What a week it’s been for the Huskers. There has been significant movement with the Husker roster. We’ve seen seniors declare for the draft and lots of seniors on defense returning to school. We have also seen Wan’Dale Robinson leave the team. But the Huskers also added to quality offensive players with Samori Touré and Markese Stepp. There could still be more shake up coming as the team starts to report this weekend.
Let’s get to the Recon.
Husker Commits
Koby Bretz, Defensive Back, Omaha, Nebraska
Ru’Quan Buckley, Defensive Lineman, Wyoming, Michigan
Marques Buford, Defensive Back, Cedar Hill, Texas
James Carnie, Tight End, Firth, Nebraska
Gabe Ervin, Running Back, Buford, Georgia
Thomas Fidone, Tight End, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Mikai Gbayor, Linebacker, Irvington, New Jersey
Kamonté Grimes, Wide Receiver, Naples, Florida
Heinrich Haarberg, Quarterback, Kearney, Nebraska
Shawn Hardy, Wide Receiver, Kingsland, Georgia
Wynden Ho’ohuli, Outside Linebacker, Mililani, Hawaii
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
Teddy Prochazka, Offensive Lineman, Elkhorn, Nebraska
AJ Rollins, Tight End, Omaha, Nebraska
Jailen Weaver, defensive lineman, Antioch, California
Lardarius Webb, Defensive Back, Jackson, Mississippi
Malik Williams, Defensive Back, Buford, Georgia
Branson Yager, Offensive Lineman, Grantsville, Utah
2021 Needs
| QB | 0 | DL | 1 |
| RB | 0 | MLB | 0 |
| WR | 0 | OLB | 1 |
| TE | 0 | DB | 1 |
| OL | 0 | K/P | 0 |
The Recon:
>> The Huskers nabbed two commitments from Buford High School in the 2921 recruiting class. Running back Gabe Ervin and defensive back Malik Williams signed with the team. Could the team try to dip into the school again for 2022? Ryland Gandy is a 3-star defensive back who says he has interest in Nebraska.
“They already have two of my teammates going up there this upcoming fall season,” Gandy said. “Nebraska seems like a pretty cool place. The coaches seem like they know what they’re doing and it’s just a cool place to be.”
Gandy is also hearing from Notre Dame, Indiana, Kansas and Michigan State at this time.
>> The Huskers made the first coaching staff change of the offseason on Thursday when special teams analyst Jonathan Rutledge was let go. His one season in Lincoln during the COVID year was tough on the field. There were bright spots, namely the Big Ten Kicker of the Year, Connor Culp, which he recruited. No matter which way Scott Frost decides to go with the position moving forward, an emphasis will need to be placed on the unit. Nebraska has tried multiple approaches to special teams under Frost and none have worked. Something has to give because it still costs the team games.
>> It wouldn’t surprise me to see more coaching changes this offseason. More changes also make sense to allow Frost to have a full-time assistant dedicated to coaching special teams. It’s too early to speculate on who or why, but I think changes can be expected in today’s college football.
>> There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the status of quarterback/athlete Luke McCaffrey. The latest intel that I hear on that front is that he will be staying at Nebraska. It’s 2021 so of course that is subject to change at the drop of a hat. But I am curious about how they plan to use him in the 2021 season. Is there a chance that he moves to another position despite the staff constantly saying he’s a quarterback? Or will the team have another season of quarterback controversy? Only time will tell on that front.
>> The Huskers passing game has to take a step forward in the 2021 season. For that to happen the team needs to count on Omar Manning. Right now, the signs are positive that he will be part of the team in 2021. Manning is in Lincoln and engaged at this point.
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.
