The class of 2019 was a special year in the state of Nebraska for high school football. It’s rare to have five sure-fire Power 5 level players in the state in a single cycle. Led by Barrett Ruud, Nebraska did a great job of bringing in all five players.
For the class of 2020, things aren’t so clear early on. We do know that the two 2020 players that hold Nebraska offers (wide receivers Xavier Watts and Zavier Betts) will be highly sought-after. After those two, we will see who emerges to pick up an offer from the Huskers.
Here are some players to watch for the class of 2020 listed in alphabetical order.
Wide Receiver Zavier Betts (Bellevue West)
The potential for Betts to be a difference maker in college is through the roof. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Betts has the size and speed combination that makes scouts take immediate notice. He is a smooth route-runner and high points the ball well. In 2018, he tallied 48 catches for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns. Nebraska appears to be his current leader but Minnesota and Iowa State aren’t going away.
Running Back Jevyon Ducker (Bellevue West)
The talented running back holds an offer from Purdue right now and has interest from a lot of regional FCS programs. Standing at 5-foot 10 and 185 pounds, Ducker has good speed and hands that make him a versatile back. He was very productive during his junior season when he racked up 1,932 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Safety Isaac Gifford (Lincoln Southeast)
The younger brother of Luke Gifford has impressed me over the course of his high school career. Each year he comes back from the summer bigger and stronger. He’s good in coverage and isn’t afraid to come down in the box and make a tackle. He holds an offer from Oregon State and has been a frequent visitor in Lincoln.
Lineman Kohl Herbolsheimer (Millard South)
The big lineman stands at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds. He is very strong and has good football instincts. He plays both sides of the ball in high school but his future position is likely on the defensive line.
ATH Miko Maessner (Kearney)
If you are looking for speed, Maessner is your guy. He has a personal best of 10.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash. That will get the attention of college coaches. In addition to that speed, Maessner is a tough football player who plays outside linebacker in addition to running back. He holds an offer from Iowa State and attended Nebraska’s Junior Day in early February.
Wide Receiver Xavier Watts (Omaha Burke)
The Omaha Burke standout burst onto the scene during the state championship victory this past season when his Bulldogs won. Watts is a very skilled receiver with a big catch radius, allowing him to also be an effective redzone target. There is a little debate on if he could be a better defensive back than receiver but either way he is getting a lot of attention these days. Notre Dame just offered recently and the Huskers are making a push as well.
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
