I think Nebraska fans are ready to put the game in Minneapolis behind them. I won’t spend any time on that but the bye week could not have come at a better time for the Huskers.
The Nebraska coaching staff is out on the road this week giving out future offers, checking in on current commits and circling back to top targets. There is a lot to fix on the current team this week but recruiting is as important as ever. This will be a critical stretch for the program in the run to the early signing period.
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
Rodney Groce, linebacker, Pleasant Grove, Alabama
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 | 1 |
| WR | 2 | OLB | 2 |
| TE | 0 | DB | 1 |
| OL | 1 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> Are the Huskers tracking for another 4-star defensive back from the state of Florida? Champagnat Catholic star Jalen Harrell left the Florida State recruiting class this week. The early word out of Florida is that the Huskers are the team in the best position to land Harrell at the moment. He is close with commit Henry Gray and Harrell is expressing interest in visiting Nebraska.
>> Nebraska has continued to attempt to make headway into Utah. The latest offer went out to 2021 athlete Raider Damuni. He stands at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds. I reached out to him to get his quick thoughts when he received his offer. While he was in shock that he even got the offer, he told me that he follows the big teams in the Big Ten so he already knew about the Huskers. Damuni has been in contact with Tony Tuioti and was familiar with him before being offered by Nebraska. The Utah native said that he does want to come out to Lincoln for a visit.
>> We can add an early official visitor to the list for the Wisconsin game. California defensive end DeShawn Lynch (6-4, 280) told Hail Varsity that he will be in town for the matchup with the Badgers. There isn’t a defensive end like Lynch in the class yet as he projects to become a classic 3-4 end. With a good visit, the Huskers could end this recruitment.
>> There is a new junior college pass rusher name to keep an eye on: Nathan Proctor Jr. The Virginia Tech bounce-back is now at Iowa Central Community College. He is having a great season rushing the quarterback and is on track to graduate in December. He does not have an offer yet from the Huskers but they are in contact with the hybrid player who stands at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds. Proctor Jr. doesn’t have an open weekend that matches with Nebraska’s home schedule so look for him to visit after the season.
>> Nebraska’s injury situation and how the Huskers recover will be a big factor in how the season finishes. Adrian Martinez, Wan’Dale Robinson, JD Spielman, Maurice Washington, Cam Taylor-Britt and Marquel Dismuke were all in desperate need of the bye week health-wise. The early word is good on all of the playmakers returning to full health in time for the Indiana game.
It also feels like it’s now or never for kicker Barret Pickering to return this season.
>> I did some checking around this week with top targets that Nebraska had in for official visits. California linebacker Caleb McCullough visited for the Northern Illinois game. McCullough told me that after his trip to Boise State last weekend that Nebraska and Boise State are his leaders. He isn’t talked about as much as some other linebacker targets but I’m high on McCullough and the Huskers are in a good spot.
>> I was able to reach Georgia wide receiver commit Justin Robinson too. I didn’t get much but what he did say was big. While he plans to return to Athens for a game this season, he also said that he and his parents liked Lincoln so much that he is “95% sure” they will come back to a game this season. That would be huge for Nebraska as they continue working on flipping the 6-4, 200-pound wideout.
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.
