2024 Spotlight | Class B Players to Watch
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Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area. We continue our look at the 2024 class by venturing into the Class B pool of prospects. From the Omaha metro to the Panhandle, here are five…
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We continue our look at the 2024 class by venturing into the Class B pool of prospects. From the Omaha metro to the Panhandle, here are five junior prospects you should watch out for.
Bode Soukup Bode Soukup 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Blair | 2024 State NE | QB | Blair | 6’1″
The Bears saw their QB1 emerge into one of the top QBs in class B. Junior Bode Soukup Bode Soukup 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Blair | 2024 State NE had a breakout season in which he threw for 1,615 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns while leading the Bears to a playoff appearance. My biggest takeaways from Bode’s tape were his ability to make throws to all levels of the field and his mobility. Soukup showed great improvisation skills and the ability to evade the pass rush, even breaking through would-be sacks to extend the play. He’s not necessarily a rushing QB, but he does have the wheels to make plays on his legs. Soukup displayed a big arm that can push the ball deep and with solid placement on the ball. He’s quick at getting the ball out on short/screen passes and lets deeper plays develop. There’s a lot of talent coming back for this Blair team and a lot of young guys hungry to make some noise, with Bode at the helm, this could be a November team next season.
AJ Ress-Conkey AJ Ress-Conkey 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Ralston | 2024 State NE | LB/ATH| Ralston | 5’10” 165 lbs
AJ is a player flying under the radar right now, but I think could make a splash this offseason. He’s a very versatile defender that can slip into any number of roles, from outside linebacker, to nickelback, and safety. He tallied 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks in his junior season. What stands out to me about AJ’s tape is his game speed. Aj plays very fast, very aggressive, and with a bit of a mean streak. He displayed great lateral speed and an easy change of direction to make plays all over the field. Ress-Conkey uses his explosiveness to fire off at the snap and disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage. Now with a season of experience and an offseason to continue developing, I look forward to seeing what next season has in store for Aj.
Cord Symons Cord Symons 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Scottsbluff | 2024 State NE | LB | Scottsbluff | 6’0″ 195 lbs
One player that quietly had a big bump in production was Scottsbluff’s defensive standout, Cord Symons Cord Symons 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Scottsbluff | 2024 State NE . Cord will likely play linebacker at the collegiate level, but in his junior season, Symons dominated on the defensive line with 62 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Symons is a player that brings a lot of intensity to the field with a crazy motor and great pursuit. He is explosive with his first step and uses his speed off the line to slip past blockers. He was a terror in the backfield and often forced RBs to reroute; even then, Cord had the speed to track them down. Symons can switch his rushing technique and does a good job converting his speed into power to blow blockers off their sets. I’m interested to see if Symons continues playing DL in 2023 or if he’ll be back at LB now that some of the depth there is graduating either way, he’s going to be a player you have to watch out for when scheming up the game plan.
Gage Wolter Gage Wolter 5'10" | 255 lbs | OL Beatrice | 2024 State NE | OL | Beatrice | 5’10” 255 lbs
Beatrice right guard Gage Wolter Gage Wolter 5'10" | 255 lbs | OL Beatrice | 2024 State NE is a player you should add to your radars if you haven’t already. The Orangeman OL prospect is a physical player that loves to use his strength and leverage to overpower opponents before finishing his blocks in the dirt. Wolter has a really good lateral burst, with his ability to pull coming as a huge asset in run blocking. Wolter has no issue working his way into the second and third levels to pick up extra blocks. He uses his hands very well and can deliver a powerful stab at the point of impact. Gage is also consistent with the little things like his pad level, keeping his hips/shoulders square, and solid footwork. I’m excited to see what this offseason has in store for Gage!
Chris Thiessen Chris Thiessen 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE | LB | Elkhorn North | 6’0″ 185 lbs lbs
Inside linebacker, Chris Thiessen Chris Thiessen 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE was an integral part of a Wolves team that made the playoffs for the first time in the school’s short history. In his junior year, Thiessen totaled 78 tackles, two forced fumbles, two blocked punts, and an interception, which earned him team defensive player of the year honors. Chris is a smart, instinctive backer that can do it all for a defense. He’s very good with his gap play, knowing when to explode through his keyed gap, and has a good sense of timing when attacking the edge. He can blow up backs when they’re forced to meet him in the hole. Chris also looked good in coverage with solid start/stop and good speed when covering the flats and backs on screens. Big offseason coming up for Chris!
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