PRZNE 2024 Rankings Update | Three Big Time Additions

<!-- 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>The PRZ Nebraska Class of 2024 rankings have been updated, and we have a ton of new talent that caught our eyes. Here are three prospects that didn't just leave an impression but debuted within the top 50, including a top 15 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more coverage of the C/O 2024 rankings updates.</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='630093' first='Sam' last='Thomas'] | DL/OL | Elkhorn North | 6'5" 260 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14840354/Sam-Thomas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Sam_Thomas74" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Rankings Debut: #14 Overall, #1 DL</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sam is a player we somehow missed in our early December rankings, but with a very impressive showing at the Warren Academy Top Prospects showcase, I had to ensure I didn't miss him this time. The Elkhorn North big man is a player that would be highly rated as an offensive or defensive lineman and has the talent to play either at the next level. Thomas is just a beast at the line of scrimmage, displaying great explosiveness and power. At DL, Thomas' quick first step helps him gain the edge to shut down the run or collapse the pocket. Sam finished his junior year with 32 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, two sacks, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles. He has long, strong arms that he can use violently to disengage from blockers and create separation at the LOS. Add his physical traits with his intense motor, and you have a dangerous shut-down defensive end. On offense, Sam is already a consistent player who maintains good leverage/pad level and displays great mobility. He is very light on his feet and has great lateral quickness to adjust to incoming defenders. Sam's stellar junior year and development as a player has earned him D1 offers from Northern Iowa and Northern Illinois, with several other schools like Nebraska, Coastal Carolina, South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and more showing interest in Sam. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Sam_Thomas74/status/1616951784924225538?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Sam_Thomas74/status/1616951784924225538?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Sam_Thomas74/status/1632163608854507520?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Sam_Thomas74/status/1632163608854507520?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14840354/63c31abfd21b0805f4c81711' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64125bff0f821"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='688798' first='Michael' last='Burt'] | TE| Creighton Prep | 6'6" 230 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14942005/Michael-Burt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Burt14">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Rankings Debut: #26 Overall, #4 TE</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 tight-end class has received a lot of attention in the past month, with several players picking up their first offer. One of them was Creighton Prep tight end [player_tooltip player_id='688798' first='Michael' last='Burt'] who hauled in an offer from Northern Illinois. At 6'6" and 230 pounds, Michael is a big-framed tight end that uses his size and athleticism very well to create mismatches and make plays at the catch point. Prep didn't throw the ball a whole lot, but Michael made sure to make his receptions worth it, finishing with 11 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown while averaging 17 yards a carry. One thing that stood out from his tape is his quickness and ability to find soft spots in the coverage. He has a surprising wiggle to his game, which allows him to create separation from defenders. Although we had a limited receiving sample, it looks like Michael has the speed to be a vertical threat between the seams. Another thing that he does extremely well is his blocking in the run game. Burt is not just a strong blocker but a smart one, too, moving and using his leverage very well to win 1v1s. Very high ceiling player!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Mike_Burt14/status/1632507437004513281?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Mike_Burt14/status/1632507437004513281?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14942005/63c6dbc719a57d0a8850d3c4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64125bff0f854"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='647174' first='Jake' last='Ryan'] | ATH | Minden | 6'1" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14007642/Jake-Ryan">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jakewryan_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Rankings Debut: #43 Overall, #5 ATH</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minden's [player_tooltip player_id='647174' first='Jake' last='Ryan'] had a great junior season in which he emerged as an incredibly versatile player. He played everything from running back to receiver to taking snaps at QB and also playing DB on defense and returning kickoffs. His ability to adapt and his athleticism earned him an offer from the US Air Force Academy. Ryan finished the season with 472 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, 22 receptions, 259 yards, two receiving touchdowns, 22 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, 340 kickoff return yards, and a KO return touchdown. Ryan is a player who you just need to get the ball in his hands and let him produce. He has great vision on the field with the patience to let his lanes open up. Jake his hits lanes with a lot of explosiveness and can crank up the speed when he gets to the open field. He's also an underrated receiver with great footwork who can find ways to get open. It's hard to determine what position he'll be playing in college but we for sure know he has the tools to succeed at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jakewryan_/status/1634319154009321475?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jakewryan_/status/1634319154009321475?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14007642/63606c6fd4684d10f47b9776' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64125bff0f877"} /--> <!-- 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 -->