PRZNE Week 1 Top Performers – Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big list of defensive "Top Performers" from the official start of 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='545268' first='Sawyer' last='Schilke'] | 2025 | Kearney | <a href="https://twitter.com/SawyerSchilke" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 6 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 3 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15770439/64ed55610428e51180732449' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf0dc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='422820' first='Tory' last='Pittman III'] | 2025 | Omaha Central | <a href="https://twitter.com/Tory_0_22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> Two Pick-sixes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Camden Taylor | 2026 | Auburn </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 10 tackles and a 42-yard pick-six.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='844895' first='Rio' last='Remund'] | 2024 | DL | South Loup | <a href="https://twitter.com/remund_rio64" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 7 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14893244/64e8aefbd21b080994740e77' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf10c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1059163' first='Lathan' last='Janousek'] | 2025 | Seward </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 3 interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Pono Dudoit | 2025 | LB/EDGE | Bellevue West |<a href="https://twitter.com/dudoit_jules" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 7 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19336949/64eb8c224deb0c073c6014d9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf12d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='974032' first='Blake' last='Hawkins'] | 2024 | DL/EDGE | Gretna | <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeHawkinsSBD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 7 tackles, 3 TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14877680/64ea5a30d45eaa039c5a99ec' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf14b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Jace Jeffries | 2025 | Overton </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 11 tackles, a TFL, a sack, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='982417' first='Liam' last='LaSure'] | 2024 | Plattsmouth </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 8 tackles and 3 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='844984' first='Brayden' last='Harms'] | 2024 | DL | Weeping Water | <a href="https://twitter.com/brayden_harms3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 18 tackles, 3 TFLs, and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14921554/64e9872e19afb31780973c07' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf193"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='675852' first='Jaden' last='Williams'] | 2024 | Doniphan-Trumbull | <a href="https://twitter.com/jadenwilliams0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 215 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 96 rushing yards, 14 tackles, and 2 TFLs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='408441' first='Eli' last='Holt'] | 2024 | LB | Norris | <a href="https://twitter.com/eliholt42" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 11 tackles, a TFL, and an interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='516321' first='Nolan' last='Van Slyke'] | 2024 | LB | Bishop Neumann | <a href="https://twitter.com/NolanVanSlyke" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 6 tackles, 2 TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13662649/64ed5be49a914e0f30159d64' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf1bc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='704083' first='Damian' last='Stanley'] | 2024 | LB | Aurora | <a href="https://twitter.com/DamianStanley39" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 12 tackles, a TFL, and a forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14881081/64ecabdc5798210b142f0267' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf1ef"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='319575' first='Kyler' last='Lauridsen'] | 2025 | Bennington | <a href="https://twitter.com/kyler_lauridsen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 11 tackles, a TFL, a sack, and a forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16387022/64ecb01802b31a14a0933d03' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf20c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='545279' first='Gatlin' last='Reimers'] | 2025 | Palmer | <a href="https://twitter.com/GatlinReimers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 23 tackles, a TFL, 121 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 46 rushing yards, and 83 receiving yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Nick Worthy | 2025 | Roncalli Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 5 tackles, 3 TFLs, and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1060342' first='Andrew' last='Namuth'] | 2025 | Fort Calhoun </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 12 tackles, 3 TFLs, and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Max Thompson | 2025 | DB | Roncalli Catholic | <a href="https://twitter.com/rockstar_m19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 2 interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17917196/64ea6f7e4797750abc6d54ec' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf22b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='982422' first='Evan' last='Pankoke'] | 2024 | Hampton </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 11 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11765929/64ebfbdb4797750abc704421' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf247"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='982644' first='Alex' last='Brown'] | 2024 | Hershey </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 12 tackles, 2 sacks, 54 rushing yards, and 36 receiving yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1306524' first='Cole' last='Spahr'] | 2025 | Tri-County</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 4 tackles, a TFL, two interceptions (1 pick-six), and a 41-yard touchdown reception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='844948' first='Theron' last='Miller'] | 2024 | Hemingford |<a href="https://twitter.com/Theron_Miller66" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 6 tackles, 4 TFLs, and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='736120' first='Ben' last='Shafer'] | 2025 | LB | Papillion-La Vista South | <a href="https://twitter.com/BenShafer35" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 9 tackles, 3 TFLs, and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16052040/64ea2f024deb260bc08cf217' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf266"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1114861' first='Eli' last='Shada'] | 2026 | Wahoo | <a href="https://twitter.com/elishada1234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 8 tackles and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15025507/64eba0b64deb0c073c6044a7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf284"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='516765' first='Barrett' last='Lavaley'] | 2024 | Wahoo | <a href="https://twitter.com/BarrettLavaley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 11 tackles, a TFL, and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='737013' first='Robert' last='Honeysuckle'] | 2025 | LB | Lourdes Central Catholic | <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertHoneysuc3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 17 tackles and two TFLs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Trenton Rushman | 2024 | Leyton </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 17 tackles, a TFL, and a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Zac Hawley | 2024 | Johnson-Brock </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 8 tackles, 2 TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='982648' first='Zeb' last='Wilde'] | 2024 | Sandhills/Thedford </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 10 tackles, a TFL, a sack, and a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='982646' first='Zach' last='Meier'] | 2024 | Pierce</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 9 tackles, 3 TFLs, and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Judah Niemeier | 2025 | Hi-Line </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 3 tackles, a TFL, and 2 interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16444819/64ea2c09c11b26029c9bf637' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf2a6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='974042' first='Me'Khai' last='Davis'] | 2024 | Omaha Bryan | <a href="https://twitter.com/GGKHAI38" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 4 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14750218/64ee2d9cbed7450aa0940d70' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f58f1aaf2c1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='976378' first='Zach' last='Heywood'] | 2024 | Omaha Bryan </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 5 tackles and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Will Steffen | 2025 | Crofton | <a href="https://twitter.com/WillSteffen3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stats:</em></strong> 8 tackles and two interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 -->