Spring practice is over and Nebraska players are getting a well-earned short break while the staff hits the road in full-force for the evaluation period. So far we have seen a lot of new offers go out for the class of 2021 and some for 2022. That’s a good indicator that the Huskers feel pretty good about the relationships they have built so far for 2020. It also means they are caught up and trying to get ahead with offers.
There was a lot of recruiting news that came out of the spring game but there is still more out there.
Let’s get to the Recon.
Class Breakdown
Husker Commits
Zavier Betts, wide receiver, Omaha, Nebraska
Turner Corcoran, offensive lineman, Lawrence, Kansas
Logan Smothers, quarterback, Athens, Alabama
2020 Needs
| QB | 0 | DL | 3 |
| RB | 1 | MLB | 2 |
| WR | 2 | OLB | 2 |
| TE | 1 | DB | 3 |
| OL | 3 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> During the spring game, we saw the inexperience of Cam Jurgens at center cause some in the Nebraska fan base to panic over the future of the position. Keep in mind that he is very new to the position, hasn’t taken a lot of contact this spring and will continue to get better. While they need him to come along quickly, there isn’t any panic over Jurgens on the staff from my understanding. A healthy offseason that is full of learning is just what the doctor ordered for him.
>> Coming out of the spring, I’ve made a few new predictions for the Nebraska 2020 recruiting class. I now have outside linebacker Blaise Gunnerson, widr receiver Xavier Watts and defensive tackle Jamar Sekona all being ‘N’ the class. Gunnerson and Watts have both been to campus multiple times and have a strong friendship with Turner Corcoran. Gunnerson would be a nice pull out of Iowa.
Watts is still taking an official visit to Notre Dame but his decision to potentially delay his college choice actually bodes well for Nebraska. I believe he’s forming a bond with the staff and realizing he doesn’t need to leave the state to get everything he wants in a program. Notre Dame is a real threat here but the Huskers seem to be gaining ground.
The Huskers have to survive some west coast visits but they are in a great spot with Sekona. I would be surprised if he didn’t end up taking a summer official visit. His relationship with defensive line coach Tony Tuioti is strong. Sekona, Nash Hutmacher and Jahkeem Green (late 2019 addition) would be a heck of a start for Tuioti.
In addition to those guys, I feel good about Nebraska’s chances with tight end Tommy Christakos and lineman Alex Conn. Recruiting on the lines is in very good shape right now for Nebraska.
>> One spot that we don’t have a lot of clarity on right now is the defensive back board. A couple targets have come off the board already. Also, defensive backs coach Travis Fisher wants to wait until seeing players in pads before turning up heat on defensive back targets. He’s earned some leeway here since at this point last year no one knew Noa Pola-Gates was a target and Fisher may have had the best overall haul of any coach in the 2019 class for Nebraska.
>> Earlier this week I wrote about Fort Scott Community College and their connection to Nebraska. There are a couple of players that are close to getting an offer from Nebraska at the school. Toryque Bateman is an athletic offensive lineman that stands at 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds. He is close to an offer. Jaquan Green is a big 260-pound defensive lineman that could see his stock rise as well. Those are two names worth filing away for later.
>> If you are buying stock in walk-ons who will play this season make sure you look at offensive lineman Trent Hixson and linebacker Joey Johnson. Hixson has worked himself into serious starting consideration after a strong offseason and spring. Johnson has stepped up nicely to provide depth after the injury to freshman Nick Henrich. Johnson will likely see the field this fall and coach Scott Frost said as much on Sports Nightly on Thursday.
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.
