Junction City football standout Michael Boganowski nearing end of recruiting process

SALINA — Michael Boganowski knows what he is looking for in a college football destination.

The coming month should provide some answers to just where that might be.

"I think relationships with the coaches, the coaches or the program," Boganowski said of his priorities. "Seeing where the program is going, and academics.

"I think the opportunity to play relatively early is also important."

Boganowski, a Junction City defensive standout and the consensus No. 1 high school prospect in the state of Kansas for 2024, was in Salina last week taking in the Sharp Performance Top Prospects camp at Salina Stadium. But in a few days he would embark on a whirlwind four-week tour that includes five official visits and, he hopes, will help him make a final decision.

The first stop, this weekend, is Stanford, followed next two weeks by Kansas and Oklahoma, with a midweek visit to Florida State thrown in before wrapping it up close to home at Kansas State.

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"At the end of the day, I'm a competitor, so wherever I go I want to win," Boganowski said.

Early indications are that K-State and Oklahoma are the frontrunners heading toward the home stretch, though Boganowski is playing it close to the vest. He has made unofficial visits to K-State, KU and OU, while Stanford and Florida State are relative newcomers to the process.

Boganowski likes OU coach Brent Venables' reputation as a defensive guru and the fact that he has been a part of national championship teams with both Oklahoma and Clemson before taking over as the Sooners' head coach last year.

"Venables, he's a winner and he builds great defenses," said Boganowski, who is projected as a linebacker or possibly safety at the next level.

Kansas has not enjoyed the same on-field success as the other contenders, but third-year coach Lance Leipold has the Jayhawks on the rise.

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"They had big improvements this year," Boganowski said of the Jayhawks. "It's always cool to see a program moving up."

And then there is K-State, just up the road. The Wildcats have a lot going for them, and as the fifth and final stop the weekend of June 23 could have the last word in swaying Boganowski.

"The Big 12 championship, that's a big accomplishment," Boganowski said of the Wildcats' overtime victory against TCU in 2022 title game. "They've recruited me hard, and it's an in-state school and that's definitely important."

K-State also was the first school to extend a scholarship offer last October, which Boganowski admitted carries some weight as well.

There is even a family connection with the Wildcats. Boganowski's father, Mike Sr., played defensive end for current K-State linebackers coach Steve Stanard years ago at New Mexico State.

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"He recruited me out of high school," said Mike Sr., who grew up in Omaha and was an all-state tight end. "He was my position coach the first two years and he then moved to defensive coordinator."

The elder Boganowski, incidentally, chose New Mexico State over K-State at the time. And while he has made it clear that the final decision is up to his son, he likes what the Wildcats have to offer.

"K-State is the home school and they had a great year last year, and I anticipate that things only will get better," he said. "Coach (Chris) Klieman is a great coach. There's a lot of potential there."

Potential also can apply to the younger Boganowski, who plays a hybrid safety/linebacker position for Junction City. Last year he recorded 123 tackles, including three tackles for loss and a forced fumble with four interceptions.

He also is a freak athlete at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, who last month was timed at 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Most schools are recruiting him as a linebacker.

"I think I have really good instincts and I think I take really good angles," Boganowski said in offering a self-scouting report. "And I'm not afraid to hit."

While he has primarily played defense in high school, Boganowski hinted that he might get a chance on the other side of the ball as well this fall. Last year, in very limited action, he threw one touchdown pass and rushed for 267 yards on just 15 carries.

"Growing up I was definitely an offensive player," said Boganowski, who anticipates seeing some action at quarterback, running back or wide receiver, depending on the situation. "It's been a while since I really played offense, so we'll see what happens this year."

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Junction City football prospect Michael Boganowski close to decision