Shawnee County has produced some of the most electrifying football talent in Kansas history, and now it's your turn to settle the debate: who is the greatest of all time?
As the United States gears up for its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports is celebrating the 250 greatest American sports figures ever. But before the legends made it big, they were high school stars—and that's where Shawnee County's gridiron heroes come in.
We've narrowed it down to 15 standout players who dominated on the local stage. Whether you vote for one of our picks or write in your own favorite, this is your chance to crown the best football player to ever come out of the Topeka area.
Let's meet the contenders:
★ Corey Ballentine (Shawnee Heights, 2014) – A defensive back who only got better after high school. He shined at Washburn, winning the Cliff Harris Award as the top small-college defensive player. Now a seven-year NFL veteran, he just signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
★ Dylan Davis (Topeka High, 1998) – He led the Wildcats to a Class 4A state championship and rushed for 5,598 yards—a city record that stood for nearly 20 years. He went on to play at Missouri.
★ Glenn Cameron (Shawnee Heights) – This linebacker helped the Cincinnati Bengals reach Super Bowl XVI in 1981. An eight-year NFL captain, he played at Kansas before being drafted in the fifth round in 1978.
★ Will Geary (Topeka High, 2013) – A first-team all-Class 6A pick and defensive player of the year in his final season. At Kansas State, he became a first-team All-American in 2017 and the first Wildcats interior lineman in 30 years to earn first-team all-conference honors three years in a row.
★ Da'Vonte "Speedy" Smith (Topeka High) – The quarterback who led the Bulldawgs to back-to-back state championship victories in 2014 and 2015.
These legends set the standard for excellence in Shawnee County football. Now, it's your turn to have your say. Cast your vote and help us honor the player who made the biggest impact—both on the field and in the community.