PRZNE 2023 Rankings – Newcomers
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2023 rankings came out earlier this month, and with ranking updates come several new players that hit our radars during the offseason. These players listed below may have missed our previous updates for a variety of reasons; it could be…
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Continue Reading2023 rankings came out earlier this month, and with ranking updates come several new players that hit our radars during the offseason. These players listed below may have missed our previous updates for a variety of reasons; it could be we didn’t have tape on them, they emerged at camps, or we simply missed them when going over team rosters. Regardless of the reason, they have found their way on here, and with good reason. Check out five prospects that are making their debut to the rankings.
Cael Dembinski Cael Dembinski 6'5" | 250 lbs | OL Douglas County West | 2023 State NE | DC West | OL/DL | 6’5″ 250 lbs
Rankings Debut: 86
DC West big man Cael Dembinski Cael Dembinski 6'5" | 250 lbs | OL Douglas County West | 2023 State NE made an impressive debut in the top 100 after a productive summer. Dembinski is a disruptive two-way player who brings a physical edge to the field. As a defensive end, he does a great job using his long arms to create separation at the line of scrimmage and shedding blocks. Cael has a powerful bull rush move, using his strong upper body and lower body to generate a great push right off the snap and collapse the pocket. I like his ability to find small creases in the line and explode through them for a tackle in the backfield. These same attributes make him a menace on the offensive line as well. Cael is a bookend tackle with a junior tape filled with punishing pancake blocks and clips of him manhandling pass rushers. Over the summer, Cael added offers from Chadron State, Nebraska-Kearney, South Dakota Mines, Minnesota State-Moorhead, and Doane. He also attended camps at Wyoming, South Dakota State, and Northwest Missouri State. Another season of pounding guys into the dirt should continue to help Cael up the rankings.
Hudson Cunnings Hudson Cunnings 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Fremont | 2023 State NE | Fremont | DB | 6’0″ 200 lbs
Rankings Debut: 111
Fremont LB/S Hudson Cunnings Hudson Cunnings 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Fremont | 2023 State NE is a hidden gem in Class A. Cunnings is a big-bodied, heat-seeking missile on the football field that uses his 6’0″ 200 lb frame to make his presence felt. Hudson is a versatile player who can lineup at OLB, slot/nickel corner, and safety. His high football IQ helps him react quickly and adjust to the play. One thing to love about his game is his motor and effort. On his junior tape, the clip starting at 2:57 is an excellent example of his hustle, as he sprints from the backside of the play to make a touchdown-saving tackle. Overall, Cunnings is a great athlete with 4.62 40 speed and a 34.5-inch vertical to add to being smart, physical, and versatile. Hudson started to make noise among colleges and even added his first two offers from Missouri Western and Northern State while also hopping on other schools’ radars. Deep sleeper to watch out for!
Walker Hanneman Walker Hanneman 6'3" | 195 lbs | DB Lincoln Pius X | 2023 State NE | Pius X | DB | 6’3″ 195 lbs
Rankings Debut: 179
One player that is being under-recruited at the moment is Pius X DB/WR Walker Hanneman Walker Hanneman 6'3" | 195 lbs | DB Lincoln Pius X | 2023 State NE . Walker is a lengthy safety that had a very promising junior campaign for the Thunderbolts. He is a rangy player that can diagnose and close gaps in a flash. When you watch his tape, you can almost see the gears turning in his head before the snap, and he does a great job getting into position once the ball is snapped. Hanneman also doesn’t shy away from being left alone on the island as he also had reps at cornerback and held his own very well. Walker flips his hips very fluidly and can accelerate after the change of direction. If you’re looking for a safety with good fundamentals that can step up and fill the box or drop back into coverage, Walker is your guy. He is still looking for his first offer, but a solid senior year could reel in more interest and offers.
Kanon Cada Kanon Cada 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Bishop Neumann | 2023 State NE | Bishop Neumann | WR/TE | 6’3″ 185 lbs
Rankings Debut: 348
Bishop Neumann is absolutely stacked at receiver with three wideouts ranked in the 2023 class. They all bring different skill sets to the table and could make the Cavaliers passing attack one of the best in Class C2. The biggest of the three targets is 6’3″ Kanon Cada Kanon Cada 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Bishop Neumann | 2023 State NE , whose’s role in the offense is a mix of wide receiver and tight end. He hauled 21 catches for 215 yards last season while showing flashes of his high upside. Kanon’s size is used to take advantage of mismatches as he can be lined up virtually anywhere and can find the soft spots in the coverage. He has good, soft hands for when the ball arrives and long arms to make catches outside of his already lengthy frame. Also worth noting is that Cada emerged as an effective and explosive DE/EDGE rusher. As a junior, he accumulated 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, 3 batted passes, and two forced fumbles. In the end, Kanon could find a spot on a college roster on either side of the ball, especially if he continues to dominate on both ends.
Cael Wichman Cael Wichman 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Platteview | 2023 State NE | Platteview | RB | 5’10” 180 lbs
Rankings Debut: 248
Cael is an up-and-coming back in Class C1, ready to have a statement season. As a junior, Cael was the team’s leading rushing RB with 564 rushing yards with four touchdowns. One thing that I noticed from Wichman’s tape was his field vision and patience as a runner. He broke off some long runs as a result of keeping his eyes downfield and using his cuts to find open lanes. He does a great job keeping his feet moving while letting his blocks line up before shooting through the gaps. Cael also has extra value in his pass-catching ability. Although he only had 95 yards on 10 receptions, he showed that he can be dangerous after the catch and can fight for extra yardage. Cael currently holds no offers, but it would be smart for colleges to hop on the bandwagon before the season kicks off.
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