PRZNE 2024 Breakout Candidates | District B-3

<!-- 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">Beatrice:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='923430' first='Merrick' last='Johnson'] | 2026 | QB/LB | 5'10" 170 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17820530/Merrick-Johnson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/merricksauce08" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm not 100% sure who will emerge as the Orangeman's starting QB, but from the looks of it, junior [player_tooltip player_id='923430' first='Merrick' last='Johnson'] looks primed to take over under center. Merrick came in sparingly last season as the backup, so we have a small sample size of him throwing (2/4, 32 yards, passing touchdown), but he did look solid as a runner as he finished with 249 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns (both second on the team). He's a physical player who doesn't mind gaining the tough yards between the tackles and on short-yardage situations. I'm looking forward to seeing what Merrick can do this season in a bigger role, lots of upside!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17820530/6639170d2603e2242234374f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1c5f4846ce"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln Pius X:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='736416' first='Joseph' last='Andreasen'] | 2025 | RB/LB | 5'10" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16201351/Joseph-Andreasen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/AndreasenJoe22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few players have raised their stock more than Lincoln Pius X senior [player_tooltip player_id='736416' first='Joseph' last='Andreasen']. Joe's junior season was shortened to 3 1/2 games due to injury, but he bounced right back by winning the Class A 175-lb wrestling championship in the winter. Since then, Andreasen has been a standout player at every stop I've seen him at this offseason, including the Stock Up showcase. Andreasen has tested very well with a 4.66 40-yard dash, 4.27 shuttle drill, 9'6" broad jump, and a 7.44 L-drill. Joe proved to be a well-rounded back who can run the ball hard, catch out of the backfield, and is an effective blocker in passing situations. As a linebacker, he flashes great instincts and a quick break on the ball with the speed to close on it in a flash. Big season coming up for Joe and the Thunderbolts!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16201351/6616d1643d11f707bbee014d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1c5f48471b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln Standing Bear:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='317642' first='Hayden' last='Holdren'] | 2026 | QB | 6'3" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/21204975/Hayden-Holdren" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/HaydenHoldren" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately, the Standing Bear Grizzlies were forced to forfeit what was set to be their first varsity season last year, so we don't have much information on their roster. However, one player that we are sure will make a splash when the Grizzlies take the field is junior [player_tooltip player_id='317642' first='Hayden' last='Holdren'], who transferred in from Norris and will presumably take over QB1 duties. Holdren has been on our radar since his freshman season and projects as one of the top QBs in his class. When you watch Hayden's tape, the first thing that stands out is his massive arm and ability to let the deep ball fly. He shows good timing on those deep balls and can put enough air on it to allow his receiver to get under it and catch it in stride. Tough in the pocket— won't hesitate to take a bump in order to give his receiver enough time to get open. I'm excited to see what a full season as a starter will look like for Hayden!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21204975/6561742f90ef3803e4d22fcb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1c5f484756"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Norris:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='779708' first='Markus' last='Nelson'] | 2026 | RB/LB | 5'11" 205 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22523959/Markus-Nelson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/MarkusNelson19">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, here's a player who transferred IN to Norris. [player_tooltip player_id='779708' first='Markus' last='Nelson'] is coming over from Nebraska City after posting a monster 1,475 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns, 50 tackles, 6 TFLs, an interception, a forced fumble, and a kickoff return for a touchdown as a sophomore. Markus' addition to the offense will take an already explosive group to the next level with a strong rushing attack to complement senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='789525' first='Jarrett' last='Behrends'] and the passing game. Markus is a super physical runner who can chip away at defenses between the tackles and has the burst and speed to outrace defenses once he sees the open field. He possesses a very strong base that allows him to power through tackle attempts and fight for extra yardage after contact. Solid twitch to make defenders miss in open space. Markus' recruitment has already started rolling with an early offer from Peru State. Buy stock in this guy now!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18282181/658e6a67578d6e05f055eb37' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1c5f484784"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Waverly:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488222' first='Nathan' last='Axmann'] | 2026 | RB/LB | Waverly | 6'0" 170 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17886667/Nathan-Axmann" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/NAxmann">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Waverly Vikings are a team that is looked at as an early contender for the Class B title after retaining a good amount of talent from last year's 11-1 season. One player whose impact can't be overlooked is junior [player_tooltip player_id='488222' first='Nathan' last='Axmann'], who led the team in rushing and was second in receiving yards. Nathan finished his sophomore campaign with 791 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, 381 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns. The biggest thing that stands out to me about Nathan is his burst and acceleration as he explodes through the hole. He sees the field very well and has proved to be a versatile runner who can shift, juke, or run through defenders. Nathan has already started catching some looks from colleges as he earned his first offer from Benedictine College and will likely add some more before going into his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17886667/65584d57ff0c6604fce430c1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1c5f4847ae"} /--> <!-- 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 -->