MHN Class of 2013 Preseason Top 25 Nebraska H.S. Football Prospects
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| 1. Josh Banderas, LB, 6-2, 220, Lincoln Southwest. Rivals: 4 Star—5.8; ESPN: 81—4 Star. Goodies: Athleticism & high football IQ. Offers: Nebraska (committed), Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oregon, Tulsa, Vanderbilt. | The Nebraska 4-star recruit will not wow you with his physical size or any single athletic measure—but he will make you wide-eyed when you watch him play. Banderas plays with a high intensity motor and reckless abandon fueled by an extremely high football IQ. All of which allow him to be at the right place at the wrong time for an opponent. The native Lincoln, Nebraska prospect seems to possess all of the skill sets and intangible assets necessary to develop into a very fine college LB. And he gets to do it in his own backyard. |
| 2. Michael Minter Jr., DB/RB, 6-1, 180, Lincoln North Star. Rivals: 3 Star—5.6; ESPN: 79—3 Star. Goodies: 4.46 Speed. Offers: Purdue, South Carolina. | Minter has the potential to become the most successful college prospect in this class. Projected to play CB at the next level, he is blessed with the kind of physical height college defensive coordinators are seeking nowadays. In pass coverage, he demonstrates the flexible hips and quickness that can allow him to recover quickly from a sudden juke and make a play on the ball. He’s also a solid tackler. A strong senior campaign could see him snatch a boat load of offers. |
| 3. Nathan Bazata, OG/DL, 6-3, 245, Howells.Rivals: 3 Star—5.5; ESPN: 72—3 Star. Goodies: Pad level & quickness. Offers: Iowa (committed), South Dakota State. | Bazata has a quick two steps off the ball, great pad level and leverage that allow him to play sideline-to-sideline or make plays deep into opposing backfields. He also uses his hands well to blow by defenders or to control them for a shed and tackle. It’s no wonder this Class D prospect received an early offer from Iowa! |
| 4. Casey Sayles, TE, 6-4, 260, Omaha North. Rivals: 2 Star—5.4; ESPN: NA. Goodies: Big frame w/speed. Offers: Bowling Green, Ohio, South Dakota. | A very solid blocker with a long wide frame and good hands. He also flashes the ability to quickly accelerate after making the catch (listed 4.7 speed) which allows him to pick up huge chunks of YAC. The TE prospect can also play some DE. |
| 5. Nick Deluca, LB, 6-2, 220, Millard North. Rivals: 2 Star—5.4; ESPN: 68—2 Star. Goodies: Athleticism & size. Offers: Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Dakota State. | He shows the ability to develop into an effective college inside backer. Takes good angles to the ball and has the power and athletic ability to take on blockers and hold his ground and/or to just get small, slide by and fill the gap—sheds and tackles well. |
| 6. Tyler Wrice, ATH, 5-9, 175, Papillion-La Vista. Rivals: NA; ESPN: NA. Goodies: Quickness & versatility. Offers: North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Illinois State. | For a two-way skill position prospect, Wrice possesses perhaps the top overall talent in the class for an athlete that can play effectively on offense or defense at the next level. However, most of his suitors are looking for the cat-quick Papio Monarch to play CB. But in case they have a need—he could also add some flavor to an offense. |
| 7. Jake Schlager, DB, 6-1, 190, McCook. Rivals: NA; ESPN: NA. Goodies: 4.46 speed & size. Offers: South Dakota State, South Dakota. | A projected SF at the next level, Schlager shows impressive athleticism, tremendous quickness, and the speed (4.46) necessary to successfully execute a blitz or to make his way to the ball whether it’s a runner carrying it or it’s coming via the pass. Also illustrates toughness and a strong football IQ—a surprisingly gifted athlete that I suspect is high up on the list of safety prospects at several D-1A programs. A strong senior season could make at least one of those schools pull the trigger on him. I like this kid! |
| 8. Colin Mertlik, ATH, 6-2, 200, Blair. Rivals: NA; ESPN: NA. Goodies: Athleticism and Strong football IQ. Offers: South Dakota. | Mertlik is a football player who carries the whole package: size, speed toughness and athleticism galore. This kid can definitely play on either side of the ball at the next level. On offense he shows outstanding vision and good burst and elusiveness from whatever position he decides to line up at in the backfield. Also, he is a very good receiver as well. On defense he is just as impressive as a LB. Look for him to grab more attention from college coaches. |
| 9. Devin Washington, RB, 5-9, 170, Lincoln Southeast. Rivals: NA; ESPN: NA. Goodies: Vision & elusiveness. Offers: NA. | The best pure RB in the class, Washington has the quickness and elusiveness to create a hole and the speed (4.42) to blow by defenders and take it the distance—tremendous vision and the ability to make the difficult catch out of the backfield. A durable back who rushed for over 1,900 yards in 2011. It’s a wonder to me that he has no offers listed. |
| 10. Luke Worden, DB/RB, 5-9, 180, Scottsbluff. Rivals: NA; ESPN: NA. Goodies: Speed & power. Offers: South Dakota. | He may be the fastest athlete in the class (4.40 40 yard) and he also boast some of the top strength and agility measures for a skills position prospect, which include a 360 lb bench and 4.13 short shuttle time. A projected CB at the next level Worden demonstrates the toughness and skill sets to make an impact in college. |
| 11. Vinny Ross, OL, 6-5, 265, Perkins County. Rivals: NA; ESPN: NA. Goodies: Quick hands and feet. Offers North Dakota. | Projected to play OG in college, Ross shows good quick hands and feet while maintaining nice pad level for his size. A dominate lineman who can drive defenders off the line and into the dirt. |
| 12. Dillon Gartner, OL, 6-4, 290, Gothenburg. | As dominate as he looks on film plus his size—somebody is bound to pick this big stud up. |
| 13. Isaac Aakre, QB/ATH, 6-0, 180, Millard North. | When it’s all said and done Isaac Aakre may tally more career yards from the line of scrimmage than anyone in Class A history. A high quality athlete that should find a home somewhere at a division I program. |
| 14. Freeman Coleman, DL, 6-3, 260, Millard South. | He is too good to not list near the top of some college boards. So if Coleman shines on the field this year he will get some nods. |
| 15. Na-jee Jackson, QB/ATH 6-1, 160, Lincoln Southeast. | He engineered his team to a 2011 Class A state championship. Along the way the athletic Jackson showcased flashes of a very live arm—one of the better ones in this class. He can also play some DB. |
| 16. Bryce Sosnowski, DE, 6-2, 215, Millard South. | Quick and athletic Sosnowski is adept at finding his way to the ball and making his opponents pay. |
| 17. Tradeon Hollins, DB, 6-2, 175, Omaha Central. | A lot of athleticism here. The second team all-state basketball player also played a key role on offense and defense for and Eagle’s football team that went deep into the playoffs last season. |
| 18. Noah Housh, WR, 6-4, 210, Lincoln North Star. | He has the size and speed (4.46) to make college coaches—recognize. |
| 19. Bryce Sheard, WR, 6-3, 185, Papillion-La Vista. | A big and athletic possession-type receiver that has a knack for picking up YAC. In 2011, Sheard averaged over 18 yards per catch. |
| 20. Jackie Davis, RB, 5-8, 175, Omaha Central. | A fearless, quick and explosive back with good vision. He rushed for nearly 1,500 yards last season. |
| 21. Jackson Gannon, DL, 6-2, 245, Kearney. | Gannon is one to watch. He’s a quick DT that plays with intensity; A little undersized—now—he is a project waiting to happen! |
| 22. Lee Carhart, OL, 6-5, 260, Creighton Prep. | A big explosive center who can move—a long snapper too. |
| 23. Mike MilenKovich, DL, 6-4, 265, Creighton Prep. | A good bull rusher and he plays with good pad level for his size. |
| 24. Zack Cook, QB, 6-2, 198, Omaha Burke. | He showed good accuracy throwing for over 2.200 yards last season and 29 TDs, while leading the Bulldogs to a perfect regular season and one win away from winning it all. |
| 25. Zach Martin, QB, 6-3, 180, Omaha North. | Extremely impressive at times last season, this Viking gunslinger will have to convince college coaches he can play with consistency. |
| Ones to Watch: Stacey Keely, WR, 6-8, 195, Omaha Northwest; Craig Timmons, TE, 6-6, 210 Omaha Westside; Jake Jordan, RB, 5-11, 205, Lincoln Southwest; Desmond Robinson, ATH, 5-9, 155, Lincoln Southeast; Nick Marchese, DE, 6-3, 240, Millard North; Colton Steer, LB, 6-1, 215, Crete; Matt Chitwood, DB/WR, 6-2, 180, McCook; Erik Evans, TE, 6-3, 220, Waverly; Quentin Williams, RB, 5-6, 160, Millard South; Zachary Oslica, OL, 6-2, 245, Bellevue West; Connor Ketter, TE, 6-5, 220, Norfolk Catholic; Landon Kubicek, OL, 6-4, 290, Lincoln Southeast; Fernando Hildreth, DB, 5-9, 150, Boys Town; Desmond; Robinson, ATH, 5-9, 155, Lincoln Southeast; Zach Reeves, OL, 6-4, 270, Central City; Sam Stoltenberg, FB, 6-1, 235, Creighton Prep; Blake Johnson, DE, 6-4, 200, Elkhorn South. | |
Related Links
MHN Class of 2013 Nebraska H.S. Football Prospects Board
Class of 2013 You Tube Prospect Highlight Videos
July 8, 2012 @ 11:19 am
Mr. Will Cummings, I just want to say, “Awesome web site!” I really enjoy visiting and reading the information you provide, looking at all the neat picture artwork on display and look forward to seeing your top 25 football player picks. MHN is a one of a kind site. Keep up the good work of promoting and motivating our children my friend.
July 8, 2012 @ 4:36 pm
Thanks. I truly appreciate your very kind words.
July 9, 2012 @ 4:02 pm
Where do we send info on 2014 prospects. Please look at Josh Coyle from West Holt in Atkinson. Josh had 1729 rushing yards with 26 TDs, along with 121 tackles. His recruiting site is http://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/clientrms/profile/recruiting_profile/438435
Thanks!
July 9, 2012 @ 7:19 pm
Click on the “Contact US” tab at the top of this page for email address.
August 2, 2012 @ 9:58 pm
Bronson Marsh, Millard South alumni and the best Metro QB since Crouch, has been moved back to QB by the Huskers. What a huge waste of
talent.
August 12, 2012 @ 4:01 pm
This list is going to change the first two weeks of the season. I think their were alot of real talented athletes left out.
August 13, 2012 @ 3:44 pm
You be right, Nigel. The MHN Preseason lists always change after the first several weeks of the season. But who will be the ones that will make noise early in the 2012 season?
August 26, 2012 @ 7:25 pm
I don’t know yet for sure but their will be some that didn’t make this list.