PRZNE 2024 Breakout Candidates | District A-3 Breakout Candidates

<!-- 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">Columbus:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='404660' first='Cooper' last='Buxton'] | 2025 | DL/OL | 6'2" 215 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16328581/Cooper-Buxton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/cooperbuxton67" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Discoverers have had a good run of OL-DL players who have signed to college teams in recent years. The next man up in that line is incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='404660' first='Cooper' last='Buxton']. Cooper showed last year that he could be the versatile piece on the defense line as he spent time at tackle and defensive end, excelling in both. He does a great job getting off the ball and keeping his hands active so he can shed his blocks. Cooper ended his junior year with 43 tackles, 5 TFLs, a sack, and two forced fumbles. Look for Cooper to be the leader on young offensive and defensive lines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16328581/6533df5464ea1d0930e4fbbb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6680eb5576498"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kearney:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1055715' first='Zaire' last='LaGrone-Miller'] | 2025 | ATH | 5'10" 170 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15770421/Zaire-LaGrone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/ZaireLagrone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zaire is another example that track can help boost your recruiting momentum. One of the fastest players in the state, Kearney's [player_tooltip player_id='1055715' first='Zaire' last='LaGrone-Miller'], had a tremendous track season in which he recorded a 10.57 100m dash, 21.85 200m dash, and a 6.94 60m en route to a team state championship. This speed translates well over to the gridiron as he generates explosive plays. He can take short passes for big gains and can beat defenders deep for the long reception. I'm looking forward to seeing how Bearcats coaches get the ball to their speedster and how much Zaire's production will jump now with most of last year's receiving production gone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15770421/65d126c690ef0d10ec847e9b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6680eb55764e0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln East:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='415240' first='Dupree' last='Pleasant'] | 2025 | WR | 6'4" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16415631/Dupree-Pleasant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/dupreepleasant1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all the transfer news coming out this past spring, one addition that I think went very under the radar and could have the biggest impact is Lincoln East's [player_tooltip player_id='415240' first='Dupree' last='Pleasant']. Dupree is a tall, lengthy, athletic receiver with the speed to stretch defenses vertically. Pleasant also provides versatility with his ability to be moved across the formation to create the biggest mismatches. Dupree only played in five games as a junior, totaling 13 receptions for 270 yards and a receiving touchdown. Combine Dupree's vertical threat with QB Worthley's monster arm, and you will have the chance for an electric connection this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16415631/6510f7dbb3c9c50804bd64ca' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6680e83d07d8b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Millard North:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='533092' first='Zion' last='Rush'] | 2026 | QB | 6'1" 185 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/21627181/Zion-Rush" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/Zrush13_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one was a tough one because I believe the winner of the QB battle will be the Mustang's breakout player of the year. With a completely new offense looking to throw the ball a lot more and a slew of talent at the skill positions, the next Mustang QB1 will be set up nicely. At the moment, it looks like Omaha Burke transfer [player_tooltip player_id='533092' first='Zion' last='Rush'] leads the quarterback battle, but there is still a lot of summer to compete. Although there isn't a ton of tape on Zion, he has shown a strong arm that can fit the ball into tight windows and can throw a very nice deep ball. Very intriguing player to watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha Bryan:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1056234' first='Alarion' last='Russell'] | 2025 | WR | 5'11" 170 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16659910/Alarion-Russell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://x.com/alarionxrussell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the Bears have lost a great senior class since last season, plenty of players are ready to step into bigger roles. One that I can see having a monster season is receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1056234' first='Alarion' last='Russell'], who finished second on the team in receiving with 24 receptions for 444 yards and three receiving touchdowns. When you watch Alarion's tape, you see a receiver with the mentality that he is coming down with every ball thrown his way. He can track the ball very well, adjust his body on a dime, and has great concentration through the catch. Whoever wins the QB1 battle for the Bears can rest easy knowing they have a speedy, tough [player_tooltip player_id='1056234' first='Alarion' last='Russell'] on the receiving end of their passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16659910/653ac502b534b40c64d934d1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6680e61c4f674"} /--> <!-- 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 -->