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Panthers' Premer rated as nation's No. 1 tight end
Ian Premer
Great Bend receiver Ian Premer (14) makes a leaping reception.

BY RYAN WALLACE

247 SPORTS

An update to the Top247 rankings for the Class of 2026 is cause for celebration in Great Bend as back-to-back Kansans climbed to the No. 1 tight end spot. Goodland's Linkon Cure is ranked the No. 1 tight end for 2025 recruits. Much like Cure, this 6-foot-6 receiving threat has garnered a long list of blue chip attention.

"Ian Premer might have the most developmental upside of the bunch," writes Andrew Ivins, 247Sports director of scouting. "His fluidity, athleticism, and spatial awareness are rare for a player of his stature. It should help him blossom into a mismatch on Saturdays."

Premer scored eight touchdowns with 541 yards receiving with 260 yards rushing and two scores. Premer intercepted three passes for one touchdown.

Bumping up 32 spots from the previous list, Premer is now a No. 92-rated prospect nationally. He would make the cut line for 5-star status if the rankings. It's a massive statement not only for the Sunflower State.

Premer grew up thinking he'd follow his father's basketball path until his football recruiting skyrocketed last year.

The grandson of a K-Stater, Premer has leaned purple much of his life to this point as he detailed two months ago during an appearance on KCSN's Verbal Commitment podcast

"We grew up K-State fans, so we'd all go to a game with the family," Premer said. "Something that really stands out now is how they use the tight end position really well. They've got guys that are going to be good tight ends, and guys that have been good tight ends in the past."

Premer has made game day visits to Kansas, Iowa State, Nebraska and Penn State. Oklahoma and Oregon are two additional suitors who Premer had mentioned wanting to see as well. 

The only campus to have twice welcomed the Great Bend standout during his junior campaign? That would be K-State, spearheaded by Taylor BraetBrian Lepak and Matt Wells, who impressed Premer most recently during the Sunflower Showdown victory over the Jayhawks.

"It was great and the atmosphere really jumped out to me. I talked to tight ends Linkon Cure and Cooper Terwilliger a lot, and then Hunter Higgins and J.J. Dunniganas. Coaching wise, I talked to Coach Lepak a lot and Coach Wells. And then had to talk with my man Braet too.

More recruiting research appears likely as there's no decision day on the horizon for Premer. However, we do know an idea of what the four-star will be looking for when it comes time to narrow his choices.

"I'm a big time competitor so I want to be on a team that's consistently good and consistently winning," said Premer, whose 9-1 Panthers lost 19-14 to Hays in the 5A playoffs.

"Also, how they use the tight end position," he said. "Are they throwing the ball a lot, or are they more of glorified offensive linemen? That matters a lot because, with my skillset, I want to get the ball and make plays. Obviously, blocking is a big part of being a tight end, but having the ball in your hands is fun and something I'd like to do with my skillset. Do I connect with the coaches, the people? Do I like the town? All sorts of those things and the overall feel of the place. I'd say those three are the big three for me."


Oiler boys lose semifinal to Olpe Eagles
Oilers are 11-3 all-time at state tourney
KSHSAA logo cmyk
OLPE 44, CENTRAL PLAINS 34 (SEMIFINAL) — Olpe's offense converted 20 Central Plains turnovers into 21 points to spark a hard-fought 44-34 semifinal victory over the Oilers in the 1A Division 1 state basketball tournament. Olpe's aggressive defense held the Oilers to 24 field goal attempts. Olpe (22-2) scored five times on uncontested layups after creating Oiler turnovers in the first half for a 17-13 lead. Olpe's Korrel Robinson ignited a fourth-quarter surge with a pair of steals that led to breakaway baskets. The Eagles had 12 steals. Olpe grabbed 14 offensive rebounds that led to 42 field goal attempts, but the Eagles went scoreless on second-chance points. Olpe led 31-29 after three quarters, but the Oilers scored one basket by Peyton Doty in the next 71/2 minutes. Olpe converted seven free throws and a trio of baskets in the fourth quarter. Oiler Brodie Crites converted a last-second 3-pointer for a 44-34 final. Olpe's Dexton Hoelting was a 2-way sparkplug, scoring 18 points with a trio of 3-pointers. Hoelting's denial defense shut out Crites at halftime. Crites rallied to score 11 second-half points. The Eagles did a solid job limiting the Oilers to 3 of 9 field goals from 3-point range. Central Plains 9 4 16 5— 34 Olpe 8 9 14 13 — 44 CENTRAL PLAINS (18-5) (FG 3 FT TP)—Crites 3-5 (1-2) 4-4 11, Stiles 2-5 (2-4) 3-3 9, Peyton Dody 4-7 (0-1) 0-0 8, Hekele 1-4 (0-1) 2-7 4, Siemsen 1-2 (0-1) 0-0 2, Daniels 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 11-24 (3-9) 9-14 34 OLPE (22-2) (FG 3 FT TP)—Hoelting 6-13 (3-8) 3-4 18, Bailey 4-9 (2-6) 0-0 10, McGuire 3-13 (0-1) 4-6 10, Robinson 2-5 (0-3) 0-2 4, Kurzen 1-1 0-0 2, Lieneman 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 16-42 (5-18) 7-12 44 Rebounds—CP 19 (Daniels 4); Olpe 22 (McGuire 9). Assists—CP 5 (Hekele 2, Siemsen 2); Olpe 8 (McGuire 5). Steals—CP 7 (Crites 4); Olpe 12 (McGuire 3, Robinson 3). Technical—Hekele 1A DIV. 1 BOYS 3-15—1ST—Olpe 22-2 vs. South Central/South Gray winner, 6:15; 3RD—Central Plains 18-5 vs. South Central/South Gray loser, 2; SEMIFINALS—Olpe 44, Central Plains 34; South Central 21-2 vs. South Gray 19-4, 8 p.m.; FIRST ROUND—Olpe 57, Little River 53; Central Plains 54, Frankfort 44 (OT); South Central 52, Clifton Clyde 38; South Gray 66, Quinter 47
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