By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Many experts like to scoff at the talent that comes out of Nebraska because the state just has 1.8 million people. Only two cities, Omaha and Lincoln, have more than 50,000 residents. On Husker gameday in Lincoln, Memorial Stadium is the third largest city in the state.
High school football is a big deal in Nebraska. All across the Cornhusker State from the mountainous terrain in the Panhandle to the Missouri River, many have childhood dreams to become a Cornhusker.
Names like Eric Crouch and Ahman Green have been part of Nebraska's lore, coming into the national spotlight out of the prep ranks in Nebraska. Gale Sayers came out of Omaha to attend Kansas, earning the nickname the `Kansas Comet' before stardom followed with the Chicago Bears.
All had unbelievable collegiate careers, with Crouch winning the 2001 Heisman Trophy. Both players had a laundry list of colleges from every conference courting their services. Both shook off the stereotype that Nebraska does not produce high school football talent.
Take the 1997 Nebraska team, for example. On the team that split the national championship with Michigan, seven offensive starters hailed from Nebraska. Proof, once again, that the talent pool in Nebraska is deeper than you think.
Omaha alone has produced three Heisman Trophy winners; Nile Kinnick (Iowa, 1939), Johnny Rodgers (Nebraska, 1972), and Crouch.
Three of Nebraska's eight Outland Trophy winners were home grown. Dave Rimington (Omaha South, 1981-82), Dean Steinkuhler (Burr, 1983), and Zach Wiegert (Fremont Bergan, 1994).
You get the picture.
Two linemen from Nebraska this season are making waves nationally. One is the son of a former Outland Trophy winner. Baker Steinkuhler, already committed to follow in his father's footsteps to Nebraska, is ranked the 33rd best prospect nationally according to CSTV.
Elkhorn's Trevor Robinson originally committed to Nebraska before reopening his recruitment, adding Notre Dame into the mix. Robinson is the 67th top prospect according to CSTV, and could still eventually become a Cornhusker.
Even Oklahoma was after Millard North's Sean Fisher. Fisher committed to Nebraska instead of switching shades of red. Fisher is 6-5 and one of the top defensive players in the state.
2007 MaxPreps Preseason Nebraska All-State Team
Offense
Quarterback
John Leverson- Crete (6-4,190, Sr.)
Leverson committed to Nebraska over the summer and could play a number of positions in Lincoln. Leverson threw for 1,580 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Class B state champions as a junior, while also checking in with nine rushing touchdowns. Leverson was also among the state leaders with seven interceptions.
Running Backs
Collins Okafor- Omaha Westside (6-1, 210, Sr.)
Okafor broke out in a big way as a junior for the Warriors, who made a run to the Class A (large-school) state championship game last season. Okafor leads a loaded Westside squad coming into 2007. Okafor rushed for 1,870 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning him first team All-State honors. Committed to Nebraska.
Brandon Brown- Lincoln Southwest (5-10, 210, Sr.)
Brown was a capable second option for the Silver Hawks last season. Starter Ollie Sloup rushed for over 1,300 yards for Southwest. Expect Brown to have better campaign in 2007. Last season, Brown rushed for 486 yards on 73 carries and six touchdowns. Also averaged over 28 yards per kickoff return.
Rustin Dring- Kearney (5-11, 180, Sr.)
Dring did his part in leading the Bearcats to their first state championship last season with a 12-1 record. As a junior, Dring rushed for 1,184 yards and 15 touchdowns for Kearney. Graduation decimated the Bearcats in 2007, but Dring is a good place to start the rebuilding process.
Wide Receivers
Vondrae Tostenson- Millard South (6-4, 205, Jr.)
The sky is the limit for this junior. Millard South is Tostenston's third school in three years after spending time at Omaha Central and Omaha Creighton Prep. Combining with major prospect quarterback Alex Hook, Tostenston's numbers could increase. In two high school seasons, Tostenson has hauled 13 touchdown receptions on just 41 receptions. Tostenson could be one of the top receiving prospects in America next season.
Troy Williams- Auburn (6-3, 190, Sr.)
Williams' family was displaced to Auburn, a town of 3,100 in southeast Nebraska, due to Hurricane Katrina. Williams scored 13 touchdowns last season on just 25 receptions in his first taste of Huskerland high school football, and is a big-time sleeper for the Class of 2008. Williams returns for the defending Class C-1 champs.
Tight End
Tim Biere- Omaha Westside (6-4, 235, Sr.)
Biere has committed to Kansas. Biere excelled in the red zone for the Warriors in their run to the 2006 Class A state-title game, where they fell to Kearney. Biere caught 29 passes for 456 yards as a junior, converting nine of his receptions into touchdowns. On defense, Biere recorded 75 tackles and four sacks. Biere is one of the major reasons why Omaha Westside is one the favorites to win its first state title since 1982.
Offensive Line
Baker Steinkuhler- Lincoln Southwest (6-6, 290, Sr.)
Steinkuhler is the son for a former Outland Trophy winner. His father, Dean, took home the award in 1983 while taking part on a Husker team widely-regarded as the best team in college football history not to win a national championship. CSTV ranks Steinkuhler as the 33rd best prospect nationally in this year's senior class, and has already committed to follow in the footsteps of his father and older brother Ty Steinkuhler. Baker's brother is penciled in as the opening day starter at defensive tackle in 2007 for the Huskers.
Trevor Robinson- Elkhorn (6-5, 300, Sr.)
Robinson originally committed to his home state Huskers before opening his recruitment once again, including Notre Dame into the picture. Robinson, ranked as the 67th best prospect nationally according to CSTV recruiting guru Tom Lemming, also excels on defense. Robinson registered 14 tackles for loss and six sacks for the Antlers as a junior.
Jeff Pokorny- Howells (6-3, 285, Sr.)
Howells made the transition from eight-man superpower to Class C-2 for their first season in the 11-man ranks, and performed just fine thanks to talents like Pokorny. With the return of Pokorny in 2007, the Bobcats are widely-considered to be one of the favorites to win the state title.
Brian Thorson- Millard North (6-3, 280, Sr.)
Thorson was a staple in an impressive offensive line for the Mustangs, who averaged 315.6 yards per game on the ground. Normally losing a quarterback, fullback, and tailback heading into any season would be cause for alarm. That should not be the case for a high-powered arsenal like Millard North. The Mustangs reload, and Thorson makes the transition easier.
Jon Lechner- Omaha Creighton Prep (6-5, 310, Jr.)
Lechner, along with Tostenson, appears to be headed to elite prospect status in the Class of 2009. Lechner had an impressive list of schools already courting his services, including the likes of Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, and Notre Dame. Nebraska, for Lechner, is not necessarily a lock.
Athletes
Ronnell Grixby- Omaha Central (5-9, 200, Sr.)
Grixby can use a strong senior campaign to get back into the recruiting discussion. Grixby was a once ballyhooed prospect for the Eagles before his track to a Division I scholarship went off path. Grixby is also a sought after basketball prospect. On the gridiron, Grixby has rushed for over 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Defensively, Grixby had 47 tackles last season for the Eagles.
Ty Kildow- Millard South (5-8, 170, Jr.)
Kildow exploded onto the scene in the season opening upset victory over rival Millard North with a 57-yard touchdown reception. As a sophomore, Kildow caught 44 passes for 747 yards and seven touchdowns in leading the Patriots to an 11-1 record. Teamed with Tostenson, Millard South now has two home run threats at receiver.
Defense
Defensive Line
Tyrone Sellers- McCook (6-4, 210, Jr.)
The Bison are known for their defense. In 2004, for example, McCook allowed just 63 total points in 14 games. With Sellers roaming the defensive line last season, McCook allowed just 150.2 yards per contest. Expect Sellers to break out in a big way in his junior season anchoring the Bison defense. Last season, McCook posted five shutouts before finishing 11-1 with a loss to Crete in the Class B semifinals.
Ben Homer- Millard North (6-3, 265, Sr.)
The younger brother of Paul Homer, a fullback at Washington, Ben is starting to make a name for himself heading into the 2007 campaign. Homer will join linebacker Eric Ringbolm and defensive back Sean Fisher on a defense that promises to be one of the best in the state this season.
Nick Phillips- Omaha North (5-9, 245, Sr.)
Phillips earned first-team All-State honors for the Vikings as a junior. Phillips registered 63 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and four sacks while operating out of the defensive tackle position for a defense that allowed just 225.8 yards per game. Including in his impressive resume' was a 70-yard fumble return for a touchdown last season.
Linebackers
Matt Manninger- Omaha Creighton Prep (6-0, 220, Sr.)
Manninger is on the radar of some big-time programs after a junior season where he recorded 97 tackles and an interception for the Junior Jays. Manninger was named to the Omaha World-Herald All-Metro team last season.
Graham Stoddard- Lincoln Southwest (6-1, 215, Sr.)
Stoddard had 69 tackles, five sacks, and two interceptions while leading one of the best defensive units in the state as a junior. Stoddard defines the term "student-athlete", finding himself on the Southwest Honor Roll last season with a 3.8 grade point average. Schools such as Colorado State, Iowa State, Nebraska, and Kansas State are keeping a keen eye on Stoddard's senior season.
Jeremy Wallace- Omaha Bryan (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Wallace led the Bears with 91 tackles and an interception last season. On offense, Wallace rushed for six touchdowns while leading Bryan to a playoff appearance. Schools such as Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas State, and Army are said to be interested Wallace.
Defensive Backs
Sean Fisher- Millard North (6-5, 210, Sr.)
Fisher committed to Nebraska over the summer, spurning offers from Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Arizona State, Arkansas, and Iowa. He is likely to play linebacker at the collegiate level. While in the defensive backfield for the Mustangs, Fisher had 92 tackles to lead Millard North, and added three interceptions to his impressive resume'.
Shaun Prater- Omaha Central (5-10, 165, Sr.)
Prater has already verbally committed to Iowa. As a junior, Prater had 65 tackles, four fumble recoveries, and three sacks for the Eagles. Prater picked the Hawkeyes over offers from Iowa State and Ohio. Prater's twin brother Shane is also a highly-regarded wide receiver after hauling in seven touchdown passes for the Eagles last season.
Nick Anderson- Omaha Skutt Catholic (6-1, 185, Sr.)
Anderson is an outstanding two-sport star for the SkyHawks, also being a part of two state championship teams in basketball. Anderson, however, is making a name for himself as a safety under coach Matt Turman, a former Nebraska quarterback. On offense, Anderson had six touchdown receptions as a junior. Schools such as Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado State, and Purdue are monitoring his progress as a senior.
Jordan Makovicka- Brainard East Butler (5-10, 170, Sr.)
Another in a long line of Makovicka's out of the East Butler program. On offense, Makovicka rushed for 1,951 yards and 22 touchdowns. Defensively, Makovicka swiped four passes to lead the defense for the C-2 Tigers. With Makovicka back in the fold for the Tigers, East Butler are one of the favorites in Class C-2 this season.
Micah Fisher- Lincoln Southwest (6-1, 170, Sr.)
Fisher displayed his big play ability on offense, taking six of his ten receptions for touchdowns while averaging 29.5 yards per reception. Fisher also booted a 50-yard field goal in the first round of the playoffs in a victory over Fremont. On defense, Fisher had 35 tackles and two interceptions for Southwest and tied the school record for pass breakups. Don't be shocked if Nebraska and Iowa offer Fisher after another stellar campaign.
Special Teams
Kicker
Brett Maher- Kearney (6-0, 170, Sr.)
Maher, a move-in from Utica Centennial, played quarterback and defensive back while being one of the top kickers in the state. Maher just missed on a 58-yard attempt last season. Inside 40 yards, Maher nailed 11 of 15.
Coming Thursday: Class A Preview and Week "0" Preview
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net
