Top Positional Units in the State
In this article:
In college football, there’s always the heated debate on which school is the true “DBU,” or “RBU,” and etc. but which schools in NE currently hold the crown for best positional groups? Which school has the best stable of running…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn college football, there’s always the heated debate on which school is the true “DBU,” or “RBU,” and etc. but which schools in NE currently hold the crown for best positional groups? Which school has the best stable of running backs — Bennington or Creighton Prep? Would you rather have the Burke LBs or North Platte LBs? Is the Bellevue West QB duo of Johannsen and Kaelin the best in the state? In this article, we will look at each group and determine which school has the best depth, talent, production, and future development at each position.
Iron sharpens iron, and for these groups, that has propelled them to be the best in their state.
QBs: Bellevue West Thunderbirds
Bellevue West takes the top spot because of its depth at this position. Luke Johannsen Luke Johannsen 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE is the current starter and has an excellent understanding of the offense and how to run it. Behind him is Daniel Kaelin Daniel Kaelin 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2024 State NE , the class of 2024 emerging star who has been lighting up the recruiting trail as a sophomore. Johannsen and Kaelin do a great job distributing the ball to the plethora of playmakers on their offense. They are also very good at protecting the football and making accurate, intelligent passes. Both QBs see playing time, often alternating possessions, which throws defenses for a loop. With Luke graduating after this year, Kaelin is likely to take the reigns of the offense in the upcoming years. The T-Birds seem to be in great hands.
Luke Johannsen Luke Johannsen 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’2″ 190 lbs
Daniel Kaelin Daniel Kaelin 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2024 State NE | Hudl
6’2″ 175 lbs
Honorable Mention:
Waverly:
Cole Murray Cole Murray 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Waverly | 2022 State NEhttps://twitter.com/kelsie_kasperTV/status/1444142628145180672?s=20
Trey Jackson Trey Jackson 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Waverly | 2023 State NERBs: Bennington Badgers
The Bennington backfield is not just eyeing a state title but also has their eyes on crowning a new single-season rushing yards king. Dylan Mostek Dylan Mostek 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Bennington | 2022 State NE has started the season on a historic pace to tear down several season rushing records, with the single-season rushing record at the top of the list. Mostek is incredibly athletic and possesses excellent vision to see the whole field and find open holes. He can change direction and cut without losing speed, and he is so explosive when he hits his lane. Colvert, junior RB, is a super shifty back with some of the fastest feet you’ll see. He can make defenders miss and make you pay the moment he turns the corner on the defense. Both of them can also stiff arm, juke, spin, and do all the elusive tricks, which make them so dangerous in the open field.
Dylan Mostek Dylan Mostek 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Bennington | 2022 State NE | Hudl
5’10″ 195 lbs
Nick Colvert Nick Colvert 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Bennington | 2023 State NE | Hudl
5’8″ 150 lbs
Honorable Mention:
Creighton Prep:
CharMar Brown CharMar Brown 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Creighton Prep | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Jack Stessman Jack Stessman 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Creighton Prep | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Burwell:
Caleb Busch Caleb Busch 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Burwell | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Cash Gurney Cash Gurney 6'1" | 180 lbs | RB Burwell | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Adams Central:
Hyatt Collins Hyatt Collins 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Adams Central | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Nick Conant Nick Conant RB Adams Central | 2024 State NE | Hudl
Adams Central defeats Central City 59-20. Nick Conant finishes the game with five total touchdowns on the night. The No. 8 @goacpatriots will take on unbeaten, second-ranked Kearney Catholic next week. #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/u1eK93nTSJ
— TriblandSports (@TriblandSports) October 2, 2021
WRs: Lincoln East Spartans
The Lincoln East pass catchers are not just talented in their own rights, but it also helps to have one of the best QBs in the 2022 rankings ( Noah Walters Noah Walters 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Lincoln East | 2022 State NE ) throwing it to them. Cooper Erikson Cooper Erikson 6'4" | 215 lbs | WR Lincoln East | 2022 State NE , a baseball commit, looks like he was born to catch daggers from QB Walters and is nearly at 1,000 yards, receiving only six games into the season (39 catches, 814 yards, and 9 TDs). Malachi Coleman Malachi Coleman 6'5" | 195 lbs | WR Lincoln East | 2023 State NE , C/O ’23, has been one of the most dangerous deep threats in the state with 258 yards on only 8 receptions (that’s a 32-yard clip, btw!) and 5 touchdowns to boot. Billie Stephenson Billie Stephenson 5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH Lincoln East | 2022 State NE (17/300/5), Luke Greisen Luke Greisen 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Lincoln East | 2022 State NE (16/264/4), AJ Seizys AJ Seizys 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Lincoln East | 2023 State NE (9/148/2) have all caught multiple touchdowns and have contributed to the insane production by this WR group. This group, minus Coleman (DL) and add Hunter Epp Hunter Epp 5'9" | 175 lbs | DB Lincoln East | 2022 State NE , also make one of the state’s top secondaries in the state as well.
Cooper Erikson Cooper Erikson 6'4" | 215 lbs | WR Lincoln East | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’4″ 215 lbs
The Noah Walters ➡️ Cooper Erikson connection had a big night for @LEHS_FB. pic.twitter.com/jQnvv1IlLY
— Mike Sautter (@MikeSautter_) October 1, 2021
Malachi Coleman Malachi Coleman 6'5" | 195 lbs | WR Lincoln East | 2023 State NE | Hudl
6’5″ 185 lbs
Q1: Lincoln East 7, Lincoln Southeast 3.
Talk about a fast start! On their first play, Noah Walters hits Malachi Coleman on the slant and he takes it 79 yards for a long touchdown. #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/oWSDbDjGIL
— Luke Mullin (@LjsLuke) September 24, 2021
Billie Stephenson Billie Stephenson 5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH Lincoln East | 2022 State NE | Hudl
5’9″ 170 lbs
Luke Greisen Luke Greisen 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Lincoln East | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’ 185 lbs
AJ Seizys AJ Seizys 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Lincoln East | 2023 State NE | Hudl
5’10″ 195 lbs
Honorable Mention:
Lincoln High:
Beni Ngoyi Beni Ngoyi 6'4" | 195 lbs | ATH Lincoln High | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Javon Leuty Javon Leuty 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Lincoln | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Adonis Hutchinson Adonis Hutchinson 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Lincoln | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Keyshon Buckman Keyshon Buckman 6'4" | 195 lbs | ATH Lincoln High | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Jesse Cruse Jesse Cruse 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB Lincoln High | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Bellevue West:
Dae’Vonn Hall Dae’Vonn Hall 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Bellevue West | 2024 State NE | Hudl
Kyrell Jordan Kyrell Jordan 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Bellevue West | 2023 State NE | Hudl
TK Barnett TK Barnett 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Bellevue West | 2023 AL | Hudl
Big night for Bell West's Tk Barnett — 2 TD performance from the junior in a 28-22 win over Creighton Prep.@Tk3era @BellevueWestFB @TbirdEMPIRE pic.twitter.com/JbXOU1sCsj
— Matt Foster (@MattFosterTV) September 11, 2021
TE: Bellevue West Thunderbirds
No surprise here, as Bell West holds claim to two 4 star TE prospects in Micah Riley-Ducker Micah Riley-Ducker 6'6" | 240 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE and Kaden Helms Kaden Helms 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE . They are a dynamic duo that is just as good going deep for a catch as they are blocking a defender off of the field. These two players complement each other very well and are selfless when it comes to distribution. Riley-Ducker is a big, physical target with wheels that can mow over DBs and run past LBs. Helms is a versatile athlete that can be lined up in various spots, he’s a technician in TE/slot positions and a deep threat burner as an outside receiver. Riley-Ducker will be heading to Auburn and Helms is Oklahoma bound, but for now, they are looking to take care of unfinished business.
Micah Riley-Ducker Micah Riley-Ducker 6'6" | 240 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’6″ 230 lbs
My man @micah_r_d scores a 44 yard TOUCHDOWN on a pass@from @JohannsenLukas!@BellevueWestFB 23
Northwest 0
:28 Q1 pic.twitter.com/pzIa7vVpMq— FauxCoachWoodard (@FauxCoachWoodar) October 2, 2021
Kaden Helms Kaden Helms 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’6″ 210 lbs
Honorable Mention:
Pierce:
Benjamin Brahmer Benjamin Brahmer 6'6" | 210 lbs | TE Pierce | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Kaden Johnson Kaden Johnson 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Papillion - La Vista | 2022 NE | Hudl
OL: Bennington Badgers
This was a toss-up between Bennington and several solid offensive lines across the state. In the end, the rushing numbers and time in the pocket that the Badger’s OL provides cannot be denied. The explosive run game of the Badger’s might not be as dangerous if it weren’t for the big guys upfront. They have tons of experience with seniors Jake Steir, James Krayneski, Cody Harris Cody Harris 6'5" | 240 lbs | OL Bennington | 2022 State NE , Carter Lerch, Nathan Schaefer, Chevalier Curry Chevalier Curry 5'11" | 220 lbs | DL Bennington | 2022 State NE , and plenty of depth players leading the way. I got to watch them against Skutt Catholic, and they are so impressive and so strong. They get a great push at the line and can drive back defensive fronts, and when they get going, their OL play is a beauty to watch.
Jake Stier Jake Stier 6'2" | 275 lbs | OL Bennington | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’2″ 275 lbs
James Krayneski | Hudl
6’4″ 260 lbs
Cody Harris Cody Harris 6'5" | 240 lbs | OL Bennington | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’5″ 240 lbs
Carter Lerch | Hudl
6’5″ 235 lbs
Nathan Schaefer | Hudl
6’3″ 215 lbs
Chevalier Curry Chevalier Curry 5'11" | 220 lbs | DL Bennington | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’ 240 lbs
Honorable Mention:
Lincoln Southeast:
Gunnar Gottula Gunnar Gottula 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Lincoln Southeast | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Owen Anthony Owen Anthony 6'0" | 260 lbs | OL Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Cooper Tracy Cooper Tracy 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Ian Hawco Ian Hawco 6'4" | 255 lbs | OL Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Bellevue West:
Henry Rickels Henry Rickels 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Bellevue West | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Nate Raymond Nate Raymond 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Bellevue West | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Kellen Steuben-Allen Kellen Steuben-Allen 6'2" | 270 lbs | OL Bellevue West | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Tye Stuck Tye Stuck 6'0" | 235 lbs | OL Bellevue West | 2022 State NE | Hudl
DL: Papillion – La Vista Monarchs
The PLV Monarchs get the nod here because of their insane ability to create pressure on opposing QBs. The main culprit of this is 2020 sack leader Will Hubert Will Hubert 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Papillion-La Vista | 2022 State NE , who is on a great pace this year with 7.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. Extra attention for Hubert often leads to opportunities for their other talented DL in Spencer Smith Spencer Smith 6'7" | 240 lbs | OL Papillion - La Vista | 2022 State NE , Alec Blevins Alec Blevins 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL Papillion - La Vista | 2022 State NE , Jace Wheeler, and Jayson Bottorff. The Monarchs DL alone has accumulated a total of 12 sacks and 33.5 TFL (6 games); they are physical, smart, and high-motor to keep after scrambling QBs and backs. Their pressure helps elevate the play of the linebackers and defensive backs by causing QB errors.
Will Hubert Will Hubert 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Papillion-La Vista | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’4″ 240 lbs
Spencer Smith Spencer Smith 6'7" | 240 lbs | OL Papillion - La Vista | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’7″ 240 lbs
Alec Blevins Alec Blevins 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL Papillion - La Vista | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’6″ 255 lbs
Jace Wheeler | Hudl
6’ 270 lbs
Honorable Mention:
Omaha North:
Orlando Hernandez Orlando Hernandez 6'2" | 250 lbs | DL Omaha North | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Ceontre Brown | Hudl
Tyson Terry Tyson Terry 6'2" | 270 lbs | DL Omaha North | 2025 State NE | Hudl
Elkhorn South:
Maverick Noonan Maverick Noonan 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Elkhorn South | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Chase Emsick Chase Emsick 6'4" | 300 lbs | DL Elkhorn South | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Gabe Whitten Gabe Whitten 6'1" | 220 lbs | OL Elkhorn South | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Lincoln East:
Sam Cappos Sam Cappos 6'1" | 240 lbs | DL Lincoln East | 2023 State NE | Hudl
GeGe Crayton GeGe Crayton 6'1" | 265 lbs | DL Lincoln East | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Hayden Boyd Hayden Boyd 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Lincoln East | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Malachi Coleman Malachi Coleman 6'5" | 195 lbs | WR Lincoln East | 2023 State NE | Hudl
LBs: Omaha Burke Bulldogs
Headlined by Oregon commit Devon Jackson Devon Jackson 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE , this Burke linebacker group has been playing lights out this season. They have been picking off passes, pressuring the quarterback, run-stuffing, and making plays behind the line of scrimmage. Missing a year of play has not slowed down this group, Jackson has been a huge factor for Burke’s dominant defensive play as of late. Alec Cook Alec Cook 6'3" | 230 lbs | ATH Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE has also been excellent at creating havoc behind the line of scrimmage and plays a great enforcer role in the run game. Jones has been a pleasant surprise for the Bulldogs and has emerged as an up-and-coming LB that can bring the wood and play the pass. Other contributors round out what is one of the fiercest, fastest, and most athletic LB rooms in the state.
Devon Jackson Devon Jackson 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’2″ 200 lbs
Alec Cook Alec Cook 6'3" | 230 lbs | ATH Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’3″ 220 lbs
Christian Jones Christian Jones 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE | Hudl
6’3″ 185 lbs
Honorable Mention:
North Platte:
Vince Genatone Vince Genatone 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB North Platte | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Xavier Albertson Xavier Albertson LB North Platte | 2024 NE | Hudl
Joseph Vak Joseph Vak 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB North Platte | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Cole Wright Cole Wright 6'4" | 185 lbs | ATH North Platte | 2022 NE | Hudl
DBs: Lincoln Southwest Silver Hawks
The DBs for the Silver Hawks are also a group of ballhawks in the secondary. Safety Jake Leader Jake Leader 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE is a hard-hitting enforcer roaming the deep zones and coming up in run support. Consbruck and Rahe have both shown great ball-skills by snagging interceptions and breaking up passes. They are a group of tough, twitchy, and agile backs that play excellent coverage and help give their front seven time to get to the QB. . Personally, I believe this is a very underrated group that can make get a turnover, tackles behind the line, and break up passes.
Jake Leader Jake Leader 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’2″ 195 lbs
Kyan Consbruck Kyan Consbruck 5'7" | 160 lbs | DB Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE | Hudl
5’8″ 155 lbs
Tairen Rahe Tairen Rahe 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE | Hudl
6’ 170 lbs
Bergan Anderson | Hudl
Luke Reiling | Hudl
5’10″ 155 lbs
HM:
Plattsmouth:
Owen Prince Owen Prince 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Plattsmouth | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Clyde Hinton Clyde Hinton 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Plattsmouth | 2022 State NE | Hudl
TJ Fitzpatrick TJ Fitzpatrick 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB Plattsmouth | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Omaha Westside:
Dominic Rezac Dominic Rezac 6'1" | 165 lbs | RB Omaha Westside | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Jack Wimmer Jack Wimmer 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Westside | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Teddy Rezac Teddy Rezac 6'3" | 195 lbs | ATH Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE | Hudl
Isaac Richard Isaac Richard 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Omaha Westside | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Caleb Benning Caleb Benning 5'11" | ATH Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE | Hudl
ATHs: Millard South Patriots
This isn’t an official position, but several teams have a core of players that can simply do it all including; two-way players, versatile pieces, and straight-up athletes. The first team I think of is Millard South and their group of two-way players. The starting quarterback is committed to play safety and looks like one of the top QBs, starting RB is also a beast at LB, their receivers are an NIU LB commit and a future Husker wrestler, and several other ballers on the roster. They all do their jobs exceptionally well on both sides of the ball and play selfless team football. The coaches also do a good job playing around with their stars to help create mismatches and new offensive wrinkles. Their overall athleticism has helped the Millard South Patriots propel themselves to the #1 ranking in the state.
Gage Stenger Gage Stenger 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Millard South | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’3″ 200 lbs
Jake Gassaway Jake Gassaway 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Millard South | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’3″ 215 lbs
Antrell Taylor Antrell Taylor 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Millard South | 2022 State NE | Hudl
5’9″ 165 lbs
Christian Nash Christian Nash 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB Millard South | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’ 220 lbs
Justin Gassaway Justin Gassaway 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Millard South | 2022 State NE | Hudl
6’1″ 180 lbs
Brock Murtaugh Brock Murtaugh 6'2" | 200 lbs | DB Millard South | 2023 State NE | Hudl
6’2″ 180 lbs
Honorable Mention:
Lincoln Southeast Knights:
Jake Appleget Jake Appleget 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE | Hudl
@ReddickWillem lobs it up to @ApplegetJake who scores on the 26 yard TD @SoutheastFB leads 14-0 with 4:46 left in 2Q@PrepRedzoneNE pic.twitter.com/ihWFh8U4WV
— Oscar Galindo (@PRZ_OscarG) October 1, 2021
Max Buettenbeck | Hudl
Will Barrett Will Barrett 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Jackson Martin Jackson Martin 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Teitum Tuioti | Hudl
Cross County Cougars:
Carter Seim Carter Seim 6'2" | 210 lbs | RB Cross County | 2022 State NE (RB/LB | Hudl
Damon Mickey Damon Mickey 5'11" | 220 lbs | DL Cross County | 2022 State NE (TE/LB) | Hudl
Cory Hollinger Cory Hollinger 6'6" | 225 lbs | TE Cross County | 2022 State NE (TE/DL) | Hudl
Shayden Lundstrom (QB/KR/DBWR) | Hudl
Kearney:
Parker Wise Parker Wise 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Kearney High | 2022 State NE | Hudl
D’Andre Ndugwa D’Andre Ndugwa 6'2" | 195 lbs | TE Kearney High | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Kaden Miller Kaden Miller 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Kearney High | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Zander Reuling Zander Reuling 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Kearney | 2024 State NE | Hudl
Archbishop Bergan:
Koa McIntyre Koa McIntyre 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Archibishop Bergan (Fremont) | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Bergan's QB Koa McIntyre (@KoaMcIntyre)
-4 touchdowns
-2 passing to brother Kade (@Kade_McIntyre)
-450+ total yards
-Wyoming commit
-Knights improve to 6-0 pic.twitter.com/T4JjwC5mEt— Nicole Griffith (@nicolegriff_) October 2, 2021
Kade McIntyre Kade McIntyre 6'4" | 195 lbs | ATH Archbishop Bergan | 2023 State NE | Hudl
Jarett Boggs Jarett Boggs 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB Archibishop Bergan | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Gavin Logemann Gavin Logemann 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR Archbishop Bergan | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Alex Painter Alex Painter 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Archbishop Bergan | 2022 State NE | Hudl
Lucas Pruss Lucas Pruss 6'2" | 180 lbs | LB Archbishop Bergan | 2022 State NE | Hudl