Kilgore Community College wide receiver Omar Manning committed to Nebraska in a Friday night surprise. Manning took an official visit to Lincoln way back on June 21. It was the same weekend as Friday Night Lights II and the Big Red BBQ. The commitment is huge for the Huskers in many ways.
Here are my five thoughts on the commitment of Omar Manning.
Big-Bodied Wide Receiver
We all saw this season just how badly Nebraska needed a bigger receiver on the field. The offense missed the element of having a player that could win 50-50 balls. That void was created after Stanley Morgan Jr. graduated. They also needed someone that could block on the perimeter. That is critical to the Huskers offense. Standing at 6-foot-3, 224-pounds, Manning fits the bill.
Elite Playmaker
Manning isn’t just a big, slow wideout. He has great size but he can stretch the field, too. At Kilgore this season he had 35 catches for 727 yards and six touchdowns on 20.8 yards per reception. He has good hands and is a willing blocker. Simply put, he can do it all. That combination of skills is rare. Which is why he spent the entire cycle as Nebraska’s top wide receiver target.
Huskers Offense Has Big-Time Potential
There is something brewing in Lincoln on offense. All five starters on the offensive line return. Competition could allow former top-150 offensive tackle Bryce Benhart to grab a starting role. Every tight end that contributed returns plus Nebraska adds Rutgers transfer Travis Vokolek. The skill position players that Nebraska can trot out gives Frost some serious options. Could we see Manning, JD Spielman, Wan’Dale Robinson and Zavier Betts all on the field with Dedrick Mills at running back? Suddenly the Huskers have a mix of some size and a lot of speed. Whoever wins the expected quarterback battle will have a lot of weapons.
Ryan Held Does It Again
If you talk to Husker fans there is no shortage of love for Ryan Held with what he’s done coaching and recruiting. He is demanding as a coach, which makes his players better. He is a relentless recruiter that truly loves recruiting. Held was the point man on Manning’s recruitment since he runs JUCO recruiting for Nebraska. Landing Manning is another feather in his cap.
Are the Huskers Done Adding Playmakers?
With just a few days left until the early signing period opens, will the Huskers add another playmaker to the offense? There are a few strong candidates. Georgia commit Justin Robinson (6-4, 200) has not publicly ruled Nebraska out. The two more likely candidates are Alante Brown (5-10, 185) and Marcus Fleming (5-11, 165). Brown was just on campus for a mid-week official visit. Fleming was in Lincoln for the Wisconsin game. Both are smaller, but are speedsters. Fleming is one of the fastest players in Florida having run a 10.62 100-meter dash.
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.
