Nebraska's best high school football players: Meet the state's top tight ends

The tight end position is perhaps the most unique and versatile position on the football field

There might not be a more talented group with more future potential than the members at the top of this list. There are two future Huskers, another set to head to Iowa City, one on his way to the Air Force Academy and yet another who will play at the Division-I level for Northern Illinois. 

The tight end position is perhaps the most unique and versatile position on the football field. Guys who line up to the outside of the tackle are used as blockers, pass catchers, sometimes both and sometimes everything in between. This list of Nebraska’s best tight ends embodies a little bit of all of that.

Carter Nelson – Ainsworth Senior – 6-4, 220

He’s probably quite a drive from wherever you are in the state, but seeing Nelson in person is well worth passing the miles through the Nebraska countryside.

And while he’s on the tight end list, Nelson hasn’t been playing much of that spot this fall. The Ainsworth coaching staff clearly understands just what kind of a player it has on the roster and utilizes Nelson in all sorts of ways.

He’s put up 595 yards passing on a 64% completion rate with eight touchdowns throwing the ball, rushed for 1,014 yards and 18 touchdowns out of the backfield and caught 24 passes for 431 yards and 10 more scores. Defensively, he has 54 tackles, four for loss, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He’s also kicked off and has punted nine times. Simply put, he does it all for the Bulldogs. On the basketball court, he has a career average over 12 points and eight rebounds per game.

Twice this year he has 79-yard touchdown runs. That sounds impressive enough but even more so when considering an eight-man football field is 80 yards in length. Even backed up against the goal line, Ainsworth has the advantage with Nelson in the backfield.

“What makes Carter so dynamic is his combination of speed and size. He runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash while weighing 225. That is hard to come by,” Ainsworth coach Jessi Owen said. “On top of that, he is versatile in the fact that he plays almost every position. He can run the ball and be a weapon outside and inside.

“At tight end, he has great agility and can run the short route but has the size to beat you over the top. You have to decide how you want to try to stop him, and he will exploit the opposite. Overall, his great leadership and work ethic have led to his success. He has used his stardom for the betterment of his own teammates.”

Michael Burt – Creighton Prep Senior – 6-6, 230

If Burt is a preview of what’s to come behind him from seven other siblings, coaches from all across the metro will no doubt be making phone calls and knocking on the door at the Burt residence. But for now, he’s set a pretty high bar that looks nearly impossible to reach.

The Prep senior is an Iowa football recruit rated as a three-star by Rivals who also had offers from Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Miami (Ohio), Minnesota, Nebraska, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State and North Dakota State before saying yes to the Hawkeyes this past June.

Kirk Ferentz and his staff will get an athlete whose statistical impact looks minimal, but only because of the system used at Prep. Burt had 23 career catches through eight weeks of his senior season, 396 yards and three touchdowns. In the run game, he’s a guy who loves contact and enjoys taking on defensive ends and linebackers. He hits with a solid base and uses his hips well to move defenders out of the hole. When he gets going, it’s a load to try and move out of the way.

Take a look at his Twitter account and you can see the plans he has for the future. Burt admires former Iowa tight end and current Detroit Lions’ tight end Sam LaPorta’s love for run blocking, and of course he’s a fan of another former Hawkeye tight end, George Kittle. He’s got size similar to those two. Perhaps some day he’ll be the inspiration for another youngster looking to capitalize on the reputation Iowa has for building and producing tight ends.

“He is a fantastic young man and a terrific player. Michael is a five-tool guy as a tight end; there isn't anything he can't do,” Prep coach Tim Johnk said. “He is a great leader, fantastic student and an endless worker. He is the oldest of 8 kids, plays baseball in the spring season and is one of the best I have coached in 31 years.”

Tanner Hollinger – Cross County Senior – 6-6, 235

Hollinger is more than making up for lost time after an injury, a misdiagnosis and surgery had him mostly absent from his first two years of varsity football.

Now, back at full strength, Hollinger is an Illinois commit who impresses every snap with his athleticism, speed and power. Finally back at full strength as a junior, Hollinger caught eight passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns to go with 50 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery. His size plus those numbers gained him national attention. He’s since taken off into the stratosphere as a senior.

Hollinger and the Cougars are headed to the eight-man playoffs with a perfect 8-0 and with numbers from him that jump off the page. He has made 15 catches for 314 yards and nine touchdowns on offense and collected 59 tackles, six TFLs, two sacks and a fumble recovery on defense.

He’s also lead blocking for an offense that is averaging 303 rushing yards per game, 48 rushing touchdowns and an average of 10.9 yards per carry. Cross County is scoring over 60 points per game and winning by an average of over 50.

Hollinger is also an excellent basketball player who averaged almost 15 points and seven rebounds per game as a junior.

The coaching staff at Cross County knew he’d be a good one some day when he was on the scout team making plays against the starters. Unfortunately, that’s also where he sustained the shoulder injury that was misdiagnosed and led to surgery as a sophomore.

Hollinger hails from a family of stud athletes who’ve all left their mark at Cross County. But coach Matt Carroll always joked with the Hollinger family that Tanner would grow up to be the best even though he was trailing behind his brothers when he reached comparable ages.

“Turns out it came true; he was just a late bloomer,” Carroll said. “I think the biggest drive for his success has been his mindset and mental approach to the game. He studies and watches so much film and is always bringing me offensive ideas. He also has been a mainstay in the weight room since he was very young. He has a high understanding of schemes, which again I tribute to his film study and mental approach to the game. I really look forward to seeing how his career plays out.”

Trevor Spady – Westside Senior – 6-4, 220

Successful programs don’t work without selfless players working for the better of the team. At Westside that’s been an ingredient for success on a roster full of stars and headliners. Those guys are great and necessary to win at the level the Warriors are currently enjoying. But just as important, if not more so, are the guys who come to work every day understanding that they will live in the shadows.

Spady has had no trouble understanding that mindset and thriving nonetheless. The Warrior senior isn’t the first option in the passing game, but because that’s the cause, he’s often the best option down around the end zone. Spady had 29 career catches with one game left in the regular season, and had totaled 452 career receiving yards and four touchdowns. He’s averaging 15.6 yards per catch and has had some of the biggest Warrior moments of the past two seasons. His overtime catch for a touchdown ended up as the game-winner in a victory over Millard South last year. He also snagged five passes for 75 yards in the Class A championship win over Gretna.

Spady has visited Iowa State and has interest from Southwest Missouri State, Pittsburgh State and Hastings College.

“Trevor is having a great season. He is an aggressive blocker and also has great hands. Trevor has made many big catches for us this year,” Westside coach Paul Limongi said. “He also is contributing as an outside linebacker. He’s athletic and aggressive and always finds a way to be impactful on both sides of the ball.”

Pierce Mooberry – Millard North Junior – 6-4, 205

Mooberry is a player who still has his best days ahead of him. That’s true of most teenagers as they grow and mature, but especially so for Mooberry. His potential is also somewhat incredible to think about considering he’s already made a splash at Millard North as a freshman starter. What more can this guy do?

Well, an offseason of health and time in the weight room are what’s next for a player with interest from Iowa State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Nebraska and others. He had shoulder surgery at the end of his sophomore year and had to stay away from physical activity until he completed rehab. Thus, he doesn’t have quite the build as some of the other guys on this list, but that will soon change.

Mooberry, who projects as a linebacker in college football, earned his way into the defensive starting lineup two years ago and hasn’t looked back. There are other rookies who have earned significant time under head coach Fred Petito, but Petito can’t remember one like Mooberry who wasn’t just a rotator but a starter.

He found his way onto the field during his first season on defense and has gradually grown into the starting tight end on offense. For a program that has run the option for decades, the tight end on the edge of the formation is perhaps the most important blocker in the scheme to ensure the quarterback can get outside and threaten defenders with the pitch.

And he’s also an excellent pass catcher. Catches come somewhat few and far between, but Mooberry capitalizes each time. He averages 28.2 yards per catch for his career and has found the end zone six times.

“He’s just a real good football player, he plays all over, he’s intelligent – he’s a keeper, that’s for sure,” Petito said. “He earned his way into a starting role as a freshman because of an accumulation of things. Whatever he did, he did it hard. He’s also a good verbal learner who doesn’t make the same mistake twice. We gave him a chance to start at free safety about a quarter of the way through his freshman season, and it proved to be the right move.

“Offensively, he’s a good blocker and he can line up as the tight end, in the slot or out wide. When we put together a plan and think about who we want to target, his name is always at the top of the list.”

Reiman Zebert – Platteview Junior – 6-5, 195

Zebert doesn’t play way out west or at the eight-man level like a few guys on this list who might be unknown to football fans. But his location is still problematic for a player who should be more well-known.

Platteview, a high school located in Springfield, is right by the Omaha metro area. But with Class A and B programs all over the landscape, the Trojans, and Zebert for that matter, become an afterthought for the local media.

Fans, teammates and coaches in Springfield know better. Zebert is a player who knows how to use the physical tools he’s been given and who has only added to them with preparation and training.

“Reiman has really good top-end speed, especially for a high school athlete that is as long as he is. He does a great job of catching balls at the high point. Being 6-6 is only advantageous if you use the full extent of your body,” Platteview coach Mark McLaughlin said. “Just about all of his catches are made above his head with his feet off of the ground. He has great ball skills. His body control is one of his biggest strengths.”

Zebert’s career marks include 35 receptions, 727 yards and six touchdowns. He had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games to start the season, both of which included two touchdowns and is averaging 23.2 yards per catch in his senior season.

McLaughlin says it’s a result of the relationship Zebert has with Platteview Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Crouse that has taken Zebert to the next level. Zebert’s devotion to the offseason speed and weight program allowed him to more than double all of his statistical numbers from his junior year to this fall.

Zebert has visited North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Iowa State and South Dakota. He’s also set for a trip to Nebraska and Iowa State. Army, Illinois and Western Illinois have also all made invites for a visit.

“One of the more underrated attributes he has, in my opinion, is the aggressiveness in which he brings a ball from his hands to his body as he completes a catch,” McLaughlin said. “I feel like a lot of high school athletes catch the ball then leave it away from their body and give the defender a chance to play through the hands to force an incompletion.”

Ethan Duda – Elkhorn South Senior – 6-5, 220

Duda is an Air Force Academy recruit who likely translates into a different position at the next level. But until that day arrives, he’s been a force for Elkhorn South on the end of the line, in the backfield, out in the flats – basically everywhere on the field.

As a tight end, his blocking ability is already advanced beyond the varsity level, whether that’s setting the edge or coming out of the backfield.

When he’s not blocking, he’s out catching passes and burning defenses for first downs and touchdowns. Mooberry doesn’t have a ton of receptions in his career, but when he gets the ball, he’s effective. Through Week 8 of the regular season, he had already passed last year’s numbers. In his career, he’s grabbed 19 passes for 233 yards, an average of 13.7 yards per catch, and he’s scored four touchdowns. Three of those have come this year, including in three straight games.

Defensively, he’s made 21 stops, made one tackle for loss and picked off two passes. That’s where he projects for the Falcons and college football. Depending on how Air Force sees him for the future, he might be playing outside linebacker or defensive end. Duda is physical but also quick and can cover in pass defense.

“Ethan is a strong and explosive player. He's really invested in the weight room during his time at Elkhorn South and it translates over to the field. He's probably the most complete tight end we've had,” Storm head coach Guy Rosenberg said. “He is a fluid route runner, catches contested balls, and can run after the catch. He's also physical at the point of attack and can re-direct and target when we use him as the second puller on counter.”

Blake Borchers – Battle Creek Senior – 6-4, 205

Borchers isn’t exactly a physical freak, but at the C-2 level, his size and length are a rare commodity few other programs can match. Take that frame and add speed plus good hands and Borchers is a weapon as a pass catcher and a blocker. Braves coach Andrew Carlson said Borchers uses his length to get to outside linebackers and opens up running lanes on the edges.

At Battle Creek that has meant nearly 250 yards per game rushing, 35 rushing touchdowns, 7.5 yards per carry and six players that have rushed for 100 yards or more in a game. Borchers gets rewarded through the air usually just a few times per game. Such is life in a run-first offense, but Borchers understands that and excels at what he’s asked to do.

When he gets his chance, Borchers turns catches into 17.3 yards per reception. He has 11 of them this fall and a touchdown. And his best may be yet to come if he goes on to play in college.

“Blake is one of the smartest football players I have coached. He literally could play any position due to his knowledge of our schemes,” Carlson said. “An interesting thing about Blake is that he is very young for his class. He will graduate as a 17-year-old, and I bring this up because I believe he is nowhere close to being a finished product. He is someone who could really blossom after graduation due to his young age and good frame.”

Brady Dahlberg – Sandhills/Thedford Senior – 6-5, 230

As versatile as tight ends are, they’re perhaps the most versatile at the eight-man level of football where teams can’t afford to fill that position with a player who has a limited skill set. Lucky for Sandhills/Thedford, Dahlberg makes a difference on the field in multiple ways. His selection as an all-state kicker last year should be evidence enough of just how many talents he brings to the Knights’ roster.

Coming into this season, Dahlberg had caught eight passes for 159 yards with two touchdowns, collected 37 pancake blocks, made 75 tackles and had made 97 kickoffs with 38 total touchbacks. He’s only improved in every area as a senior and leader of the program. Dahlberg has more catches and yards, is on pace to end with more tackles and is averaging nearly 40 yards on kickoffs.

Dahlberg and the Knights finished off a 7-1 season and went into the playoffs as one of the top eight seeds. Sandhills/Thedford lost in the second round last year after playing for the D-2 title in 2020 and 2021. A player like Dahlberg gives the Knights a chance to find their way back to Lincoln for the third time in four seasons.

“Brady is just a big target that has great hands. He moves really well for a kid his size and he’s physical on the line of scrimmage,” Knights coach Tyson Cox said. “He is smart and can see things on the line of scrimmage to help with making blocking scheme calls pre-snap. He runs great routes and makes it easy for the quarterback to get the ball to him.”

Levi Sherman – Lincoln Northeast Junior – 6-2, 185

When members of the media interviewed Northeast coach Javonta Boyd before the season, the player he always mentioned as having taken a big step over the offseason was Sherman.

Just one look at the statistics and it’s easy to see that improvement as a pass catcher. Sherman went from six catches for 34 yards as a sophomore to 34 for 572 and five touchdowns through his first eight games as a junior. Twice he has had more than 100 yards receiving and once he caught double-digit receptions.

His numbers through the first four games indicated he had made some improvement and would figure into the offense more this fall. But then he exploded in Week 3 and showed it was much more than just gradual improvement. Sherman made six catches for 153 yards and found the end zone. In Week 7, he made 11 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns. His yardage total as the regular season was coming to a close is in the top 15 among all pass catchers, not just tight ends.

And as impactful as he is through the air, his contributions in the running game are just as obvious. Boyd says this is a result of playing on the line in youth football and learning the proper technique for blocking when he was a boy.

Sherman is a 3.2 GPA student who continues to raise that number just like he raises his numbers on the gridiron. Boyd said Sherman shows hard work, is a source of encouragement for his teammates and maintains a positive attitude.

“His body frame has allowed him to be able to block for his teammates when he does not have the ball, and, when the ball is in the air, he is able to adjust to the ball and make plays for his team,” Boyd said. “These skills are just the tipping point to what has led him to rack up 527 yards receiving this year.

Levi is always trying to find ways to improve himself and his team. He is a special player and I look forward to continuing to watch him grow in the future.”

Riley Holling – Grand Island Junior – 6-3, 200

Versatility is the trait perhaps most needed in the tight end position. Holling has that and more for the Islanders as a two-way starter who serves as the team’s tight end on offense and defensively in the secondary during passing situations.

And it’s not just speed that is an asset for the Grand Island Junior. He can also step down and play linebacker, make stops in the run game and deliver a hit. And if those weren’t enough contributions, he also long snaps.

As the team’s tight end, Holling is one of the leaders in Nebraska among tight ends for receiving yardage. Through eight games he had put together 24 catches for 375 yards and a touchdown. His top game included six catches against Kearney, 95 yards and a touchdown.

“Riley is an exceptionally hard worker. He is on a mission to improve every day whether it's in the weight room, in the classroom or on the field,” Grand Island coach Jeff Tomlin said. “Riley is strong and physical and runs great routes. He has a knack for finding open spots, and he has very good hands. Riley also does an excellent job of running after the catch. He is also a very good outside linebacker and long snapper – special kid, special player.

Barrett Lavaley – Wahoo Senior – 6-2, 190

Lavaley might be the epitome of a secret weapon for a Wahoo team that was undefeated and among the top of the Class C-1 ratings going into the final week of the regular season. The Warriors have had a bunch of success on the ground this season and have set up an effective passing game as a complementary part of the offense.

Wahoo averages close to 200 yards on the ground and 100 through the air, and that 100-yard passing average has come on just 51 total receptions. That’s an average of over 17 yards per catch. Lavaley has a hand in both.

He’s an excellent blocker who can set up sweeps and outside runs and also leak out on the backside or during play action and find an open spot for a big catch. He’s only made seven catches but leads Wahoo with 248 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Each time he gets it, Lavaley rumbles for an average of 35 yards.

He’s also made 51 stops on defense, collected five tackles for loss, sacked the quarterback seven times and intercepted three passes.

“Barrett has developed into an effective tight end for our offense,” Wahoo coach Chad Fox said. “He has great hands and has made some great catches this season. He has above-average speed that allows him to get yards after the catch. His biggest development this season has been in his leadership and taking on a leadership role as a team captain. Barrett has developed into someone his teammates look up to and count on to make plays in the big games.”

Carter Sunde – Omaha Concordia Senior – 6-2, 170

Sunde plays in a program that hasn’t had a lot of historical success, but his play is starting to gain attention because it simply can’t be ignored regardless of team success. He has a chance to go over 300 yards receiving and over 30 catches for the year thanks to overall consistency and three really big games.

Sunde already has five receiving touchdowns and had two in the first game of the season. Sunde started his year with five catches, 146 yards and those two scores against Schuyler then followed it up with three more receptions, 115 yards and another touchdown in Week 2. Defenses have done a better job of locating him and sending more coverage his way ever since then, but he can only be contained for so long.

Sunde set school records with 10 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown in a Sept. 29 game against Boys Town.

His athleticism and overall talent make Sunde successful no matter the season. He was an all-state honorable mention player in both basketball and baseball and carries a 3.6 GPA in the classroom.

“Carter is an extremely hard worker and that shows up off the field, in the weight room, during practice and obviously in games,” Concordia coach Matt Marty said. “Carter is always prepared and has played at every spot in our offense with confidence. Carter is also a standout on our basketball and baseball teams and is a true three-sport star.”

Joseph Stein – Grand Island Northwest Senior – 6-6, 225

Stein is an excellent athlete whose success has extended beyond the football field to the wrestling mat and the discus ring. As a wrestler, Stein went 32-9 in his junior season and was the Central Conference runner-up. As a thrower, he’s a two-time state track qualifier in shot put. No wonder a half-dozen teams from across the Midwest were interested enough to offer Stein a scholarship to the football program.

He ultimately decided on Northern Illinois this past June and has spent the last few months exciting the Huskies about what’s to come.

Stein began to gain attention for his physical attributes a few years ago then showed his potential as a football player when he caught six passes for 119 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore. Last fall he made 21 receptions for 227 yards and three scores. Through eight games in 2023, he had 27 catches, 267 yards and three trips to the end zone. He’s also taken on a more significant role as a defensive end and collected 30 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a blocked punt.

No matter where Northwest lines him up, Stein finds a way to impact every game.

Owen Sutter – Yutan Sophomore – 6-3, 220

He’s got two years to go but it’s pretty obvious Sutter will be a good one. Currently, his greatest contributions are as a blocker, but he’s also averaging over 12 yards per catch and has two touchdowns just about halfway through his varsity career.

Sutter earned his way on the field first because of his blocking. His hand positioning on defenders plus a wide base each time he makes contact has made him an effective blocker and a major reason why Yutan averages over six yards per carry and runs an offense that is averaging over 36 points per game.

He’s not the fleetest of foot when running a route, but that will come as he matures over the next two years.

Sutter has an invite to a Kansas State home game and will likely receive more over the next year as more programs discover his potential.

Chase Loftin – Elkhorn North Junior – 6-5, 200

Elkhorn North has steadily been growing into a program of note, and Loftin is right in the middle of that building process. The school opened just three years ago, struggled through 1-8 seasons the first two years then won six games last fall. The Wolves won a game in the postseason and finished 7-4 overall, possibly announcing their arrival as a state title contender of the future.

Loftin’s role in that newfound success included 39 receptions for 577 yards and five touchdowns.

Following that breakout junior season, Loftin had more than enough opportunities to showcase his skills over the summer. He picked up offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

His junior year has seen him make 21 catches for 321 yards and five touchdowns through eight weeks of the regular season. Loftin is averaging over 15 yards per catch and also plays as a cornerback, kicker and punter. Rivals has Loftin rated as the second-best prospect in the state for the Class of 2025 and listed as a three-star recruit.

Blake Henn – Elgin/Pope John Senior – 6-3, 210

Henn is a 2022 all-state honorable mention selection who graduates next spring with marks that will be difficult for any future Elgin/Pope John players to try and match. The Wolfpack senior has over 1,000 yards receiving in his career and he had made 49 career catches with 16 touchdowns through Week 8 of the regular season.

Henn set career bests this fall with 16 catches and 385 yards. He’s also taken 10 handoffs that he’s turned into 87 yards. Opponents see him as just as much of a menace on defense where he’s collected 182 total tackles, 15 TFLs, 14 and 1/2 sacks, five fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Henn had a catch or two in the first four games of his career then showed just how bright the future can be with 107 yards, six catches and a touchdown in a game against Riverside. He was consistent after that then notched another monster game Sept. 8 against Creighton with 161 yards on just three catches – an average of almost 54 yards per catch – and scored a touchdown on all three.

EPPJ has won at least six games each of the past three seasons and headed into the D-2 playoffs as a 6 seed with a 6-2 record. The Wolfpack and Henn are looking to at least match the results from his sophomore year when Elgin/Pope John went 5-3 then won three times in the playoffs and reached the quarterfinals.

Four-star tight end recruit Carter Nelson takes in the scene for a Nebraska home game earlier this season. Nelson has offers from all around the country with a frame that stands at 6-4 220 and a skill set that makes Nelson his team's best receiver, rusher, kicker and punter. (Photo courtesy of 24/7 sports)