We have almost made it through the summer and have football back in our lives. We are less than one week from fall camp getting underway as we get set for Scott Frost’s first season in Lincoln. The unofficial start to the season happened this week in Chicago at Big Ten Media Days and it revealed plenty of conference storylines.
However, there is a lot of ground to cover with recruiting so let’s get to the recon.
Class Breakdown
Husker Commits
Matthew Anderson, offensive lineman, Leesville, Lousiana
Desmond Bland, offensive lineman, Yuma, Arizona
Tony Fair, defensive tackle, Pima, Arizona
Thomas Grayson, running back, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jackson Hannah, linebacker, Nashville, Tennesee
Nick Henrich, linebacker, Omaha, Nebraska
Rahmir Johnson, running back, Oradell, New Jersey
Luke McCaffrey, quarterback, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Jamie Nance, wide receiver, Blanchard, Oklahoma
Garrett Nelson, defensive end, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Mosai Newsom, defensive end, Waverly, Iowa
Ethan Piper, defensive tackle, Norfolk, Nebraska
Garrett Snodgrass, athlete, York, Nebraska
Ronald Thompkins, running back, Loganville, Georgia
2019 Needs
| QB | 0 | DL | 1 |
| RB | 0 | MLB | 0 |
| WR | 2 | OLB | 1 |
| TE | 0 | DB | 4 |
| OL | 3 | K/P | 0 |
Additional Recon
>> This weekend Nebraska will host one of its top defensive back targets for the 2019 class. Hail Varsity has confirmed that 3-star (HV Rating: 84.3) defensive back Quinton Newsome from Suwanee, Georgia, will be in Lincoln. Newsome recently released a top three that includes Nebraska, Auburn and Georgia. It is unclear at this moment if the defender is able to commit to either Auburn or Georgia at this time which could put Nebraska in the driver’s seat. Newsome is listed at a safety but has the size (6-2, 180) and speed to play either defensive back position for the Huskers.
>> After the excitement for the commitment of 4-star LB Nick Henrich cooled down, a lot of the in-state focus for fans has turned to his teammate. Four-star tight end Chris Hickman is now the only player in the top five in Nebraska in 2019 who is not on the Huskers' commit list. He also may prove to be the most difficult to get. I’ve done some checking around on him and it is no slam dunk that Nebraska will get one of his five official visits. Right now, sources indicate that LSU and Oregon will get official visits. It’s also likely that Wisconsin gets one. The other two are up in the air but Nebraska is in the mix.
The good news is that Hickman has been to campus multiple times but honestly Nebraska will feel much better about its chances if they can get him in Lincoln for an official this fall.
>> The excitement for the Akron game will be off the charts in Lincoln. Look for the Huskers to capitalize on that by hosting a huge group of official visitors. The confirmations will start rolling in and I can confirm that 3-star (HV Rating: 84) offensive tackle Brayden Rohme will be taking an official for the Akron game. The Arizona native told me that he has a few things he is really looking forward to on his visit.
“Just seeing the school for the first time and meeting all of the coaches," Rohme said. "Also, being there for that first game and seeing the culture and environment of the school will be amazing to experience.”
>>Next Tuesday, July 31, Nebraska is set to host 4-star WR Jameson Williams out of St. Louis. Williams is a dynamic player with legit track speed having ripped off a 10.54 in the 100-meter-dash. He also currently has an official visit set up to Nebraska on Sept. 29 for the Purdue game. The other two schools heavily in the mix right now are Oregon and Ohio State. It’s unknown how the Zach Smith firing will affect Williams. The pass-catcher will be in Eugene for Oregon’s Saturday Night Live event and there are some who believe he may leave that trip as a Duck.
If Nebraska can hold off the strong push from Oregon, I do like its chances of making up ground with the talented player.
>> One player that many believed would be in the class for Nebraska at this point is 4-star (HV rating: 92.6) defensive end Ty Robinson. Due to his family ties to Nebraska, having visited multiple times during the spring and his standing on Nebraska’s board it makes sense to think that. Robinson has slowed down his recruiting process though I’d still put Nebraska as the favorite to land him. However, I do have a dark horse team for you to keep an eye on. The Stanford offer was a big one for him and the Cardinal has his full attention.
Stanford is a serious threat to land Robinson due to its academic prestige.
>> Sources indicate to me that the staff is optimistic freshman wide receiver Dominick Watt will qualify be in Lincoln for fall camp. Somehow Watt has gotten lost in the shuffle a bit and has not gotten the attention his talent probably deserves. It could go back to his surprise commitment or him being a late arrival. What I can tell you is that the staff believes he has NFL potential and will be a star in Frost’s offense. Watt is a good route-runner with sure hands and is not afraid to go over the middle. I still think he compares very-well with Stanley Morgan Jr.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5030731/5a17649c38634c0dac0c9b6f
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.
