Omaha STB Showcase Standout Performers
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Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area. This past Thursday, I attended my first Spot The Ball Showcase as they traveled to Ralston High to host several great prospects from Nebraska, Iowa, and surrounding…
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This past Thursday, I attended my first Spot The Ball Showcase as they traveled to Ralston High to host several great prospects from Nebraska, Iowa, and surrounding areas. They pulled great numbers, and with that, I was able to scout out quite a few players that caught my eye.
Here is the first feature of STB Showcase standouts. This one features only Nebraska prospects, but I will be back to feature some Hawkeye State standouts from camp.
Kooper Koehn Kooper Koehn 6'2" | 195 lbs | WR Gothenburg | 2024 State NE | 2024 | WR/TE/LB | Gothenburg | 6’2″ 185 lbs
Kooper was one of the top overall performers at the camp, with a strong combine and consistency in indy/1v1s. Kooper posted a 4.63 40-yard time, 4.35 pro agility, and 10 yards in the triple jump. Koehn has a ton of upside as a receiver, where he looked sharp as a route runner and was among the most consistent pass-catchers at the camp. His big hands and long arms help him pluck balls out of the air, even if it’s a little outside his frame. Koehn’s mix of size and speed should allow him to be lined up as an inside receiver or even as a flex TE who can seek favorable matchups and exploit them. Kooper looked great in defensive group drills, showing off his fluid lateral quickness and ability to flip his hips easily. Kooper was one of a few players that ended up with camp offers after the event, with one from Graceland and a Nebraska Wesleyan offer from the STB Showcase in Colorado the day before. Straight-up grinder!!
Gabe Mathisen Gabe Mathisen 5'7" | 145 lbs | ATH Omaha Westview | 2025 State NE | 2025 | WR | Omaha Westview | 5’7″ 135 lbs
Omaha Westview’s Gabe Mathisen Gabe Mathisen 5'7" | 145 lbs | ATH Omaha Westview | 2025 State NE is going to be a player to watch this season as the Wolverines gear up for year 2. Gabe has been impressive at several camps that I have seen him at. He projects best as a slot receiver where he can dominate with his shifty, quick footwork and ability to get open. Mathisen was one of the players I noticed had a great 1v1 session, as defenders had a tough time trying to contain him. Gabe is very reliable at the catch point and did a great job hauling in every catchable pass coming his way. He performed very well in the combine, with his numbers being near the top with a 4.65 40, 4.28 pro agility, and jumping 9.5 yards in the triple jump.
Jimmy Miller Jimmy Miller 6'2" | 250 lbs | OL Bennington | 2024 State NE | 2024 | OL | Bennington | 6’2″ 240 lbs
Bennington’s Jimmy Miller Jimmy Miller 6'2" | 250 lbs | OL Bennington | 2024 State NE is a player I’m predicting to make a major leap in 2023. Jimmy had a great overall camp and looked bigger, faster, and stronger than at previous camps. Now bulked up to 240 pounds, Jimmy was especially impressive in the 1v1 session, where he took on some of the top defensive linemen at the camp. His strong anchor allows him to plant himself and keep defenders from advancing. Miller is constantly moving his feet and can generate a great push from his lower body. He also maintains his leverage very well and doesn’t let himself get too high in his stance, keeping a great “non-padded” pad level. On top of his dominant position drill performance, he also put up some good numbers in the combine with a 5.09 40, 4.94 pro agility, and 9.5 yards in the triple jump. Miller ended the camp with two offers from Graceland and Midland.
Cooper Finney Cooper Finney 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Lincoln East | 2024 State NE | 2024 | OL | Lincoln East | 6’1″ 290 lbs
Lincoln East’s Cooper Finney Cooper Finney 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Lincoln East | 2024 State NE was another standout performer in a loaded OL/DL group. Cooper stood out in 1v1, where he won a majority of his reps. He does great with his hand use and working his way to gain inside leverage. Once he’s won the hands battle, he can remain stout with his lower body while keeping his feet chopping. I didn’t get to see the full extent of his physicality without pads on, but he showed a great level of aggressiveness during his reps. Finney’s efforts earned him offers from Graceland and Midland to bring his total to four.
Brayden Vandervort Brayden Vandervort 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH Millard South | 2026 State NE | 2026 | WR | Millard South | 6’0″ 160 lbs
The Millard South crop of 2026 players is going to be very special. After watching a group of them dominate at the 7v7 tournament, I then caught sophomore Brayden Vandervort Brayden Vandervort 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH Millard South | 2026 State NE at STB, who performed well at the camp. Brayden started the camp off hot with a 4.35 pro agility and 9 yards in the triple jump. Vandervort then continued to impress in position drills, where I got to see his footwork and agility put to use. He has nice size already and should only continue to keep growing and packing on mass. Brayden moves extremely well on the field, showing a smooth change of direction, and is loose through the hips. Vandervort did a great job in receiver drills. He showed good footwork when running his routes and always seemed to work his way back toward the ball to make the catch. Very good athlete that will continue to develop nicely in the Millard South system.
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