The Wichita Eagle’s 2024 Kansas high school football all-state Top 33 players
The Wichita Eagle released its annual Top 33 list, which aims to recognize the best Kansas high school football players from the 2024 season.
Goddard Eisenhower senior Carter Pabst was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Mill Valley senior Jayden Woods was named the Defensive Player of the Year and Andover Central’s Derek Tuttle was named Coach of the Year.
The Eagle also released its Kansas high school football all-state teams for large and small classes, as well as 8-man and 6-man division.
Top 11 Kansas high school football players
Da’Saahn Brame, Derby... TE... 6-6... 230... Sr.
Note: The 4-star Tennessee signee proved to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the state, hauling in 40 catches for 756 yards and 14 touchdowns and adding three more touchdowns as a punt returner for a Derby team that reached the Class 6A semifinals.
Stephen Carroll, St. Thomas Aquinas... OL... 6-1... 270... Jr.
Note: The key cog up front that helped pave the way for Aquinas to finish an undefeated season with a Class 5A state championship, as he finished with more than 140 pancakes, or as coach Randy Dreiling says, “more pancakes than IHOP.”
Linkon Cure, Goodland... TE... 6-6... 215... Sr.
Note: No one could cover the 5-star prospect and Kansas State signee this season, as Cure racked up 1,049 receiving yards, 208 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns to go along with 52 tackles and three interceptions on defense.
J.J. Dunnigan, Manhattan... WR-DB... 6-3... 190... Jr.
Note: The do-everything weapon that helped Manhattan in all three phases of the game to return to the Class 6A final, as the three-star prospect finished with 28 catches for 556 yards and five touchdowns on offense, 48 tackles, three interceptions and a touchdown on defense, and 438 return yards and three touchdowns as a returner.
Cooper Marx, Andale... RB-LB... 6-1... 220... Sr.
Note: After being dethroned in Class 3A, Marx spearheaded a dominant effort by Andale to win its fifth title in the last six years. He finished with 733 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns as a fullback on offense and was named Defensive MVP of the AV-CTL Div. IV as a linebacker.
Carter Pabst, Goddard Eisenhower... WR... 6-1... 190... Sr.
Note: Finished with multiple state records in receiving, including most touchdown receptions in a career and single season, as South Dakota State signee tallied 29 touchdowns on 76 catches for 1,655 yards to help lead Eisenhower to the Class 5A semifinals.
Bravin Powell, Gardner Edgerton... QB... 6-4... 205... Sr.
Note: Once again saved his best for last to lead Gardner Edgerton to its second straight Class 6A state championship, as he finished his career with a 14-1 record in the playoffs. Powell accounted for 891 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and 1,412 rushing yards with 27 touchdowns.
Dawson Rodd, Andover Central... OL-DL... 6-2... 305... Sr.
Note: A leader in a stacked senior class that helped lead Andover Central to the program’s first state championship ever by winning the Class 4A title. He was the key cog that helped the Jaguars win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Brandon Schmelzle, Axtell... QB-DB... 6-2... 195... Sr.
Note: The lead force behind one of the most impressive 8-man dynasties in Kansas history, the Kansas signee wrapped up his standout career with a fourth straight state championship. He accounted for 180 touchdowns in his career and went 52-0, as he passed for 1,370 yards, rushed for 1,037 yards and scored 56 touchdowns this season to go along with six interceptions on defense and five return touchdowns.
Isaac Winter, Conway Springs... RB-DB... 5-11... 170... Sr.
Note: The dominant force who helped lead Conway Springs to its first back-to-back state championship run and undefeated season in two decades. Winter finished the season with 1,934 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, while adding 68 tackles on defense for the Cardinals.
Jayden Woods, Mill Valley... LB... 6-4... 235... Sr.
Note: One of the most feared defenders in the state, the 4-star Florida signee racked up 90 tackles, 7.5 sacks and an interception this season to help lead Mill Valley back to the Class 5A semifinals.
Derek Tuttle, Andover Central coach
Note: After years of knocking on the door, Tuttle helped lead the Jaguars across the finish line to win their first state championship in program history. Tuttle has been with the program since it began more than two decades ago and has quickly turned Andover Central into a state power since taking over as head coach. It all culminated this season with a 49-42 win over Bishop Miege to capture the Class 4A championship with a 12-1 record.
Second 11
Jace Adler, Andover Central senior wide receiver
Calin Arndt, St. Thomas Aquinas junior running back
Carter Aslin, Manhattan senior quarterback
Josh Burdick, Cheney senior quarterback
Milan Colvin, Derby senior defensive lineman
Carter Hajek, Nemaha Central junior quarterback
Dryaton Knoll, Holcomb senior offensive lineman
Ashton Moore, Louisburg senior linebacker
Tate Nagy, Blue Valley West senior quarterback
Reggie Reece, Mill Valley junior running back
Maguire Richman, Blue Valley senior defensive back
Randy Dreiling, St. Thomas Aquinas coach
Third 11
Maddox Archibald, Andover Central senior running back
Brody Chambers, Southeast of Saline junior offensive lineman
Kaleb Dewey, Gardner Edgerton senior linebacker
Sam Harp, Andale junior quarterback
Quavon Harris, Wichita Northwest senior defensive back
Brock Heath, Blue Valley Northwest senior offensive lineman
Cru Huenfeld, St. Thomas Aquinas senior defensive lineman
Derek Morgan, Goddard Eisenhower senior quarterback
Ian Premer, Great Bend junior tight end
Jensen Schrickel, Topeka Hayden senior wide receiver
Charlie Woleben, De Soto senior defensive lineman
Jesse Owen, Gardner Edgerton coach
This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 7:04 AM.
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