HOL's 2017 in-state top 15

The summer is starting to wind down which means football season is right around the corner and this year should be an exciting one in the Nebraska high school ranks.

The crop of in-state talent for the class of 2017 is as good as it's been in quite some time and recruiters have taken notice. Over 20 seniors-to-be have already landed early offers and many have come from college programs that have not traditionally recruited the state of Nebraska hard in the past. There is also little question that more players will be emerging on the scene and earning offers over the coming months as well.

With such a deep pool of talented in-state prospects, HuskerOnline.com unveils our first ever preseason top 15 as voted upon by publisher Sean Callahan, recruiting analyst Nate Clouse and videographer Gregg Peterson. Each player's production on and off of the field as well as how they project to the next level was taken into account in the voting process.

Offers: Nebraska (committed), Iowa, Iowa State, UCF and UCLA

The skinny: The Nebraska commit comes in at No. 1 on our list due to his lethal combination of size and athleticism. The Huskers were the first team to offer Allen and he is currently the lone 2017 in-state player to hold an offer from them. He was a standout performer as both a tight end and linebacker last season playing a vital role in helping the Huskies reach the Class B state championship game. Allen has also been an important players for Aurora's basketball team as well.

Offers: Air Force, Army, Colgate, Columbia, Navy, South Dakota and Wyoming

The skinny: The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Arnold is a force up front for Gretna. His play on both sides of the ball was a big reason why the Dragons made it to the quarterfinals of the playoffs and finished with a 7-4 record last season. He may not have the idealistic size of a college offensive lineman, but he’s proven himself against the best in Class B as well as against some of the top competition the region has to offer at several camps this spring and summer. He’s also a standout wrestler, thrower and terrific student.

Offers: Colorado State, Liberty, New Mexico, South Dakota and South Dakota State

The skinny: Not much separates Ciurej from being the top offensive lineman in the state. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound athlete has been a fixture on Bellevue West's line since he was a freshman and has blocked for one of the most prolific offensive attacks in the state's history. Much like Arnold, Ciurej has also proven to be one of the better linemen in the region with some strong camp performances during the offseason.

Offers: Air Force, Army, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, South Dakota State and UCF

The skinny: One could argue that Kitrell could be at the top of this list if not for the knee injury he suffered in the second game of the season last fall. He showed flashes of a big-time prospect as a sophomore and was downright dominant in the first game of his junior season prior to the injury. He may not have had the best camp performances this spring and summer, but he does enter his senior season healthy and poised to return to his old form - if not better - as a senior.

Offers: UCF, Air Force, Colgate, Illinois State, Navy, Ohio, South Dakota and South Dakota State

The skinny: The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Vedral is not only the best quarterback in the state, but could very well be the best all-around high school athlete in Nebraska for 2017. He led Bishop Neumann to an 8-3 record on the gridiron last fall, captured a state title in basketball as well as in the 300 meter hurdles at the state track meet this past spring. Vedral has made an early commitment to head coach Scott Frost at Central Florida.

Offers: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Wyoming

The skinny: The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Strom is probably the most intriguing prospect in the state. He's been a known commodity on the basketball court since the state tournament during his freshman year, but caught the attention of football recruiters as well based off of his play and shear potential in his first year back on the field following a foot injury that held him out as a sophomore. Strom has several offers to play football as well as basketball on the next level and will be forced to pick one sport or the other at some point in the not too distant future.

Offers: Illinois State, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Wyoming

The skinny: Stofer is arguably the top offensive tackle in the state right now and has all of the tools to be a very good lineman on the next level. He's been a key contributor on both sides of the ball for the Bearcats and based off of his summer camp performances is poised for a big senior season.

Offers: South Dakota State

The skinny: Bradley emerged as not only the top running back in the Omaha Metro last season, but as the top running back prospect in the state. He rushed for 1,712 yards and 19 touchdowns on 195 carries and was a big reason why the Thunderbirds finished the season with an 11-1 record on the season. He runs with power, has nice speed and can also catch out of the backfield.

Offers: Illinois State, Ohio, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Wyoming

The skinny: The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Walker may have the most upside of anyone on this list. The two-way player put together a solid junior season for the Spartans and has reshaped his body in the offseason which has played a large role in gaining attention from college recruiters. Walker has all of the tools to be a very good player at the next level and should have a big senior season this fall.

Offers: Air Force, Buffalo, Colgate, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Illinois State, Liberty, Montana, North Dakota State, Princeton, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Yale

The skinny: Begley emerged as a big playmaker from his safety position down the stretch last season and was a big part of why the Mustangs won the Class A state title. He projects as a linebacker on the next level and has all of the attributes one could ask for including a GPA well above 4.0 as indicated by all of his Ivy League offers.

Offers: Illinois State, Missouri State, Northern Iowa and Wyoming

The skinny: The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Wells-Ross plays on a team loaded with talent, but he may possess the most versatility and upside of any of his Viking teammates. He has the ability to play safety while also being a player that could rush the passer off the edge. He projects as a linebacker in college and is someone who will make some noise on the field this fall.

Offers: Air Force, Illinois State, Montana, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota, South Dakota State, North Dakota and North Dakota State

The skinny: Urbanek is quite possibly the most productive two-way player in the state. As a junior he racked up 1,114 all-purpose yards to go along with 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception on defense. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect projects as a linebacker on the next level and boasts one of the more extensive offer lists in the state.

Offers: Northern Iowa, South Dakota and South Dakota State

The skinny: The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Paup has the size and motor that make him a force on both sides of the football for the Bison. He had an eye-opening junior season that saw him tally 109 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three caused fumbles to go along with an interception. He's arguably the best pass rusher in the state and showed well at the Rivals camp in Kansas City as well as at Nebraska's Friday Night Lights camp in June.

Offers: Nevada

The skinny: The Omaha Westside transfer is one of the bigger athletes in the state and should be a key cog up front for the Vikings and its rushing attack this fall. He worked out at defensive tackle at the Rivals Camp in Kansas City this spring, but projects as an offensive lineman on the next level.

Offers: Northern Iowa and South Dakota State

The skinny: The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Smith is one of the most physically impressive players in the state and also one of the more intriguing overall athletes across all classes of Nebraska high school football. He's been a starter for the Knights since his freshman season and has mainly played receiver, tight end and defensive end during his career thus far. Smith has been snake-bitten by injury throughout his three years of varsity ball and could be one of the surprises of Class A if he stays healthy as a senior. He likely projects as a tight end or linebacker at the next level.