Gamechangers: Defensive Players Showing Out Early

<!-- 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 only three weeks old, and we've already seen many players emerge with breakout performances. To highlight some of these playmakers, I will do a series of “Game Changers” articles highlighting players who have been going OFF this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are four of my defensive studs who have been shutting things down this 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='488174' first='Darion' last='Jones'] (<a href="https://x.com/dar11on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18180467/Darion-Jones" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a>), 2026 - DB/ATH - Omaha North - 6'1" 165 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've seen this one coming for a while now! Now a full-time starter, Omaha North's [player_tooltip player_id='488174' first='Darion' last='Jones'] has delivered on his massive upside through three games of the season and has been one of the top risers in the 2026 class. The Vikings' junior has been a crucial member of the secondary and has quickly become a go-to target for QB <em>[player_tooltip player_id='1393879' first='Mikey' last='Gow']</em>. Jones' playmaking ability has flashed with his ten tackles, a sack, three interceptions, 259 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. What stands out about Jones is that he plays with a mean streak and isn't afraid to get physical, which is great to see coming from a cornerback. He is very willing to step up and make plays against the run game and has the physicality to break off from blockers to shut down screen passes to the perimeter. Great footwork and fluid hips allow him to change directions quickly while staying in the opposing receiver's hip pocket. Jones' rapid-fire instincts, great ball skills, and a good football IQ have helped him emerge as a ball-hawking cornerback that you don't want to test. It won't be long before the offers start rolling in for the budding Vikings star!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18180467/66d1dc3b865984e70875136e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ea6bb8a6ddc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='245877' first='Landon' last='Tate'] (<a href="https://x.com/LandonTate8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16359611/Landon-Tate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a>), 2025 - DB/ATH - Elkhorn South - 6'0" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speed KILLS! That has been the case for Elkhorn South senior [player_tooltip player_id='245877' first='Landon' last='Tate'], who has been flying around the field making plays on defense, offense, and special teams. Through three games, Landon has recorded 12 tackles, a forced fumble, two pick-sixes, 115 receiving yards, a receiving touchdown, 261 KO return yards, and a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown. The biggest thing that stands out about Landon's game is his speed (4.46 40-yard time - 10.85 100m), which allows him to cover a large chunk of the field and flow from sideline to sideline from the safety position. This speed makes it easy for Landon to get depth in coverage to provide support over top on deep passes while maintaining the ability to quickly break downhill to provide support against the run. Landon's football IQ and ability to read QBs were also very impressive to watch, as he does a great job timing when to jump the receiver's route and has the ball skills to secure the pick. Good tackler with solid size (6'0" 200 lbs). He is very twitchy with the ball in his hands— changes directions very well, and has sudden stop/start that is tough to bring down in the open field. Landon holds offers from Southwest Minnesota State, Nebraska-Kearney, Minnesota State-Moorhead, Northern State, Wayne State, and Sioux Falls, with more suitors likely to follow if he continues at this pace!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16359611/66e5e5748c3ef572ccedd03e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eb4ebfbfbdd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1315017' first='Gavin' last='Hardeman'] (<a href="https://x.com/GavinHardeman1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16328430/Gavin-Hardeman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a>), 2025 - LB - Lyons-Decatur-Northeast - 6'2" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't have a defensive standouts article without the state's leader in tackles, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1315017' first='Gavin' last='Hardeman']. The LDNE linebacker has been on a tear as he's averaged nearly 25 tackles per game (74 total) while also tallying 3 TFLs and a fumble recovery. Playing in an 8-man defense, Hardeman is asked to play a versatile role that can see him as a safety/LB hybrid role and even up near the line of scrimmage, but he projects best as a linebacker in college. Hardeman excels when he can play downhill, blowing up gaps and making stops in the run game. He's a big body at 6'2" and 200 pounds who won't hesitate to drive right into the line of fire and flashes the strength to press defenders off of him to penetrate the backfield. Hardeman has also played a big role on offense, as he's rushed for 429 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Hidden gem prospect (one offer from Graceland) with the tools to make some noise at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16328430/66e983942c57a7b87a37e5c1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ea6bb8a6e0d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='923428' first='Aaron' last='Kolala'] (<a href="https://x.com/Aaron47Kolala" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17735076/Aaron-Kolala" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a>), 2026 - LB - Omaha Westview - 5'10" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't look now, but one of Class A's newest members is 3-0! The Omaha Westview Wolverines have enjoyed a great start to their season as they've seen several players step up, including junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='923428' first='Aaron' last='Kolala']. Aaron is currently second on the team in tackles with 26 and is the team leader in sacks (3) and interceptions (2). What's stood out the most about Aaron this season is his further development as a well-rounded linebacker. In his three-game tape, you can see him doing a bit of everything including rushing the QB, defending the run, and dropping back into coverage against backs and tight ends. He displays nice instincts and change of direction, which allow him to flow in coverage and get downhill quickly when he keys the run. Aaron displays solid tackling skills with good technique and enough force behind them to ensure the stop is made. Kolala also impressed with how he effectively uses his hands to disengage from blockers at the line of scrimmage. Tracks and pursues the ball very well. Excited to follow the rest of what could be a breakout season for Aaron!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17735076/66dc8814b5047410ae686b01' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ea6bb8a6e2c"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->