It’s been quite the week for Nebraska recruiting. Just a week ago, the Huskers picked up their latest commitment for the 2021 class when Florida pass rusher Patrick Payton joined the class. That was a good get for a team who needs to continue loading up on pass rushers and keep the Florida pipeline flowing.
This week was a little different. Nebraska lost out on an in-state legacy prospect to a rival. That move has sparked a lot of discussion in Husker Nation.
Let’s get to the Recon.
Husker Commits
Randolph Kpai, Inside Linebacker, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Henry Lutovsky, Offensive Lineman, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Christopher Paul Jr., Inside linebacker, Cordele, Georgia
Patrick Payton, outside linebacker, Miami, Florida
Teddy Prochazka, Offensive Lineman, Elkhorn, Nebraska
Branson Yager, Offensive Lineman, Grantsville, Utah
2021 Needs
| QB | 1 | DL | 4 |
| RB | 2 | MLB | 2 |
| WR | 2 | OLB | 2 |
| TE | 2 | DB | 2 |
| OL | 1 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> Nebraska offered 2022 Michigan defensive back Nolan Ziegler earlier this week. The Huskers were his first Power Five offer and he was pretty fired up about it.
“I am very excited, this is my first big time offer and I am looking forward to meeting the coaching staff and seeing what the program is all about,” Ziegler said.
The Michigan defender wants to visit Lincoln when prospects are able to get back on campuses. The offer is notable because the Huskers are pushing more and more into more traditional Big Ten states. At the same time they’ve had good success in the South and want to keep that going.
>> I ran an interview with Colorado tight end Erik Olsen on Thursday. Olsen has good potential and a nice frame to play the position in the Big Ten. It’s not just his skill set that has me keeping an eye on him. Olsen has a few family members in Nebraska, which could really help the Huskers here. So far as prospects move their commitment timelines up, comfort is a bigger factor. The Huskers want to take two tight ends this cycle. I’m very close to putting in a prediction for Olsen to be in the 2021 class.
>> There are a lot of layers to the Keagan Johnson spurning the Huskers for Iowa situation. Nebraska did right by him and his family, recruiting him hard and offering him early. Johnson made a choice that he feels is right for him. I do think there is a disconnect with the Huskers and prospects in Omaha. Those prospects are typically not diehard Husker fans growing up and have not seen a lot of great play from Nebraska through their lifetimes. For example, Avante Dickerson grew up a Florida fan. It sounds so simple but winning will fix that. The best Nebraska can hope for right now is to beat the players who left on the football field.
Think back to when quarterback Josh Freeman decommitted from Nebraska to go to Kansas State. His career stat line against the Huskers was 56-of-109 for 706 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. The Huskers sacked him 12 times and never lost to him. Ndamukong Suh and his defense downplayed it at the time but the Blackshirts clearly took that personally and let him know it. That’s the best revenge.
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.
