Benjamin Hansen

Small Town, Big Opportunity: Hayden Gillum of 1A Plainville was 6’3”, 205 pounds with zero FBS offers when we first met him entering his junior year of HS in the summer of 2016, he wasn’t even an every day lineman, playing multiple spots on both sides of the ball for the Cardinals. He got up to 261 lbs as a senior in HS & had one FCS offer - Western Illinois. A PWO offer from Kansas State would change his life. Gillum, in his sixth year with Kansas State is now 6’3”, 300 pounds and will leave the program tonight as a two time All-Big 12 center and Big 12 champion (2022). One of the great small town to big time stories in Kansas. On top of all that, Hayden is a great kid that we’ve had the opportunity to get to know and cover over the years. Such a great personality that we let him take over the Sports in Kansas instagram at the Kansas Shrine Bowl in 2018, doing several funny interviews with teammates. And to think the NFL is a real possibility for the KSU standout. A great reminder to always show up. Meanwhile at KU, his Plainville HS teammate is writing his own story on a similar path in Jared Casey who still has eligibility left for the Jayhawks. #sportsinkansas Photo: KSU Athletics

Plainville (1A🏈) had just 130 students in its high school last year in grades 9-12 combined. They have two players on Division I depth charts, a Division II starter and a NAIA all conference player that all played HS football together at the same time. Something you don’t see everyday. Jared Casey - KU Hayden Gillum - KSU Jordan Finnesy - Washburn Ryan Junkermeier - Bethel