It’s so close we can feel it. The kickoff to the 2019 season is around the corner. Fall camp is in full swing for the Huskers. We have only gotten to watch a limited 30-minute window. It doesn’t take long to notice the team looks bigger and more athletic. How far that takes them remains to be seen but they are trending in the right direction.
We are in a recruiting dead period right now. Still, there are things happening behind the scenes that we need to talk about.
Let’s get to the Recon.
Class Breakdown
Husker Commits
Zavier Betts, wide receiver, Omaha, Nebraska
Alex Conn, offensive lineman, Derby, Kansas
Turner Corcoran, offensive lineman, Lawrence, Kansas
Blaise Gunnerson, outside linebacker, Carroll, Iowa
Nash Hutmacher, defensive tackle, Chamberlain, South Dakota
Tamon Lynum, cornerback, Orlando, Florida
Will Nixon, wide receiver, Waco, Texas
Logan Smothers, quarterback, Athens, Alabama
2020 Needs
| QB | 0 | DL | 3 |
| RB | 1 | MLB | 2 |
| WR | 2 | OLB | 2 |
| TE | 1 | DB | 2 |
| OL | 2 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> I teased some tight end information in an article on Thursday about how young and talented the group is. Frost has given position coach Sean Beckton the green light to keep pursuing tight ends this cycle. Beckton has a couple of guys tabbed as his top prospects. One of them is Texas playmaker Donovan Johnson.
Johnson has an official visit scheduled for the season opener against South Alabama. Johnson does have a game the night before so it will be a tight turnaround to make an 11 a.m. kickoff in Lincoln.
>> Nebraska got some great news this week. Oklahoma running back Sevion Morrison is announcing his commitment on Aug. 21. The Huskers are the only school Morrison has taken an official visit to. I believe Nebraska got wind of Morrison considering pushing his decision back to December or even February, then made a hard push. He would be a very welcome addition to the class should he elect to join.
>> Talking to people in and around the program you get the sense that Nebraska is loading up for a big first month of the season. There are several official visits already lined up and confirmed by Hail Varsity.
- 3-star TE Donavon Johnson, South Alabama
- 3-star DE Tuli Tuipulotu, Northern Illinois
- 3-star DE Nusi Malani, Northern Illinois
- 4-star LB Devyn Curtis, Northern Illinois
- DT Marquis Black, Ohio State
- 3-star QB commit Logan Smothers, Ohio State
- 4-star LB Alabama commit Jackson Bratton, Ohio State
- 3-star DB Kendrick Simpkins, Ohio State
- 4-star OT commit Turner Corcoran, Ohio State
- 3-star DB Javar Strong, Ohio State
The low number of commits heading into the season has been concerning for some fans. Yet, if the Huskers start this season off hot, those feelings will change in a big way.
>> Every day there seems to be a new facility upgrade announced around the country. There have been a lot of grumblings about Nebraska needed to get with the times and do a major project. I know that something is being worked on behind the scenes. There isn’t a clear timetable on announcing anything. It would make a lot of sense to make a big announcement the week of the Ohio State game though, right?
>> The buzz is real around freshman Wan’Dale Robinson. It’s been hard for any coach or player to keep a lid on the excitement around him. Robinson seems to be every bit the dynamic player that the staff thought he was. He will be heavily involved in the game plan beginning Week 1.
>> Everyone expects this to be the season quarterback Adrian Martinez takes the leap to national stardom. After talking to quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco on Wednesday there are two areas in which he’s seen Martinez make strides—reading defenses and arm strength. The added muscle after another summer of strength and conditioning has helped him. Now a “seasoned vet” Martinez has seen a lot of what defenses can throw at him. It would be a good idea to enjoy Martinez while Nebraska has him these next two seasons.
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.
