earning Sports In Kansas 6A Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-state honors from SIK and was an SIK all-classes top 22 pick … also an All-Shawnee County Top 22 team member and a first-team all-league selection earning the Junior Blues' Defensive Player of the Year honors as well a first-team all-state pick from the Wichita Eagle and an SIK top 100 senior selection and was a KSHSAA first-team linebacker selection all as a senior … as a junior he recorded 79 tackles with eight tackles for loss with two fumble recoveries earning first-team all-league, all-Shawnee County and honorable mention all-state honors at linebacker … tallied 50 tackles as a sophomore with one interception earning honorable mention all-league honors at defensive back and honorable mention all-Shawnee County honors … son of John and Jennifer Heim … two brothers, J.C. and Jordy … a member of the honor roll … mother played volleyball at Highland CC and Neosho CC … majoring in Business Management/Entrepreneurship.
Gabriel Henriques | OL | 6-3 | 280 | Derby, Kansas | Derby High School
Named first-team all-state and first-team all-league as a senior earning top 100 honors … son of Michael and Linda Castile and Durand and Christina Henriques… six brothers, Timothy, Isaiah, Ethan, Evan, Mateo and Micah … majoring in psychology.
Aaron Henson | LB | 6-0 | 230 | Kansas City, Kansas | Piper High School
Recorded 149 tackles with 106 solo stops and 16 tackles for loss en route to first-team all-state and all-league honors as well as the UKC league's defensive player of the year following his senior year … an all-league selection at linebacker as a junior finishing second at the state powerlifting meet … finished fifth at the state meet in the shot put at the 5A meet as a sophomore … son of Aaron and Christene Henson … two sisters, Aniya and Alyssa … a brother, Chris … majoring in biology.
Tanner Howes | WR | 5-9 | 175 | Lee's Summit, Missouri | Lee's Summit North High School
As a senior he was a second team all-state and first-team all-league and all-district after rushing for 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns … as a sophomore he rushed for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns en route to second-team all-state and first-team all-league and all-district honors … rushed for 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore earning second-team all-league honors … son of Doug and Sara Howes … a brother, Brett … two sisters, Halle and Addie … majoring in exercise science.
Kaiden Johns | DL | 6-3 | 305 | Troy, Missouri | Troy Buchanan High School
A second-team all-state and third-team all-metro selection adding first-team all-league and first-team all-district as a senior … earned second team all-league honors as a junior … son of Joseph and Jamie … a sister, Gracie … majoring in physical therapy.
Laird Jones | LB | 5-11 | 195 | Arvada, Colorado | Ralston Valley High School
As a senior he was the team captain earning all-conference honors after recording 133 tackles with three sacks … a three-time player of the game winner … was an honorable mention all-state as a senior and an academic all-state pick … as a junior he was an all-conference selection after recording 117 tackles and an interception … also batted .488 with seven doubles and was an all-conference selection on the baseball team … had 20 tackles as a sophomore … son of Wyatt and Michelle Jones … a sister, Fairn … a brother, Otto, who is a member of the Ichabod baseball team … majoring in business marketing and sports management.
Isaiah Kincade | DB | 6-0 | 195 | Topeka, Kansas | Topeka High School
Played prep ball at Topeka High School. As a senior Kincade earned TopSports.news Second 22 recognition and was also a second-team All-Centennial League selection on defense … son of Chad and Moshe Kincade … majoring business.
Braiden Lagafuaina | S | 6-3 | 185 | Glendale, Arizona | Cactus High School
Played both safety and quarterback in high school passing for 15 touchdowns and 1,525 yards … son of Mamalu Lagafuaiana and Mandi Scholl … a brother, Joseph, who plays football at Benedictine … a sister, Kara … majoring in business.
Jamond Lane | DL | 6-0 | 280 | Topeka, Kansas | Washburn Rural High School
An all-state, all-county pick, recording 72 tackles with 42 solo stops, 12 tackles for loss, a foced fumble with eight sacks … named defensive newcomer of the year as a junior earning all-state and all-county honors … had 32 tackles as a sophomore … son of Melissa … three sisters, Jelissa, Janiah and Jalaya … a brother, Gregory … majoring in business.
Logan Madden | QB | 6-2 | 195 | Arvada, Colorado | Ralston Valley High School
As a senior he was selected for the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame game … an all-Colorado selection at quarterback earning first-team all-state and all-league after passing for 22 touchdowns and 2,794 yards while rushing for 257 yards and three more scores … as a junior he was an all-Colorado class pick earning first-team 5A all-state and all-league honors and was a first-team all-state pick at third base and a first-team all-league selection … was a second-team all-league selection in baseball as a sophomore and freshman seasons … son of Brad and Kristen Madden … a brother, Luke … a sister, Samantha … he father played baseball at Washburn at Barton County CC and his mother played basketball at Washburn, Barton County and Missouri-Kansas City … majoring in business.
Tyler Maslowski | LB | 6-0 | 205 | Leawood, Kansas | Blue Valley North High School
Named team's defensive player of the year earning honorable mention all-state honors and second team all-league honors recording 108 tackles, which led the league and was second in 6A in tackles adding nine tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble and an interception return for a touchdown … also played quarterback … son of Mike and Heidi … a brother, Brock … a sister, Reese … his father Mike played in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs … majoring in business.
Jalen Massey – RB | 5-9 | 175 | Lyndon, Kansas | Lyndon High School
A first-team all-state selection at running back and defensive back as a senior … as a junior he was an honorable mention all-state pick in both football and basketball as a junior and sophomore … son of Michael and Christel … a brother, Darian … his father played basketball at Emporia State … majoring in business.
Henry Mohrmann | TE | 6-5 | 200 | St. Louis, Missouri | Parkway North High School
As a senior he had 326 yards on 20 catches with four touchdowns adding 63 tackles with 42 solo stops with 22 assists with two sacks and seven tackles for loss earning first team all-league tight end, all-metro, all-district, all-state and all-state academic honors … as a junior he was a first-team all-league honors at tight end recording two touchdowns on nine catches and 177 yards … also had 23 tackles solo tackles, three sacks and connected on 24 extra point attempts … as a sophomore he had 23 extra points with seven tackles and 2,232 kickoff yards on 63 attempts … son of Gregg and Kara Mohrmann … two brothers, Jack and Benton … majoring in business.
Kolton Muntz | OL | 6-1 | 260 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Desert Mountain High School
As a senior he started 11 games earning first team all-region and second-team all-league honors and was named team lineman of the year … an all-region honorable mention selection as a junior after starting 13 games … started 14 games as a sophomore … son of John and Jennifer Muntz … a sister, Aubryn … his mother played soccer at the University of Arizona and his father played ACHA Ice Hockey at Arizona … majoring in business.
Blake Redmond | RB | 5-9 | 160 | Silver Lake, Kansas | Silver Lake High School
Participated in football, wrestling, track and field, baseball … was a TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 and first-team All-Mid-East League pick. ... Redmond moved up to the Top 22 after earning all-county honorable mention as a junior. Redmond rushed for 822 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior while also compiling 429 receiving yards and scoring seven touchdowns as Silver Lake posted an 8-2 record on the year ... son of Lonnie and Angela Redmond … majoring in business.
Cam Robinson | RB | 5-8 | 200 | Buford, Georgia | Mill Creek High School
Named the Offensive Player of the Year and named the Georgia High School Daily Player of the Year earning region 8 and first-team all-state and all-metro honors rushing for 1,722 yards with seven 100-yard rushing games and 20 touchdowns breaking nine high school records including career rushing attempts (473), career rushing yards (3,667), must rushing yards in a playoff season (822), most total career yards from scrimmage (4078) and most total career all-purpose yards (4,194) … rushed for 270 yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns in the state championship game as a junior earning first-team all-county and all-region at running back after rushing for 1,802 yards, 255 receiving yards scoring 24 overall touchdowns … son of Geniece … three brothers, Joseph, Harrison and Christian … undecided in major.
Kaiden Seamster | WR | 6-2 | 215 | Chanute, Kansas | Chanute High School
As a senior with the Blue Comets he had 38 catches for 700 yards and six touchdowns and was a three-time all-state honorable mention selection … also competed in basketball and track and field … son of Richard Seamster and Airika and Tre Nash … siblings, Kysen, Koen, Tre'vion, Amari and Adria … majoring in business.
Brice Smith | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Marietta, Georgia | Sprayberry High School
Will also compete in track and field at Washburn … … son of Jamar and Charney Davis … majoring in engineering.
Jermon Strickland | DB | 6-0 | 160 | Blue Springs, Missouri | Blue Spring South High School
Missed senior season after an injury … as a junior his seven interceptions led the state and had 50 tackles earning second-team all-league and was named the defensive player of the year … son of Jessye Edington … a brother, Justyn … sister, Jaeya … majoring in business or sports medicine.
Tayshaun Thompson | S | 5-9 | 170 | St. Louis, Missouri | Normandy High School
Named all-league as a senior after recording 90 tackles at defensive back with three interceptions, three forced fumbles and 10 tackles for loss … as a junior he was an all-league pick at linebacker with 80 tackles recording three safeties and two forced fumbles … a second team all-league pick at defensive back and averaged 10 points and five assists on the basketball team … a member of the National Honor Society … son of Lakisha Quinn and Jeffery Anderson … a brother, James … majoring in industrial technology.
Gus Thuston | OL | 6-4 | 295 | Chanute, Kansas | Chanute High School
As a senior he was a first-team all-state, all-league selection … also competed in track … as a junior he was a first-team all-league and all-state selection finishing second discus and third in the shot put at the league meet finishing fifth in the shot put and tenth in the discus at the state meet … a first-team all-league and honorable mention all-state selection as a sophomore finishing second in the league meet in the discus and third in the shot put with fifth-place shot put and seventh-place discus at the state meet … as a freshman he finished fourth in the shot put at the league meet was seventh in the shot put finishing seventh in the discus and fourth at the state meet … son of Linus and Debbie Thuston … three sisters, Ashley, Alexis and Melissa … majoring in business.
Reece Watkins | S | 6-2 | 185 | Fort Worth, Texas | Fossil Ridge High School
Played both football and basketball as a senior … as a junior he was a second-team all-district selection recording five interceptions leading the district … an honorable mention all-district selection in both football and basketball … majoring in kinesiology.
Ty Williams | RB | 6-0 | 205 | Grain Valley, Missouri | Grain Valley High School
A first-team all-league pick and was named the league's offensive player of the year and a first-team all-state selection and was the KMZU class 4A/5A offensive player of the year and team MVP and was selection the Simone Award winner runner up after rushing for 2,485 yards recording 3,000 all-purpose yards with 38 touchdowns … as a junior he was a first-team all-league pick and a second team all-Examiner selection finishing with 550 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns … also participated in track and field … son of Jason and Jennifer … a sister, Tessa … a brother, Talon … his father played basketball at Central Bible College … majoring in mass media.
Quay Wright | DE | 6-3 | 240 | Atlanta, Georgia | Douglas County High School
A second-team all-region pick as a senior earning honorable mention all-state honors after collecting 16 sacks and eight tackles for loss … as a junior he earned first-team all-region honors earning honorable mention all-state honors with 30 tackles for loss and five sacks … also played basketball … son of Jeffrey and Alysa Little … a brother, Emmanuel … a sister Jakhia … undecided on major.
