Headline: 2026 Kansas Midseason Football Watchlist – Presented by Shelter Insurance
Sub-Headline: To add any players to this list, please email a nomination to [email protected]. Please be sure to include the athlete’s name, school, grade, and why you think they should be added to the list.
Mason Bottorff (Atchison County)
Mason is an undersized but versatile two-way player who fills whatever role the team needs and rarely leaves the field. Through three games, he has recorded 31 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. His work ethic also stands out on the practice field.
Jordan Kramer (Basehor Linwood)
As a returning starter on the offensive line, Jordan brings experience to the unit. His physical play has helped establish an edge along the interior.
Charlie Peek (Basehor Linwood)
Charlie leads the team in tackles and serves as a team captain. His steady play has made him a reliable presence inside the defense.
Kustom Schamp (Canton Galva)
After injuries kept him out during his sophomore and junior seasons, Kustom has returned for his senior year with improved size, strength, and athleticism. He has made an impact at free safety, attacking the alley and making plays. Offensively, his touches have produced big gains, and new formations and packages could create more opportunities down the stretch.
Jaxon Nightingale (Canton Galva)
Jaxon is the team’s most experienced player, having started for the past three years after earning playing time as a freshman. Back at offensive guard, he combines size, strength, physicality and footwork to contribute in the eight-man offense. He also plays outside linebacker and defensive end, where his presence often forces opponents to run away from him. His experience positions him to provide vocal leadership and lead by example during his senior season.
Jason Smith (Circle)
On the ground, Jason has gained 513 yards and scored three touchdowns on 66 carries. He has also caught five passes for 59 yards.
Diego Barco (Elkhart)
Diego is a senior captain who contributes at wide receiver, slot, wing and running back while also starting at safety and returning kicks and punts. Through a 3-0 start, he has produced 468 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns. He earned first-team all-league honors as a returner last season, when he led the team in all-purpose yards and touchdowns. He also starts for the basketball and baseball teams.
Alex Gomez (Elkhart)
At quarterback and linebacker, Alex has helped lead the team to a 3-0 record, its best start in 10 years. The junior has scored four rushing touchdowns and is also among the team’s leading tacklers.
Beau Hall (Flinthills)
Hall is a returning 2025 first-team all-state athlete in Eight-Man Division I and an all-state sprinter who normally plays running back. While filling in at quarterback, he completed five of eight passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 298 yards and four scores on 22 carries, and returned a kickoff 59 yards for another touchdown. He also led the defense with 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and added four pass deflections. His character and leadership complement his production, and he holds a full-ride offer from Butler County Community College.
Drew Strecker (Garden City)
A physical blocker at tight end, Drew is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior who has recorded 210 receiving yards and two touchdowns through three games. At linebacker, he has contributed 34 tackles and three tackles for loss, placing him among the WAC leaders in both categories. He has received offers in football and baseball.
Tate Heavner (Garden City)
Tate has completed 40 of 50 passes for 790 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception. The sophomore quarterback is completing 80 percent of his passes and has posted consecutive 300-yard passing games.
Ryder Carr (Garden City)
With 204 receiving yards through two games, Ryder has demonstrated his ability to create explosive plays downfield. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound wide receiver and defensive back uses his speed to get behind defenders and tracks the deep ball well. He holds offers in football and track and is drawing Division I interest.
Braylen Dold (Garden Plain)
Braylen is a two-way starter who plays quarterback and running back in the flexbone offense and free safety on defense. He has passed for 110 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 130 yards and three scores on 30 carries. Defensively, he has recorded 31 tackles and two interceptions.
Brock Randolph (Garden Plain)
As a team captain and two-way starter at center and defensive tackle, Brock helps establish a physical style of play. His blocking sets the tone up front, both at the line of scrimmage and against linebackers at the next level. Defensively, he has recorded 20 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.
Brogan Wray (Haven)
Brogan has passed for 605 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 315 yards and eight scores through four games. He has also contributed 37 tackles and an interception on defense. His leadership, intensity, and respect for his coaches help him make a positive impact on his teammates and school community.
Cole Brawner (Haven)
Following an all-state and first-team all-district sophomore season in 2025, Cole has rushed for 618 yards and eight touchdowns on 71 carries through four games. He has also caught six passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. His combination of power, speed, and vision was on display during a 98-yard touchdown run that capped the win over Douglass. His quiet confidence has made him a player teammates respond to.
Cole Rapp (Kapaun Mt. Carmel)
Cole owns a 15-1 career record as a starting quarterback and directs the offense with effective option running and big-play passing. He has completed 16 of 25 passes for 327 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception while adding 173 rushing yards and five scores on 22 carries. He averages 166 yards of total offense per game for a unit averaging 52.33 points and 516 yards per contest.
Ken Huff (Kapaun Mt. Carmel)
With three years of starting experience, Ken brings a combination of physicality and speed. His punishing style makes him a difficult matchup for defenders.
Joe Mortensen (Manhattan)
Joe is a senior captain who contributes on both sides of the ball at running back and defensive back. His leadership and character complement his ability as a football player.
Max Evans-Pryor and Kadin Dibbini (Manhattan)
As senior captains, Max and Kadin provide leadership and disruptive defensive play. Max is a returning all-state linebacker with multiple sacks and tackles for loss. Kadin is a high-energy, two-way starter at defensive tackle and left tackle who has also recorded multiple sacks and tackles for loss.
Hays Ensley (Mulvane)
Hays leads the team in rushing through three games with 577 yards and six touchdowns on 67 carries. He is averaging 8.6 yards per attempt and 192.3 rushing yards per game.
Paxton Richardson (Mulvane)
From his inside linebacker position, Paxton leads the team in tackles and serves as the defense’s on-field quarterback. Through three games, he has recorded 21 tackles, 12 assists, five tackles for loss, and one pass breakup.
Wyatt Elsbury (Osawatomie)
Wyatt is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior captain who has stepped into the center position for the first time this season. He leads the offensive line and helps elevate the play of those around him. He has also contributed at defensive end when needed, making him a dependable option on both sides of the ball.
Blaine Flanagan (Osawatomie)
At 6-foot-4, senior captain Blaine provides reliable hands and strong blocking at tight end. His route running and understanding of how to get open allow the offense to split him out wide. At defensive end, he is tied for the team lead in tackles.
Aiden Ochs-Lohrey (Otis Bison)
Aiden has rushed for 934 yards and 17 touchdowns on 88 carries through four games, averaging 10.61 yards per attempt and 233.5 yards per game. His production accounts for more than 90 percent of the team’s rushing yards and 17 of its 18 rushing touchdowns. He has also caught two passes for 14 yards and returned a kickoff 69 yards for a touchdown. Defensively, he leads the team with 55 tackles, including 30 solo stops and 25 assists, and has added four tackles for loss and a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Marcus Starr (Otis Bison)
Through four games, Marcus leads the receiving corps with eight catches for 201 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 25.12 yards per reception. His longest catch has covered 41 yards, and he has not recorded a fumble. Defensively, he ranks second on the team with 40 tackles, including 12 solo stops and 28 assists, and has added two tackles for loss. He has also recovered three onside kicks.
Dayton Reeves (Pike Valley)
Dayton makes an impact in all three phases, using speed and shiftiness at running back and quarterback. At safety, he covers ground quickly and brings toughness and intensity to the defense. He is also a dangerous kickoff and punt returner who can produce a big play whenever he touches the ball.
Rylan Hamel (Plainville)
As the leader of the defense, Rylan gets teammates lined up correctly and uses his instincts to find the football. He has accumulated 40 tackles this fall. He hopes to continue his football career at the college level.
Jonah Kaumans (Sacred Heart)
Jonah is a 6-foot, 235-pound senior and three-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines who also plays linebacker. He leads the team with three sacks and five tackles for loss and has not allowed a sack on offense. His leadership extends beyond football through his involvement in the Salina Diocese church community and CYO.
Izaak Garcia (Satanta)
Since arriving last year, junior Izaak has made an impact in multiple sports, including qualifying for the state track meet in the triple jump. Through three football games, he has rushed for 251 yards and seven touchdowns on 28 carries and caught six passes for 139 yards and two scores. He has also recorded 16 solo tackles and one forced fumble. His positive attitude and leadership help elevate those around him.
Agustin Salas (Satanta)
Agustin is a senior who has earned all-district recognition in each of the past two seasons. He has produced 104 passing yards and two touchdowns on two attempts while rushing for 133 yards and one score on 19 carries and catching one pass for 16 yards. Defensively, he has recorded 26 total tackles. He also serves as a leader in the school and community and a positive role model for younger students.
Deryn Maxwell (Sterling)
With 535 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 65 carries, Deryn has put together a strong start without a fumble. He has recorded four 100-yard rushing games and added 35 yards on one kickoff return. Defensively, he has contributed 10 tackles, including nine solo stops, and two tackles for loss. His leadership has also been an important part of his season.
Jacob Lewis (Sterling)
Jacob contributes at receiver, running back, quarterback, middle linebacker, and outside linebacker while also returning kicks and punts. He has produced 543 all-purpose yards, averaging 135.8 per game, with 151 rushing yards and one touchdown, 159 receiving yards and four scores, 134 kickoff-return yards and one touchdown, and 99 punt-return yards. Defensively, he has recorded 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, and a blocked extra point. Despite his extensive responsibilities, he maintains a humble, team-first approach.
Lane Weigel (Sterling)
On special teams, Lane has converted 23 of 24 extra-point attempts. He has also totaled 1,350 yards on 37 kickoffs, with 18 resulting in touchbacks.
Courtney Sanders (Topeka)
Courtney has scored seven touchdowns through three games while averaging more than six yards per carry. An electric player with the ball in his hands, he also contributes on defense.
Romo Byrd JR (Turner)
As the featured back, Romo has opened his junior season with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He rushed for 111 yards on 21 carries in Week 1, 107 yards on 17 carries in Week 2, and 223 yards on 33 carries in Week 3. His toughness, speed, and physical running style have provided a strong foundation for the ground game.
Caden Ledesma (Ulysses)
Caden is a two-year starting quarterback and two-time captain whose coachability and work ethic set an example for the team. This season, he has completed 80 of 102 passes for 1,040 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one interception while rushing for 132 yards and five scores on 58 carries. His career passing totals stand at 250 completions in 361 attempts for 2,775 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also rushed for 313 yards and seven touchdowns on 176 career carries.
Stryker Berglund (Ulysses)
A two-time captain, Stryker leads by example through his toughness, consistent effort, and strong work ethic. This season, he has rushed for 308 yards and six touchdowns on 43 carries and caught 12 passes for 229 yards and three scores. His career totals include 656 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 140 carries, along with 50 receptions for 457 yards and five touchdowns.
Benito (Washington)
Benito has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has limited his interceptions to one while putting together a productive season at quarterback.
CamRon Fields (Washington)
After establishing himself as a leading receiving threat over the past three seasons, CamRon currently ranks first in receiving touchdowns and third in receiving yards. His career receiving yardage is approaching 5,000 yards.
