It is a strange time in the world of college football. No matter how you feel about whether or not games should be happening, it is bizarre to see college football being played in some places while the Big Ten sits out. It was another week of constant speculation of what will happen with the conference but we have our first glimmer of what might actually happen.
Even with the uncertainty surrounding the games, Nebraska has stayed hard at work on the recruiting front.
Let’s get to the Recon.
Husker Commits
Koby Bretz, Defensive Back, Omaha, Nebraska
Marques Buford, Defensive Back, Cedar Hill, Texas
Gabe Ervin, Running Back, Buford, Georgia
Thomas Fidone, Tight End, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Mikai Gbayor, Linebacker, Irvington, New Jersey
Heinrich Haarberg, Quarterback, Kearney, Nebraska
Shawn Hardy, Wide Receiver, Kingsland, Georgia
Randolph Kpai, Inside Linebacker, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Henry Lutovsky, Offensive Lineman, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Seth Malcom, Inside Linebacker, Tabor, Iowa
Latrell Neville, Wide Receiver, Houston, Texas
Patrick Payton, Outside Linebacker, Miami, Florida
Teddy Prochazka, Offensive Lineman, Elkhorn, Nebraska
AJ Rollins, Tight End, Omaha, Nebraska
Lardarius Webb, Defensive Back, Jackson, Mississippi
Malik Williams, Defensive Back, Buford, Georgia
Branson Yager, Offensive Lineman, Grantsville, Utah
2021 Needs
| QB | 0 | DL | 2 |
| RB | 0 | MLB | 0 |
| WR | 0 | OLB | 1 |
| TE | 0 | DB | 1 |
| OL | 0 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> It is getting tough to downplay the buzz around a potential restart for the Big Ten in October. Given how things have shifted on a dime in this story and so many factors being at play, it would be foolish to guarantee anything. Right now, it does feel like the Council of Presidents and Chancellors will vote soon on a return to play plan for football. There is momentum for that start date to be in October. We currently don’t know much about how or why it would be safer to play in October. The holding pattern continues now as we wait for final an update out of the league office.
>> Last recruiting cycle the Huskers finished the class off late with a huge run of commitments. I don’t expect things to drag out into December like last cycle but I do think the team will close the class out well. It will end up being heavy on defense if everything goes according plan. The Huskers are currently in a good position with defensive linemen Ru’Quan Buckley and Tia Savea. Defensive back John Howse is also looking heavily at Nebraska and just included the team in his final six.
The Huskers still need one more linebacker and I wouldn’t rule out a potential big flip, too. Even in a weird recruiting cycle the Huskers could find themselves somewhere in the 20 range in the final rankings for the 2021 class.
>> Recruiting is a fluid thing to cover and follow which is part of what makes it so interesting. For most of this cycle we have all operated with the thought the Huskers would be taking a smaller class this year. Now there is a chance they end up able to take a full 25-man class. They ended up getting a waiver to get Henry Gray’s spot back and are waiting on word for Jaiden Francois’ spot. They won’t get Keyshawn Greene’s spot back because he started this semester.
Having extra slots available will make things interesting. Do the Huskers use that for an impact transfer if possible? Or do they simply add the numbers to the 2021 class? Which position would they like to take an extra player at and could this be the path in the class for Norris tight end James Carnie?
>> Recently it feels like each recruiting class gets better in the 500-mile radius. That will continue to be the case in the next cycle. The 2022 group is really good in the area. Nebraska already has several offers out in the region.
- Missouri-10
- Oklahoma-7
- Kansas-5
- Nebraska-4
- Colorado-3
- Iowa-2
Nebraska obviously won’t land commitments from everyone offered in the radius, but it is the perfect time again to build the base of your class locally and fan out from there. That will certainly be a big storyline to follow for the 2022 class.
>> Sticking with the 2022 theme I’ve gone ahead and put in an early prediction for Kansas linebacker Gavin Meyers to pick the Huskers. Meyers (6-2, 205) was scheduled to attend Nebraska’s Junior Day that got canceled but is itching to get to Lincoln for the first time. Whenever that happens the Huskers have a great chance of securing a commitment from the prospect who notched over 100 tackles as a sophomore last year.
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.
