2023 NEBHSFB.com Elite 33 “Unofficial” All-State Team

2023 NEBHSFB.com Elite 33 “Unofficial” All-State Team
Elite 33: Class A | Class B | Ckass C-1 | Class C-2 | Class of 2025
Honor Roll: Eight Man | Six Man

2023 NEBHSFB.com Most Valuable Player
Anthony Rezac | Omaha Westside | QB | 6’4/200
Capping off his career with back-to-back Class A state championships, Rezac finished 35-2 in two and half seasons as starting quarterback. Rezac completed 73.4 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,316 yards and 30 touchdowns while tacking on another 905 yards and 15 scores on the ground. For his career, Rezac threw for 5,776 yards and 68 touchdowns, adding 2,270 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. Rezac is committed to Notre Dame as a preferred walk-on, slated to join All-State linebacker and twin brother Teddy in South Bend.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB – Daniel Kaelin | Bellevue West | 6’3/195 – A Nebraska signee, Kaelin threw for 2,225 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 60 percent of his passes on a Class A quarterfinalist. The future Husker threw for 6,166 yards and 58 touchdowns over his career as a two-year starter for the Thunderbirds. In Kaelin, Nebraska has a prospect who can throw with lightning quickness and excels in the intermediate passing game.

FB – Conor Booth | Wahoo Neumann | 6’2/215 (Jr.) – In just 10 games as a junior for Class C-2 Wahoo Neumann, Booth surpassed the 2,000-yard plateau with 2,159 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns while averaging 10.6 yards per carry. Over the past two seasons, Booth has rushed for 3,123 yards and 49 touchdowns. Booth is currently verbally committed to Nebraska.

RB – Payton Prestito | Papillion-La Vista | 5’11/190 – Prestito was one of the main focal points on offense over the past two seasons for Class A playoff teams. Prestito rushed for 1,482 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior for the Monarchs, while recording 55 tackles, three tackles for loss, and an interception on defense. Prestito is considered a Division II prospect who will have some suitors between now and the February signing day.

WR – Amarion Jackson | Millard South | 6’1/175 (Soph.) – Jackson became the first Class A sophomore to go over 1,000 receiving yards since Zavier Betts (Bellevue West). For the season, Jackson caught 57 passes for 1,086 yards and 12 touchdowns as the Patriots advanced to the state semifinals. Jackson is part of an extremely talented sophomore class at Millard South, who will be one of the favorites to push Omaha Westside for all the marbles in Class A in 2024.

WR – Isaiah McMorris | Bellevue West | 5’11/175- McMorris warmed up as the season went along and showed his ability in the first round of the state playoffs with a huge game against Papillion-La Vista when his team needed him most. McMorris finished his senior campaign with 44 receptions for 576 yards and eight touchdowns. In the final two seasons of his prep career, McMorris caught 134 passes for 1,873 yards and 22 touchdowns. McMorris signed with Nebraska.

WR – Jackson Williams | Millard West | 6’0/170 – Williams was a misevaluated FBS prospect who signed in the early signing period with North Dakota State. As a senior, Williams caught 45 passes for 882 yards and also rushed for 195 yards, scoring 14 touchdowns as the Wildcats advanced to the Class A state quarterfinals. In his last two seasons, Williams caught 73 passes covering 1,593 yards.

TE – Michael Burt | Omaha Creighton Prep | 6’6/230 – An Iowa signee, Burt was part of a reloading project for the Junior Jays that saw a Class A playoff appearance for the 30th consecutive season. Burt caught 15 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 while also standing out as an elite level blocker. Burt committed to the Hawkeyes prior to the season.

TE – Carter Nelson | Ainsworth | 6’5/220 – A projected college tight end, the Nebraska signee did a bit of everything as Ainsworth had its most successful run in program history over the past two seasons. As a senior, Nelson threw for 610 yards and eight scores, rushed for 1,148 yards and 19 scores at 9.6 yards per carry, and caught 32 passes for 668 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense, Nelson recorded 80 tackles as a senior and picked off nine passes over his last two seasons with the Bulldogs, who went 18-2 over Nelson’s final two years of high school. Nelson will go down as one of the top eight man prospects ever to come out of Huskerland.

ATH – Dae’Vonn Hall | Bellevue West | 6’2/185 – The Nebraska signee had his senior season disrupted by injuries. This is a career achievement, especially in this particular case. In 2023, Hall caught 23 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. Over his career, Hall caught 135 passes for 1,970 yards and 24 touchdowns, making him one of the top prospects in the state in the Class of 2024.

ATH – Caden VerMaas | MIllard North | 6’0/195 (Jr.) – VerMaas did his part in helping Millard North to the state playoffs after a two-year absence. VerMass put up 1,200 yards of total offense and scored 20 touchdowns for his junior campaign, 18 of those coming on the ground while averaging 13 yards per carry. On defense, the Nebraska pledge recorded 30 tackles, broke up five passes, and picked off a pass.

OL – Max Gray | Millard South | 6’3/280 – A multiple All-State honoree, Gray anchored the offensive front for Class A semifinalist Millard South. The Patriots averaged 429.9 yards per game in 2023 as one of the most explosive offenses in Class A. Gray is currently committed to Northwest Missouri State and expected to sign in February.

OL – Kalvin Janssen | Gretna | 6’3/285 (Jr.) – A Division I prospect, Janssen has been one of the key prospects up front for Gretna over the past two seasons. Janssen anchored an offensive line that averaged 351.6 yards per game in 2023. Janssen has received an early offer from Coastal Carolina, but expect his hype to grow as more coaches get eyes on him in the offseason.

OL – Cooper Johnson | Lincoln Southeast | 6’6/300 – Johnson was a part of a Class A playoff qualifier over his last two seasons. Lincoln Southeast averaged 276.5 yards per game on offense in 2023 with Johnson paving the way for 181 yards per game on the ground. Johnson even got on the scoreboard with a 17-yard touchdown run on a lateral.

OL – Caleb Pyfrom | Omaha Central | 6’5/305 – Pyfrom committed to Missouri two days before the December National Signing Day after originally committing to Illinois. Pyfrom was part of a rebuilding project at Omaha Central, who nearly made the playoffs in 2023. Central averaged nearly 250 yards per game in 2023 with Pyfrom dominating up front on multiple occasions.

OL – Broc Regner | Omaha Westside | 6’5/285 – Regner has been one of the top prospects up front for back-to-back state champion Omaha Westside. At left tackle, Regner was part of an offense that averaged 434.1 yards per game en route to its state title. Regner is a prospect who will benefit from the re-evaluation process after the December signing day.

OL – Sam Thomas | Elkhorn North | 6’5/275 – Despite garnering FBS interest, Thomas signed with Northern Iowa on August 1 over offers from the likes of Coastal Carolina and Northern Illinois. The Wolves averaged 347.6 yards per game in a state semifinal appearance in 2023. On defense, Thomas recorded 29 tackles and three tackles for loss.

K – Tallon McDonald | Scottsbluff | 6’1/195 – In a Week 3 win over Frederick (Colo.), McDonald set the Class B state record and tied the Nebraska record with a 59-yard bomb in a 51-28 win. For the season, McDonald hit 7 of his 10 field goal tries, three of them from 39 yards or more. McDonald also connected on 21 of 22 of his point after attempts.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL – Blake Hawkins | Gretna | 6’3/230 – Hawkins played his way onto recruiting boards with a huge senior campaign and is considered a borderline FCS/Division II prospect coming out of his senior season. Hawkins recorded 72 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks on the season for the state playoff qualifying Dragons. Hawkins also forced a pair of fumbles and blocked two point after attempts.

DL – Eric Ingwerson | Papillion-La Vista | 6’7/255 – A Nebraska signee, Ingerwson took advantage of his opportunities in the red zone on offense with 10 catches for 105 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, Ingerwson helped the Monarchs allow just yards per game by recording 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks as a senior. Nebraska did well winning over the former Pittsburgh commit in recruiting.

DL – JR Lecuona | Millard South | 6’3/255 – An absolutely dominant performer on the front line for Millard South, the South Dakota State signee was the key defensive performer from a Class A semifinalist in 2023. Lecuona recorded 88 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and eight sacks for the Patriots. Lecuona chose a FCS offer over a handful of offers from the MAC.

DL – Ashton Murphy | Elkhorn South | 6’5/255 – The Nebraska signee has been one of the top offensive and defensive linemen in Nebraska over the past two seasons. As an offensive tackle, Murphy helped pave the way for an offense that rushed over more than 210 yards per game in 2023. On defense, Murphy recorded 65 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks.

DL – Tyson Terry | Omaha North | 6’3/285 (Jr.) – Arguably the top overall prospect from Nebraska in the Class of 2025, the state champion wrestler committed to Nebraska prior to his junior campaign. Terry recorded 93 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and six sacks while also helping the Vikings out on the offensive line. Terry is a can’t miss prospect.

LB – Dash Bauman | LIncoln East | 6’3/200 – A Wyoming signee, Bauman was part of Lincoln East winning a playoff game for the first time since 2020. Bauman cracked the 1,000-yard plateau with 1,007 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, but showed his versatility by adding 21 receptions for 278 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, Bauman recorded 249 tackles and two interceptions over his career with the Spartans.

LB – Justyce Hostetler | Grand Island | 5’11/205 – Hostetler made the most out of his abilities over the past two seasons of his career as the Islanders went to the Class A semifinals in 2022 before bowing out in the quarterfinals in 2023. Hostetler has been one of the most highly-productive defensive players in the state over the past two seasons. In 2023, Hostetler recorded 92 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks.

LB – Christian Jones | Omaha Westside | 6’3/220 (Jr.) – Many locals will say Jones is the top overall prospect from the state of Nebraska in the CLass of 2025. The National Top 150 linebacker and Adidas All-American Bowl pledge has a plethora of power conference offers, including Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M to name a few. Jones registered 69 tackles,14 tackles for loss, and two defensive touchdowns in 2023 while also catching 20 passes for 548 yards and nine touchdowns on offense.

LB – Beau Ryan | Omaha Westside | 5’11/215 – Part of a two-time defending state champion, Ryan was one of the leaders at linebacker over the last two seasons for Omaha Westside. As a senior, Ryan recorded 85 tackles and 18 tackles for loss as a senior while also chipping in on offense during short yardage situations, rushing for three touchdowns. Ryan signed with South Dakota after a late recruiting push by the Coyotes.

DB – Caleb Benning | Omaha Westside | 5’11/185 – A legacy Nebraska signee, Benning proved to be the best two-way player in the state with a stellar senior season. Benning could have been an All-State honoree at wide receiver, too. Benning caught 45 passes for 602 yards and seven touchdowns. On defense, Benning recorded 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and six interceptions. Benning had 12 interceptions in two and a quarter seasons, missing time as a junior due to an injury.

DB – Donovan Jones | Omaha North | 6’1/185 – Jones inked his National Letter of Intent with Nebraska, proving he was worthy of his offseason press as he exploded in recruiting locally. Jones logged 80 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four interceptions as Omaha North made it to the Class A quarterfinals. Jones proved to be one of the biggest surprises in the spring cycle in recruiting in recent years, but the Huskers have found a good one.

DB – Gunnar Lym | Bennington | 6’0/185 – A North Dakota signee, Lym made his presence felt at safety and on special teams for the Badgers, who capped off their third straight Class B state championship and 39th straight win. Lym finished with 63 tackles and three interceptions on the season. As a return specialist, Lym averaged 16.1 yards per punt return and ran three back for touchdowns. In all, Lym had five return touchdowns in 2023.

DB – Zac McLeay | Omaha Creighton Prep | 6’0/185 – Another criminally underrated prospect out of the metro, like Jackson Williams, is McLeay. Bellevue West head coach Michael Huffman told the Omaha World-Herald after a season opening win over Prep, “I never saw anybody tackle our skill guys like that before.” McLeay finished with 149 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two interceptions. McLeay will be a steal for any program that signs him.

DB – Teddy Rezac | Omaha Westside | 6’4/200 – Signed with Notre Dame, Rezac was one of many who contributed on both sides of the football on a Class A state champion. Rezac caught 12 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns on offense, while registering 70 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four interceptions on a defense that allowed just 3.5 points per game. Over his career, Rezac swiped 10 passes to boost the Westside defense.

P – Kael Forney | Columbus | 6’1/175 – Forney averaged 44.3 yards per punt as a senior to lead the entire state of Nebraska by more than four yards per kick. Forney’s longest boot of the season traveled 75 yards, while four of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line.

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE
QB – Dane Jacobsen | Ashland-Greenwood | 6’2/190 – 2,098 yards, 24 TD’s; 5 rushing TD’s
QB/K- Brady McGill | Omaha Roncalli | 6’4/200 – Committed to Wayne State; 1,964 passing yards, 27 TD’s; 432 rushing yards, 8 TD’s; 37/39 PAT; 1/2 FG (43 long)
RB – Parker Borer | Boone Central | 5’101/80 – 2,018 rushing yards, 23 TD’s; 12 receptions, 167 yards, 2 TD’s; 26 tackles, 3 TFL
RB – Sebastien Boyle | Scottsbluff | 5’11/205 – 1,468 rushing yards, 17 TD’s
RB – Breckan Schulter | Exeter-Milligan-Friend | 6’1/205 – 3,012 rushing yards, 57 TD’s; 7 receptions, 104 yards, 4 TD’s; 79 tackles, 13 TFL, 4 INT’s
RB – Drake Zimmerman | Ashland-Greenwood | 6’0/205 – 1,866 rushing yards, 28 TD’s; 19 receptions, 382 yards, 4 TD’s
WR – Jackson Carpenter | Lincoln Southwest | 6’2/195 (Jr.) – 28 receptions, 514 yards, 7 TD’s
WR – Royceon Skogerboe | Papillion-La Vista South | 5’6/150 – 33 receptions, 644 yards, 10 TD’s
TE – Caden Frey | Red Cloud | 6’6/225 – Signed with South Dakota; 50 receptions, 797 yards, 15 TD’s; 34 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks
TE – Tanner Hollinger | Cross County | 6’6/230 – Signed with Illinois; 23 receptions, 408 yards, 12 TD’s; 73 tackles, 6 TFL, 2.5 sacks
TE – Joseph Stein | Grand Island Northwest 6’5/230 – Signed with Northern Illinois; 32 receptions, 320 yards, 3 TD’s
OL – Ben Gustafson | Elkhorn South | 6’8/280 – Signed with Northern Illinois, Offense averaged 304.6 yards per game on Class A state finalist in 2023
OL – DeAndre Harper | Omaha North | 6’6/295 – Committed to Northwest Missouri State; Offense averaged 313.9 yards per game in 2023
OL – Reid Kelly | Grand Island | 6’4/250 – Starting center for Class A quarterfinalist
OL – Trent Patzel | Boone Central | 6’7/280 – Class C-1 State Champion; Multiple All-State honoree
OL – Tyler Thaden | Millard West | 6’5/275 – Signed with North Dakota
OL – Jackson Wing | Omaha Westside | 5’11/230 – Two year starter on back-to-back state champion

DEFENSE
DL – JT Brands | Oakland-Craig | 6’2/275 – Signed with South Dakota; 179 rushing yards, 6 TD’s; 14 receptions, 192 yards, 2 TD’s; 71 tackles, 6 TFL
DL – Caden Cetak | Lincoln East | 6’4/225 – Signed with North Dakota; 30 tackles, 9 TFL, 6 sacks
DL – RJ Eckhart | Omaha Westside | 6’1/235 – 60 tackles, 9 TFL, 7 sacks
DL – Nolan Fennessy | Norfolk Catholic | 6’5/250 – Committed to Nebraska as preferred walk-on; 84 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks
DL – Aidan Miller | Millard South | 6’4/240 – Signed with Northern Iowa; 97 tackles, 33 TFL, 5 sacks
LB – Sam Brummund | Omaha Skutt | 6’2/220 – 115 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks
LB – Mason Chandler | Bellevue East | 6’0/205 – 1,400 passing yards, 11 TD’s; 186 rushing yards, 6 TD’s; 89 tackles, 2 TFL, sack
LB – Kevon Newsome | Omaha Central | 6’1/215 – 99 tackles, INT
LB – Sawyer Schilke | Kearney | 6’3/230 (Jr.) – 58 tackles, 10 TFL, 5 sacks
LB – Dylan Sheard | Bellevue West | 6’2/235 – 70 tackles, 9 TFL, INT
LB – Isaiah Weber | Gretna | 5’7/180 – 1,297 rushing yards, 18 TD’s; 82 tackles, 12 TFL, 2 sacks
DB – Jeremiah Gorham | Omaha Bryan | 5’11/195 – 45 receptions, 659 yards, 7 TD’s; 194 rushing yards, 2 TD’s; 59 tackles, 4 INT’s
DB – Jordon Hurst | Omaha Westside | 5’11/180 – Committed to Wayne State (NE); 31 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 INT’s
DB – Thomas Meckna | Elkhorn North | 6’3/185 – Signed with South Dakota; 26 receptions, 463 yards, 6 TD’s; 40 tackles, 6 INT’s
DB – Ty Nielsen | Elkhorn South | 6’0/190 – Signed with St. Thomas (MN); 199 total yards, 2 TD”s; 69 tackles, INT
P – Chase Loftin | Elkhorn North | 6’5/205 (Jr.) – Now at Millard South; Elite level prospect; 35 receptions, 572 yards, 5 TD’s; 38.2 per punt (7 inside 20)

Class A, B, C-1, C-2, Eight Man, Six Man, Class of 2025 Lists Coming Soon