It’s been a long two weeks since the last Nebraska football game. In a lot of ways that bye week was exactly what the team and coaching staff needed. In others it gave extra time for angst to build within the fan base.
The Huskers will be back out on the field Saturday against Indiana in what has suddenly become a must-win game for the season. It’s also an opportunity for Coach Scott Frost to steady the ship in his second year at Nebraska.
This is a critical time for recruiting. The Huskers need to regain some momentum on the trail and field.
Let’s get to the Recon.
Husker Commits
Zavier Betts, wide receiver, Omaha, Nebraska
Marquis Black, defensive lineman, McDonough, Georgia
Alex Conn, offensive lineman, Derby, Kansas
Turner Corcoran, offensive lineman, Lawrence, Kansas
Ronald Delancy III, defensive back, Miami, Florida
Henry Gray, defensive back, Hollywood, Florida
Blaise Gunnerson, outside linebacker, Carroll, Iowa
Nash Hutmacher, defensive tackle, Chamberlain, South Dakota
Tamon Lynum, cornerback, Orlando, Florida
Sevion Morrison, running back, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Will Nixon, wide receiver, Waco, Texas
Marvin Scott III, running back, Port Orange, Florida
Logan Smothers, quarterback, Athens, Alabama
2020 Needs
| QB | 0 | DL | 2 |
| RB | 0 | MLB | 2 |
| WR | 2 | OLB | 2 |
| TE | 0 | DB | 1 |
| OL | 1 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> Nebraska took a tough loss on the recruiting trail this week when linebacker Rodney Groce left the class. Linebacker is a huge need in the class. It’s also been rare that Nebraska has decommitments under Frost. There’s a lot of talk that he will end up at Mississippi State but don’t be surprised if he eventually left that class for a bigger SEC school if given the chance. The staff knew they’d have to keep working on him even after he committed so this didn’t take them completely off guard.
>> There’s a 2021 Georgia linebacker to watch: Christopher Paul Jr. He stands at 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds. He has a great relationship with the staff and told me on Thursday that he will visit Lincoln for the Wisconsin game. I don’t have him on commit watch just yet but Nebraska is in a great spot.
>> There is a 2021 offensive lineman that I have on commit watch though. Iowa’s Henry Lutovsky is returning for his second visit to Lincoln this year for the Wisconsin game. When Lutovsky visited for the Northern Illinois game, he really enjoyed himself.
“Being around the players before and after the game was really fun,” he said. “I liked getting to know them and spend time with them.”
The lineman has built a good relationship with Nash Hutmacher, Teddy Prochazka and Turner Corcoran. He is also bringing his family with him to the Wisconsin game. I’ve gone ahead and put in a prediction for him to be ‘N.’
>> One of the biggest targets remaining this cycle for Nebraska is 4-star outside linebacker Kaden Johnson. He recently took an official visit to Oregon State. He was in Lincoln for an official visit for the Ohio State game. Is there a potential return trip brewing for an unofficial visit? Johnson told me this week that he is considering it. If he did come back to Lincoln it could be with his teammate, wide receiver Terry Lockett who also holds an offer from the Huskers. That whole situation is something to watch.
>> Count me as continuing to be intrigued by what Nebraska does this cycle to address the kicking situation. I don’t see them offering a full scholarship to a kicker, especially while Barret Pickering is still in Lincoln. However, with a number of preferred walk-on offers out to some of the better kickers in the country, it feels like Nebraska is getting in position to bring someone in. Iowa Western kicker Chase Contreras would be my leading contender right now. The Huskers are his dream school and if gets a chance to compete for playing time in Lincoln I could see him jumping at the chance. With that being said, wouldn’t it be something if Pickering returned this week?
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.
