New Freeport QB Danny King plans to use past as WR to lead offense: I want to ‘have everyone be a weapon’
BUTLER TWP — Danny King knows what it’s like to feverishly wave his arm at the quarterback, believing he was far enough from his defender to make a splash play, only to watch the pass go elsewhere.
The senior wants to make sure he doesn’t miss any open Freeport receivers as he transitions away from being one.
“It’s always important to weigh the options no matter what,” said King, who takes over the Yellowjackets’ starting quarterback job this year. “Because sometimes, some routes, you eliminate options early, which probably isn’t the right thing to do. I noticed a couple times last year where I thought maybe I was open, and I don’t want my guys to feel the same way.
“(I want to) spread the ball, have everyone be a weapon.”
At the Butler Eagle’s Football Media Day, held in the Butler Senior High School’s gymnasium earlier this month, King was the first to admit it’s been an offseason full of change for the Yellowjackets (8-4 last season).
John Gaillot’s team has “just been trying to put the pieces together, figure out where everyone’s going, where everyone fits, especially in the offense,” King said. “We’ve just got some big shoes to fill, so it’s important that we find the right guys to fill those shoes.”
Behind center, King will figuratively slide on Drew Ross’ footwear and tie the laces. While also catching passes from Ross — now playing at Westminster College — last season, King served as the Yellowjackets’ backup quarterback, but those catching his passes this time around are familiar with him from their time in middle school “when we really started throwing the ball,” senior receiver Bryson Paga said.
Fellow senior Camden Schlegel, returning from a knee injury, and junior Canon Wisniewski will be other targets for King to scan the field for.
King’s older brother, Garrett, played quarterback for Freeport in 2021.
“I’ve talked to him a ton about it, especially because of all the stuff he went through,” King said. “I actually played a game last year when our quarterback got hurt, so I have some experience. I played JV quarterback (for) a year, so I’m confident to be back there.”
King, who will also play safety on defense, likes to think of himself as a guy who could also pick up yards on the ground if he has to. He prides himself on versatility but is willing to do whatever Gaillot and offensive coordinator Dylan Henderson request of him, whether that be standing in the pocket or rolling out.
King brings a leadership quality and hopes his teammates look up to him. He wants to set the example, but didn’t single out any particular statistical goals.
“Do the best I can, limit the turnovers,” King said.
Paga, who wants to rack up at least 500 receiving yards and 10 touchdown grabs this fall, offered his own expectations of what the offense should look like with King running it.
“I feel like we have a better long game and our line can hold up and he can get it downfield,” Paga said.
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Freeport's Karter Kemp (60), Cameron Manke (52), Danny King (8) and Bryson Paga (2) pose during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Cameron Manke during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Danny King during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Cameron Manke during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Danny King during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Karter Kemp during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Bryson Paga during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Karter Kemp talks to Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
