Who Are Some of the Top Returning Ball Hawks in the 2024 class?

<!-- 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>Having a ball-hawking defensive back or linebacker that can flip momentum is a huge asset to have on your team. Here are a few Ball Hawks defenders that have come up big for their teams when they need a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250053' first='Caleb' last='Benning'] | 2024 | Omaha Westside </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14473534/Caleb-Benning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/CalebBenning1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although Caleb missed a good chunk of the 2022 season due to an injury, he wasted no time going back to his ball-hawking ways when he came back. In the biggest game of the season, [player_tooltip player_id='250053' first='Caleb' last='Benning'] stepped up big-time with two interceptions, one coming with a long return at the end. Benning's fluidity in his hips, quick feet, and play recognition are incredible to watch on film. He has great speed to close any gaps and lets his natural receiver skills take over at the catch point. We started seeing this back in his sophomore year when he picked off four passes and showed us why he is such a highly touted prospect. <span style="font-size: revert;color: initial;font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts)">Looking forward to the 2023 season, and I'm sure we can expect a fully healthy Caleb to continue making game-changing plays.</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14473534/637fe8bd7bd38404bce563fd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63eb347a51cce"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='245883' first='Gunnar' last='Lym'] | 2024 | DB | Bennington | 6'0"</em></strong> <strong><em>160lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17241544/Gunnar-Lym" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/gunnarlym2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since becoming a starter as a sophomore, safety [player_tooltip player_id='245883' first='Gunnar' last='Lym'] has picked off seven passes and has returned two for touchdowns while helping the Badgers win two state championships. Gunnar's presence in the secondary has helped secure one of the top defenses in Class B by eliminating any deep threats with his insane range. He does a great job reading the QBs eyes and has the speed to get in position to make a play. Even when he's not coming down with an interception, Lym is very good at getting a hand on the ball, adding 14 pass break-ups to his season totals. Very talented player with huge upside!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17241544/638ebe7cd4684809bcdc12d2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63eb347a51cf9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Gretna Duo </span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons saw two junior defensive backs breakout with ball-hawking performances in 2022. [player_tooltip player_id='250320' first='Alex' last='Runge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='559364' first='Alex' last='Wilcoxson'] were two huge contributors to one of the toughest defenses in Class A. Together they combined for a total of 9 interceptions (Wilcoxson - 5, Runge - 4), and each returned one for a touchdown. Runge played free safety, so we could see a bit more of his range, and he did a great job stepping up in run support. Runge also forced and recovered two fumbles to show his ability to create turnovers for his team. Wilcoxson played cornerback, so we got to see his ability to play 1v1 against elite receivers. He's very sticky in man coverage and is smart with his zone play. Alex W is the early leader to be the starting QB in 2023 so there's a chance we might not see him at CB this season, but either way, we can't take away his ability to ball-hawk. Could be a dangerous duo in 2023!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250320' first='Alex' last='Runge'] | 2024 | FS | 5'11" 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">Twitter</a></em></strong></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-63eb347a51d17"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='559364' first='Alex' last='Wilcoxson'] | 2024 | CB | 6'0" 175 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14502338/Alex-Wilcoxson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/WilcoxsonAlex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14502338/639b4c3a02b1ce1014fad321' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63eb347a51d31"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='516321' first='Nolan' last='Van Slyke'] | 2024 | LB | Bishop Neumann | 5'11" 203 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13662649/Nolan-Van-Slyke" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/NolanVanSlyke" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only non-DB on the list, Bishop Neumann OLB [player_tooltip player_id='516321' first='Nolan' last='Van Slyke'] showed great ball skills in his junior season. The Cavalier's LB hauled in five interceptions, with a return for a touchdown, and even notched THREE blocked kicks. Van Slyke has a nose for the football and often found himself in great position to come away with a turnover or break up passes. He has the athleticism to play a LB/S hybrid role and can step up in run support or cover receivers. Interesting player to keep your eyes on!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13662649/6383ae481761db0c807039b2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63eb347a51d65"} /--> <!-- 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 -->