From small-town Kansas to making plays on the national stage. Former Sports in Kansas 8M-I Player of the Year, 2A Basketball POY, and multiple-time state track champion Tanner Heckel of Lyndon shined today for #11 Illinois. The true sophomore had a sack, an interception, and two tackles in the Illini’s 45–19 win over Duke. Lyndon, with a population of just around 1,000 people, has remarkably produced three active Division I football players — Miles Kitselman (Tennessee), Kaiden Massey (Kansas State), and Tanner Heckel (Illinois). Heckel, who only had one FBS offer out of high school because many doubted his size and the fact he played 8M-I and 1A football at Lyndon and Inman, continues to show he belongs at the Big Ten level. Big-time impact from a small-town Kansas standout. 🏈🔥 #sportsinkansas

2023 Sports in Kansas Top 11 Selection🏈 & 8M-I OPOY Tanner Heckel, Lyndon, QB/DB Sr. Heckel had one of the best 8-man seasons in the history of the sport in Kansas. He had 2,313 yards rushing for 50 touchdowns along with 1,062 passing for 19 more scores. Along with seven interceptions, three that went for pick sixes to give him 72 total touchdowns this season for the 8M-I champion Tigers (13-0). Heckel, who transferred in the off-season from Inman where he led them to back to back 1A runner-up finishes, had 4,138 career rushing yards and 2,198 career passing along with 477 career receiving. He has been honored all-state (honorable mention all the way to Top 11 all classes) in some capacity four consecutive years. He also has a 42” inch vertical, 45+ foot triple jump, 24-foot long jump, 10.9 100 meter dash and throws the javelin 180 plus. He’s also a three-time all state pick in basketball and two-time state champion in track with five runner-up finishes. You are reading about one of Kansas’ best overall athletes in any class. Heckel has a Division I track offer from KSU and could blow up in football this month. View Sports in Kansas Top 11 Capsule: sportsinks.com/sports-in-kan… Presented by @MammothBuilt @safeks @nextechwireless @watcorail @LewisMotorsGC

2023 Sports in Kansas Top 11 🏈 Sports in Kansas Top 11 Omari Elias, Kapaun, Sr. RB Dylan Dunn, BV Southwest, Sr. QB Jayden Woods, Mill Valley, Jr. DE Tanner Heckel, Lyndon, Sr. QB/DB Holden Bass, N. Central, Sr. DL/OL J.C. Heim, Wash Rural, Sr. LB/RB Brayden Kunz, Con. Springs, Sr. RB/LB Jackson Voth, Cheney, Sr. WR/ATH/LB Dae’Onte Mitchell, Wichita East, Sr. QB Gus Hawkins, Mill Valley, Sr. OL Mark Debiak, Gardner Edgerton, Sr. DL Coach: Shelby Wehrman, Cheney Second 11 Michael Boganowski, J. City, Sr. LB Kaedin Massey, Lyndon, Sr. OL/DL Jaren Heim, Washburn Rural, Sr. LB Mason Hopper, Derby, Sr. DL Bryce Noernberg, Olathe South, Sr. QB Callen Barta, Seaman, Sr. WR/DB Justyce Betts, Bishop Miege, Sr. LB Kian Payne, Aquinas, Sr. DL Braden Hales, Olathe North, Sr. OL Alex Parks, BV Southwest, Sr. WR Tate McNew, Maize South, Jr. QB Dasaahn Brame, Derby, Jr. TE Carter Hajek, N. Central, Soph. RB/LB -more listed due to tie in voting Third 11 Sammy Dresie, Maize South, Sr. WR Josh Burdick, Cheney, Jr. QB Brody Hayes, Clay Center, Sr. ATH Lucas Dickman, Eisenhower, Sr. RB Brett Carroll, Olathe East, Sr. OL/DL Bravin Powell, Gardner Edgerton, Jr. QB Declan Battle, Louisburg, Sr. QB/ATH Colton Brusven, Tonganoxie, Sr. RB/LB Teegan Haines, McPherson, Sr. LB Caiden Hoffman, Hoisington, Sr. OL/DL Rayvelle Leak, Wichita East, Sr. RB -Top 11 capsules to follow this Saturday along with POYs by class & all state teams on Saturday & Sunday. Over 40+ media members in Kansas voted on 2023 awards from @sportsinkansas #sportsinkansas

2023 Sports in Kansas Football Player of the Year Finalists Announced for every classification in Kansas View: sportsinks.com/2023-sports-i… Photo: @johnbiehler22 for @sportsinkansas Presented by @MammothBuilt @safeks @nextechwireless @watcorail @LewisMotorsGC

Tanner Heckel of Lyndon (8M-I) is a complete game changer in every phase of the game. One of the best talents in any class of Kansas. And today you’re getting to see it on the snow , even harder to show his elite speed. 240+ yards rushing, 4 TDs and a huge strip. Still six min remaining. 34-6 Lyndon leads Wichita Co. (6:23 4Q) #sportsinkansas

33 total TDs in five games. 🏈Recruiting interest needs to pick up for this young man. He is much more than just an outstanding track and field athlete. Measurable’s are off the charts.