Blog: Nebraska Prep Football Class A Linebackers to Watch in 2024 (8/27/24)

Of all the defensive positions, the linebacker slot fascinates me the most

most. The man in the middle, his hands firmly on his kneecaps, watches the upcoming game with the eyes of a hawk.

I was spoiled watching the incomparable LaVonte David play for the Huskers, displaying some of the most amazing lateral movement I have ever seen.

It takes a true athlete to fill the linebacker position at any level of football, so I decided to pay tribute to the players who I believe make a tremendous impact in every class under the hallowed Friday Night Lights.

I’ll start with the Class A linebackers who strike fear into the hearts of anyone who holds a football.

CLASS A

*Christian Jones-Omaha Westside-6’3, 225, senior – Top LB in the state. Saw him play twice last season and there’s a reason he has tons of D1 offers. Jones will make a smooth transition from Friday Night Lights to the Saturday afternoon spotlight.

*Pierce Mooberry-Millard North – 6’3”, 200 lbs., senior – Husker Commit has incredible athletic ability and has had it for quite some time. A real BALLER.

*Sawyer Schilke-Kearney, 1.90 m, 101 kg, senior – My goodness! This guy gobbles up ball carriers like they’re an afternoon snack. Also, you better hope Schilke doesn’t charge over the edge, because if he does, it’s over. Sawyer Schilke is a mean scooter.

*Dylan Kuhl-Millard South – 5’11, 195, Senior – Speaking of lateral movement, Kuhl was everywhere, up and down the football field, frequently visiting the opposing backfield. Every game. The perfect model of a high school championship linebacker.

*Cash Buettenback-Lincoln Southeast-6’0, 210, senior – Great footwork, great speed and this guy will chase you down, shake off blockers and make the tackle. Cash is money on Friday night.

*Nate Appleget-Lincoln Southeast-6 ‘3, 200, junior – Nate, Buettenback’s LB partner in the Knights’ defensive middle, is quick off the ball and fast enough to cover speedy wide receivers. Great vision and feel for the ball.

*McCorter Goese-Elkhorn South, 6’1, 210, senior – Last time I checked, Goese was benching 320 pounds, and that’s what you saw on the field a year ago. McCorter sets the tone for this Elkhorn South football team in terms of physicality, and uses his 4.8 speed to put a powerful stop to the run game. This young man is a BALLER!

*Kale Johnson-Papillion-La Vista, 6’3, 225, senior – Reminds me of a bigger Nate Appleget with his 4.8 speed and strong ability to cover receivers. A very smart football player who is patient and usually tracks down the man with the ball and finishes the play.

*Ben Shafer-Papillion-La Vista South, 6’8″, 200 lbs, senior – This Shafer kid is literally EVERYWHERE on defense! Ben’s HUDL film clips list him as MLB, OLB, DE, RB, and ATH. That’s no joke. Shafer, who is 4.6x faster and can lift a small building, is a real threat rushing from the sidelines. My goodness, Shafer is on the man with the ball before anyone has even the slightest chance to block him. Ben has also rushed for 532 yards and scored 6 touchdowns as a running back. Can you say Swiss Army Knife?

*Jameson Rayner-Millard South, 5’11, 200, senior – Really, really great MLB, in fact Rayner is the leading returning tackler in Class A. The man knows where the football is on every play. Jameson also brings the wood on every swing. Smart football mind with the inner radar that ball carriers fear.

……AND the rest of the top-notch Class A linebackers.

*Johnny Hurtado – Omaha Westside – 5’10”, 215 pounds, Senior

*Ian Asselin-Omaha Creighton Prep, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, senior

*Max Clark-Omaha North, 6’2, 220, junior