We are getting to the end of the 2019 recruting cycle. In just a few short weeks, the class will be wrapped up and coach Scott Frost will hold a press conference to talk about the new additions to the program. Before that though, Nebraska needs to secure a few remaining targets.
The Huskers are in a good position to do just that and have also been doing a lot of work on the class of 2020.
Let’s get to the Recon.
Class Breakdown
Husker Commits
Matthew Anderson, offensive lineman, Leesville, Lousiana
Brant Banks, defensive end, Houston, Texas
Bryce Benhart, offensive lineman, Lakeville, Minnesota
Desmond Bland, offensive lineman, Yuma, Arizona
Darien Chase, wide receiver, Vancouver, Washington
Myles Farmer, defensive back, Atlanta, Georgia
Jimmy Fritzsche, offensive tackle, Greenville, South Carolina
Jackson Hannah, linebacker, Nashville, Tennesee
Nick Henrich, linebacker, Omaha, Nebraska
Chris Hickman, tight end, Omaha, Nebraska
Rahmir Johnson, running back, Oradell, New Jersey
Michael Lynn, offensive lineman, Greenwood Village, Colorado
Luke McCaffrey, quarterback, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Dedrick Mills, running back, Garden City, Kansas
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
Ty Robinson, defentive tackle, Gilbert, Arizona
Wandale Robinson, athlete, Frankfort, Kentucky
Garrett Snodgrass, athlete, York, Nebraska
Ronald Thompkins, running back, Loganville, Georgia
Javin Wright, defensive back, Chandler, Arizona
2019 Needs
| QB | 0 | DL | 1 |
| RB | 0 | MLB | 0 |
| WR | 1 | OLB | 1 |
| TE | 0 | DB | 2 |
| OL | 0 | K/P | 0 |
Additional Recon
>> As Nebraska’s recruiting for 2020 heats up (and we’ve seen a lot of new offers go out recently), I’ve noticed an uptick in tight end recruiting. It was basically Chris Hickman or bust at the position this cycle but it looks like Nebraska will cast a wide net in 2020. The early names to watch here are Brandon Frazier and Donavon Johnson from Texas, as well as Jonathan Odom from Tampa, Florida.
Odom has already visited Lincoln for the Michigan State game last year and both Frazier and Johnson told me this week that they plan to make it to Lincoln this spring. Frazier’s grandparents grew up in Nebraska so he said that he is well aware of the program and Frost.
>> Sticking with 2020, don’t write off the Huskers’ chances with Alabama linebacker commit and 4-star Jackson Bratton. He is best friends with Nebraska quarterback commit Logan Smothers and they grew up talking about playing together. Sources have told me that the plan is for Bratton to join the Smothers family the next time they come to Lincoln, which should be sometime this spring. In my opinion, Bratton is the best inside linebacker offer out for the class of 2020 currently.
>> There is a new 2019 outside linebacker target to keep in the back of your mind. That player is Cornelius Evans, who has seen his stock rise recently. He has an official visit this weekend to Georgia Tech and one to Louisville on the last weekend before National Signing Day. Next weekend is open for him to potentially visit Nebraska but it looks like that will only happen if the Huskers don’t feel good about Steven Parker at that point.
>> One visitor from last weekend that I don’t feel good about ending up with Nebraska at this time is cornerback DJ James. Sources indicate that it’s not likely that he will stick with his Mississippi State commitment. Oregon, who he is taking an official visit to check out this weekend, looks to be the leader heading into the weekend. The cornerback news is not all bad though because things are heating back up between Nebraska and defensive back Jamel Starks. The coaching change at West Virginia has him rethinking his recruitment and Nebraska has kept communication open with him.
>> Throughout the week there has been a lot of talk about Miami wide receiver transfer Lawrence Cager and his potential interest in Nebraska. On Hail Varsity Radio this week, I strongly hinted that the talk was premature and was too loud for how this staff operates in these situations. I’m told that Nebraska won’t add another grad transfer until after spring once the staff can fully assess needs.
Cager has upcoming trips to Iowa State and Oregon, with Penn State and Georgia in the mix.
>> This time of year, winter conditioning nuggets are gold and I have one to share. Running back Maurice Washington has his weight up to 190 right now and the goal is to get him in the 195-200 range for the season. That could be the perfect weight to allow him to stay explosive and as agile as we saw him be during his freshman year. I’ve also been told that center Cam Jurgens is up to a lean 285 pounds.
>> I still have a lot of confidence in my prediction that 4-star defensive back Noa Pola-Gates will pick Nebraska when he makes his announcement on Saturday at the Polynesian Bowl. The other player to look out for this weekend is running back John Bivens. He is taking an official to Nebraska this weekend and if he is given the green light, I think he would jump at the opportunity to commit.
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.
