2023 Program Previews | Omaha Westside

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   We are inching closer and closer to the start of the season, and with that, we wanted to highlight some programs from around the state. We'll start with the Class A champion Omaha Westside Warriors. Behind a star-studded roster, the Warriors were able to complete a 12-1 season that ended in their revenge win over Gretna in the state championship. Last season we saw several star players cement their status as some of the top players in the state and many more under-the-radar players rising to make an impact.   The Warriors do lose some great seniors in Jaylen Lloyd, Curt Cubrich, and Tristan Alvano, among many more, but they also return a massive amount of talent. The senior class will be looking to capture their 3rd state championship in four years and be among the winningest classes in state history. However, it won't be all about the seniors, as the Warriors have a boatload of talent in their 2025 and 2026 classes which will likely have several break-out players. An opening week game against rival Creighton Prep will be one to watch. Week 3 will feature one of the more anticipated games of the season when Westside takes on loaded Bellevue West. Week 4 & 7 will feature tough games against Millard West & South; both teams played Westside very well in 2022, with South taking them to OT. Finally, Westside will get a chance to avenge their only loss of 2022 when North Platte comes to town. It won't be an easy task, but if all goes right for Westside, they have a very good shot of being the team celebrating in Memorial Stadium.   Key Games: Week 1-Creighton Prep, Week 3 @ Bellevue West, Week 4-Millard North, Week 6-North Platte, Week 7 @ Millard South   2022 Season: 12-1, Class A State Champions.   2023 Schedule:   8/25 - Creighton Prep (H)   9/1 - Grand Island (H)   9/8 - Bellevue West (A)   9/15 - Millard North (H)   9/22 - Norfolk (A)   9/29 - North Platte (H)   10/6 - Kearney (A)   10/13 - Millard South (A)   10/19 - Lincoln Northeast (H)   Team Hudl:   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/team/v2/2015/Boys-Varsity-Football">https://www.hudl.com/team/v2/2015/Boys-Varsity-Football</a>   Team Social Media:   Team Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/WHS_WarriorFB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/WHS_WarriorFB</a>   Recruitment Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/WHSRecruitFB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/WHSRecruitFB</a>   Seniors to Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='250051' first='Anthony' last='Rezac'] | QB | 6'4" 200 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14613154/Anthony-Rezac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/rezac_anthony" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   The only returning player in the state with 2,000+ yards and 1,000+ rushing yards will be back to help lead the Warriors back to Memorial Stadium. In Anthony's first full season at QB1, he was able to throw for 2,239 yards, 19 touchdowns (4 ints), 1,118 rushing yards, and 19 rushing touchdowns and really emerged as a true dual-threat QB. Anthony has had a steady recruitment, compiling a great list of offers, including Colgate, Dartmouth, Harvard, South Dakota, Yale, West Point, Navy, and Air Force.    [player_tooltip player_id='250052' first='Jahmez' last='Ross'] | RB | 5'10" 180 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14937892/Jahmez-Ross" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Jahmezross_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   The Warrior's RB1 will also be back to join Anthony in the backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='250052' first='Jahmez' last='Ross'] had a solid season last year in which he had 144 carries for 687 yards and ten rushing touchdowns while also flashing as a receiving back with 13 receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Jahmez runs with a good mix of power and shiftiness, as he can easily run over a defender or make them miss in the open field. Could see more of Jahmez in the passing game this season. Jahmez has received offers from Sioux Falls and Peru State.    [player_tooltip player_id='250053' first='Caleb' last='Benning'] | ATH |   <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>   After being sidelined with injury for all but four games, S/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='250053' first='Caleb' last='Benning'] came back in a big way. In the state championship, Caleb had an MVP-level performance as he recorded 13 receptions for 96 yards and had two huge interceptions. Caleb's versatility knows no bounds as he has the football IQ and skill to play DB or WR at the next level as well as flashes of being a dangerous return man. Benning currently holds offers from Wyoming, Duke, Wisconsin, Kansas, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.    [player_tooltip player_id='250255' first='Teddy' last='Rezac'] | LB/ATH | 6'3" 195 lbs | Notre Dame Commit   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14398901/Teddy-Rezac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/teddyrezac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Teddy should again be a key player on both offense and defense this season. Despite making the transition from corner to linebacker, Teddy still shined on defense with 62 tackles, four tackles for loss, four PBUs, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a sack. He also had 32 receptions for 414 yards (team returning leader) and four interceptions. Super smart, fluid, instinctive player that plays both the pass and the run very well. Teddy's recruitment got off to a great start with offers from Mizzou, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Nebraska, and others before deciding to commit to Notre Dame.    [player_tooltip player_id='250256' first='Beau' last='Ryan'] | LB | 5'11" 210 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13371602/Beau-Ryan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/beauryan_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='250256' first='Beau' last='Ryan'] is another key player in the LB group. He is the team's returning leader in tackles with 94 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble, an interception, and a PBU. Beau plays like a heat-seeking missile, with his only mission being to blow up the ball carrier... running back, quarterback, receiver... don't matter... he's gonna light them up. However, Beau's not just a "see ball, get ball" player as he is very smart and can read offenses and time snap counts very well.    [player_tooltip player_id='250054' first='Jonquel' last='Osler'] | DL | 6'0" 225 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13618495/Jonquel-Osler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jonquelosler9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Monster on the defensive line! Jonquel was a constant menace to opposing offenses proving to be too quick and explosive for most opposing linemen. Osler has an explosive get-off and uses violent hands to win his reps. He ended the season with 72 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks. Jonquel got on the board last month with his first offer from Peru State.    [player_tooltip player_id='250301' first='RJ' last='Eckhardt'] | DL | 6'1" 240 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13379283/RJ-Eckhardt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EckhardtRj" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   This DL is no joke! DE [player_tooltip player_id='250301' first='RJ' last='Eckhardt'] is going to be a player to game plan around this season with his ability to create havoc in the trenches. He finished his junior season with 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception. RJ is quick to fire off the ball and has a relentless pursuit. Very strong player that can use his power to win at the line. RJ received his first offer last month from Augustana.    [player_tooltip player_id='250697' first='Trevor' last='Spady'] | TE | 6'4" 215 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13370752/Trevor-Spady" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/tspady13" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   The projected starter at TE, [player_tooltip player_id='250697' first='Trevor' last='Spady'], is a player primed to have a big season in his senior year. Trevor is a great route-running tight end with the physicality also to be an effective blocker in the run game. Spady capped off his junior year with 19 receptions for 227 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Trevor has seen his recruitment get a nice boost in recent months with offers from Southwest Minnesota State, Sioux Falls, and Wayne State.    [player_tooltip player_id='250302' first='Jackson' last='Wing'] | OL | 6'0" 215 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14616373/Jackson-Wing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14616373/jackson-wing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   One of the more overlooked OL prospects in this circuit is center Jack Wing. Jack has been a starter for the Warriors the last two seasons and has been a key player along the O-line. He's a very smart player who also tends to play bigger than his frame with his physicality and good use of leverage. Surprisingly, Jack is still waiting on his first offer, which hopefully will be coming soon!    [player_tooltip player_id='250300' first='Jordon' last='Hurst'] | DB | 5'10" 150 lbs   <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>   A late-season riser, cornerback Jordon has continued that momentum into the offseason and has started to make a name for himself on the recruitment circuit. Jordon is a scrappy CB that can be physical with anyone he lines up on and shows great instincts in coverage. This offseason he's racked up offers from Nebraska-Kearney, Sioux Falls, Oberlin College, Augustana, Peru State, Central Missouri, and Wayne State.    [player_tooltip player_id='663104' first='Broc' last='Regner'] | OL | 6'5" 285 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13368733/Broc-Regner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BrocRegs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Broc really came into his own last season as he held down the left tackle spot on offense. He's an aggressive player that loves to bring the fight to the defender and always plays through the whistle. With him stepping in seamlessly, the Warriors quickly felt comfortable running behind him and the left side of the OL. Broc has received offers from Peru State, Wayne State, Southwest Minnesota State, and Sioux Falls.    [player_tooltip player_id='408805' first='Preston' last='Okafor'] | DB | 6'2" 170 lbs   <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>   If you've ever heard a coach say, "Do track in the offseason,"... look no further than cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='408805' first='Preston' last='Okafor'] who put teams on notice with his blazing track speed. Okafor posted a 10.6 100m time and a 37" vertical just to highlight some attributes that make him such a high-upside prospect. I got to watch him at the NebPreps x Battle 7v7, and I thought he did a great job. He reacts to the ball very well, uses his length to his advantage, and of course, has the speed and agility to keep up with anyone. Preston received D1-FCS offers from Montana State and Northern Iowa.   [player_tooltip player_id='250679' first='KeVaughn' last='Shannon'] | WR | 5'8" 140 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19160632/KeVaugh-Shannon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19160632/KeVaugh-Shannon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   A transfer from Omaha North, KeVaughn will be a great addition to the receiving unit. Shannon brings with him legit deep-threat speed along with the twitchiness to create plays at all levels of the field. KeVaughn should flourish as a slot receiver for the offense. He hauled in 28 receptions for 298 yards as a junior at North.   Players To Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='305111' first='Christian' last='Jones'] | LB | 6'3" 215 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15641471/Christian-Jones" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/CJones428" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   One of the top LB prospects in the nation, [player_tooltip player_id='305111' first='Christian' last='Jones'], will be back to command one of the outside linebacker spots and building on his solid sophomore season. As a sophomore, Christian tallied 60 total tackles, five TFLs, three sacks, three PBUs, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He could also see a bigger role in the passing game. Jones holds offers from Texas A&M, Iowa, Boston College, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Mizzou, Stanford, Southern California, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Kansas, Iowa State, Minnesota, and Nebraska.    [player_tooltip player_id='318995' first='Keynan' last='Cotton'] | ATH | 5'10" 185 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15921736/Keynan-Cotton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/keynancotton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Keynan is a player that I think will be receiving a ton of recruiting attention by season's end. He's already starting to turn heads after picking up his first offer from Iowa State at their camp last month. Keynan has a ton of potential on both offense and defense. Offensively, he's an explosive receiver that can break down defenders with his speed and sharp route-running. Defensively, Keynan is a very skilled defensive back that can float nearly anywhere in the secondary and excel. Add in his legit track speed and return man abilities, and you have an elite 2025 prospect!    [player_tooltip player_id='305114' first='Cameron' last='Bell'] | DL | 6'0" 280 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15646940/Cameron-Bell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/cambellx_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   One of the top interior defenders in the state, Cam Bell, continued the dominance he showed as a freshman. He plugged right in at the nose tackle spot and played extremely well, finishing the season with 40 total tackles and four tackles for loss. Great run defender that can eat up space on the interior line. He uses his powerful upper body to overwhelm blockers at first contact and has the lower body strength to drive blockers back and blow plays up. Someone really needs to offer him ASAP!!    [player_tooltip player_id='357772' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] | 2026 | TE/ATH | 6'3" 200 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16492823/Eli-Johnson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/elijohnson521" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='357772' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] is a player to keep an eye on, as he could push for a bigger varsity role after getting moved up from the freshman team last season. Eli is an interesting player who possesses a tight end-like frame and wide receiver-like pass-catching/route-running abilities. Doesn't mind getting physical, whether in coverage or as a blocker.    [player_tooltip player_id='402164' first='Quinton' last='Warren'] | 2026 | ATH | 6'2" 195 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16492820/Quinton-Warren" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonWarren10" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Quinton is another player that got moved up to the varsity ranks toward the end of last season. He got some looks at receiver where he ended the season with six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Quinton is a great athlete that I'm sure will be able to carve out a role either on offense or defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='487734' first='Braylen' last='Warren'] | 2027 | QB | 6'1" 175 lbs   <a href="https://twitter.com/BraylenwarrenQB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   The QB spot should be pretty much locked up with senior [player_tooltip player_id='250051' first='Anthony' last='Rezac']. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see freshman Braylen get some varsity reps in games where Westside is up big. He was QB2 at the NebPreps x Battle 7v7 last month and did a very good job, showing great chemistry with his receivers and good command of the offense.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.

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