Nebraska Prep Football's Top Class A Quarterbacks and Receivers

Omaha South Division One recruit, Noah Fant. *(photo courtesy of 247 Sports)

Nebraska Prep Football's Top Class A Quarterbacks and Receivers

by Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

Let's meet Nebraska High School's top gunslingers and receivers that will keep defensive backs on their toes in 2015.

Class A Top Returning QBs:

*Jaydn Kowalski-Bellevue West (#10) - 6-4, 200, (Sr.) - 197 of 331- 3,059 Yards, 37 TDs (8 INT)* - Jaydn throws for 3,000 yards and nearly 40 touchdowns but his receivers, CJ Johnson and Malik Hluchoweckyj get the lion's share of the credit. I'll agree, those two wide receivers were out of sight, but somebody had to throw those strikes. Kowalski is a 3 step drop quarterback who throws to a spot and his receivers run under the ball, catch, and go. Jaydn is good at it. Colleges are holding off on Kowalski to see how he fares this fall. Remember, Kowalski set a Single Game Passing Yards record in a 47-43 loss to Creighton Prep a year ago by connecting for 30 of 54 for 599 big ones. The week before, Jaydn torched Millard North for 445. That's 1,044 yards in a 2 week span against two of the top teams in the state in Class A.

I have some news for D-1 colleges looking at Kowalski. Number 10 has two more dynamic receivers coming back in Cade Johnson (698 yards) and Creighton Prep transfer, Trystn Ducker (304 yards). Kowalski has another chance to throw for a gazillion big ones so there may be the same tough recruiting questions facing a D-1 school such as Nebraska.

Jaydn Kowalski is a good QB, friends. Cool as a cucumber in the heat of the rush and a beautiful drummer-like wrist release on his passes.

*Mitchell Hagen-Omaha Westside (#16) - 6-3, 205, (Sr.) - 100 of 201-1,380 Yards, 14 TDS (4 INT) - Man, how this young man improved last year. Hagen isn't going to run, so when he drops back, he's going to launch it. Uses either a 3 or 5 step drop, has very firm foot plants, and is the proud owner of a quick trigger. The left-handed Hagen can throw pretty well when flushed from the pocked and good grief, can Hagen thread that needle. I held my breath sometimes when he threw into coverage a year ago, but the missile was deadly accurate. Perfect QB for Westside's style of offense.

*Jordan Flowers-Omaha Central (#5) - (Jr.) - 6-0, 200, (Jr.) - 66 of 135-1,266 Yds, 13 TDs, (8 INT) - Did very well as a sophomore in a brutal District and will assume a bigger role with the loss of two time 1000 yard rusher Tre Sanders to graduation. Very exciting runner who makes quick decisions when he needs to take off running out of the pocket.

*Gunner Fuelberth-Norfolk (#13) - 5-11, 190, (Sr.) - 101 of 152-1,217, 13 TDs (7 Games) - Last year at Kearney I told Gunner maybe he should change his number instead of going with 13. That was the final regular season game of the year and just the week before, Fuelberth tore his ACL against North Platte in a non-contact injury that would force him to miss the rest of his junior year in All sports. Two years ago as a sophomore, Gunner came on the 3rd game of the season after Taylor Reedy tore his ACL, and completed 19 of 26 passes for 270 yards and 2 TDs in a 42-17 win over rival Fremont. But later in that 2013 season, Gunner missed time with a shoulder injury.

Tell you something football fans, Gunner Fuelberth is one of the top quarterbacks in Class A. He has a rifle arm dropping back, rolling out, or just raising up to nail a wide-out streaking across the middle, Fuelberth has been razor sharp, hitting around the 65% mark for his career. And when this guy runs, look out. So strong he can flatten out a defender who tries to stop him one on one. I pray this young man stays healthy the entire 2015 season. Are you sure you want that #13 jersey Gunner?

*Cory Myers-Omaha Northwest (#1) - (Jr.) - 5-10, 150, (Jr.) - 80 of 181-1,104 Yds, 12 TDs, (8 INT) - Awful difficult to throw for over a 1000 yards when you only win one game. Only a sophomore a year ago, Myers throws with a sidewinder motion and if he could repeat his opening game against Fremont a year ago, this kid will have a terrific 2015. Needs to strengthen that throwing arm, which will come with time. A little more pass protection might help things. Myers doesn't run much, so he needs that pass protection blocking.

*Dillon Hike-Bellevue East (#18) - 6-3, 195, (Sr.) - 92 of 189, 1083 Yds, 12 TDs, (10 INT) - Good looking QB that can toss the ball a country mile and throw back against his body very well. Hike has a very quick drop back motion and wastes little time making decisions and spotting receivers. Good accuracy (49%) and will benefit from the fact new head coach Anthony Dunn was a 4 year starting quarterback at Doane. Hike will not run much. Very assertive passer though.

*Trevor Petersen-Lincoln Northeast (#16) - 6-0, 180, (Sr.) - 89 of 156-1,029 Yds, 3 TDs (7 INT) - Ok, I realize that TD to INT ratio looks bad, but this guy threw for over a thousand yards in just FIVE games and completed nearly 58% of his passes. Really good looking QB with a lightning fast drop and a dead-eye when he spots an open receiver. This poor lad had to scramble for his life most of the time and missed 3 full games in September with an ankle injury. For running only a 5.0 forty, Petersen still has good football speed. Should have a nice 2015 if he gets some blocking, plus has a terrific junior receiver in Caden Highsmith, a dandy wide-out capable of 600+ receiving yards.

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........and, let's not forget:

*Zach Luckey-Creighton Prep - 5-11, 170, (Sr.) - 57 of 98-725 Yds, 6 Tds, (1 INT) +Dual Treat QB+ - Took over the starting QB duties in game 4 vs. South Sioux City and led Prep to the Class A Title game in Lincoln against Omaha North. The Junior Jays only 2 losses in 2014 were to Omaha North, but the rest of last season, Zach Luckey wasn't just lucky, he was just plain Good. This kid reminds me of Minnesota Vikings NFL Hall of Fame QB, Fran Tarkenton with his quickness, speed and Houdini-like ability to escape the pass rush. Faster than a bullet, Luckey can burn you in an instant when he takes off running too. Zach has some of the most bizarre moves I have seen in Class A with his "stopping on a dime/2 step to the side" dandy that left some undergarments on the field on more than one occasion.

Zach Luckey is the perfect candidate this fall to be a 1000 yard rusher/passer if he can get some blocking. Luckey will have to run more to begin the new season with new backs being broken in and he certainly ran well a year ago to the tune of 433-95 carries and 6 TDs. Very intelligent football player. Smart kid.

*Class A Top Returning Receivers:

*Cade Johnson-Bellevue West (#5) - 5-11, 170, (Sr.) - 36 receptions, 698 Yds, 9 Tds - Clester Johnson's other boy and C.J.'s little bro. The last thing you want is to have this guy get into open spaces. Cade Johnson runs like smoke through a keyhole with smooth as glass cuts, not sharp plants, just slithering, gliding moves as smooth as a baby's behind.

Dangerous kick returner too if they let him do it this fall. South Dakota and South Dakota State have already offered and I can't see why Wyoming wouldn't be interested with CJ already there. State's top pass receiver in my opinion. Just throw to a spot and watch Cade run under it. Simple as that.

*Colin Schwartz-Norfolk (#6) - 5-10, 190, (Sr.) - 43 receptions, 566 Yds, 10 TDs. - Big, tough wide receiver who is built more like a tight end. Every 4th reception was a touchdown a year ago and many were Sportscenter type catches that saw Schwartz get vertical to make the grab. Uncanny knack of getting open in tough spaces. This young man is also a crunching blocker who dearly loves to knock defenders off their feet while he remains upright looking downfield for someone else to embarass. Colin is also very difficult to tackle. Tremendous leg and upper body strength.

*Monte Mcgary-Omaha South (#3) - 6-1, 175, (Sr.) - 27 Rec, 547 Yds, 9 TDs. - Pretty raw talent on the football field, relatively speaking. We all know how good this kid is on the hardwoods, but 27 catches a year ago and 9 touchdowns....are you kidding me? Every third catch was a score, man. Seeing Noah Fant and Mcgary split out probably gives opponents heart trouble, but Omaha South only won one game a year ago. Tough to get kids from so many different backgrounds to mesh in a football setting sometimes and maybe new Head Coach Chris Fant will have some luck after being named to the top football spot at South after Kevin O'Donnell resigned this spring to take an assistant coaching gig at Papio South.

Mcgary has speed to burn by the way, and some sweet, quick as a flash of lightning cuts that a seasoned football player would have in his hip pocket. Obviously a lethal return man. Katie bar the Door if this kid gets the game of football down pat. Looks like he does pretty well right now to me.

*Mike Minor-Omaha Northwest (#6) - 5-10, 160, (Sr.) - 38 Rec, 506 Yds, 9 TDs. - Minor labors for a team that has won only 3 games the past 6 years. Sad. To haul in 38 passes for over 500 yards is a monumental task at Northwest. Minor was 3rd in the long jump at State Track last May and has some good hops and obviously fine speed. I wonder how good it would feel for him or Mcgary to play for Bellevue West for one game? Here's hoping for another 500+ season for the swift Mike Minor.

*Noah Fant-Omaha South (#45) - 6-4, 215, (Sr.) 32 Rec, 495 Yds, 8 TDs. - Well, what can you say about Fant? To me, this is most most talked about D-1 college recruit in the state. Some players list every single school they have ever received ONE letter from, but Fant has verified Football offers from Nebraska, California, Iowa, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Buffalo, Colorado State, Liberty, Ohio, and South Dakota State. And the 2015 season hasn't even kicked-off yet.

Talented enough to play either Tight End or Defensive End at the next level. Transferred from Omaha Burke, you know and just simply has all the tools. Fights off blocks like crazy to get after the quarterback when he's on defense, and when he hauls in a pass on offense, Fant is impossible for one man to get him to the turf. And honestly, Noah Fant has to be something special, if nothing else, for the simple fact a player can't have too many highlights when his team is getting soundly beaten nearly every week. These college scouts know a good one when they see Fant.

*Alex Lindquist-Omaha Westside (#15) - 6-1, 175, (Sr.) - 33 Rec, 448 Yds, 10 TDs - Does not have blazing speed (4.7) but has a knack of getting open, and absolutely wastes no steps when making his way downfield. The blond Warrior is the one that will be open in a 2 wide or 3 wide receiver set....every time. Had a career night last season against Millard South, catching 5 passes for 125 yards and 2 TDs in a 21-13 Westside victory. Expect more from Lindquist in about two weeks.

*Caden Highsmith-Lincoln NE (#3) - 5-11, 175, (Jr) - 31 Rec, 446 Yds, 9 TDs - Nearly 450 yards and 9 touchdowns in Class A....as a sophomore? Very impressive, I'd say. Knows what to do after he catches the football and is mighty strong for a 175 pounds. In his first game as a sophomore against Lincoln High, Highsmith caught 4 passes for 142 yards. Opponents wised up in a heck of a hurry after that, but the outstanding sophomore still had a stellar rookie season and has a great career ahead of him. Rockets should improve this year.

*Keenan Ketteler-Grand Island (#4) (TE) - 6-2, 170, (Sr.) - 23 Rec, 419 Yds, 7 TDs - In Class A, 170 pounds is an undersized tight end, but it doesn't to bother Kennan Ketteler. Scored all 3 touchdowns the night I saw him against a terrific Omaha Westside squad. Very good linebacker as well. And, 23 catches and an average of 18 yards every reception is pretty salty for a TE. Very valuable player for Jeff Tomlin's Islanders. Keenan is also a good baseball player.

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......and we just cannot forget:

*kj Cotton-Papillion LaVista - 5-10, 165, (Jr.) - 24 catches for 237 Yds, 9 TDs - Pretty obvious why we can't dismiss this guy. :10.57 Gold Medal winning 100 and :21.61 Gold Medal 200 last May at the State Track Meet. Nuff said.

*AJ Meeks-Omaha Westside - 6-0, 200, (Sr.) - 5 catches for 140 Yds, 2 TDs. - How does 28 yards a catch grab you? Led Class A a year ago.

*Grant Martin-Omaha North - 6-2, 205, (Sr.) - 8 catches for 197 Yds. - 24.6 yards a reception, and the best tackler in Class A one-on-one, especially in wide open spaces. PURE football dude who knows how to make the big play.

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......next, Class B Returning QB's and Receivers.