Nebraska's top high school football players: Meet the state's best defensive backs
The best cover guys in Nebraska vary from a player who had 90 tackles last season to another who ran a 4.52 40-yard dash.
This year’s crop is especially talented. There are three commits to the Cornhuskers, one to North Dakota, a Division II prospect and one player who has the pick of the litter when it comes to his future destination.
Nebraska once had just a few corners and safeties with next-level potential but it’s becoming a figure closer and closer to five or more each year.
Caleb Benning – Westside – 5-11, 188
Benning’s success extends beyond the field to the classroom where he is an honors student with more than just athletic opportunities in his future.
The son of former Husker Damon Benning, Caleb dealt with injuries for much of last season before returning for the state championship against Gretna. Despite the time away, Benning made his presence known with two interceptions to go with 13 catches and 96 yards on offense.
The Westside senior has nine scholarship offers ranging from his dad’s alma mater to other teams in the Big 10, the SEC, the Big 12 and the Mountain West.
“Tremendous Leader, hard worker, never satisfied,” Westside coach Paul Limongi said. “He’s always on the field and excels in all three phases of the game. Caleb studies the opponent well, which makes him play fast and confident. The bigger the game, the better he plays. He’s a generational-type student-athlete.”
Donald DeFrand Jr. – Southeast – 6-1, 170
DeFrand has a track background that has translated very well onto the football field. The Southeast senior was an All-City honoree last year at Lincoln High who has fit in just fine after a move to the Knights. Take a look at his stats and there’s not a lot that stands out, but that has to do with his talent and quality – it’s just not worth it to throw it his way.
“Donald is an excellent athlete who has been outstanding for us in man coverage this season,” Southeast coach Ryan Gottula said. “He has the ability to run with receivers on deep routes and he has done a very nice job of studying film of opponents so that he is prepared for what he will see each week.
“I have also seen a lot of growth in his game over the first few weeks in his ability to play an entire game defensively while also helping us on special teams and when needed on offense.”
Gunnar Lym – Bennington – 6-1, 190
Lym is coming off back-to-back championship seasons and a summer in which he became the first North Dakota commit for the Class of 2024. Over the past two years, Bennington has put together identical 13-0 seasons, but much of the attention has gone to the offensive side of the ball. Yet it’s a defense that has allowed less than 10 points 11 times in those 26 games where much of the credit should be directed. That’s where Lym makes his mark. In his junior year he picked off four passes and also contributed on special teams with two punt return touchdowns.
“Gunnar is great because of his burst to get places fast. He's physical and can tackle in space. His length allows him to cover the bigger receivers but still have the ability to keep up with the smaller quick ones as well,” Badger coach Kameron Lenhart said. “Lastly, he is a great learner. We don't have to tell him things twice - he gets it the first time. He has tremendous ball skills and has shown what he can do when he gets the ball in his hands with his kick and punt returns.”
Zac McLeay – Creighton Prep – 6-0, 180
McLeay didn’t waste any time getting back into the new season when the Creighton Prep senior piled up 24 tackles in a Week 0 matchup with Bellevue West. That’s a ton of tackles for any position, even a free safety, but McLeay is no stranger to getting involved in nearly every play. Last fall, he put together 69 tackles, 2.5 for loss and picked off two passes. Through the first four games of 2023 he already has 77 tackles, forced a fumble and deflected a pass.
Currently, McLeay is a Division II prospect, but if that remains the case, someone is going to get a steal in a guy who looks like at least an FCS player if not more.
“Zac McLeay has great instincts as a defensive back,” Prep coach Tim Johnk said. “He is one of the best open field tacklers I have ever coached. He has great speed and strength and understands angles when filling downhill from his safety spot. He is a master of his craft as a defensive back.
Ryker Evans – Hi Line – 5-11, 170
It doesn’t matter the level, Evans is a special player whose skills would allow him to contribute to any roster. In his case, it’s a Hi-Line where he amassed 87 tackles as a junior, had four games with double-digit tackles, picked off three passes and recovered two fumbles.
He’s continued that high level play into his senior season for a 3-1 Hi-Line squad. His impact on that start includes 25 total tackles, 11 then 10 in the first two games, two interceptions and a 45-yard interception return.
“Ryker has a ton of natural ability, but he's not simply satisfied with that. He knows that if he works hard and puts in the time, he can be a special talent,” Hi-Line coach Ben Spiegel said. “He has a tremendous work ethic, and when you couple that with his football instincts, it creates the product of an exceptional football player.
“However, it's not just the work Ryker puts in that makes him special. His teammates are constantly pushing themselves in practice, and when everybody is doing that, it elevates the level of play for the whole team. Ryker feeds off that and then pushes himself to be a better player.”
Alex Runge – Gretna – 5-10, 185
Runge was a starter for the Dragons last year when they returned to the state title game with one of the best defensive units in the state. His contributions to that side of the ball included 39 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Through the first part of 2023, he has 12 stops and a fumble recovery. He’s also taken on a bigger role offensively with 15 catches for 161 yards.
“Alex is a two-year starter for us,” coach Mike Kayl said. “From safety, he’s a leader on defense that helps get everyone aligned and makes the defensive call. He also starts at receiver on offense and plays on most every special teams unit. Alex comes to practice every day with a great attitude and work ethic.”
Braeden Sunken – North Star – 6-3, 190
Sunken is coming off a season where he was honored as an All-City performer with 38 tackles and five interceptions. He’s also excellent on the diamond where his fastball was measured at 90mph. His skills at both translate from one sport to the next and make him one of the most effective defensive backs in the state. He’s also an excellent student with a 4.0 GPA.
“Braeden is a tenacious person with high level instincts and a strong desire to be great,” coach James Thompson said. “He has been a leader for us and is simply fun to coach. His baseball background allows him to track the ball well and make plays.”
Trent Buda – Southwest – 6-2, 185
Buda is a unique combination of power and speed who can come up from safety to make a tackle or lock down a receiver in coverage. He picked off three passes last season and already has one this year and a 46-yard return. Buda has 35 tackles through four games including a performance against Columbus that included a season-high 17 stops.
Southwest coach Grant Traynowicz said all of Buda’s success is a result of hard work and dedication. Buda prepares each week to set himself up for success and worked hard in the offseason to improve his 40 time to 4.8 seconds.
“Trent is a guy who has worked and earned everything he's gotten. He knows how to watch film and identify things from his study that will give him an edge on game night,” Traynowicz said. “He is willing and physical enough to come from his safety spot and make tackles near the line of scrimmage. At the same time, he's athletic enough to make plays in coverage and on the ball.
“Trent isn't afraid to make tough decisions as a leader and has a good connection with his teammates. He comes from a good family and is a great kid.”
Tommy Meckna – Elkhorn North – 6-3, 180
Meckna and Elkhorn North have been on the rise in recent years, taking the program to new heights last year with a trip to the playoffs. The Wolves opened their inaugural season of play in 2020 and put together a pair of 1-8 seasons before going 6-3 last year and winning a playoff over Pius. Meckna has been an integral part of that rise as a receiver and defensive back. He intercepted three passes and broke up five others last fall. Offensively, he caught 11 balls for 201 yards and four touchdowns. He has yet to pick off a pass this season but is leading an Elkhorn North defense that has the Wolves at 4-0 for the first time in school history.
“Tommy Meckna does a tremendous job for us at corner and possesses a skill set that allows him to play multiple positions in the defensive secondary,” Elkhorn North coach Sam Stanley said. “Tommy is a big body who demonstrates fantastic athletic ability, which allows him to run with wide receivers in coverage. He is also a physical football player who is a sure tackler who can also deliver the big hit when he gets the opportunity. Tommy has worked hard to improve all aspects of his game on both sides of the ball.”
Dezmond Straatman – Platteview – 5-10, 170
Straatman is quite the weapon to put on the field for the Platteview coaching staff. He’s been finding a way to get on the field since his freshman year, whether that be as a receiver, outside linebacker or defensive back. He saw the field in six games his rookie year and has only improved ever since.
Straatman showed his potential as one of the best in the state a year ago when he had 68 tackles and made 9.5 of those behind the line of scrimmage. Through the first four games of 2023, Straatman has already amassed 29 stops and 2.5 tackles for loss.
“Dezmond is a unique football player because his physical ability allows him to be versatile in the way he is used,” Platteview coach Mark McLaughlin said. “He is physical enough to handle tight ends and H-backs in coverage or in the run game. He is fast and quick enough to handle slot receivers and running backs in man-to-man coverage. He is consistently one of our top three in tackles each game. We can move him around in our defensive alignments and know he won't be out of place. A willing tackler, great coverage player and smart kid.
Donovan Jones – Omaha North – 6-1, 185
Wyoming and Nebraska were both in on Jones this summer but it was the Huskers who earned a commitment from the North defensive back in late June. Jones drew the attention of Cowboys coach Craig Bohl and the Husker at a Nebraska Friday Night Lights Camp due to many reasons, one of which was his 4.52 second 40-yard dash time. That plus 42 tackles, a team-best seven pass breakups and two interceptions put him on the recruiting radar. Through the first three games of 2023, he has made 22 tackles.
Asher Jenkins – Bellevue West – 6-1, 182
Jenkins is a big reason why the Thunderbirds believe the defense can get back on track in 2023 after giving up nearly 26 points per game in 2022. The senior safety was one of the bright spots in last year’s up-and-down defensive corps – landing third on the list for team tackles with 56. He also made 8.5 TFLs, sacked the quarterback once and picked off a pass. Jenkins also has a role in special teams as a returner whose speed makes him a threat to break the big one. Jenkins is a three-time state qualifier and winner of state medals in the 200, 400 and 400 relay. He and his teammates brought home the 2022 400 relay gold. The names in that group include fellow Husker recruit Dae’vonn Hall, FBS recruit Kyrell Jordan and Wyoming Class of 2022 commit L.J. Richardson.
Caden VerMaas – Millard North – 6-0, 195
VerMaas became the first Nebraska commit of the 2025 class when he said yes to Matt Rhule last April. In his sophomore season, VerMaas was one of the most dynamic players in the state. Defensively, where his skills translate to the next level, he made 34 tackles. In special teams, VerMaas returned two punts for touchdowns. When the Mustangs had the ball, VerMaas put together a season with 665 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, 121 yards receiving and a touchdown and had a touchdown pass.
VerMaas was offered under previous Husker head coach Mickey Joseph and had interest from Iowa, Iowa State and Northwestern. When he made his decision, rather than give Rhule a call, he and his mom drove to Lincoln and met with Rhule so he could deliver the news and give the Husker head man a hug.
Jon Ferguson – Millard West
Ferguson is back as the leading returning tackler for a Millard West squad that has flipped a 1-3 start a year ago to a 3-1 start in 2023. Improved defense and contributions by Ferguson have led to a defense that’s on pace to allow fewer points than last year by more than a field goal. A year ago, he made 80 tackles and broke up eight passes. He also made one of the plays of the year when he blocked a Southeast extra point late in a game for a 17-16 win over the Knights. It was a crucial win for the Wildcats who came into the game 3-3 and amid a three-game winning streak.
Adam Hamilton – South Sioux City – 6-1, 160
South Sioux City has won a maximum of four games in each of the past 10 seasons. Several of those years include just one or two wins. But in 2023 the Cardinals are one of the stories of the early season with wins in each of the first four games. Hamilton is back as a defensive playmaker who made a team-high 44 tackles, intercepted three passes, broke up three others and recovered two fumbles. Through his first three games of 2023, he has intercepted one pass and made 10 tackles.
Na’Zaire Djissenou – Millard South – 5-8, 160
The Patriots were a mix of seniors and juniors a year ago that had to fight to get out of a 1-3 start. Despite the contributions of many juniors and younger, the quarterback, second-leading rusher, five of the top six receivers and four of the top five tacklers moved on. That sounds like trouble, but Millard South has won the first four games of 2023, edged out rival Millard West and throttled last year’s runner-up Gretna. Add in a shutout of Elkhorn South and the Patriots look to be quite formidable on the defensive side of the ball. Djissenou has been in the middle of it all with 22 tackles. That’s almost halfway to his full total from last season when he made 48 stops, broke up three passes, made two tackles behind the line and recovered a fumble.
Ethan Baessler – Blair – 5-9 165
Baessler has been blazing a trail all around the Blair secondary for the last two years and shutting down opposing receivers with some of the best wheels in the state. The Bear senior won four medals at the state track meet just four months ago and set the state meet record in the 100. He earned double gold in the 100 and 200 to go with silvers in the 400 and 1600 relays.
He used that speed last year to make 25 tackles and intercept four passes. He also carried it 25 times for 216 yards and a touchdown, caught 17 passes for 174 and two more scores, averaged over 27 yards on kick returns and 10 yards on punt returns.
Baessler has made 15 tackles through the first four games of 2023, added 253 yards rushing with two touchdowns and is averaging 28 yards on kickoff returns.
Carter Reisig – Scottsbluff – 6-3, 185
Reisig started his career as a quarterback in Mitchell who struggled to complete passes. He’s since moved on to Scottsbluff where he has found his home in the secondary. Reisig hit on just 43% of his throws as a sophomore and tossed six interceptions. He was mostly under center and in shotgun because of his legs, but even then he might have been underutilized despite 633 rush yards, 6.0 per carry and eight touchdowns. The Bearcats have since transitioned Reisig to the defensive side of the ball where his level of play has been recognized as some of the best in Class B.
Reisig piled up 50 tackles with six behind the line, picked off three passes and forced a fumble as a member of the Scottsbluff roster last fall. His first four games of 2023 have included 15 stops, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He has also had his number called on offense and produced 25 yards in just four carries and scored on all four attempts. Through the air, he has caught 13 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Logan Wooten – Plattsmouth – 5-8, 140
Wooten is a guy receivers will think twice about the after they lower a shoulder and get sent back the other direction. A two-time state wrestling qualifier, Wooten has used his brand of fast and physical play to stand out as one of the best in Class B.
When he was given his first significant playing time a season ago, Wooten responded with 53 tackles in eight games to go with two interceptions. With four games under his belt in his senior season, Wooten has sacked the quarterback and made 12 tackles. Those numbers aren’t the most appealing, but offensive coordinators have learned to call plays and send passes with Wooten in mind.
And now that he’s firmly entrenched as one of the best Blue Devil defenders, the coaching staff has found ways to make him a part of the offense as well. He caught eight passes for 98 yards as a junior and already has five catches for 128 and a touchdown in four games this fall.
Brant Gulizia – Auburn – 6-0, 190
Gulizia projects as a linebacker at the next level and it’s not hard to see why. He might be considered the most physical player on this list and is definitely first when it comes to total tackles. Gulizia piled up 90 last season, nine for loss, intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles. He also carried the ball 65 times on offense for an average of 4.6 yards-per-carry with five touchdowns. He’s a guy who enjoys contact and enjoys dishing out pain whether it’s making a stop or lowering his shoulder for a few more yards. Perhaps the most frightening thing for opponents is the fact that Gulizia is a junior who will only continue to grow faster, stronger and add more muscle mass.
Gulizia was voted Honorable Mention All-State for Class C-1 who has rolled that success right into 2023 with 36 total tackles, three for loss and a sack through the first four games.
--Nathan Charles
Photo of Caleb Benning courtesy of 247 Sports
