PRZNE 2024 Rankings Update | Deep Sleepers 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:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coverage of our 2024 rankings update continues with a look at some under-the-radar gems. Here are a few players that I am keeping a close eye on this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The full 2024 rankings can be found <a href="https://prepredzone.com/nebraska/rankings/2024-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>.</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='408692' first='Caleb' last='Daniell'] | DL | Yutan | 5'10" 230 lbs </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14865778/Caleb-Daniell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/caleb51862512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yutan's [player_tooltip player_id='408692' first='Caleb' last='Daniell'] stepped up in his junior year as he saw his role and production increase big time. Last season Caleb tallied 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks showing how underrated he is at getting into the backfield. He wins his reps right from the jump with a quick first step and usually follows it up with a powerful bull rush. Once he disengages at the line, he displays an insane motor and pursuit until he finally gets his guy down. Playing in Yutan's defense, sometimes he lines up with his hand in the dirt or as a stand-up linebacker right on the line, while being effective in both roles. Huge addition in the trenches for any team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14865778/636ff9d5a676c70a7c13b498' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423141257794"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250300' first='Jordon' last='Hurst'] | DB | Omaha Westside | 5'10" 150 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14606680/Jordon-Hurst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jordonh_1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although Jordon was stuck in the insane depth at cornerback for Westside, he still managed to show flashes of his high upside. Hurst is a great athlete that proved to be a very sticky corner in coverage. He's not the biggest corner, but he plays much bigger than his frame and loves to be physical when the ball is in the air. Jordon is quick to react when he reads the play and has solid closing speed. His physicality doesn't just show in his coverage but also in his ability to play the run. Very high ceiling player that should be able to showcase his talents a little more now in a less crowded group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14606680/637fd0e5f326f607201eb6a5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64231412577bf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='706210' first='Aden' last='Smith'] | RB | Waverly | 5'11" 170 lbs </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14377525/Aden-Smith" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/aden_smith8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waverly's [player_tooltip player_id='706210' first='Aden' last='Smith'] is another player that still managed to put up numbers despite being in a loaded backfield. Smith finished his junior season with 101 carries, 478 yards, and 5 touchdowns. What stood out the most to me was his game speed and elusiveness on the field. I was expecting a typical tough, physical downhill Waverly back, which he definitely has those abilities, but with extra twitch added in there. Aden's vision and anticipation allow him to identify lanes, and he has the athleticism to cut/change direction while keeping his balance. Very quick to the corner, if he beats you there, he can rip off a big run! Very interesting prospect that can be recruited as either RB or LB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14377525/63798920ff020603a41700aa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64231412577dd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='408449' first='Nathanieal' last='Werner'] | DL | Boone Central | 5'11" 275 lb</em></strong>s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11995065/Nathaniel-Werner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/NathaniealWern2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player that could make a huge jump in 2023 is Boone Central DL [player_tooltip player_id='408449' first='Nathanieal' last='Werner']. Werner played on both offensive and defensive line and showed his versatility by playing both defensive end and D-tackle. My biggest takeaway from his tape is his great ability to use his hands violently to disengage from blocks. One thing that may catch opponents off guard is Nathanieal's deep bag of rush moves along with his sneaky quick lateral movements. He can change from speed/finesse to power moves on a play-by-play basis. When he's at DE, he does a solid job setting the edge and eliminating runs to his side, same at DT, where he can clog up inside lanes. The Cardinals are going to be tough next year, especially with an enforcer like Werner on the DL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11995065/6376d09cc11a3809fca4d180' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64231412577fa"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='704075' first='Beau' last='Buchanan'] | OL | Kearney | 6'2" 260 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14342454/Beau-Buchanan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BeauBuch59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beau is a new addition in this update to the rankings. The Kearney guard impressed right away, especially with his explosiveness and short area burst. He quickly fires out of his stance and doesn't wait to bring the fight to the defense when run-blocking. Buchanan is a monster when you send him on a pull, and he does a great job building a head of steam before exploding into his opponent. His quick thinking when picking up blitzes was another great part of his game. Lots of great young talent in the Kearney 2024 class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14342454/63d6b28419a6860994e11fd0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423141257816"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='250648' first='Reece' last='Williams'] | WR | Tekamah-Herman | 6'2" 170 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14553432/Reece-Williams" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ReeceWi75676823" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One under-the-radar receiver out of Class C2 to watch out for is Tekamah-Herman's [player_tooltip player_id='250648' first='Reece' last='Williams']. The Tiger's wideout hauled in 14 catches for 330 yards, 5 touchdowns, and averaged 23.6 yards per reception during a standout junior season. What stood out to me the most about Reece's game was his ability to maximize his catch radius, using his lengthier frame to make catches outside of range for DBs to make a play on it. He's not the receiver that will torch you with his speed, but he can definitely shake defenders off in coverage to create separation. Reece is a player that I can see being a dominant redzone target with his athleticism and size. Slept on receiver!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14553432/631dcae742100c0778569b2d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423141257831"} /--> <!-- 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 -->