BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HOISINGTON — Two-time state runner-up Hoisington football coach Zach Baird received huge off-season news when Division 1 recruit Brody Pfannenstiel transferred from Russell.
Kansas and Illinois have offered college scholarships to the 6-4, 230-pound Pfannenstiel after high impact summer football camps.
"Landing a transfer like Brody Pfannenstiel is something that's never happened here," Baird said. "Brody will fit right in with what we do as a football team. He's understood everything that we're trying to coach."
Baird (105-24) has coached Hoisington to a pair of 2A state runner-up trophies. The Cardinals return six offensive starters on offense and seven on defense. Baird projects Pfannenstiel as a difference-maker defensively while also getting a look at tight end.
"We'll definitely look at him as a 2-way player," Baird said.
In an article authored by Gary Van Cleave prior to the 2024 football season, Pfannenstiel was expertly identified as a promising sophomore with Division 1 football potential.
“I’ve gotten more explosive, put on size with better technique,” said Brody Pfannenstiel, who improved his recruiting profile by attending summer football camps the past two summers.
“It was good seeing other competitors, they were skilled. I like competing and want to go against the best. That’s how I can get better. I’m going to keep grinding.”
Mid-Continent all-league defensive end Pfannenstiel recorded 51 tackles in 2024.
Russell Bronco graduate Roman Hernandez had noticed Pfannenstiel after he had seven sacks as a freshman.
“He’ll go D1,” Hernandez said of Pfannenstiel. “He works hard in the weight room and he listens to his coaches. He’s also aggressive and you can’t really teach that. He’s physical and is really quick. Being 220 pounds it’s hard to stop him. It’s pretty hard to get sacks in our league. A lot of the teams run the ball about 90%."
Brody Pfannenstiel made an immediate impact going against players three years older.
“My first game I had a couple sacks versus Ellis, and I learned what I need to do to make plays," Brody Pfannenstiel said. "It was a learning year. Going from middle school to high school was different."
Brody's older brother Peyton Pfannenstiel was proud of his brother.
“He’s gotten a lot bigger and quicker since, he will have a lot of improvements,” Peyton Pfannenstiel said. “When you keep learning, you don’t want to stop.”
Peyton Pfannenstiel has seen his brother work to chase his football dreams.
“He has a rare talent when it comes to skill and dedication,” the older Pfannenstiel said. “I’ve never seen someone work harder than him and I used to work out three times a day. His potential is higher than anyone that has come out of a Kansas school. And I’ve seen these Jaren Kanak (Hays) type of guys play, so I kind of know what the ceiling is.”
The key to getting a sack begins with his first step, Brody Pfannenstiel said.
“If you have a quick first step you don’t have to deal with the linemen as much,” who has registered eight tackles for loss.
Pfannenstiel is especially effective when he employs his spin move.
“I would say it is one of his go-to moves and for sure his bread and butter move,” Ian Strobel, a defensive end.
“He has a good spin move. It’s fast,” receiver Landon Robinson said.
“His spin move is always on time, but if he does not get it he always has a plan B,” fullback Xzephren Donner said.
Brody Pfannenstiel's dedication to improving his physical skills heading to his sophomore season earned his teammates respect at Russell High School, according to Van Cleave's player profile.
“He’s a big and strong kid who has great speed for his size and can win in any way,” said Russell Walker Middleton. “His IQ is great for how young he is and he knows what to do in certain situations.”
Russell's Sam Thielen said, “He seems like he is unblockable. He is extremely strong and he’s very quick and explosive for his size. He loves contact, he’s never going to go around you.”
