With the SP Showcase Saturday, here's our final look at the April 17th Combine
Kansas Pregame profiles top performers at the April 17th Combine (Last name S-W)
*With the Sharp Performance Showcase this Saturday in Wichita, here are the final profiles from the April 17th Free Combine. Many of these athletes will put their skills on display Saturday with combine tests and position specific drills and one-on-ones at the Wichita Collegiate stadium.
The annual Sharp Performance Free Athletic Testing Combine returned to Salina April 17th after coronavirus concerns led to the cancellation of the free combine last spring. Dozens of athletes traveled to USD #305 District Stadium to test despite the cold temperatures and overcast skies. The event is free thanks to the generous support of sponsors like Salina Sports Medicine, providing patients a "home-field advantage."
Kansas Pregame profiles some of the top performers below. College coaches can find their Twitter handle next to each athlete's name/team/height/weight info to access even more information about each prospect. This fourth installment features athletes with last names beginning with the letters S through W.
Find complete results for the event at the Sharp Performance website under the Events tab at this link. Click on results under 2021 Free High School Combine.
Danny Saili, Jeff West, 6-3, 360, DT, 2022: A big dude who comes from a big, physical football family. A multi-year starter for the Tigers he moved his massive frame across 40 yards in 5.63 seconds and benched 225 10 times. A college prospect who could be a run-stopping gap controlling defensive tackle at the next level.
Bryce Salmans, Hays High, 6-1.5, 210, TE, 2023 (@BryceSalmans): Salmans has all the tools to emerge as one of the top tight ends in the WAC this fall. He showed off 40 times in the low 4.6 range, a 34 inch vertical and benched 225 for 9 reps. Hays High coach Tony Crough says Salmans is an excellent blocker and could be utilized occasionally as an H-Back this season as well.
Sky Schriner, McPherson, 5-7, 159.6, RB/DB, 2022 (@sschriner25): One of the fastest athletes at the April 17th Combine, Schriner ran 4.47 in the 40, posted an official time of 4.24 in the pro agility, jumped 34.3 inches in the vertical and 9-1 in the standing broad jump to go along with 4 reps at 225 on bench at just 160 pounds. An ankle injury kept Schriner from playing until halfway through the season last fall but he still rushed for 474 yards with a 6.7 ypc average and 9 TDs and could emerge as one of the top players in the AVCTL this fall.
Grady Seyfert, Beloit, 6-2, 269, OL/DL, 2023 (@GradySeyfert): The big sophomore is on track to be one of the top linemen in 2A this fall and also one of the top throwers in the shot put and discus ring following in his father Casey's footsteps. Seyfert ran in the 5.2s in the 40, posted a 4.99 pro agility, benched 225 11 times and jumped 23.4 inches in the vertical and 7-8 in the broad. He earned first team all-league on the offensive line last fall and has personal best throws of 50-11.5 in the shot and 150-10 in the discus in his first season of high school track after the cancellation of sports last spring.
Isaac Sheeran, Andover Central, 6-5, 216, 2022 (@SheeranIsaac): Ran in the low 4.6 range with a 29.9 inch vertical, 9-2 broad jump, 4.57 pro agility, and 9 reps at 225 on bench. Part of a devastating group of interior players including offensive lineman Andrew Mann, offensive lineman/defensive tackle Drew Daniels and center/linebacker Nate Peak. Sheeran's impressive mix of size and athleticism has earned him looks from several FCS and FBS programs.
Casen Stallbaumer, Seaman, 6-3.5, 199.6, Slot/LB, 2022 (@casenstall14): Stallbaumer is flying under the radar and shouldn't be. At 6-3, 200, he can move (4.6 40), is strong (13 reps at 185 on bench), can jump (30.3 inch vertical, 9-3 broad) and has earned respect (All-City, All-State). Last year he recorded almost 1,000 yards of total offense with 10 TDs and 2 INTs on defense with one returned for a touchdown.
Drake Thatcher, Derby, 6-4.5, 191, TE/WR, 2022 (@DrakeThatcher): The All-League tight end showed off tremendous athleticism at the April 17th Combine running 4.6 in the 40, 4.47 in the pro agility, posting a 30 inch vertical and a 9-1 broad jump. He caught 17 passes for 315 yards with 6 touchdowns last fall and together with his twin brother Mercer will look to lead the Panthers to yet another state championship this fall.
Mercer Thatcher, Derby, 6-3, 180.2, WR/QB, 2022 (@mercer_thatcher): Very similar combine results to his twin brother. Was a tick slower in the 40 at 4.7, posted a 4.45 pro agility, jumped 33.4 inches in the vertical and 9-1 in the broad. Also did 12 reps at 185 on bench. After playing mostly wide receiver last year, and making 11 catches for 139 yards and a score, he will make the move to QB this fall.
Quincy Thomas, Cheney, 6-0.5, 163.4, RB, 2022: Thomas, a second team all-league selection a year ago, had a solid day at the Combine running in the 4.6 range in the 40, posting a 31.4 inch vertical, a 4.54 pro agility and doing 5 bench reps at 185. He'll pair up with classmate Harrison Voth, one of the state's top returning quarterbacks, to provide the Cardinals a talented backfield this fall.
Bobby Trujillo, Emporia, 6-0, 207.2, LB, 2023 (@BobbyTrlo44): One of the top returning players in the Centennial League, the 2023 linebacker ran in the 4.8 range in the 40, posted a 29.1 inch vertical and did 12 bench reps at 185. Plenty of room to improve those numbers over the next two seasons. Earned second team All-Centennial League honors as a sophomore and started for the 5A Spartans as a freshman.
Tony Wadkins, Seaman, 6-2.5, 252.6, OL, 2022 (@antoniowadkins): Another big piece back for the Seaman Vikings, Wadkins ran a 5.4 40, a 5.16 pro agility and did 12 reps at 185. He'll need to anchor the offensive line for Seaman's new coach thanks to the graduation of standout Ewan Mills, who is headed to Northwest Missouri State.
Brennan Walker, Beloit, 6-4, 195, TE/DE, 2022 (@BrennanWalker19): One of the top all-around athletes from the smaller classes, Walker is a two-time state placer in wrestling and currently has the fifth best throw in all classes in the javelin, but his future may find him on a college football field. Walker showed off good speed, running a 4.7 40 at the combine, but an early departure for prom left him only doing one other test, where he posted a 27.9 inch vertical jump. Coach Brad Gober tested him at 9-3 in the standing broad jump and says he continues to add strength and weight. Gober believes defensive end could be his position at the next level.
Enoch Walton, Pratt, 5-10, 207, FB/DE, 2022 (@walton_knox): Walton was one of the most powerful athletes at the April 17th Combine. He pumped out 18 reps at 225 on bench and showed off solid speed for an athlete carrying so much muscle, running consistently in the low 4.9s in the 40. He added a 30.4 inch vertical jump and an 8-5 broad jump. He has lifted personal bests of 600 pounds in the deadlift, 455 in the squat, 325 in bench press and 290 in clean and was the 198 pound champion at 3A State Powerlifting. Got limited carries a year ago serving primarily as a blocking back, but film shows an explosive athlete who can rarely be tackled by one defender and an athlete who can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Maddox Waters, Beloit, 6-3, 195.6, TE, 2024: Just a freshman, Waters started the final three games of the season at tight end for the Trojans last fall and is an emerging prospect. Ran as low as 4.82 in the 40 with consistent times in the 4.9s. Also recorded a 29.5 inch vertical jump and 7-10 broad jump. Has plenty of room for progress over the next three years.
Jesse Whitmer, Russell, 6-0, 187.3, RB/LB, 2022 (@Jesse25whitmer): One of the state's most underrated football prospects. Consistently runs in the 4.5s in the 40 with a 4.37 pro agility and 11 reps at 225 in bench press. Whitmer also has a personal best of 11.03 seconds in the 100 meter dash and was the 3A state powerlifting champion at 181 pounds. In eight games last fall Whitmer tallied 78 tackles, 7 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble to go along with 64 carries for 298 yards and 13 receptions for 125 yards on offense.
Luke Wilson, Larned, 6-2, 177.6, WR/DB, 2022 (@luke_wil2216): An unknown heading into the April 17th Combine Wilson had a good day and turned heads with a 4.66 40, a 31.2 inch vertical and a 9-1 broad jump. He will be counted on more on both sides of the ball this fall after posting 36 career receptions with 261 yards for LHS along with an interception and a deflection in two starts on defense last fall.
Look for coverage of the Sharp Performance Showcase on our Twitter.