Eastern Nebraska Defensive Preview 2022

We are back to the eastern side of Nebraska where we have some of the greatest defenses in the state and in state history. Every year they are stronger and faster and as they train they will get better and better at their skills and positions. The more and more research I put into these players the more and more I am excited to see what they could do. The 2023 season is going to be full of many ups and downs and maybe even the rise of new teams to the top and their defenses will be the reason they can rise or fall. <strong>MLB [player_tooltip player_id="227090" first="Cooper" last="Jackson"]</strong> Lincoln Southwest <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13168083/Cooper-Jackson/about">Hudl</a></strong></p> Last season Jackson had a very nice 83 total tackles. Out of all of his tackles 67 were assists and he had 16 solo tackles. He is averaging around 9.2 tackles a game, 7 of his tackles were tackles for losses showing how capable he is at Middle Linebacker. One of my favorite plays of Jackson is his 8 yard sack against Papillion-La Vista. He blasted through the hole in the line and immediately wraps up the QB and sacks him. <strong>SS [player_tooltip player_id="227550" first="Blayke" last="Moore"]</strong> Gretna <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12956291/Blayke-Moore">Hudl</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Blayke was a key to the Dragon’s defense this season. He had 74 total tackles last season with 39 solo tackles and 35 assist tackles. But that is not all he had 5 interceptions. Those interceptions are what made him a needed part of the dragons defense he came up with them right when they were need it.</p> <strong>MLB/DE [player_tooltip player_id="238881" first="Kade" last="Seip"]</strong> Lincoln North Star <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13076969/Kade-Seip">Hudl</a> </strong></p> I did not see North Star play last season but looking at Kade’s Film makes me wish I did. I haven’t see hits this hard in a while and you can tell that he has passion. He had 71 total tackles 60 of them were solo tackles. Which is amazing, only 11 assists and 10 TFLs. Along with all of that he had 2 sacks 1 interception and recovered 2 fumbles. He is one of the best defensive players in the entire state. &nbsp; <strong>MLB Cole Rickley</strong> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13022984/Cole-Rickley">Hudl</a></strong></p> Even though Bryan did not have a great season Cole showed you can still thrive and do what you can and still play very well. He had a total of 76 tackles 49 of which were solo tackles. He averaged around 8 tackles per game. He recovered one fumble and had two sacks. Cole doesn’t quit no matter the score he hits with all of his power and is very fun to watch. <strong>DE [player_tooltip player_id="180280" first="Malachi" last="Coleman"]</strong> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13101827/Malachi-Coleman">Hudl</a></strong></p> Malachi is one of the top players in the state and there is many reasons why, he is still one of my favorite defensive players in the state as well along with his offensive accomplishments. Malachi had 57 total tackles  38 of those were solo tackles and 19 were just assists along with his 7.5 sacks which are amazing. He is going to be one of the best players to look out for. &nbsp; There are many, many more players who are elite defensive and offensive players across the state that will be great this season and over the summer and the rest of the offseason I plan on covering as many as possible. If you have  anyone you think that needs to be covered let me know on twitter @jedidiahrhardy. &nbsp;