Business is starting to pick up for the Huskers on the recruiting trail. As we inch closer to the Red-White Spring Game on May 1 there are plenty of prospects announcing they plan to be in attendance. In an even bigger development the dead period is coming to an end on June 1. The race is on to line up official visits from top targets and the Huskers are making progress there.
We are also beyond the halfway mark of spring football where the team seems locked in on competition and intensity.
Let’s get to the Recon.
2022 Commits
Ernest Hausmann, Outside Linebacker, Columbus, Nebraska
Victor Jones Jr., Wide Receiver, Orlando, Florida
2022 Needs
| QB | 1 | DL | 2 |
| RB | 1 | MLB | 2 |
| WR | 1 | OLB | 2 |
| TE | 1 | DB | 3 |
| OL | 3 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> The information about redshirt freshman quarterback Logan Smothers has been hard to come by since he joined the program in time for last year’s spring practice. He’s naturally the next man up after senior Adrian Martinez. It sounds like he has been improving behind the scenes.
“I thought he threw it the best he’s thrown it last Friday,” coach Scott Frost said.
”That continues to improve. He and Mario continue to work on his stroke a little bit. He’s always been a quick decision-maker. He sees the field so well. Accurate and gets the ball out of his hands, but he pushed the ball downfield on Friday. Certainly can run well and made a couple plays with his feet as well. We get all that squared away, I think the biggest thing is getting him reps and confidence.”
If we rank players I’m most interested to see at the spring game Smothers would be in the top three. Seeing where he is in his development will be nice to get eyes on.
>> This Saturday April 17, the Huskers are opening up practice to the public for the first time that I can remember. It’ll be great for the fans to get back into Memorial Stadium and see the team in person. They aren’t the only ones excited for this according to defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt.
“I can’t wait. You know, I love the fans. I love the people here,” Taylor-Britt said. “I told you that that was one of my biggest reasons coming here. Just to see those fans and all the smiling faces. I can’t wait to sign autographs, take pictures. You know dance a little with the fans and just have a great time.”
I’m sure the Huskers will find a way to involve the fans safely on Saturday on a day that will be nice for everyone involved.
>> Wednesday after practice we got to speak with two of Nebraska’s up and coming defensive backs. Quinton Newsome and Myles Farmer got their introduction to Husker media this season. Each was asked about having three Miami defensive backs come into the program and leave quickly last year. Newsome’s answer was interesting.
“They didn’t feel at home here,” Newsome said. “I would just say that. It wasn’t Florida to them. But this is Nebraska. There’s things you’ve got to adjust to. I’m from Georgia, but there are certain things you’ve got to adjust to that helps you out as a player, as a person, everything.
“For me when I came out here, I just talked to everybody. I’m going to talk to everybody no matter who they are, what you look like. I’m going to have fun, I’m a funny person. For me it was like, ‘OK, I’m in Nebraska, this is where I want to be at, I’m all in.’ I took it from there and kept going.”
Newsome’s answer spoke to the homesickness those players felt but also the need to try to make the best of the situation. For a young player his answer was very polished.
>> Things are getting very interesting with wide receiver recruiting for the Huskers in the 2022 cycle. Victor Jones Jr is ‘N’ the class but what comes next is a moving target. Colorado native Grant Page announced he’s taking an official visit in June. Texan Landon Samson wants to visit for the spring game. Athlete Jaren Kanak could play offense at the college level. Quinton Conley is a big-bodied option for the team. There might only be one spot left so it may be a race to see who commits first after visiting.
>> It’s possible that Nebraska’s top quarterback targets for the 2022 and 2023 class will be on campus for the spring game. I reported earlier this week that 4-star quarterback MJ Morris will be in Lincoln that day. I’ve also learned that 2023 quarterback Reese Mooney will be at the game. Mooney recently decommitted from Houston where he was committed to play baseball. Nebraska seems to be his leader at this point.
The team has some work to do with Morris who was recently at Florida State’s spring game. Getting him on campus is huge and the team has a chance to make up a lot of ground.