Class of 2024: Top 5 Sophomores

<em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="169896" first="Dae’Vonn" last="Hall"] (WR) | Bellevue West | 6’1" 175 lbs</strong></em> <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12139045/Dae-Vonn-Hall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DaevonnHall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></strong></em> Already rated a 4-star wide receiver by many sites, [player_tooltip player_id="169896" first="Dae’Vonn" last="Hall"] continues to show why he is so highly-touted as a sophomore. Hall is a receiver playing like a person well beyond his years. He managed to stand out on a team full of Division 1 bound seniors and looks to be the next high-profile recruit for the T-Birds. Hall racked up 592 yards on 43 receptions during his sophomore campaign and scored nine touchdowns. He was very impressive and showed that he will be a problem for years to come. One of his most remarkable attributes is his footwork and how shifty he is in his routes; he has a sixth sense in knowing which moves to use at the top of his route. I watched Bellevue West on a few occasions, and Hall seemed to be open on nearly every play. Dae’ Vonn’s speed and ability to tack on yards after the catch makes him a truly elite homerun threat every time he touches the ball. Hall can take the top off of defense with deep routes or take a screen pass 50 yards to paydirt, he has that playmaking ability. Dae’ Vonn currently holds offers from Mizzou, Kansas State, Nebraska, and Iowa, a list that will likely continue to grow this off-season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12139045/6196b88b32dcbf0a6c9f54ba" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="250053" first="Caleb" last="Benning"] (DB/WR) | Omaha Westside | 6’0" 180 lbs</strong></em> <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14473534/Caleb-Benning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/CalebBenning1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></strong></em> One of many Westside ’24 representatives in this ranking, [player_tooltip player_id="250053" first="Caleb" last="Benning"] is already becoming one of the best shutdown defenders in the state. After a championship season in 2020, the Warriors lost a lot of talent and were looking for players to step up, and Benning stepped up in a BIG way. Caleb posted 68 tackles, four tackles, for loss, four interceptions, and six passes defended en route to helping Westside reach another championship appearance. Benning is versatile and did damage from various spots along the secondary. He is so smart with his play and works like a true technician. On a play at the 1:17 mark in his clip, Benning not just noticed the overthrow, but he sprinted to the ball and laid out to make a fantastic interception, a play where the average player may let up and get ready for the next play. He is a strong tackler and has excellent form and technique when making stops. Also, don’t sleep on Caleb as a receiver; he hauled in 11 catches for 175 and 2 touchdowns this season. The budding star has already received an offer from Nebraska, where his dad Damon Benning won two national championships. Benning has football in his blood, and it shows with his play and passion for the game. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14473534/61b7f9905b3ca9047848d718" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="209339" first="JR" last="Lecuona"] (DL) | Millard South | 6’3" 240 lbs</strong></em> <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14813369/JR-Lecuona" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JrLecuona" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></strong></em> JR is going to be a menacing presence in the Patriot's defense for the next few seasons. Lecuona showed us during year two glimpses of what is going to be a very dominant defensive lineman. He has a very athletic build and moves very well for his size; just ask the runningbacks that found themselves being chased by Lecuona downfield. JR tallied 45 tackles, four tackles for loss, and registered three sacks. He is explosive off the snap and uses violent, powerful hands to win his matchups. Lecuona’s impact for the Patriot’s defense doesn’t just include tackles and sacks, but QB pressures/hurries, batted passes, and shutting down running lanes. The sophomore was a key factor in Millard South's defensive success on a roster with outstanding senior leadership and talent. JR’s motor is relentless, and he goes all out on every play. It is only a matter of time before more programs catch wind of this talented prospect. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14813369/618498bf47982106281e7453" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="250051" first="Anthony" last="Rezac"] (QB) | Omaha Westside | 6’3" 180 lbs</strong></em> <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14613154/Anthony-Rezac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/rezac_anthony" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></strong></em> As mentioned before, the Omaha Westside representation in this class is insane. The Warriors will get to watch stellar play from not just one Rezac but TWO Rezacs in this class. The first one is QB [player_tooltip player_id="250051" first="Anthony" last="Rezac"], who was given the reins to the offense a few games into the season. Once Anthony was named QB1, he lit up the field and led Westside to a berth in the Class A championship game. In 9 games played, Rezac threw for 1,221 yards on 68% completion, threw 19 touchdowns to only one interception, and rushed for 247 yards and two scores. Anthony looked like he gained more confidence and swagger with every game and helped elevate the Westside offense into one of the best in Class A. Rezac has a great pocket presence and can throw with a clean pocket, or he can roll out to deliver a quick, accurate strike. He is a smooth passer and is only starting to scratch the surface of his arm talent. Watch out for Westside! <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14613154/61a7b4958cd3dd0568ed17d2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="169899" first="Daniel" last="Kaelin"] (QB) | Bellevue West | 6’2" 175 lbs </strong></em> <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14285745/Daniel-Kaelin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielKaelin5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a></strong></em> It’s only a matter of time before the Thunderbirds fully unleash QB [player_tooltip player_id="169899" first="Daniel" last="Kaelin"]. With senior [player_tooltip player_id="147833" first="Luke" last="Johannsen"] holding down full-time duties, Kaelin didn’t see a ton of varsity time. However, Daniel definitely gave fans, and college coaches a little... appetizer, so to speak, of the arm talent he possesses. Kaelin threw for 693 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions on only 82 attempts for the season. He is an accurate passer who can make throws to all field levels and delivers the ball with great touch. Thinking about how his chemistry with #1 ranked [player_tooltip player_id="169896" first="Dae’Vonn" last="Hall"] will only continue to get better, has to be keeping defensive coordinators up at night. Kaelin has been a hot name in the ’24 cycle, with offers from Arizona State, Nebraska, Kansas, and Florida State jumping in on the QB early. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14285745/6133b4a93df5bd0368703462" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp;