KFBCA Top 11: Michael Boganowski

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams in early December, including the All-Class Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Junction City linebacker Michael Boganowski's capsule below. For a look at the complete 2023 KFBCA All-State teams click here.

Junction City’s Michael Boganowski is making the jump to the SEC after proving himself to be among the most versatile defensive players – and one of the top all-around athletes – in 6A over the last four seasons.

The 6-2, 200 pound senior defensive back/linebacker hybrid committed to the University of Oklahoma in October, and signed last week, after recording 265 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, three sacks, six interceptions, a forced fumble and five fumble recoveries, along with 685 total yards and 11 TDs as a sparsely-used, but ultra-effective offensive weapon over a four-year varsity career.

“Michael is a very good athlete who understands the game very well,” Junction City head coach Randall Zimmerman said. “He anticipates things well and pays attention to the details of the game.”

Boganowski had dozens of high-level scholarship offers, including offers from Michigan, Florida State, USC, Tennessee, K-State, KU and many others, but ultimately went with the Sooners on a signing day with the in-state schools and the Sooners in his top three.

Over his four years as a Blue Jay, Boganowski and company went 30-11 with four playoff appearances, including a trip to the state semifinals in his freshman campaign, where they were defeated by eventual 6A champs Derby.

As just a freshman in that campaign, Boganowski recorded 27 tackles as a key member of the secondary.

“Michael came in as a very hungry, talented freshman,” Zimmerman said. “He matured physically a lot from his freshman year on. He started all four years in the secondary, during his high school years.”

In his sophomore campaign, the Blue Jays finished 8-2 after a second round playoff loss to Lawrence. The hybrid defender recorded 30 tackles, a sack, a tackle-for-loss, and two interceptions

Boganowski’s junior season is when he truly stepped into his own, and began receiving heavy interest from DI programs.

The Blue Jays went 7-3 on the season with each loss coming to quality teams, including Wichita Northwest in the second round of the 6A playoffs.

Boganowski recorded 123 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, four interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, earning All-State honors as well as a Sports in Kansas 6A Defensive Player of the Year nomination.

Boganowski entered his senior season as one of the biggest names in the state among football fans, and one of the top prospects in the country. He didn’t disappoint.

Junction City had its weakest season in his time as a Blue Jay, going a still respectable 6-4 with all four losses coming to quality teams, including Week 5 and a second round playoff matchup against state runner-up Washburn Rural.

But in those 10 games, Boganowski dominated with 85 tackles, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a tackle-for-loss.

“It was very hard to scheme around Boganowski over the last two seasons,” McPherson head coach Jace Pavlovich said. “Due to the nature of their three high safety defense and his ability to get to the ball, we had a really hard time trying to keep him from affecting the game. He can run sideline to sideline and press vertical when we stretched the field. We had him out of position a few times and he closed down in a hurry for a short gain.”

The Bullpups lost both matchups with Junction City in those two seasons, with the 2023 matchup seeing the Blue Jays holding McPherson to their lowest point total of the year, led by Boganowski’s nine tackles and quiet impact on the game.

“It’s rare that you face a player with the ability that he has as well as the eye discipline that he possesses consistently,” Pavlovich said.

The senior was again nominated as a Sports in Kansas DPOY candidate to go with All-State honors.

While at OU, Boganowski will start off with general education courses before deciding on his exact major.