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The HOL In-State Tour 15-year all-defense team

Former Cozad and Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick is one of multiple Nebraskans in the NFL from our HOL In-State Tour 15-year All-Defense team.
Former Cozad and Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick is one of multiple Nebraskans in the NFL from our HOL In-State Tour 15-year All-Defense team. (Associated Press)

This week HuskerOnline kicked off the 15th year of our In-State Tour where we scour the state of Nebraska to look at the top players for the classes of 2019 and 2020.

Since this is our 15th year, we thought it would be fun to put together our all-offense and defense teams. The class of 2005 was the first HOL saw on the In-State Tour back in February of 2004.

We looked back at every player from now until then to come up with our top defense list based on the college and even pro careers these Nebraska natives put up. The only requirements are you had to play at least two years of high school football in Nebraska, and your college eligibility must be exhausted to make the list.

In-State Tour: HOL 15-year All-Offensive Team

Defensive line

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Defensive line breakdown: This was a very talented group. The only one of these players that never got a shot in the NFL was Drew Ott, but if not for his injury he looked like a high-level draft prospect.

The combination of Jared Crick and Harrison Phillips at defensive tackle are as good as any on our All 15-year team. Ott and Zach Potter are solid defensive end options, while if not for a severe leg injury he suffered during his senior season, Baker Steinkuhler certainly would've had a great chance to make an NFL roster.

Linebacker

Linebacker breakdown: You have to give current Wyoming defensive line coach and former North Dakota State assistant AJ Cooper a lot of credit. He came into Nebraska and signed two of the three top linebackers on this list, as Kyle Emanuel still is in the NFL, and Nick DeLuca is expected to be drafted fairly high this spring after an All-American career at NDSU.

Josh Banderas also cracked our list, and if not for an injury he suffered this summer, he was expected to make at minimum the Denver Broncos practice squad. Former Kearney and Ohio star Noah Keller just missed the cut of making our list.

Secondary 

Secondary breakdown: According to our research, the only defensive back recruit over the last 15 years in Nebraska to get drafted and play in the NFL was former Omaha Central and Iowa standout, Shaun Prater. He tops our defensive back group at corner and is joined by former Beatrice and Nebraska starter Daniel Davie.

At safety, former Omaha Skutt and four-year North Dakota State starter Christian Dudzik got our top nod, as he played a crucial part in helping the Bison win four national championships. Lincoln Southwest and former Nebraska safety Austin Cassidy took our other spot after a solid career at NU.

Former Ohio and Millard North corner Devin Bass was our first man out, after a solid career in Athens for Frank Solich.

Kicker/Punter 

Kicker/Punter breakdown: I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but you could argue that kicker and punter was one of the best positions this state has produced over the last 15 years.

Former Nebraska and Omaha Burke standout Alex Henery had one of the best college careers ever, while former Lincoln Pius standout Greg Zuerlein is one of the top kickers in the NFL, and was selected to the Pro Bowl this past season after making 38 out of 40 field goals in 2017.

At punter, Grand Island native Sam Foltz was set to be drafted this past year but died in a tragic car accident before his senior season at Nebraska. He was regarded as the top punter prospect going into the 2016 season.

Kearney native and former Nebraska kicker/punter Brett Maher also deserves mention after an All-Big Ten career, but couldn't crack the list with names like Henery, Zuerlein, and Foltz.

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