PRZNE 2024 Defensive Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our dive into the 2024 class by looking at some defensive players that should be on your list of prospects to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":617688,"width":480,"height":410,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_4711-e1674699556956.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-617688" width="480" height="410" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250054' first='Jonquel' last='Osler'] | DL | Omaha Westside | 6'0" 225 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13618495/Jonquel-Osler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jonquelosler9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors feature one of the deepest 2024 classes in the state. One player that deserves a little more recognition is DL [player_tooltip player_id='250054' first='Jonquel' last='Osler']. Jonquel has been a consistent riser throughout his prep career and had a great season in his junior year. Osler racked up 72 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks. He recently participated at the Warren Academy showcase and what really stood out to me was his first step and how fast he flies out of his stance. Jonquel is a versatile rusher that can use his smooth twitch and get off to cruise his way into backfields, or he can convert the explosiveness in his first step into a powerful initial push. Major upside player!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13618495/639b673b42101002782ba453' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d0891854072"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250050' first='JT' last='Brands'] | DL | Oakland-Craig | 6'2" 250 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13522421/JT-Brands" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/brands_jt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player primed to wreck Class C2 offenses in 2023 is Oakland-Craig's [player_tooltip player_id='250050' first='JT' last='Brands']. JT continued his dominance in the trenches in his junior season, proving too much to handle as he racked up 69 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six sacks. What stands out to me the most is JT's brute strength and explosiveness at the snap. He generates a lot of power from his hips and can blow blockers off their feet with his initial punch. Brands can play quickly and with a lot of intensity, sometimes overwhelming blockers and making his way into backfields for TFLs. As an interior defensive lineman, Brands does an excellent job shutting down the inside run and eating up run lanes. JT is a two-way starter for the Knights and could play either OL or DL at the next level, but his upside seems highest at DL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13522421/634433abc124290a78178f80' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d08918540a1"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":617678,"width":493,"height":509,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_9432-e1674699405438.jpg?w=992" alt="" class="wp-image-617678" width="493" height="509" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250670' first='S'marious' last='Henderson'] | DL | Omaha North | 6'3" 295 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14820462/Smarious-Henderson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SmariousHenders" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 class is clearly loaded on DL talent, as you can see. Omaha North's [player_tooltip player_id='250670' first='S'marious' last='Henderson'] is a player that had a strong showing in his junior year and could make waves in 2023. S'Marious is a tall, strong defensive tackle that excels at stopping the run. In his junior year, he tallied 26 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss while doing a lot of the dirty work on the interior DL. He has a powerful anchor that allows him to plant himself in the middle of the line and open opportunities for the ferocious North front seven to make plays. As a bigger, taller DT, S' Marious wins a lot of his leverage battles and has the strength to stand opposing linemen in their stance. Now with a year of experience in the North defense, watch for Henderson to go all out in his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14820462/635730a02347f908a47b2754' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d08918540c1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250623' first='Dash' last='Bauman'] | LB | Lincoln East | 6'2" 195 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16138030/Dash-Bauman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DashBauman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='250623' first='Dash' last='Bauman'] is a player that continues to fly a bit under the radar, but that could change this offseason. Bauman is a flat-out football player that you need to get on the field in one way or another. He's a 6'2" 195-pound linebacker with 4.65 40-speed who racked up 77 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, rushed for 454 yards, and had 222 receiving yards during his junior year. His speed and lateral quickness are evident in his tape, as he can cover a large portion of the field and closes on ball carriers in a flash. Dash also does a good job using his twitch to evade blockers and find his way to the ball carrier. Overall, a very smart, athletic prospect that is only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16138030/636140be420f9704083315a7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d08918540df"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":617685,"width":489,"height":416,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_4642-e1674699490892.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-617685" width="489" height="416" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250320' first='Alex' last='Runge'] | DB | Gretna | 5'10" 185 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14501677/Alex-Runge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/alexrunge6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons reloaded in several key positions, including free safety, where junior [player_tooltip player_id='250320' first='Alex' last='Runge'] stepped up and had a great season. Right off the bat, Runge displayed a nose for the football with four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries to go with his 39 tackles, seven PBUs, and a defensive touchdown on the season. He is very good at trusting his instincts and knows when to make a break on the ball and when it's best to use his body/hands to break up a pass. I like Alex's fluidity in coverage and how well he can flip/change directions when mirroring receivers. He also plays very physical, can step up in the run, and shows a high football IQ, all of which you love to see in your safety. He is a Very solid prospect!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14501677/638e2b3c4deb6313b8967d10' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d08918540fb"} /--> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->