PRZNE Class of 2028 “Freshman Friday” III

<!-- 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>I'm glad to return one of my favorite article series, “Freshman Friday.” For this feature, I highlight a few freshman prospects (Class of 2028) who I think you should start adding to your prospect board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out my picks for this week's Freshman Friday.</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='1590728' first='Micah' last='Santiago'] (DL), Bellevue West - 6'3" 300 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/_santiago_micah" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@_santiago_micah)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kicking off this week's Freshman Friday with one of the top-ranked prospects in the class, Bellevue West's [player_tooltip player_id='1590728' first='Micah' last='Santiago']. Micah is an up-and-coming defensive lineman who is set to be a key player on the interior of the Thunderbirds' defensive line after playing sparingly as a freshman. Santiago is a beast at 6'3" and 300 pounds with the tools to develop into one of the top interior run-stoppers in recent memory. He does an excellent job of eating up space on the interior line, using his powerful, sturdy base to stack up blocks and effectively plug up two gaps. This powerful lower body, combined with his consistent pad level, helps him overwhelm blockers and walk them back into the backfield before ripping free. Great motor and intensity. I like Micah's tape as a NG/DT, but he also flashed his versatility with reps at defensive end and in different techniques. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22903021/67c89e1f2b2a4c19810afc0f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f0b5df9ce07"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1652201' first='Nolyn' last='Bradford'] (RB), Lincoln Northeast - 5'9" 165 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/nolynbradford" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@nolynbradford)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1652201' first='Nolyn' last='Bradford'] will be a player who could push for serious varsity reps next season for the Rockets. Nolyn left quite an impression playing on the Rockets' reserve squad as he rushed for 427 yards and four touchdowns in what could be a glimpse of what's to come. Bradford is a great downhill runner who uses his field vision to guide him through the defense while possessing the twitch to make quick adjustments in tight quarters. Great cutback vision helps him bounce runs to the outside effectively while having the burst to separate from defenses once he's hit the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13711884/672300e25a40bea3d05b1619' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dee0ea55e13"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1590732' first='Riley' last='Swim'] (WR/TE), Millard West - 6'3" 200 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/RileySwim0">(@RileySwim0)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a guy you should expect to see on the rankings in the next update. Riley posted his freshman film recently, and although it's limited, he definitely raised some eyebrows! Riley already possesses solid size for only being a freshman, coming in at 6'3", 200 pounds, with solid length and room to continue growing his frame. What stood out the most about Riley's tape was his willingness to block and the mean streak he shows when doing so. He shows no hesitation in burying his nose in a defender's chest and driving them off the line. Swim uses good footwork and hand placement when engaged with blocks and consistently plays through the whistle. I look forward to seeing more of Riley as a pass-catcher as he continues to grow his role in the Wildcat offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22755053/67db6355d77f4ef6ccfad62f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f0b5df9ce58"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1652202' first='Owen' last='Price'] (TE/LB), Grand Island Central Catholic - 6'3" 190 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/owie4032" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@owie4032)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Island Central Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='1652202' first='Owen' last='Price'] is another prospect who has earned a spot in the next rankings update. Owen is a lengthy 6'3", 190-pound athlete who flashed upside as an outside linebacker and should see his offensive role at receiver grow next season. Price ended his freshman year with 34 tackles, four TFLs, an interception, a forced fumble, and a recovery. One thing that stood out to me about Owen was how well he can set the edge when defending the run. Price showed that he can disrupt run schemes with his ability to stand firm at the line of scrimmage, with a great pursuit of the ball once he disengages from blockers. He displays great range and closes on the ball very well. Solid tackler once he gets to the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18089668/673ce14b9a5ea4f3a5c700ed' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f0b5df9ce77"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1652203' first='Luke' last='Valasek'] (QB), Elkhorn South - 6'0" 170 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/LukeValasek2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@LukeValasek2)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Elkhorn South starting QB competition will be one to watch this summer. One player whose name should be in the mix is freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1652203' first='Luke' last='Valasek'], who had limited varsity snaps last year, but still looked sharp as the reserve QB. I was impressed with his mobility, both in the pocket and in designed QB roll-outs. In the pocket, Luke flashed great vision and awareness when evading the pass rush, keeping his eyes downfield looking for an open receiver. Valasek showed that he can get the ball out quickly and accurately once he's locked in on his target. Very excited to see what Luke's game looks like by the time he's a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18591624/67491955ce73d8d9eca0b2b9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f0b869eaa0f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->