KFBCA Top 11: Gaven Haselhorst

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams December 6th and 7th, including their Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Hays High defensive end Gaven Haselhorst's capsule below and check back for more capsules throughout the week.

Gaven Haselhorst, DE, 6-1, 230, Hays High, Sr.

Hays High’s Gaven Haselhorst saw a meteoric rise to high school football success. In less than the amount of time it takes most people to begin and complete high school, Gaven went from a young player who hadn’t had any meaningful experience to one of the best defensive players in the state of Kansas and a member of the 2021 Kansas State football recruiting class.

His coach, Tony Crough, while impressed with the quick pace in which Haselhorst caught on to the sport, is well aware of how his former player got to that point. 

“Gaven committed himself to the weight room and turned into a powerful playmaker at the point of attack,” Crough said, noting the former basketball and soccer player experienced his first organized football as a freshman, and it took some time for him to get in the groove. “Gaven has only really played football for three years, and the sky's the limit as he is the true definition of a young man that outworked all to turn himself into a player.”

The sky does appear to be the limit for Haselhorst, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t already put up impressive numbers while he works his way there. In his senior campaign, he finished with 77 tackles, an incredible 32 tackles-for-loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In 2019, Haselhorst recorded 113 tackles, along with a WAC-best 22 TFLs. That all rounded out a career that saw him record 208 total tackles.

While Haselhorst’s work ethic is a key factor in his success, it’s best not to discount the importance of God-given abilities as well and coach Crough emphasized a few key skills that made his defensive standout so productive: “Gaven has the quickest first step I have ever seen and plays with elite effort. He is a high motor kid that makes plays all over the field, pursuing the football and on special teams.”

That motor will help Haselhorst as he continues his time on the gridiron with coach Chris Klieman at Kansas State University next fall. While Haselhorst has a build and skill set similar to former Wildcat defensive lineman Kyle Ball, or even standout defensive end Ryan Mueller, he will likely transition to the linebacker position at the college level.

Haselhorst shined at this summer’s Sharp Performance Showcase. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Haselhorst bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times, which tied for second best on the day. He also posted a 4.56 second hand-time 40-yard dash. Haselhorst quickly earned a K-State offer, and then committed to the Wildcats.

Haselhorst said his KFBCA Top 11 selection is “proof that hard work pays off,” adding, “I’m thankful for everything.”

The KFBCA Top 11* and All-State selections consist of seniors from the Class of 2021 nominated and voted on by members of the Kansas Football Coaches Association. For more info about the KFBCA find them online at www.kfbca.com. 

*There are actually 12 Top 11 selections this year because of a tie in voting.