PRZNE 2025 Defensive Players to Watch
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Looking further at the 2025 class, here are a few defensive players that have started to make waves and should have a huge season in 2023. You do NOT want to miss out on these guys! Rocky Chavez Rocky Chavez…
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Continue ReadingLooking further at the 2025 class, here are a few defensive players that have started to make waves and should have a huge season in 2023. You do NOT want to miss out on these guys!
Rocky Chavez Rocky Chavez 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Millard North | 2025 State NE | LB | Millard North | 6’0″ 210 lbs
If you didn’t know by now, we’re pretty big on the Millard North 2025 class. Inside LB Rocky Chavez Rocky Chavez 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Millard North | 2025 State NE had a great season in his first year starting on varsity, racking up 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups, a safety, and a forced fumble. What stands out about Rocky is that he likes to make himself felt and he uses his 6’0″ 210 lb frame to do that. He is a thumper that excels in playing downhill and meeting backs in the hole. Rocky is explosive when he hits his gap and is strong enough to overpower blocking RBs in the backfield. He has great pursuit and can track down the ball carriers downfield. Check this guy out!
Anthony Liggins Anthony Liggins DB Omaha Central | 2025 State NE | DB | Omaha Benson | 5’10”
One of the more underrated DBs in the Metro, Anthony Liggins Anthony Liggins DB Omaha Central | 2025 State NE , continues to shine in the Benson secondary. I couldn’t find his full-season stats, but I did get to watch Anthony and the Bunnies a couple of times this year and was impressed by his ability in coverage. Liggins’ biggest attribute is how sticky and shifty he is in coverage. He does a great job sticking to a receiver’s hip pocket and shadowing them for the entire rep. He has quick feet and loose hips that allow him to change direction on a dime. Despite being a smaller DB, he shows plenty of fight and aggressiveness when the ball is in the air. Anthony uses his hands very well, whether hand fighting or trying to pry a ball loose, he doesn’t mind getting scrappy. Liggins is a great athlete with two years of varsity experience that can also contribute on offense and is emerging as a great returner.
Luke Van Dyke Luke Van Dyke 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE | LB | Skutt Catholic | 6’1″ 195 lbs
Skutt Catholic LB Luke Van Dyke Luke Van Dyke 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Skutt Catholic | 2025 State NE is a player who I believe will step into a bigger role in 2023. He played sparingly on varsity in his sophomore year but still gave us lots to be excited about for next year. When I look at Luke’s tape, I notice how quick his first step is and his timing on blitzes. When he squares up for his tackles, he does a great job shooting from his hips and driving through his tackle. Luke was an attendee at the Stock Up Showcase and looked very good in LB drills. I noticed that he also looked bulkier and had added muscle to his frame, which will be great going into his junior year.
Brant Gulizia Brant Gulizia 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Auburn | 2025 State NE | DB | Auburn | 6’0″ 175 lbs
Dont’ sleep on the small-town guys, they can ball too! Auburn’s DB Brant Gulizia Brant Gulizia 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Auburn | 2025 State NE had a breakout season as a two-way player. Gulizia played the role of an all-purpose back on offense, with 301 rushing yards, 121 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. Brant really shined on the defensive side of the ball with 90 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. Gulizia does a great job at reading the QB’s eyes and putting himself in a position to make a play. When you watch his interceptions, you notice that he used his play recognition, closing speed, and a little bit of lulling the QB to create the turnover. You can also drop him into the box to help in run support. Swoop this guy up ASAP!
Dillon Ginter Dillon Ginter 5'9" | 160 lbs | LB Bellevue East | 2025 State NE | LB | Bellevue East | 5’9″ 160 lbs
The Chieftains had several young players step into big roles this season which allowed for LB Dillon Ginter Dillon Ginter 5'9" | 160 lbs | LB Bellevue East | 2025 State NE to show out. Dillon is part of a very underrated Bellevue East LB group that can fly around the field. In his sophomore season, Dillon racked up 49 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two pass defended. Dillon isn’t the biggest ‘backer out there, but he plays way bigger than his size and with a great motor. He gets good leverage on his tackles and does a great job wrapping up when he makes contact. He has solid range to him and can zip across the field to make a tackle. We could also see Dillon play a bigger role as a receiver in 2023.
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