Class of ’22 Players to Watch
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Here is a list of players that I predict to continue their momentum going in the 2021 season. These players have been having good offseasons and look to build on breakout junior years. If you haven’t learned who these playmakers…
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Continue ReadingHere is a list of players that I predict to continue their momentum going in the 2021 season. These players have been having good offseasons and look to build on breakout junior years. If you haven’t learned who these playmakers are, you will soon:
Luke Johannsen Luke Johannsen 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE , QB 6’2″ 190 lbs – Bellevue West
Luke Johannsen Luke Johannsen 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE and the Bellevue West Thunderbirds are coming off a great season that did not end in the way many were expecting it to end. The returning senior Johanssen and an offense featuring his big targets of Micah Riley-Ducker Micah Riley-Ducker 6'6" | 240 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE and Kaden Helms Kaden Helms 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE , the emerging Dae’Vonn Hall, and stud RB LJ Richardson LJ Richardson 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE could be one of the most explosive in the state. In a COVID-19 shortened season, Johanssen posted totals of 1,767 pass yards and 21 touchdowns in 7 games. He was highly efficient and showed that his accuracy was one of his best skills. Johanssen did a great job moving the ball downfield and had some great deep throws throughout the season. A more experienced Johannsen could take the crushing playoff loss to Kearney as motivation and the bevy of talent around him to produce a statement season.
Noah Walters Noah Walters 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Lincoln East | 2022 State NE , QB 5’11″ 187 lbs – Lincoln East
Senior QB Noah Walters Noah Walters 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Lincoln East | 2022 State NE has been producing some camp buzz this spring. At an Elite 11 competition in Philadelphia, Walters displayed his arm talents along with other highly-touted quarterbacks. He placed in the Top 10 and rose expectations for another great season coming into his senior year. The Lincoln East gunslinger threw for 2,753 pass yards along with 28 touchdowns in his junior season. One of Noah’s great attributes is his ability to extend the play with his legs and big arm, similar to the type of exciting plays you’ll see taking over the college and pro game. His combination of pocket awareness and patience allowed him to let the play break down and find the open man. An offseason of training camps and high-level competition will sharpen his skillset and make him a more polished passer. Walters should help lead a talented Lincoln East squad on a deep playoff run if he has a season similar to last year.
Will Hubert Will Hubert 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Papillion-La Vista | 2022 State NE , DE 6’4″ 235lbs – Papillion – La Vista
20. 42.
Those numbers represent Will’s junior year sack and tackles for loss totals, respectively. Insane. A gifted edge rusher, Hubert dominated offensive lines and terrorized quarterbacks all of last season. Hubert is a high-motor, high-intensity type of player you love to have on your defense. He has a very fast first step that allows him to beat his blocker from the very snap of the ball. In his film, Hubert shows the ability to speed past blockers or simply bully them into the dirt. Hubert is also very quick, many times changing direction to chase scrambling QBs or backs downfield. It is hard to believe that you can have a better year than the one Hubert had, but if he continues to improve throughout the summer he very well could improve on his totals.
Braden Thompson Braden Thompson 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Nebraska City | 2022 State NE , WR/LB 6’4″ 215lbs – Nebraska City
Braden Thompson Braden Thompson 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE Nebraska City | 2022 State NE is a player that broke out last year in a big way. With another summer of camps and training, he is looking to have an even bigger year. The 6’4″ big-bodied wideout created mismatches against defenses last year while raking in 47 catches for 891 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 19 average yards per catch speaks to his playmaking ability. He also is a very valuable asset to the Nebraska City defense, tallying 85 total tackles and 8 tackles for loss with 2 interceptions for good measure. Overall, versatility is the word to describe Thomspon’s game. He was utilized as a pass-catcher, blocking tight end, and dropped into coverage and pass rush as a linebacker. Last season Thompson showed that he is a threat to get the ball on either side of the field, 2021 should be no different.
Dominic Rezac Dominic Rezac 6'1" | 165 lbs | RB Omaha Westside | 2022 State NE , RB 6’1″ 180 – Westside High School
Dominic enjoyed a pretty successful campaign last year in which he helped Westside High win the Nebraska Class A title in a perfect season. Rezac rushed for 1,310 yards on 166 carries. He managed to find the endzone 19 times on the ground. On an average of 7.8 yards per carry, Rezac showed that he can gain big chunks of yardage with his tough running style. With last year’s starting quarterback Cole Payton (who contributed over 1,000 rush yards) having graduated, Rezac could see an increase in carries. With a mean offensive line in front of him, Rezac is poised to have another great season and help Westside make a run at back-to-back titles.
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