Kansas

Kansas Lineman with Clemson Connection Recaps Visit for App State

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2024

Kansas Lineman with Clemson Connection Recaps Visit for App State

It’s been quite some time since Braden Wilmes has been to Clemson for a game.

The 3-star offensive lineman (Lawrence Free State, KS) was in Death Valley for the Tigers’ 66-20 rout of App State, the first time he has attended a game since he was three years old.

There were multiple things that stood out to the high school junior, with how well the Tigers played and the wild environment being one of the things at the top of the list.

“The coaches had the team ready to go and the the guys came out and played really well,” Wilmes told The Clemson Insider. “The fans were into it and it got incredibly loud.”

Wilmes also enjoyed getting to experience firsthand some of Clemson’s pregame and postgame traditions.

“They arranged the recruits to be up close to the players as they got off the buses and ran down the hill,” he said. “We also got to celebrate the win in the locker room with the team and hear from Coach Swinney. Something I will not forget.”

Despite going to high school in Kansas, Wilmes does have a connection to the Clemson program. His mother is a graduate and he is a lifelong fan. Both of his parents accompanied him on this visit and all three came away overly impressed with the experience.

Since the beginning of the contact period in June, Wilmes’ relationship with offensive line coach Matt Luke has only grown stronger, despite the fact that he is still early in the process. Assistant offensive line coach Carson Cramer has also been involved and the 6-foot-8, 280-pound prospect appreciates how transparent both have been with him.

“I’ve had the opportunity to talk with both him and Coach Carson Cramer a few times over the last couple of months,” Wilmes added. “Like any recruit in the early stages of the recruiting process, we’re getting to know each other. I’ve come to appreciate their honesty with me and am looking forward to seeing how I could fit into the Tigers’ offensive line room in the future.”

Wilmes currently has offers from Wisconsin, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Utah, Iowa State, Iowa, Arkansas and he is also hearing a lot from Northwestern.

However, it’s the Clemson offer he is looking to add at some point in the future.

“It would mean quite a lot to me,” he said. “I have been a fan my entire life and it would be amazing to have a chance to go and play for the team I have rooted for my entire life.”

While Wilmes has yet to firm up any timeline on making a decision, he said he could see himself making a commitment by late spring next year, or maybe early summer. The hope is to get back to Clemson for another game at some point this season, and then return for one of the junior days early in 2025.

As he continues to navigate this process, Wilmes is looking for the best fit, but at the same time, he is extremely focused on his junior season.

“I’m trying to find the right balance between great academics, location, football skills development, and of course, a sense of family between coaches, staff and my future teammates,” Wilmes said. “I’ve got tremendous opportunities with each school showing interest in me and I’m very thankful to be in this position. For now, however, I want to spend as much time as I can focusing on my junior season, being a great teammate and doing everything I can to help my team be as successful as possible.”

Photo courtesy of Braden Wilmes on X (formerly known as Twitter)

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!

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Kansas

Kansas star Darryn Peterson asks to come out early in latest ‘disappointing’ absence in win over Oklahoma State

Published

11 hours ago

February 19, 2026

Press Room

Kansas star Darryn Peterson asks to come out early in latest ‘disappointing’ absence in win over Oklahoma State

He certainly wasn’t needed, but No. 8 Kansas was without star Darryn Peterson for much of the second half of their blowout win over Oklahoma State on Wednesday night.

Peterson, who has long been considered a favorite to go very early in the NBA Draft this summer, has struggled to stay on the court all season due to various injuries and illness. But on Wednesday night in Stillwater, Peterson looked like his old self. He dropped 23 points, 20 of which came in the first half, to give the Jayhawks an early double-digit lead.

But Peterson simply didn’t last. After he drilled a 3-pointer on the wing, Peterson immediately turned to head coach Bill Self and asked to come out of the game. He didn’t return after that.

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Kansas

KC area fire departments rally to combat massive western Kansas wildfires

Published

23 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

KC area fire departments rally to combat massive western Kansas wildfires

ASHLAND, Kan. (KCTV) – KC Metro Fire Departments are mobilizing resources to combat massive wildfires that swept across western Kansas and the Oklahoma panhandle.

Kansas City Kansas Fire sent two chief officers to assist with response and support efforts Wednesday morning, Feb. 18.

Crews go to southwest Kansas to battle wildfires raging in the area.(Facebook/Shawnee Heights Fire District)

The KCKFD chief officers are en route to assist with the State Incident Support Platform response and will work alongside the Ashland Kansas Fire Department and other agencies operating in the impacted region.

“We stand with the Ashland, Kansas Fire Department and all agencies operating in their community, as well as the departments working the numerous fires across western Kansas,” KCKFD said. “Additional resources may be deployed as needed.”

WILDFIRE LIVE BLOG Day 2: Fires scorch thousands of acres, evacuation orders lifted in SW Kansas

In a coordinated response, a Wildland Task Force departed Johnson County Tuesday, heading to central Kansas as part of a State of Kansas pre-positioning assignment. The deployment comes ahead of a favorable fire forecast, positioning firefighting resources strategically across the state.

The Task Force comprises firefighters from Edwardsville, Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Northwest Consolidated Fire District and Olathe, combining expertise and equipment from multiple Johnson County jurisdictions.

The deployment comes after strong winds swept wildfires from the Oklahoma panhandle into southwest Kansas on Tuesday, forcing evacuations in multiple communities. Among the hardest hit areas was Clark County, where residents of Englewood and Ashland were evacuated to communities to the east.

(Facebook/Shawnee County Fire District 4)

“The fire service stands together,” KCKFD stated, underscoring the collaborative response across state lines and agency boundaries.

By Wednesday morning, evacuation orders for Englewood and Ashland had been lifted, allowing residents to return home. However, multiple fires continued burning across Kansas’ western half and into Oklahoma.

The response also highlighted the serious injuries firefighters face in such operations. Clark County Emergency Management confirmed that at least two firefighters were transported from Clark County to Wichita for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation, with additional firefighters injured on both sides of the Kansas-Oklahoma border.

The KCKFD deployment of both chief officers and the Wildland Task Force represents part of a broader mutual aid response mobilized as firefighting agencies coordinate efforts across the region. Officials indicated the situation remained fluid, with additional resources to be deployed as needed.

Wildland Task Force, Johnson Co., Kan.(Olathe Fire Dept.)

Updates on the firefighting efforts continue as agencies work to contain the blazes across Kansas and Oklahoma.

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Kansas

Kansas remembers Jesse Jackson’s civil rights legacy and inspiring words

Published

1 day ago

February 18, 2026

Press Room

Kansas remembers Jesse Jackson’s civil rights legacy and inspiring words

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy echoes throughout the county, with Jackson being remembered in Kansas for his work during the civil rights movement and beyond.

The civil rights leader was known for his work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and for his words of encouragement and change. Jackson’s impact left a lasting impression on Charles McAfee of McAfee Architects here in Wichita.

“Jesse was always trying to make things simpler for us,” McAfee said. Now, McAfee is processing a new reality without Jackson.

“This morning, for some strange reason, I woke up, it was five o’clock. Why am I waking up? I reached over and hit my TV, and there I saw it,” McAfee said. “It hurt my heart.”

McAfee and Jackson met while attending the Congressional Black Caucus, and quickly became friends.

“It was easy to know Jesse,” McAfee said. “He was probably the most energetic, available, realistic person who always fought the good fight. He always did.”

In 1993, Jackson made his way to Kansas State University, where he addressed the student body.

“When Jesse was invited to speak at Kansas State, one of the Jackson twins and I drove up,” McAfee said. “You know, you could not listen to him and not at least buy into something with what he’s saying.”

Jackson’s words are forever remembered by those touched by them.

“God bless you,” McAfee said. “Keep hope alive.”

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