Lincoln East senior Noah Walters has been named Nebraska’s 2021 Gatorade Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback passed for 44 touchdowns and the state’s Class A record 3,402 yards this past season, leading the Spartans (6-4) to the state playoffs.

Walters completed 187 of 281 passes with just five interceptions. His 340.2 passing yards per game is an all-class 11-man state record.

“I’m blessed to win this award,” Couldn’t have done it without my family, teammates and coaches. I love being doubted!”

Walters is only the second player from Lincoln East (Jim Ebke, 2006-07) to win the award. The most recent Gatorade Nebraska Football Players of the Year were Cole Payton (2020-21, Westside High School), Jevyon Ducker (2019-20, Bellevue West High School), Nick Henrich (2018-19, Burke High School), and Milton Sargbah (2017-18, Omaha North High School).