Poppe popping up

Everybody won't debate that five-star running back Bryce Brown is the top player in the Sunflower State, but there is plenty debate when it comes to who would rank behind the star from Wichita East.

One player that hasn't been talked about yet in that discussion that needs to have his hat throw in the ring is Girard, Kan., tight end/athlete Tanner Poppe.

To say that Poppe is something special would be an understatement.

He's 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, and has blocked a 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash. He also has a 255-pound bench press, a 33 inch vertical leap and a 4.0 grade-point average. As a junior he had 29 receptions for 554 yards and six scores.

That's getting it done. But when you consider that Poppe is also a basketball and baseball star, his resume is even more impressive.

He averaged 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks in hoops this past season, earning first-team all-state honors. Then in baseball he's been clocked with an 88 mph fastball last year, and he's surely upped that this spring but he hasn't been clocked yet this year.

Need more proof.

How about this fact?

Poppe is one of only a small group of players to have scholarship offers from both Kansas and Kansas State. He's also getting plenty of looks from Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and other schools.

"Basketball is my favorite sport, but I don't know yet," Poppe said. "I'm still leaving all options open, especially since I have offers in football from both K-State and KU. I went up there to both schools about a month ago and got offers. I talk to Brandon Blaney from KU and Mo Latimore for K-State. They send me letters and they call the school every once in a while."

"I've also talked to Kevin Wilson from Oklahoma, and I'm not sure about the guy from Missouri."

Even though he's not sure about if he's ready to commit fully to football, there's one school that already sticks out in his mind.

"I like KU because I like their basketball, and my mom went to college there," he said. "I really like coach Blaney and Mark Mangino. Coach Blaney is real outgoing and stuff. "I would like to probably make my decision after this summer before my senior season. They definitely have influence on where I go. It would be nice to stick close to home."

Poppe said he's also keeping the baseball option on the table.

"A couple of scouts from the MLB talk to my coach," he said. "I'll have to see what develops on that front."