Written By: Coach Buckets @PreWarWesley
Sunday in Topeka was a prime showcase for some of the top athletes from Kansas and Missouri, as they competed against elite talent in the region. With college scouts in attendance and a campus visit to Washburn University, the event provided a valuable platform for athletes to display their skills and elevate their recruitment stock. Several standouts emerged, proving themselves against top-tier competition and solidifying their names as prospects to watch. The mission and goal of The Platform is to #ExposeTheUnexposed and provide adequate coverage of athletes around the country giving them exposure. Here are a few of the athletes who made a lasting impression.
Christian Dahn | Class of 2027 | Quarterback| 7v7: EPIC7 MidWest | Lee’s Summit High School (MO.) | Twitter: @chrisitan_11
Dahn put on a standout performance in Topeka, earning Offensive MVP honors after leading his EPIC7 MidWest team to a tournament championship. Despite challenging weather conditions, including 25-30 MPH winds that eliminated the deep passing game, Dahn showcased his accuracy and poise, consistently delivering in-stride throws on critical third downs to extend drives. His ability to read defenses and thread the needle against shortened coverages proved why he is garnering attention from Division I programs like Northwestern, Kent State, and Wisconsin, as well as national events such as the U.S. Army Bowl and the Elite 11. With continued success in 7v7 competition, elite training from EPIC7 MidWest, and a busy offseason schedule of camps—including Kansas City Mega, Benedictine, MidAmerica Nazarene, and St. Thomas University—Dahn is poised for a major leap in recruiting over the next two seasons.
Keone Harrison | Class of 2026 | Defensive Back | 7v7: EPIC7 MidWest | Raytown High School (MO.) | Twitter:@keoneharrison_
Harrison dominated on the defensive side of the ball in Topeka, earning the Defense/Overall MVP belt with his relentless coverage and high football IQ. Throughout the weekend, he showcased lockdown skills, racking up four interceptions and multiple pass breakups while suffocating receivers with his speed, technique, and physicality. With strong hips, quick hands, and elite knee bend, Harrison consistently disrupted passing lanes, making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Understanding the impact of the 25-30 MPH winds, he adjusted his approach, tightening coverage to shut down short and intermediate routes, a testament to both his instincts and coaching from EPIC7 MidWest. His standout play has already earned him invites to camps at Texas State and Washburn, and with his continued growth and exposure, expect his recruitment to take a significant leap in the coming months.
DyVair McCray | Class of 2026 | Athlete | 7v7: KS Elite Premier | Leavenworth High School (KS.) | Twitter: @_DyVair
McCray was a dominant force on both sides of the ball in Topeka, proving why he is a rising name in the recruiting world. At 6-foot, 190 pounds of sheer muscle, McCray combined elite athleticism, boasting a 4.32 40-yard dash and a 10.85 100-meter time, with an aggressive, high-motor playing style that made him nearly unstoppable. On offense, he exploded off the line of scrimmage with quick feet, closing the gap on defenders before using his strength to shed coverage and create separation. His physical approach made him a matchup nightmare, especially against linebackers in the short and intermediate game. Defensively, McCray’s textbook technique and fluid hips allowed him to control routes, preventing receivers from gaining leverage. Despite quarterbacks being forced to throw underneath due to the windy conditions, McCray didn’t allow a single pass completion over the middle, showcasing his lockdown ability. Already receiving camp invites from Kansas State and Old Dominion, along with an offer from Saint Mary, McCray’s recruiting stock is on the rise. Expect him to gain even more traction as he continues to impress on the field.
Griffin Baker | Class of 2026| Wide Receiver | 7v7: Wichita Wheat | Wichita NorthWest High School (KS.)| Twitter: @GriffinBaker26
No wide receiver was more dominant, more clutch, or more relied upon in Topeka than Wichita Wheat’s Griffin Baker. His team’s championship run may have ended in heartbreak, but had they taken home the title, Baker would have been the undisputed MVP of the tournament. Building on his standout showing at DR7 Oklahoma City the week prior, Baker was the go-to target in every critical situation—delivering time and time again.
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Baker used his size, athleticism, and sheer determination to out-reach, out-leap, and outmuscle defenders on every contested catch. His ability to come down with tough grabs in key moments was the driving force behind Wheat’s run to the championship game. One of the most clutch possession receivers in Kansas, Baker has already earned camp invites from Southern Illinois, Central Oklahoma, Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri, Washburn, and Drake. With his stock rising, expect those schools to offer on-site, setting off a wave of additional interest in the talented wideout.
