PRZ 2024 Rankings Update: New to the Top 20
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2024 rankings were updated last week and with the update came a shake-up to the top 20. A few players moved up from the watchlist and some were fringe top 20 in the preseason rankings. #4 – Caleb Pyfrom Caleb…
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Continue Reading2024 rankings were updated last week and with the update came a shake-up to the top 20. A few players moved up from the watchlist and some were fringe top 20 in the preseason rankings.
#4 – Caleb Pyfrom Caleb Pyfrom 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Omaha Central | 2024 State NE | OL | Omaha Central | 6’6″ 300 lbs
Omaha Central’s Caleb Pyfrom Caleb Pyfrom 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Omaha Central | 2024 State NE has emerged as the biggest riser in the 2024 rankings. Pyfrom moves out of the watchlist and debuts at #4. After seeing limited time as a sophomore, playing as a blocking tight end/extra tackle role in heavy sets, he emerged as one of the top OL prospects in the state in 2022. Caleb passes the OT eye test and has great measurables at 6’6″ and 300 lbs while still moving very well for his size (also a basketball player). He’s a complete mauler when run blocking, using his power and strength to clear huge lanes, and he does a great job at getting to the second level to continue blocking. Pyfrom is equally as impressive in pass protection, where he has shown great hand placement and nice footwork when he drops back. Caleb played some of the top defensive linemen in class A and more than held his own. Pyfrom has received offers from Wyoming, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas State, Iowa State, Mizzou, Kansas, and Nebraska, with many more likely to continue coming in for the 3-star prospect.
#6 – Donald DeFrand Jr Donald DeFrand Jr 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Lincoln Southeast | 2024 State NE . | ATH | Lincoln | 6’1″ 170 lbs
The second of two new members in the top 10. Lincoln’s Donald DeFrand Jr Donald DeFrand Jr 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Lincoln Southeast | 2024 State NE . jumped on the map after receiving a 3-star rating and an offer from the Colorado Buffaloes. On the field, he gave us several glimpses of his special talent and his ability to play in all three phases of the game. DeFrand’s primary position is cornerback, where he shined in man and zone coverage. He is a very shifty, fluid athlete that can break quickly and change directions. He has a great sense of where the ball is going and is confident to go up and make a play on it. Donald also proved to be a dangerous return man with great field vision and a good set of moves when he’s in the open field. He’s one of the best pure athletes in the state, as Donald has also seen success in Track and Field. The Links have developed some great talent recently, with ATH Donald DeFrand Jr Donald DeFrand Jr 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Lincoln Southeast | 2024 State NE . looking like he’s next in line.
#14 – Carson Rauner Carson Rauner 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Elkhorn South | 2024 State NE | QB | Elkhorn South | 6’3″ 200 lbs
The ’24 QB class is really starting to shape into an elite group. Elkhorn South junior Carson Rauner Carson Rauner 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Elkhorn South | 2024 State NE stepped up big time in his first full season as QB1. Rauner completed 90 of 151 attempts (60%) for 1,602 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and a 105.3 QBR. Carson has serious arm talent and can put some zip on his throws while still making it a very catchable ball. He can put the ball just about anywhere on the field. Rauner displayed his big arm several times while also showing he could throw an accurate deep ball. He is a natural in the pocket and does a good job anticipating the pass rush, even hanging tough until the very last second to throw the ball before taking a hit. He’s also a very underrated runner, adding 468 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to his yardage total, proving to be an overall solid athlete (4.6 40-yard dash). Don’t be surprised if Carson starts making some noise in the recruiting world soon.
#15 – Jackson Williams Jackson Williams 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Millard West | 2024 State NE | WR/ATH | Millard West | 5’11” 160 lbs
Millard West’s Jackson Williams Jackson Williams 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Millard West | 2024 State NE blew up and established himself as one of the most explosive players in the ’24 class. Jackson is a very talented athlete that has excelled as a receiver and return man. In 10 games, Williams racked up 28 receptions for 711 receiving yards, 22 returns for 657 yards, and scored a total of 11 touchdowns. He is an elite deep-threat receiver that can torch a defense with his speed. Jackson is a very good route runner, using his shifty footwork to stun defenders and get open. He is very good after the catch and can usually tack on a good amount of YAC with his runs. I had the chance to watch Jackson in likely his best game of the season against Millard North. He showed off his deep bag of tricks with a receiving touchdown, punt return touchdown, and a rushing touchdown for a total of 247 all-purpose yards. This guy is electric on the field, offer him now!
#16 – Beau Ryan Beau Ryan 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE | LB | Omaha Westside | 5’11” 200 lbs
This is a player I said to keep an eye on at the beginning of the season, and Beau more than delivered on any expectations. Beau is next in a long line of smart, playmaking LBs coming out of Omaha Westside. In year 3, Ryan tallied 93 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a pick-six while helping his team to a Class A state championship. I think Beau’s biggest asset is his football IQ which allows him to sniff out run plays and recognize pass plays in coverage. His timing on blitzes is impeccable, and he’s very explosive when he hits his gap, making him a terror behind the line of scrimmage while racking up TFLs and sacks. He’ll surprise you with his game speed and can fly past OL before they can get their hands on him. Ryan rarely misses on his tackles, using solid technique and his strength to stonewall ball carriers. With all that, you also get a player with an insane motor and a fiery competitor.
#18 – Donovan Jones Donovan Jones 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Omaha North | 2024 State NE | DB | Omaha North | 6’1″ 180 lbs
The DB class in 2024 is another position group that is looking pretty deep. Omaha North’s S Donovan Jones Donovan Jones 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Omaha North | 2024 State NE showed out during his junior year with 46 total tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions, three tackles for loss, and a rushing touchdown. Jones is a versatile safety that can play either strong or free safety and can also step up into a box safety role too. He has good speed and fluidity in coverage and doesn’t mind getting physical with receivers. This physicality also stands outs in his tackling, delivering hard hits with great technique throughout the tackle. Donovan does a good job reacting quickly when he reads run or pass and is usually in a good position to make a play. He is a player that has developed a lot since his sophomore year and is starting to look like one of the top prospects in the 2024 class.
#19 – Kevon Newsome Kevon Newsome 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Omaha Central | 2024 State NE | LB | Omaha Benson | 6’1″ 215 lbs
The Bunnies have some very talented young players on their squad, including junior Kevon Newsome Kevon Newsome 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Omaha Central | 2024 State NE , who finished second in the state in tackles. Inside LB Newsome was all over the place for the Benson defense accumulating 130 tackles, ten tackles for loss, three sacks, and three interceptions (one pick-six). Newsome is a do-it-all inside linebacker that is a thumper in run defense, rangy in pass coverage, and can make splash plays in the backfield. He has good size at 6’1″ and 215 lbs, with long arms that add to his range. He uses this length very well when he needs to create separation and shed his blocks. He’s also a strong player that can bully his way into the backfield. I’m looking forward to seeing what the offseason will bring for Kevon.
#20 – Gunnar Lym Gunnar Lym 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Bennington | 2024 State NE | DB | Bennington | 6’0″ 160 lbs
Bennington S Gunnar Lym Gunnar Lym 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Bennington | 2024 State NE had a huge sophomore season where he helped secure the back end of the secondary on a state championship team. This season Gunnar proved that his (and the Badger’s) success was no fluke with an even better year, ending in back-to-back championships for the Bennington crew. Lym exploded for 92 tackles, a tackle for loss, four interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Lym’s play recognition and sideline-to-sideline coverage allow him to be wherever the ball is on nearly every play. Gunnar does a great job closing space and is very good at getting his hands up and being aggressive at the catch point. On top of his defensive efforts, Gunnar emerged as a great return man with 656 total return yards and a kickoff return touchdown, punt return touchdown, and interception return for a touchdown. Dude can flat ball!
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