Have you ever wondered how Nebraska’s opponent for the current week is doing in recruiting? Perhaps you’d like to know more about the battles on the recruiting trail in recent years. In this new feature, we are going to take a look weekly at some key factors in recruiting for the team Nebraska is facing.
First up is Colorado.
Colorado’s 2020 recruiting class at a glance:
| Quarterback | 1 |
| Running back | 1 |
| Wide receiver | 3 |
| Offensive line | 3 |
| Defensive line | 3 |
| Linebacker | 2 |
| Defensive back | 3 |
| Kicker | 1 |
| Total Commits | 17 |
Best current commit: 3-star dual-threat QB Brendon Lewis
Did Nebraska recruit any of the players in their class?
Yes, the Huskers did. When you looking through the Buffs commit list you will find a couple familiar names. Outside linebacker Guy Thomas is committed to Colorado. The former Husker wound up at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Now he will try to resume a Division I career in Boulder next season. Georgia offensive lineman Jake Wray is another player Nebraska had interest in. The player Nebraska recruited the hardest on Colorado's commit list is offensive lineman Carson Lee. He’s a former teammate of current Husker Michael Lynn. Lee visited Nebraska last season for the Purdue game.
Are there remaining targets on their board that Nebraska is also recruiting?
Nebraska and Colorado share a big common target. Arizona 4-star (HV Rating: 89.5) wide receiver Brenden Rice is a prospect Nebraska has liked for some time. Rice took an official visit to Michigan last weekend but there is speculation that there isn’t room for him in Ann Arbor. At one point he seemed like a Michigan lock but will take an official visit to Colorado this week. He will be able to get a look at both teams this weekend which is something to keep in mind.
Any prospects from their last class playing as freshman?
Running back Jaren Mangham from Detroit, Michigan, played during Week 1. He held an offer from Nebraska. He had a good debut against Colorado State. Mangham tallied 11 carries for 40 yards and had a touchdown. He was not pursued by Coach Scott Frost’s staff but was being recruited hard by the Riley staff. Mangham’s fit in Nebraska’s new offense wasn’t viewed as the right one.
How has Nebraska recruited the state?
Nine different current Huskers played their high school football in Colorado. Eric Lee Jr. and Avery Anderson claim other home states now but did play high school football in Colorado. Jack Stoll, JoJo Domann and Lee Jr. all figure to play big roles in the game on Saturday. Under Frost, the Huskers have recruited the state well. Barrett Ruud leads Colorado recruiting for the Huskers. Tate Wildeman, Luke McCaffrey and Michael Lynn have all signed with the Huskers with Ruud at the helm.
Are there any notable players that Nebraska lost to them?
Since Carson Lee did visit Nebraska, I would count him as a loss for Nebraska. Nebraska liked wide receiver Braedin Huffman-Dixon from the 2019 cycle. The former Mater Dei High School standout never made it to Lincoln for a visit but the Huskers did like him.