By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Like just about everything else in the age of the coronavirus, putting together the 2021 recruiting class was completely different for Washburn football coach Craig Schurig and his staff.
For one thing, there were less spots to fill due to the cancellation of the '20 MIAA season, with all of the current Ichabods, including what would have been last fall's senior class, being granted an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA.
The logistics of getting out and scouting players due to the pandemic also provided obstacles for Schurig and his coaches.
But when all was said and done, Schurig was pleased with the 19-member high school signing class he announced Wednesday on National Signing Day, including Hayden standouts Trey Pivarnik and Jayden Rainer, and thinks the newcomers will provide a good mix with the largest number of returners he has had in his two decades at the WU helm.
"You have an extra class and we're fortunate that our super senior class, we have a lot of them that are going to stick it out, and I'm glad they are,'' Schurig said. "They didn't get that senior year and they've put in a lot of work. Dr. Farley (Washburn president) has been really good about it because you have to kind of fund those guys to come back, but it should reap a lot of benefits for us, too.
"We were still able to sign a pretty decent number. It's not as big as usual, but we feel like the quality is definitely there. Obviously you always feel that way, but we feel like it really is and it hit some needs.''
Washburn's '21 class includes players from six states, including 10 from Kansas. The Ichabods also landed three players each from Missouri and Georgia as well as players from Nebraska, Arizona and Oklahoma.
Because of the large number of returners, Schurig said Washburn was able to be a little more picky and really concentrate on need areas going into the 2021 season.
"We needed some depth on the offensive line, you never have enough of those kids, and we got some new depth on the D-line, which was key, and we signed a really good quarterback,'' Schurig said. "Other than that we just tried to piece it together and we spaced out the positions.''
Given Washburn's experience, Schurig said the Ichabod staff can also be a little more patient with the incoming class.
"We hope a few of these freshmen kind of kick in, whether they add depth or maybe they push a guy to start on the line of scrimmage, with those O-linemen and D-linemen that we signed,'' Schurig said. "It should be highly competitive at a lot of spots for playing time.''
And while Schurig was quick to admit that the recruiting process was nothing nobody has gone through before, he's very comfortable with the results.
"It was unique, very unique,'' Schurig said. "Kids verbally committed earlier than they ever have because I think they were nervous about the number of scholarships available and we had done more work in the spring than we ever have as far as evaluating junior film, way more junior film than I've ever watched before.
"We weren't trying to sign 28, 29 guys, so we were pretty selective.''
Washburn's 2021 recruiting class profiles:
BRAYLON ALEXANDER, Sugar Hill, Ga., Lanier High School
A 5-foot-11, 155-pound defensive back, Alexander received all-region honorable mention as a senior. As a junior, Alexander helped his team reach the state quarterfinals. As a sophomore, he was part of Lanier's state qualifying 4x100-meter relay team and football team reached the final four in the state playoffs. … Son of India and Amarfio Alexander and has a brother, Jordan. ... Anticipated major is business or sports broadcasting.
TYLER BOWDEN, Lawrence, Tonganoxie High School
Bowden, a 5-8, 170 running back, finished his senior season for Tonganoxie with 2,583 rushing yards in 11 games, scoring 37 rushing touchdowns and setting a school single-season rushing record. Bowden was a Top11 Topeka Capital-Journal and Kansas Football Coaches Association selection and also received the Frank Fontana Award as the best small-class high school player in the Kansas City area. As a junior, Bowden broke the single-season rushing record at Free State with 1,855 rushing yards en route to all-state and all-league honors. Was the league 100-meter champion as a sophomore … Son of Mark and Shawna Bowden and has a sister, Kayla. … Anticipated major is entrepreneurship.
TRENTON BREHM, Papillion, Neb., LaVista South High School
A 5-9, 176 place-kicker, Brehm will also play baseball at Washburn. Brehm was a first-team all-state selection and a super state pick, going 9 of 12 on field goal attempts with three more than 40 yards, including a 52-yard make. Brehm also had 71 tackles with 42 solo stops as a senior. He was 7 of 9 on field goals as a junior. In baseball Brerm batted .345 with a .500 on base percentage. He also played basketball and was an academic all-state selection in football earning academic all-metro honors. … Son of Jon and Sonya Brehm and has a brother, Trey, and a sister, Talia. … Anticipated major is pre-med or exercise and health sciences.
RHETT BROWN, Goddard, Goddard High School
Brown, a 6-2, 300-pound offensive lineman, Brown was a first-team all-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League pick as a senior and received all-state honorable mention. Brown also throws the discus and shot put for Goddard's track and field team. As a junior Brown was a first team all-league pick and received Class 4A honorable mention while winning the 5A state heavyweight powerlifting title. As a sophomore Brown was an honorable mention all-league selection. He recorded a 34 on his ACT. ... Son of Brian and Stephanie Brown and has a sister Ryleigh. … Anticipated major is chemistry.
L.J. BUTCHER, Pittsburg, Pittsburg High School
A 5-10, 175-pound safety, Butcher was an all-state and first-team all-area selection as a senior and was an all-area pick as a junior. … Son of Stacy Butcher and Shelly Basgall and has two sisters, Jada and Dani, and a brother, Jerek. Butcher's father was a former Seaman standout and played at Pittsburg State ... Anticipated major is business.
TEONDRE CARTER, Austell, Ga., New Manchester High School
Carter, a 5-11, 165 running back, earned first-team all-region, all-county and all-state honors after rushing for 1,200 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. Carter also played wide receiver and returned kicks. … Anticipated major is sport science.
CHRISTIAN GRAY, Lawrenceville, Ga., Discovery High School
A 6-2, 285 defensive tackle, Gray was named first team all-region on the defensive line and received all-county honorable mention as a senior. ... Son of Lucreatia Davis. ... Anticipated major is computer science or sports medicine.
NATE HARDING, Wichita, Maize High School
Harding, a 6-1, 255 offensive lineman, was a first-team all-league, all-metro and all-state selection as well as a Shrine Bowl nominee as a senior. As a junior Harding was a first-team all-league pick and an honorable mention all-state selection. Harding was a second-team all-league pick as a sophomore while also qualifying for the state track and field meet. … Son of Darrin and Tina Harding and has a brother, Taylor, and a sister, Gabby. His father played football at Friends University. … Anticipated major is health science.
GABE HAVLOVIC, Wichita, Bishop Carroll High School
A 6-4, 280 offensive lineman, Havlovic received first-team all-conference recognition as a senior. Havlovic has also competed in wrestling and track and field. ... Son of Aaron and Wendy Havlovic and has three sisters, Alex, Evie and Vivian. His father played football at the University of Nebraska. ... Anticipated major is business or criminal justice.
NICK HOGAN, Colwich, Goddard Eisenhower High School
Hogan, a 6-5, 235 tight end, received all-league and all-state honorable mention as a senior, setting school records for passing yards, completions and touchdowns in a season as well as single-game passing yards. Hogan received all-state honorable mention as a junior and was an honorable mention all-state selection in basketball as a sophomore. ... Son of Brian and Heather Hogan and has two sisters, Hunter and Briana, who both played softball at Louisiana-Monroe. ... Anticipated major is business.
ANDREW HUSFELT, Tucson, Ariz., Clenega High School
A 6-6, 270 offensive lineman, Husfelt will also compete in track and field at Washburn. Husfelt was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior. He has also competed in wrestling. A 2019 USA International Bowl team captain and a member of the 2020 team. ... Son of Eric and Kate Husfelt and Lindsey and Ciara Thorne and has a brother, Lukas. ... Anticipated major is criminal justice.
COLE KELLER, Grain Valley, Mo., Grain Valley High School
Keller, a 6-5, 205 wide receiver, was a member of the KMZU Dream Team after recording 2,700 all-purpose yards and scoring 36 total touchdowns. Keller earned league player of the year honors as well as team player of the year and the Examiner player of the year honors while picking up all-state, all-area, all-district and all-conference honors as a senior. As a junior Keller was an all-area and all-conference selection and as a sophomore he was an all-league, all-district, all-conference, all-area and a member of the KMZU Dream team for basketball. Has also played baseball. ... Son of John and Darla Keller and has two sisters, Mackenzie and Emersyn. ... Anticipated major is business.
COLE KNAPPEN, Shawnee, Mill Valley High School
Knappen, a 6-4, 230 defensive end, missed part of his senior season with an injury. As a junior Knappen received all-state honorable mention after recording 40 tackles and 12 tackles for loss with six sacks and three forced fumbles. Has also played basketball. ... Son of Kurt and Terri Knappen and has a sister, Lexi. … Anticipated major is radiologic sciences.
DANIEL KUFAHL, Lawrence, Free State High School
A 6-4, 235 tight end Kufahl played multiple positions for the Firebirds. Kufahl has also played baseball for Free State. ... Anticipated major is criminal justice.
R.J. MITCHELL Jr., Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill South High School
A 6-2, 245 defensive end, Mitchell was named first-team all-district and second-team all-league as a senior. As a junior Mitchell was a first-team all-district and second-team all-league selection and received honorable mention as a sophomore. Will also compete in track and field at Washburn. ... Son of Ronald and Angela Mitchell. ... Anticipated major is graphic design.
TREY PIVARNIK, Topeka, Hayden High School
Pivarnik, a 6-4, 225 tight end, Pivarnik received All-City honorable mention as a senior after being an All-City selection on offense as a junior. Pivarnik received all-state honorable mention. Pivarnik also plays basketball for the Wildcats and was a member of Hayden's state championship program as a freshman. ... Son of Matt and Wendy Pivarnik and has two brothers, Zac and Chase. Father played baseball at Northeastern State. ... Anticipated major is biology.
JAYDEN RAINER, Topeka, Hayden High School.
A 6-2, 195 defensive end, Rainer was an All-City pick after recording 49 tackles with four sacks, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and nine quarterback hurries. Rainer earned first-team All-Centennial League honors on defense and also played running back, rushing for 184 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries. As a junior Rainer was a first team all-city defensive selection with 11 sacks and two forced fumbles and earned all-state honorable mention. Rainer has also competed in track and field, qualifying for state as a freshman. … Son of Marlayna Webb and has three brothers, Jordan, Tre and Ahmad. ... Majoring in kinesiology or nursing.
GRAYSON SPROUSE, Lee's Summit, Mo., Summit Christian Academy
Sprouse, a 6-5, 225 quarterback, passed for 2,400 yards with 38 touchdowns as a senior en route to earning first-team all-league and all-district honors as well as earning his conference's player of the year award for the second time. As a junior Sprouse passed for 2,108 yards and 42 touchdowns, picking up all-league and all-district honors, and as a sophomore he recorded 1,406 passing yards and 23 touchdowns and was named second-team all-league. As a freshman Sprouse tossed 12 touchdowns and threw for 1,136 passing yards. Also has played basketball. ... Son of Rodger and Erin Sprouse and has two brothers, Lincoln and Camden, and a sister Payton. … Anticipated major is business.
MACQEILEN WARE, Tulsa, Okla., Bixby High School
A 6-3, 240 defensive end, Ware recorded 77 tackles with 58 solo stops along with 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups as his team won state titles during his junior and senior seasons. As a junior Ware recorded 55 tackles with 42 solo stops, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three sacks and a sophomore he had 60 tackles with 39 solo tackles and four stacks and a forced fumble. … Son of Barbara Ware. … Anticipated major is kinesiology or physical therapy.
