Business is picking back up for Husker recruiting. We are still in the dead period, but now that the holidays are behind us everyone is back at work. There is still plenty to do for the Huskers that will go a long way in shaping what happens for the 2022 season. Coach Scott Frost has his hands full balancing more new hires, transfer portal additions and traditional recruiting.
Let’s get to the Recon.
2022 Commits
Chase Androff, Tight End, Lakeville, Minnesota
Jake Appleget, Outside Linebacker, Lincoln, Nebraska
Decoldest Crawford, wide receiver, Shreveport, Louisiana
Justin Evans-Jenkins, Offensive Lineman, Irvington, New Jersey
Jaeden Gould, Defensive Back, Oradell, New Jersey
Malcolm Hartzog, Defensive Back, Bassfield, Mississippi
Ernest Hausmann, Outside Linebacker, Columbus, Nebraska
Emmett Johnson, Running Back, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Victor Jones Jr., Wide Receiver, Orlando, Florida
Jalil Martin, Defensive Back, Chicago, Illinois
DeShon Singleton, Defensive Back, Greensburg, Louisiana
Gage Stenger, Athlete, Omaha, Nebraska
Brodie Tagaloa, Defensive End, Concord, California
Richard Torres, Quarterback, San Antonio, Texas
2022 Needs
| QB | 1 | DL | 1 |
| RB | 0 | MLB | 0 |
| WR | 1 | OLB | 1 |
| TE | 0 | DB | 0 |
| OL | 2 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> The Huskers could be close to picking up a big portal quarterback. Casey Thompson and his father visited Lincoln on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. It was a self-guided tour like we saw players do during 2020 during the long dead period due to COVID-19. I’m told that the visit went well with the Thompsons liking what they saw. One big factor in this recruitment is the relationship between offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and Thompson. Things could move quickly with a commitment in the next day. Thompson could be on campus for winter conditioning on Monday.
>> The plan is still to land two quarterbacks. Even with Thompson potentially being ‘N’ soon the team is still pushing hard to land Florida State transfer Chubba Purdy. The situation couldn’t work out better for Nebraska. Thompson would be the short-term quarterback. Purdy has upside but is unproven. He can develop under Whipple to be the guy after Thompson. I like the Huskers’ chances of pulling this off after Purdy’s visit next weekend.
The only thing you have to worry about in this case is a transfer from a current quarterback. Logan Smothers would feel like the odd man out but he could compete through the spring to see what happens.
>> It also feels like the Huskers are close to finishing the coaching staff. Mike Dawson is still expected to coach the defensive line with some outside linebacker responsibilities. Bill Busch will slide into the special teams coach role. The final piece is the running backs coach. The two names I hear the most are Bryan Applewhite from TCU and Greg Knox from Florida. My feeling is that Applewhite is the choice. A key factor in Frost’s thinking here is the ability to bring a running back with him. This could mean good things for Nebraska and Ajay Allen if it all works out.
>> Hail Varsity was the first to report the mutual interest between Nebraska and LSU wide receiver Trey Palmer. I can now report that Palmer is expected to be in Lincoln next weekend for an official visit. I’d think that visit is just a formality and Palmer has a strong chance to end up a Husker. He’s got a small academic hurdle to clear but everything else is pointed at good news for Nebraska here. Palmer would give Nebraska a proven return man and boost the receiver room.
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.
