Register now for the 2023 SP Combine Series

Sharp Performance continues to offer the Combine Series in an effort to help connect prospective college student-athletes with scholarship opportunities and provide athletes and coaches with verified third party testing heading into offseason training.

This year’s Combine Series currently includes the following events:

FREE COMBINE: March 19th, Salina, KS ($0 entry fee)

TOP PROSPECT: May 30th, Salina, KS (invite only)

Register at: Sharp-Performance.com 

Look for additional Showcase and Combine announcements coming soon!

Why the SP Combine Series? Proven results!

What do Jaren Kanak, Kaedin Massey, Mason Ellis, Christien Hawks, Darell Jones, Tobi Osunsanmi, Bryce Cohoon, and Jett Vincent have in common? Their recruiting interest increased significantly following standout performances at Sharp Performance events!

Certainly Kanak's recruiting interest exploded after a viral video of his 10.37 100 meter dash during his junior track season, but his performance at the 2020 SP Showcase resulted in DI offers almost immediately after the event. Massey’s recruiting saga started with SP Events and the giant future Power 5 offensive lineman used the experience to hone his testing skills and stand out at multiple events. Mason Ellis burst onto the scene at 2021 SP events after missing the majority of his junior season to injury. Hawks had several non-Power 5 opportunities going into 2020 showcase, but he came out with his first Big 12 offer after KU coaches saw a video of him from the event. Jones was a relative unknown yet his coach received calls from at least one FBS coach on the field during the 2020 showcase and after a whirlwind couple of weeks committed to K-State. Like Kanak, Bryce Cohoon’s speed on the track was a huge factor in his recruitment, but videos of his highlight reel catches at SP Events turned the heads of recruiters from across the country. Jett Vincent saw his interest pick up significantly after working with Sharp and became the second consecutive FBS football signee for tiny Canton-Galva, an 8-Man team.

"Numerous athletes have connected with scholarship opportunities at all levels after eye-opening performances at one of our Combine Series events," Sharp noted. “Jaren Kanak, Mason Ellis, Kaedin Massey, Jett Vincent, the list continues to grow. Every year more and more kids get offers shortly after Sports in Kansas and Kansas Pregame blast their SP stats and videos across social media.”

Sharp has partnered with Sports in Kansas and Kansas Pregame to expand the exposure opportunities for Kansas high school football players through summer camps and showcases, with proven results. While Kansas hasn’t historically produced 5-star prospects in the same quantities as other states, there is a reason.

"It's a simple numbers game," Sharp Performance CEO and former University of Kansas running back Jake Sharp noted. "Something like 1,400 high schools in Texas play football. Just over 300 play the game in Kansas. Colleges - and recruiting media outlets - don't have unlimited resources and when picking parts of the country to focus on, Texas, Florida and California are going to top the list, not just because of a high level of play, but also because of the sheer number of high school football players in those states."

With a better understanding of the numbers involved with state-to-state recruiting, it’s easy to see the need for high school athletes to have a platform to display measurables for college coaches. Sharp provides just that.

Combine Series to kick off with free event in Salina

First on the list of 2023 SP Combine Series events is the annual free combine, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, March 19th, in Salina, at the Salina Fieldhouse. This is open to athletes from the 2024 through 2027 graduating classes.

Athletes in attendance will receive accurate, verified testing results in the 40-yard dash, pro agility drill, vertical jump, standing broad jump and bench press, as well as accurate height and weight measurements.

It’s an opportunity for players flying under the radar, or those looking for increased exposure to show off their abilities at an event featuring dozens of other prospects from across Kansas. It’s also a great place for first time combine attendees to learn how to navigate the tests and get some baseline numbers heading into the spring and summer training.
While the combine is free, it requires pre-registration. Register at the Events page at Sharp-Performance.com.
 
Kansas players boost their stock at SP events

Dozens of athletes have connected with scholarship opportunities after posting top marks at SP Events or working with SP trainers at Sharp's facilities in central Kansas.

A few SP Combine Series alumni from the class of 2023 include Derby’s Dylan Edwards (Colorado signee), Maize’s Bryce Cohoon (Syracuse signee), Canton-Galva’s Jett Vincent (Colorado State signee), Wamego’s Hayden Oviatt (Army signee), Holton’s Jace Boswell (North Dakota signee), Chanute’s Dagen Dean (Pitt State signee), Frontenac’s Mario Menghini (Pitt State signee), along with dozens of other athletes who raised their recruiting stock at SP events.

Check out a few profiles for those athletes below:

Tyrell Reed, Lawrence High School

After forming a dynamic 1-2 punch with Tre Richardson at Highland Park as a junior, Reed attended Lawrence High for his senior season and helped the Lions to a 6-4 mark with 158 carries for 1,279 yards and 23 TDs to go with two kick returns for TDs.

The 5-9, 190 pound back had a huge day at the Sharp Performance Showcase last spring with a 4.39 hand-timed 40, 4.37 pro agility shuttle, 36.5 inch vertical jump, 103 inch broad jump, and added three reps of 225 on bench. His performance helped gain interest and lead to D-I interest, including an offer from FCS South Dakota State and Kansas junior college power Butler.

Reed ultimately made the decision to sign with 2021 NJCAA National Champion Hutchinson Community College, a program that has gone 28-3 in three seasons under head coach Drew Dallas and finished as the National Runner-up last season.

“Sharp Performance really helped me put my name on the map,” Reed said. “All the media exposure and nutrition tips were beneficial to my recruitment. Jake Sharp cares about the players in Kansas and he knows what's important to help Kansas kids get recruited.”

Kaedin Massey, Lyndon High School

The 6-8, 260 pound 2024 offensive tackle prospect showed off quick footwork for his size at the 2022 Showcase, posting a 5.12 40 and a 4.66 pro agility to go with a 24.5 inch vertical, 99 inch broad jump, and 10 reps of 185 on bench press. Even more impressive, it was his first time participating in a combine style event, he has since improved all those marks.

Massey, also one of the top basketball players and discus towers in 1A, followed his combine with a strong 2022 season on both the offensive and defensive line for an 8-3 Lyndon squad playing its first season of 8-Man after years of success in the smallest 11-Man class.

While Massey is virtually impossible to miss in a crowd, the eyes that likely first saw the current junior at SP events currently holds DI offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and is one of the top-ranked players in Kansas in the Class of 2024..

“The Sharp Performance event was my very first combine,” Massey said. “It gave me the opportunity to get noticed and my measurables taken. I was then honored to be picked for the Top Prospect event. Kansas athletes don’t always reach the big market, but Sharp Performance events and my interviews with Sports in Kansas and coverage from Kansas Pregame really were an integral part of my process.”

Branton DeWeese, Washburn Rural

After a 1,600 passing yard and 21 TD sophomore season for Washburn Rural in 2021, the 2024 QB prospect continued his success last fall with 1,884 yards and 25 TDs on 143 of 234 passing and led the Junior Blues to an 8-3 mark and 6A quarterfinals appearance.

DeWeese put together a strong showing at the 2022 Showcase with a 4.27 pro agility, 4.91 40, 30.8 inch vertical, and 103 inch broad jump and has since seen interest from DI programs including Kansas State, Kansas, North Dakota State, North Dakota, along with DII and JUCO programs. He currently holds a scholarship offer from Washburn University.

Luke Niggemann, Girard High School

Niggemann got a chance to show off his impressive mobility to go with his 6-3, 200 pound frame at Sharp Events last offseason, posting a 4.61 40 time, 4.48 pro agility, and 33.7 inch vertical.

The senior quarterback went on to a big season, passing for 928 yards and seven TDs to go with 629 rushing yards and 12 more scores while leading the Trojans to a 10-1 finish and state quarterfinal appearance.

Niggemann received multiple D2 offers for his performances before eventually deciding to commit to Pitt State.

He said the SP Events are about more than just the exposure opportunities.

“It was great to get in front of coaches and was even better how accessible and easy it was to connect with them after, and even during, the combines,” Niggemann said. “It gave me exposure to coaches live and I was able to build relationships faster.”

Lance Hoffsommer, Sedgwick High School

A 2022 grad now playing quarterback at Emporia State, Hoffsommer might be the ultimate example of what the Sharp Combine series can do for a prospect. Like many athletes across Kansas the Sedgwick High product came from a small school.

While there is no doubt Hoffsommer’s play on the field through his four years was top notch - leading Sedgwick to a 26-4 record as a starter and throwing for over 10,000 yards with 131 total TDs in his career - getting looks from bigger programs is always more of a challenge for small school players.

In Hoffsommer’s case, his strong performance at Sharp’s 2021 event gave the 2022 grad far more exposure than he might not have otherwise received and ultimately led to him receiving an offer to play at Emporia State University, where he is now wrapping up his freshman year for the Hornets.

His father, Christian, says SP events were a significant reason Lance earned a D2 scholarship offer.

"Exposure from social media following the events helped get Lance noticed," the older Hoffsommer said. "It helped him especially coming from the smallest 11-Man classification in Kansas. It gave him a chance to stand next to QBs at the biggest schools in Kansas in front of the cameras and coaches. Having the opportunity to show that he is just as big, fast, and tall as the other kids and show he is willing to compete and is coachable was key."

Athletes, register for the Sharp Performance Combine Series at https://www.sharp-performance.com/combineseries today!