The Huskers are hosting a huge recruiting weekend with double-digit official visitors. There is a good mix of top in-state and out of state targets that have made their way to campus to check out what the Huskers have to offer. The program is getting an opportunity to make a huge push with key targets. The team is recruiting differently with a revamped coaching staff.
A trio of the prospects on campus this weekend are from Cedar Grove High School in Georgia. Wide receiver Barry Jackson, EDGE Adonijah Green and defensive back Kayin Lee are all standouts for coach John Adams’ team. Adams is thrilled for the opportunities coming to his players because they are even better kids than they are football players.
It’s the second trip to Lincoln for each as they were all in Lincoln for the Red-White Spring Game. The Cedar Grove program is a dynasty right now having won four of the last five state titles in Georgia. The culture of winning these players are used to being in can be an asset in college according to Adams.
“I think it’s really important because they understand the process,” Adams said. “It’s not just about going out and playing a game but it is definitely a lot behind the scenes you got to do right. You got to work hard, you got to do well in the classroom. I think they have that mentality. I think that is really important to have those type of guys on your ball team. I think it’s a plus and I think those three guys are really good leaders as well. They just understand the process, so it’s a win-win situation.”
Each player he has visiting Nebraska is a top target for the program. Jackson (5-11, 175) is a dynamic athlete with 20 scholarship offers including Nebraska, Louisville and Duke. Adams thinks whichever school gets Jackson will get a playmaker.
“Barry Jackson is a really fun guy to watch,” Adams said. “He’s elusive. He has really good hands. Really good receiver as far as separation as well. He can help in the return game and does really good for us on kickoff return. So, you get an explosive player and get an opportunity to have a receiver that can really kind of knock the roof off a defense.”
The Huskers are taking their chance at flipping Green (6-6, 220) who is currently committed to Louisville. Green intends on using his five official visits starting with Nebraska. He’s the type of player that schools around the country covet.
“Adonijah is one of those twitchy edge guys,” Adams said. “He’s long but a lot of people don’t understand how well he plays the run. His best attribute probably is his pass rush. He definitely can change the game and he does real good out on the edge for us too. But just a freak of nature when you talk about athletically and just a really instinctive player too.”
Each prospect from the school has legitimate Power Five talent but defensive back Lee (5-11, 185) stands out above the pack. The Huskers are battling Ohio State and Georgia for him. Defensive backs coach Travis Fisher has built a good relationship with the defender and his coach.
“I might be a little biased but I think he’s the best corner in the country,” Adams said. “Real physical kid that is fundamentally sound. He really wants to be the best. He goes out each and every day and works on that. So you got a guy I think wherever he goes is gonna come in and play early. He’ll have a real big impact on whatever squad he goes to. He can catch too and he’s gonna play some offense for us as well this year. Just one of those guys that can take away a side of the field and take away one of those star receivers.”
Adams anticipates that his group of guys will enjoy their time back in Lincoln. He’s also been to campus before and really liked Nebraska’s campus. There’s a good energy created by the people on campus who he says have always been a class act.
It seems like a deliberate strategy for the Huskers to get players that are familiar with each other on campus for visits. This is a talented trio of players that any school would be lucky to land for the 2023 recruiting class.
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.
