PRZNE 2024 Breakout Candidates | District A-2

<!-- 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:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 season is rapidly approaching, and as a way to start previewing it, I have decided to go district by district and choose a player from every team as a breakout candidate. The breakout candidates are players who are flying under the radar, young players biding their time, etc. These guys are set to make a big name for themselves in 2024, tap in NOW!!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elkhorn South:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='319547' first='Brayden' last='DePerno'] | 2025 | DB/ATH | 5'11" 175 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13427832/Brayden-DePerno" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/BraydenDeperno" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='319547' first='Brayden' last='DePerno'] is ready to turn a busy and eventful summer into a breakout season for the Storm. Brayden has been hard at work this offseason, earning offers from Midland and Morningside while catching the attention of several other programs. DePerno will benefit from some departures at wide receiver and cornerback and should see significant playing time at both positions. He finished his junior campaign with 11 tackles, a fumble recovery, 61 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. Offensively, Brayden has displayed the ability to create separation from defenders and can fill into the weak spots in coverage. On defense, DePerno is a sticky cornerback who can mirror receivers and change direction quickly. Good aggressiveness in coverage and does a good job attacking the ball at the catchpoint. One of many players who can break through for Elkhorn South this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13427832/6542e576ff02760984b52f03' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a3d2d5c57f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Norfolk:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='795602' first='Cole' last='Signor'] | 2026 | QB | 6'2" 185 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18328031/Cole-Signor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/SigCole" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norfolk's next signal caller, junior [player_tooltip player_id='795602' first='Cole' last='Signor'], has been a rising prospect this offseason after a QB MVP-worthy performance at the PRZ Combine Series. Although Signor was a backup last season, he was still able to get his feet wet under the varsity lights with 200 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns. Cole has been mentioned among the top QBs in the 2026 class since entering the HS ranks. Cole is a strong-armed quarterback who can push the ball downfield and throw accurately on short/intermediate routes while putting some good zip on the ball. With what he's shown as a passer and the pieces around him, Cole should be set up nicely to have a breakout junior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18328031/65c6459c2ab07409142597fd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a3d2d5c5ae"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha Burke:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='207041' first='Nate' last='Collins'] | 2025 | QB | 6'1" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15863189/NATE-COLLINS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/natec1223" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha Burke QB [player_tooltip player_id='207041' first='Nate' last='Collins'] is back under center for the Bulldogs and looks ready to have a big season now with a year under his belt in this system and the return of some of his top targets. Collins threw for 1,102 yards and 10 passing touchdowns last season. 00Nate has been steadily building momentum this offseason with offers from Simpson College, Dordt, and Midland. After watching him at a 7v7 league game, it's clear that he looks more comfortable and decisive when making his throws (especially in his connection with WR [player_tooltip player_id='545266' first='Marcus' last='Buchanan']). He's always had the arm strength to throw deep and fit the ball into tight windows, and now it looks like he's improved the timing of his throws and can get the ball out quicker. Don't be surprised if Collins and Co put on a show on offense! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15863189/65272978ab92850bd4064410' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a3d2d5c5cf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha South:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1311665' first='Tysaun' last='Roddy'] | 2025 | LB | 5'11" 190 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16661595/Tysaun-Roddy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/TysaunRoddy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Packers fielded a young team in year 1 under Coach Johnson and will see quite a few starters return this season. One player who should continue making an impact this season is [player_tooltip player_id='1311665' first='Tysaun' last='Roddy'], last year's team leader in tackles. The middle linebacker recorded 39 tackles and showed his ability to get to the quarterback with five sacks on the year. Tysaun flashed a fast and physical playstyle on tape, where he displayed good range and was always looking to lay down a big hit. Can easily see Tysaun double his numbers from last season as the main enforcer on the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16661595/6521689e5cb3fe0abcc4728b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a3d2d5c5ee"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Papillion-La Vista South:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='736120' first='Ben' last='Shafer'] | 2025 | LB/ATH | 6'1" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16052040/Benjamin-Shafer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/BenShafer35" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few players in the 2025 class have proven to be as versatile as Papillion-La Vista South's [player_tooltip player_id='736120' first='Ben' last='Shafer']. Ben stepped up big time last season when the Titan's starting RB went out with injury for a few weeks, ending the year with 532 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on 76 carries. Shafer's offensive capabilities don't just end there, as he has also flashed great blocking skills and showed off his reliable hands during the 7v7 season. On the defensive side of the ball, Ben has shown that he can play from nearly any spot on the front seven. He can pass rush, drop into coverage, and defend the run. Overall, a throwback player who plays a physical style of football, either dropping the pads to level a defender on a run or exploding through the ball carrier on a tackle. Ben totaled 45 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 sacks, and a fumble recovery on defense. Big season coming up for Ben!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16052040/65505fa44ba7a803e4cc70dd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a3d2d5c60b"} /--> <!-- 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 -->