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 Braet, Brian 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."
