SP Events Showcase Kansas Talent

Left: Goodland sophomore Linkon Cure is just the type of athlete the SP Combine Series was intended to help. While Cure played plenty last fall as a sophomore, he didn’t have significant stats in a run-heavy offense, but a strong basketball season, coupled with a great day at the SP Free Combine together with a great state track meet and another strong performance at the Top Prospect Showcase helped Cure earn media exposure and camp invites. Now he holds offers from K-State, Iowa State, Missouri, and KU. (Submitted) the real excitement in covering Sharp Performance Events is watching breakout performances from under-the-radar players followed by new college offers. The second Top Prospect Showcase helped to generate even more opportunities for Kansas kids and the SP Combine Series continues to drive media interest and contact with college coaches. finishing second in the 110s. Since the free combine Cure has pushed his weight to 215 pounds. With that mix of height, size, and athleticism, Cure could fit in a lot of spots on the field, though most recruiters are interested in him as a tight end. His role with the Cowboys this fall will continue at tight end/wide receiver – like his brother Leyton at FHSU – and he could play defensive back or linebacker as well. Cure will likely also have options to play college basketball or run track. Regardless, he’s a 2025 to watch.

In the past, notable performances at SP events helped generate Power 5 recruiting interest for athletes like Jaren Kanak, Michael Boganowski, Kaedin Massey, Darell Jones, Bryson Hayes, Tobi Osunsanmi, Bryce Cohoon, Mason Ellis, and more.

Charlie Woleben, De Soto, 6-5, 215, DE, 2025: Woleben impressed as a sophomore starter at D-end for De Soto, recording 42 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, six sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning All-League and All-State recognition in the process. The underclassman’s 6-5 frame pairs well with the 4.73 40, 4.46 pro agility, 9-6 broad jump, and 36.2 inch vertical he posted at the free SP Kansas City combine. He later improved those marks to 4.68, 4.29, 10-5, and 37.6. He earned a University of Nebraska offer at a camp in Lincoln not long after the SP event and a KU offer followed. This dude is on pace to pick up even more Power 5 offers soon.

Let’s take a closer look at a few breakout performances from the 2023 Sharp Performance Combine Series. Linkon Cure, Goodland, 6-5, 215, WR/TE, 2025: Cure absolutely blew-up after his performance at SP and garnered offers to K-State, Iowa State, Missouri, and KU in June, with K-State offering first on June 10th. He is part of an incredibly athletic family from Goodland, with an older brother, Leyton, playing football for Fort Hays State, and an older sister, Lindsey, heading off to play volleyball at Regis University. Linkon is long and athletic with numerous high-flying dunk highlights in basketball. That explosiveness was on full display at the Salina free combine as Cure posted a 4.79 40, a 9-foot broad jump and a 30.1 inch vertical, as well as eight reps at 185 on bench. Cure was just a sophomore in high school during this testing and those numbers are sure to improve in the years ahead. In May he enjoyed a spectacular performance at the state track meet winning the 300 meter hurdles and

Bryson Hayes, Maize, 6-0, 180, WR, 2025: Hayes’ emergence did not come from his performance at 2023 Top Prospect Showcase events, but rather at the summer of 2022’s SP Athlete Discovery event at Maize High School where video of his 4.36 40 received thousands of views. He coupled that with great football and track seasons and picked up offers from K-State, KU, and

Nebraska this offseason, and also took visits to Oregon, Oregon State, USC, and Arizona. During his sophomore season, Hayes was a big play target for now K-State QB Avery Johnson, reeling in 19 receptions for 582 yards and eight TDs. Maize graduation losses leave Hayes as the top returning offensive weapon and he is likely to carry a heavy load this fall.

Callen Barta, Topeka Seaman, 6-2, 180, DB, 2024: Barta got his start at the 2022 Top Prospect event in the spring of his sophomore year and displayed an impressive 4.22 second pro agility drill, a 33.3 inch vertical jump, a 9-3 standing broad jump, a 4.71 40-yard dash and six reps at 185 pounds on bench press. This spring he cut that 40 time into the mid-4.4 range, earned 2024 defensive back MVP at The Underclassmen Report Under Amour ESPN Kansas City Showcase, and after an official visit to Nebraska in June was offered and committed to the Cornhuskers on the spot.

As a sophomore, he recorded 42 tackles, two tackles for loss and five interceptions, and then 26 tackles and two interceptions as a junior, and he added 41 receptions for 406 receiving yards and 3 TDs on offense last fall as well.

At the 2023 Top Prospect in May, Barta showed polish in both individual drills and one-on-one’s with receivers. He will play an instrumental role in the Vikings rebounding from a 4-4 mark last fall that included a three-game losing streak to end the season.

Noah Gunion, Shawnee Mission West, 5-11, 167, RB/ATH, 2024: Gunion had his junior season cut short by injury, but managed 318 all-purpose yards offensively and 13 tackles and a sack defensively over four games. If Gunion can add some bulk to his frame, his 4.4 40 speed, 4.19 pro agility, the day of the showcase and two days later earned an offer from Minot State. A good senior season could see this relative unknown earn some significant offers very late in the process.

Isaiah Holthaus, Tonganoxie, 6-2, 200, WR/OLB, 2024: Holthaus was a dangerous downfield threat for Tonganoxie last season,

Dakota State, and others.

10-6 broad jump, and 38.5 inch vertical will make him a scary player for opponents to deal with on the gridiron. He put those skills in action at the SP Top Prospect Showcase at Mill Valley in July and earned high praise from college coaches, recruiting media, and former college and professional players in attendance, especially after recording a 4.38 second hand-timed 40. If there was an MVP at the event, Gunion was likely it. He was offered by Butler Community College earning All-Frontier League honors. At the SP Free Kansas City Combine the junior posted a 4.65 40, 9-7 broad jump, and 33.7 inch vertical. He improved those numbers at the SP Top Prospect Showcase at Mill Valley, recording a 4.64 40 and an incredible 37.2 inch vertical. Holthaus is part of an experienced Tonganoxie team that appears poised to improve on consecutive 4-5 seasons. The senior receiver/linebacker has received interest from KU, Iowa State, North

Braylen Hoobler, Eudora, 5-9, 200, WR/ RB/LB, 2024: Hoobler showed all-around athleticism posting a 4.79 40, 9-foot broad jump, and nearly went into orbit with a 37.7-inch vertical at the free Salina combine this spring. To top that off he had one of the highest 225 bench rep counts of the day with 19. The powerfully built senior added to his strong football résumé at the free KC combine with a 4.68 40, 4.25 pro agility, 9-8 broad jump, and 35.6 inch vertical. Hoobler also put his strength on display at the 4A State Powerlifting competition in early March winning the overall state championship in the 198-pound class on the strength of a first place finish in the bench press and third place in both the squat and clean. In late July he set the bench press school record with a lift of 355 pounds. These measurables show why the senior is a multi-year starter for the Cardinals who recorded 99 tackles last season, including four tackles-for-losses, and is also a versatile weapon in the running and passing games for the Cardinals.

Braxton Clark, Derby, QB, 6-3, 192, 2024: Son of head coach Brandon Clark, Braxton stepped in during the second half of the state quarterfinals for injured senior Brock Zerger and didn’t miss a beat, throwing a 70-yard TD pass and rushing for 102 yards in the contest. The Panthers went continued on page 67