Liam KeatingTopeka Capital-Journal
TOPEKA — Football returns in the coming weeks with hard hits and important interceptions, and players across the capital city are ready to leave their mark in the trenches, backfield and secondary.
There are first-year players to perennial starters that have caught the eyes of their coaching staff this offseason. Expect big plays from this group of players all season long.
Below are 24 of the top defensive players to watch for this season from the Topeka area, listed alphabetically.
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Alesecio Batson, Topeka West
The 2023 Class 5A State Champion in triple jump will be playing in his first football season for the Chargers. Batson's athleticism is off the charts as he has proved every spring season. The senior's speed and agility excite the Topeka West coaching staff and their hopes for a more dynamic offense.
“He will be playing safety for us and will be a key cog defensively,” Topeka West head coach Trey Brown said.
Baron Blankenship, Washburn Rural
The senior defensive lineman will be one of the main figures to watch up front. Blankenship can cause havoc in the rush and pass game. He was in the middle of the scrum during last year's Class 6A State Quarterfinal where Wichita East failed to score on numerous attempts inside Washburn Rural's goal line.
Xander Blasing, Hayden
The linebacker played extensive minutes last year in Hayden's run to the Class 3A State Championship game. The 6-foot-1 junior can track down opposing players with speed and the strength to shove off blockers. Blasing forced multiple fumbles and snagged a few interceptions last year, too.
"He had a great offseason at outside linebacker," Hayden head coach Bill Arnold said.
Tobias Bonura, Cair Paravel
The junior is one of a few returning lettermen from last year's team. The Lions are a young roster that will be playing in their first season of 11-man football. Bonura will need to step into a leadership role after extension experience on the field as a linebacker last year. Bonura is a pure athlete who will play both sides of the ball, but linebacker is one of his best positions.
Parker Busenitz, Shawnee Heights
The senior is one of just two returning defensive starters. Busenitz tied for a team-high three interceptions last season. He will also play as wide reciever on the other side of the ball, but Shawnee Heights lacks experience on defense and Busenitz will be asked to lead this group in his final year.
"As a free safety, he will be our quarterback and captain of our defense," Shawnee Heights head coach Jason Swift said. "He was outstanding last year. He has really grown into being a route recognizer and make big plays."
Brock Bush, Rossville
This will be the senior's third straight season starting at linebacker for the Bulldawgs. Bush is the main leader on the defense for Rossville. His tenacity and ability to swarm the football makes him one of the best in Class 1A.
Conner Bush, Rossville
The younger brother of Brock, Bush started the final eight games as a sophom*ore last year. This season, the junior is expected to make positive strides in the secondary. According to head coach Derick Hammes, Bush had a solid offseason, which has prepared him well for this fall.
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Ricky Crawford, Highland Park
The 5-foot-10 senior linebacker was the leading tackler last year for the Scots. He finished with 78 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and five sacks. Crawford's speed and strength were his allies as he provided a spark throughout Highland Park's schedule.
Hayden Cummings, Seaman
The senior linebacker was named second-team all-United Kansas Conference last season. Cummings will bring leadership and experience to a Vikings team that will need his dynamic athleticism to make plays all season long.
"He's another great leader and a hard-nosed kid," Seaman head coach Jared Swafford said. "He has a good nose for the ball. He's a guy that the kids follow and he's not afraid to be a little bit more vocal when he needs to."
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
The junior leads the defense from the secondary. Johnson has led the team in tackles for the past two seasons, which included a breakout freshman-year campaign. Last year, Johnson led the team in interceptions and was named first-team all-Mid East League.
"Every year, he has gotten better and better. He's the quarterback of our defense," Silver Lake head coach Logan Pegram said. "He makes the calls, he sets the strengths on defense. Without him, I don't think our defense really has an identity of getting set before the plays."
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Detrick Johnson, Topeka High
The 6-foot-1 linebacker will be a key cog for the Trojans defense this season. He's picked up an offer from Washburn this summer and his athleticism is one of his best attributes. Johnson not only secured tackle after tackle last fall, he qualified for the state championship in wrestling, too. Johnson will be a main factor as Topeka High tries to get back to winning ways.
Kaden Jordan, Seaman
The senior was named to the all-United Kansas Conference first team last year. Jordan finished with 43 tackles, 3.5 sacks and even blocked a field goal at the nose guard position. Jordan's strength will be necessary for pressuring the quarterback while clogging up holes in the rush game. Jordan has offers from Washburn, Coffeyville Community College and Benedictine.
"He's probably the most decorated of all the guys that are returning," Swafford said. "The big fella is a freak athlete and super strong. He's underrated on how well that he actually moves. He's truly anchoring our defense."
King Leonard, Washburn Rural
The senior safety was everywhere last season in the Junior Blues' run to the Class 6A State Semifinal. Leonard finished with nine interceptions and 75 total tackles. The 5-foot-10 athlete has offers to play football at Friends University, Benedictine College and Washburn.
Wilson Miller, Washburn Rural
The senior corner will be providing athleticism and length to the outsides for the Junior Blues this season. Miller will star in a veteran-led secondary that teams will have a hard time passing around. Miller secured a highlight pick-six against Manhattan last year after jumping the route and sending it for the end zone.
Kade Mitchell, Hayden
The junior was excellent on offense in the running back position last year. He scored 14 touchdowns, but it's his versatility on defense that the Wildcats will need from him. Mitchell's agility and quickness are good enough to defend any player on the outside. The three-sport athlete will hope to have another great year in Hayden's secondary.
Malachi Murph, Topeka High
The junior impressed last season as a defensive back. Murph's biggest highlight last season came against Manhattan where he secured the pick-six from his own goal line and took it 100 yards for the touchdown. Murph also recorded a scoop-and-score touchdown off of a blocked field goal against Wichita Northwest in 2023, too.
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Tyren Parker, Shawnee Heights
The all-around athlete is the main man this season. The junior stars on both sides of the ball as he is currently being recruited by colleges for his wide receiver skills. He holds offers from Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State, but his ability to lock down opposing wide receivers in the secondary will be crucial for Shawnee Heights' success. The defensive back's tracking ability and strength in the air are some of his best attributes.
"Great hands and good length, he started on defense last year and was one of our top players," Swift said.
Thomas Osborne, Seaman
The senior will be making a big switch for the Vikings this year. Osborne was mainly used in the secondary. He snagged a few interceptions and made some big plays, but this year will be different. Osborne will be moved to linebacker where his strength will be on display against tough Class 5A opponents.
"He's our returning tackler from a season ago and he has some great leadership skills. He works really hard," Swafford said. "With the position switch, I think it's going to be a better fit for him overall and better for us as a defense."
Dorian Rhoten Jr., Topeka West
The sophom*ore defensive lineman will be a force up front for the Chargers. He played as a freshman and he has taken big steps preparing himself for the new season.
"He had a really good summer and he put in the work and he's got a lot better," Parker said. "We are expecting big things from him."
Tremaine Savage, Highland Park
The first team all Meadowlark Conference defensive back returns for the Scots this season. Savage had 15 pass breakups and he caused two fumbles last year. The junior also ended the year with 29 total tackles.
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Trent Rollenhagen, Silver Lake
The senior plays both sides of the ball at wide receiver, but linebacker is where the Eagles need him the most. Rollenhagen is one of the fastest runners in the area as he helped break the Silver Lake school record in the 4x100-meter relay last spring. Rollenhagen scored eight touchdowns on offense last year, but the coaching staff wants him to take the next leap on defense.
"We are going to need him to step up defensively. He's a big, strong, fast kid," Pegram said. "Our defense will go as Trent goes. If we can get him to be the leader that he is capable of being, I think we will have a great defensive year."
Braden Strausbaugh, Silver Lake
The senior defensive end had a breakout season last year. He was named first-team all-Mid East League and was one of the fiercest players as teams avoided him each play.
"In my eight years of coaching, Braden is one of the most coachable kids. He comes with an attitude of improvement every day," Pegram said. "He pushes his teammates, but he coaches them wanting the best out of them."
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Treyton Tetuan, Hayden
The senior will play linebacker and defensive end while also playing many snaps on the other side of the ball, too. Tetuan's speed and knowledge of the game provide the Wildcats with a multi-dimensional player that can excel at many positions.
"He's done a great job in the offseason getting himself ready," Arnold said.
Jamelle Wms-Sanders Jr., Highland Park
The senior linebacker finished with five sacks last year, the second most on the team. Wms-Sanders was quick to the ball as he recorded 42 tackles and he forced many poor plays from opposing offenses. His experience in the front of the defense will be a huge benefit for Highland Park as they try to improve from last year's 7-3 record.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com
