We are now in the thick of it. Fall camp is in full swing for Nebraska as we inch closer to the season opener against Akron.
There has been plenty of positive news for Nebraska this week during camp, including on the recruiting trail The Huskers picked up a pair of commitments at the top two positions of need for the 2019 class. Let’s get to the recon.
Class Breakdown
Husker Commits
Matthew Anderson, offensive lineman, Leesville, Lousiana
Desmond Bland, offensive lineman, Yuma, Arizona
Tony Fair, defensive tackle, Pima, Arizona
Thomas Grayson, running back, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jackson Hannah, linebacker, Nashville, Tennesee
Nick Henrich, linebacker, Omaha, Nebraska
Rahmir Johnson, running back, Oradell, New Jersey
Michael Lynn, offensive lineman, Greenwood Village, Colorado
Luke McCaffrey, quarterback, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Jamie Nance, wide receiver, Blanchard, Oklahoma
Garrett Nelson, defensive end, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Mosai Newsom, defensive end, Waverly, Iowa
Quinton Newsome, defensive back, Suwanee, Georgia
Ethan Piper, defensive tackle, Norfolk, Nebraska
Garrett Snodgrass, athlete, York, Nebraska
Ronald Thompkins, running back, Loganville, Georgia
2019 Needs
| QB | 0 | DL | 1 |
| RB | 0 | MLB | 0 |
| WR | 2 | OLB | 1 |
| TE | 0 | DB | 3 |
| OL | 2 | K/P | 0 |
Additional Recon
>> I can’t recall a time when Nebraska has been in this good of a position with its quarterback recruiting. The Huskers signed Adrian Martinez and added Noah Vedral as a transfer for the 2018 class. Then they got a verbal commitment for the 2019 class from Luke McCaffrey and a verbal from 2020 quarterback Logan Smothers.
Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco said Wednesday that he was pleased with his quarterback recruiting. Has he ever been this far ahead, though?
“Oh no. It’s been really good. It’s real positive," Verduzco said. "Obviously there is a lot of water to go under the bridge until 2021 and all that business. So, we have to stay on top of that but God, I think Frosty [Scott Frost] and the rest of the staff are really pleased with how that piece of the puzzle is going now.”
Verduzco went on to say that he is looking at quarterbacks for the class of 2021. If you are looking for a couple of names to keep an eye on for the 2021 class, I have a few that have already jumped out. Husker legacy Jake Garcia (he is the son of former Nebraska football player Randy Garcia) out of Narbonne High School in Calif., and Tyler Buchner from The Bishop’s School in Calif., are a pair of names to watch.
Garcia already has an offer and Buchner is certainly on the radar.
>>As mentioned above, Nebraska picked up two commitments this week. On Sunday, 3-star (HV Rating: 85.0) offensive lineman Michael Lynn joined the class. One day later, 3-star (HV Rating: 84.3) defensive back Quinton Newsome joined the 2019 class. This has been quite a summer for Nebraska recruiting.
Since June 1st, Nebraska has added 11 players to the class of 2019 and got the first commitment of the 2020 class. The summer run Nebraska is on feels like the type of thing that happens in January when a class is being completed. It will be something to see how things unfold during the season when players are coming to Lincoln for official visits on a weekly basis.
>>With the news of junior running back Tre Bryant back in the mix and "working smarter and not harder," as well as freshman Maurice Washington being the talk of fall camp on offense, Nebraska's running backs room is awfully crowded.
To make things even more fun, Nebraska currently has three running backs committed in the 2019 class. That includes 4-star (HV Rating: 90.5) Ronald Thompkins, 3-star (HV Rating: 87.9) Rahmir Johnson and 3-star (HV Rating: 82.8) Thomas Grayson. Nebraska is also heavily in the mix for underrated running back, 3-star (HV Rating: 87.5) Wandale Robinson. He will take an official visit to Lincoln for the season opener against Akron.
Running backs coach Ryan Held has not only quickly flipped the running back room on his roster but has recruited his way into having a lot of good options. The running game at Nebraska should be back to what Husker fans expect in short order.
>>Now that Nebraska has three offensive linemen in the boat, it’s time for the staff to go big game hunting. Nebraska's top targets for official visits this fall are 4-star (HV Rating: 91.5) OT Bryce Benhart, 4-star (HV Rating: 92.1) offensive lineman Danielson Ike, top JUCO OT Bamidele Olaseni and 4-star (HV Rating: 93.5) offensive lineman Enokk Vimahi.
Adding one of those prospects and one more target would really give the Huskers something to work with along the offensive line in the coming years.
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.
