PRZNE 2024 Rankings Update | Defensive Names 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 --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our 2024 class coverage by jumping over to the defensive side of the ball to look for some ballers. These four players are all names that you need to keep a tab on as we head into the 2023 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='663105' first='Brecken' last='Erickson'] | LB | North Platte St. Pat's | 6'3" 210 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14876698/Brecken-Erickson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ericksonbrecken" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brecken is a very interesting prospect out of the 8-man ranks. The North Platte St. Pat's prospect had one of the more exciting game tapes to watch with how often he was making a splash play. We originally had him ranked as a defensive lineman, but after rewatching his tape, I like his fit as an EDGE-outside linebacker the best. Erickson is extremely explosive coming off the ball with a quick get-off and makes great initial contact. His motor and pursuit of the ball were very impressive to watch on film, as it seems he never stops attacking the ball. He is very reactive on the field and seemed to have a knack for the "heads-up" play. Brecken also showed the ability to play off-ball by dropping into coverage to pick up tight ends. Overall, he is a very talented, versatile athlete that can fill several roles depending on how his frame continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14876698/635d57d734485608f0f53bc2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64895ea386443"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='408683' first='Jude' last='Burton'] | DL/LB | Raymond Central | 6'3" 220 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14407913/Jude-Burton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jburton56_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jude is a player that I'm excited to see back on the field soon. Raymond Central's LB/DL [player_tooltip player_id='408683' first='Jude' last='Burton'] jumped onto our radar at the Stock Up Showcase in December and impressed us with his explosiveness and athleticism. Burton plays a versatile role that can see him line up as a traditional defensive end or a stand-up outside linebacker right on the line. He has a tall, leaner frame with surprising stoutness that keeps him planted at the line of scrimmage. Jude can then use his hands and strength to move off his blocks and pursue the ball. He does a great job playing his gaps and is patient not to play himself out of position. Once he has the ball carrier in his grasp, Burton is quick to rip them down for the sure tackle. Jude has been rehabbing an injury recently, so I haven't had the chance to see much of Jude this offseason, but bet that he'll be ready to pop off when he's back on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14407913/6350435157976208f856d315' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648b483ea75b7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='408805' first='Preston' last='Okafor'] | DB | Omaha Westside | 6'3" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15478689/Preston-Okafor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/OkaforPreston" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guys... do track... simple. Omaha Westside defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='408805' first='Preston' last='Okafor'] had a breakout track season that caught several staff's attention and resulted in offers from Northern Iowa and Montana State. Preston didn't see the field much in 2022 due to the amount of depth at his position but he is expected to have a big role this season. Preston's biggest asset is his pure speed, posting a 10.60 100m time and 22.20 in the 200. He can keep up step-for-step with receivers and is smooth when changing direction. Huge upside prospect with measurables and workout numbers that check out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='706214' first='Tobin' last='Engelhard'] | DL | Ashland-Greenwood | 6'7" 240 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14858720/Tobin-Engelhard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland-Greenwood should again feature a tough, physical front seven on defense. One of the players that is looking to step up and contribute is defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='706214' first='Tobin' last='Engelhard']. Tobin is a tree of a defensive lineman at 6'7" and 240 pounds, with great use of his length at the line. He played a limited role as a junior and ended the season with 20 tackles and three tackles for loss. There is still some raw ability to Tobin's game, but what impressed me was how well he shut down his inside gaps while still using his reach to prevent runs to the outside. Even at 6'7", he does a solid job keeping his pads low and maintaining his leverage. Still, some more I would like to see from Tobin, but he definitely has a great foundation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14858720/637ede447bd38404bce4d444' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-648b483ea75dc"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /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 -->