The Nebraska coaches are out in full force for the evaluation period, taking a look at prospects from coast to coast. There have been a lot of offers that have gone out, mostly to the 2021 and 2022 classes. Next month, the Huskers will be hosting their own camps and attending other satellite camps which will be a great opportunity for the staff to get eyes on prospects.
As we head into camp season, there has been some movement on the Greg’s Guys list. Some top targets have really separated themselves and an intriguing Alabama commit has returned to the list.
If you aren’t familiar with the Greg’s Guys list, it’s my top 10 players in the class based on Nebraska’s needs, how a player fits in the scheme and talent. The player also needs to be interested in the Huskers.
The list is always fluid and that’s what makes it fun.
1. DT Nash Hutmacher (Chamberlain, South Dakota)
The talented defensive lineman keeps his spot as the No. 1 Greg’s Guy. Hutmacher has already taken his official visit to Nebraska, coming to campus the weekend of April 5. He still has an official visit planned to Wisconsin in June. The highly-decorated wrestler plays with great leverage and works very hard in the weight room. This one could be shaping up to be a Nebraska versus Wisconsin battle. Peer recruiting of Hutmacher has also picked up recently after Turner Corcoran joined the class.
2. OLB Quandarrius Robinson (Birmingham, Alabama)
Back in March, the hybrid outside linebacker visited Lincoln for the Huskers’ second Junior Day. The defender is the type of hybrid outside linebacker that the Huskers are looking for, standing at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. Robinson would represent a significant recruiting win out of Nick Saban’s backyard. His visit to Lincoln seems to have stuck with him and he is looking to take an official visit for the Ohio State game. Getting him out of the South will not be easy but Nebraska looks up to the challenge.
3. OL Roger Rosengarten (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)
The Huskers were early to the party on Rosengarten and that made a big impression on him. He took an unofficial visit to Nebraska on the first day of spring practice so he’s seen the team operate this year and also visited unofficially last fall. Oregon and Ohio State are real threats here but look for the big lineman (6-7, 275)—who attends the same high school as Luke McCaffrey did—to take an official visit to Nebraska before deciding on a school.
4. JUCO WR Omar Manning (Kilgore, Texas)
The Kilgore Community College wideout is the bigger-body type of pass catcher that many fans covet. He was originally committed to TCU before landing at Kilgore but at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, he has the size to go up and get the ball in the redzone. His recruitment has been a bit quiet but there is interest in the Huskers.
5. LB Kaden Johnson (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Johnson was part of a large group that took in a Huskers practice this spring and he came away wanting to get back around the program with his family. Johnson is looking to build a close relationship with the head coach at the school he eventually chooses so Scott Frost will play a key role here. Iowa State, Minnesota and Oregon are among the other schools pursuing him hard.
6. ATH Xavier Watts (Omaha, Nebraska)
The Omaha Burke standout is probably the recruit I am most asked about and for good reason. Watts has become a bonafide national recruit who will have his pick of some very good schools. He plans to take official visits to Notre Dame (June 21), Michigan and Nebraska. Tennessee, Wisconsin and Minnesota are also in the mix. It’s going to be a battle but Nebraska has turned up the focus on the playmaker.
7. LB Jackson Bratton (Muscle Shoals, Alabama)
I rarely include committed players on this list but Bratton is that good. He is committed to Alabama but has been open to taking visits elsewhere including a trip to Texas A&M this winter. Nebraska has an ace in the hole here since Bratton is very close with quarterback commit Logan Smothers. Nebraska is likely working hard to get Bratton to Lincoln for a game and it sounds like Bratton will take his official visit when Smothers does.
8. DL Jamar Sekona (Greenbrae, California)
Sekona, a 4-star defensive tackle from Marin Catholic High School, was an unofficial spring game visitor. He had a great time on his trip getting to reunite with defensive line coach Tony Tuioti. Sekona enjoyed the fans and culture at Nebraska saying “it’s just different out there” when Hail Varsity spoke with him. The Huskers were back out in California to visit him during the evaluation period. Look for Sekona to end up taking an official visit to Lincoln.
9. OLB Blaise Gunnerson (Carroll, Iowa)
The Iowa defender came back to campus for a third time this spring for the spring game. He is building a bond with new Huskers commit Turner Corcoran and priority target Xavier Watts. The Huskers are hoping to sell the Iowan on playing outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. It would be a great sign if Gunnerson ends up at the June 21 VIP event ahead of the Friday Night Lights camp.
10. RB Sevion Morrison (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Morrison was highly productive his junior season with 2,761 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns. Hail Varsity spoke with him recently and he plans to attend the event in Lincoln on June 21. The Huskers would love to continue grabbing players from the state of Oklahoma and Morrison is a prime candidate this cycle.
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.
