The September edition of Greg’s Guys is here.
The is the second edition of the list on its new day—the first Tuesday of the month—after moving to a new day in August. What a great time to start a new tradition too because there are a lot of changes this month. The biggest news is that we have a new No. 1 player on the list after 4-star (HV Rating: 94.9) tight end Thomas Fidone committed to Nebraska. Three other players—AJ Rollins, Derek Wilkins and Geno VanDeMark—also committed since the last list.
Eight of the 10 players on the big board are defensive players. The Huskers only have a few spots remaining in this 2021 class with most of the needs being on defense.
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 list is always fluid and that’s what makes it fun.
1) DE Ru'Quan Buckley (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Last Rank: 2
The Michigan defender has been a priority target for the Huskers for a long time. He was able to visit back in January for a Junior Day. Buckley has since named Nebraska as his leader but hasn’t placed himself on the commit list just yet. If he does wind up committing to Nebraska, his strong relationship with defensive line coach Tony Tuioti will play a large role.
“I'm still in contact with them very often,” Buckley said. “We talk a lot. Coach T texts me every morning or every day. Coach Held too. Me and Coach T link up on Zoom. It's just awesome. Coach [Scott] Frost talks to me every once in a while too. It's awesome man.”
The race is on for the Huskers’ first defensive line commitment and Buckley would made a fine addition.
2) LB Mikai Gbayor (Irvington, New Jersey)
Last Rank: Unranked
The Huskers have always been on the hunt for several linebackers in the 2021 recruiting class. The team currently has three linebackers committed and would like to add at least one more. The New Jersey native (6-2, 220) has kept in contact with the Huskers and has them in his top five along with Michigan State, West Virginia, Ole Miss and Kentucky.
“My relationship with [the] Nebraska coaches is good,” Gbayor said. “Coach Ruud, Coach Dawson and all those guys keep in touch. If it's not one coach it’s the other calling me or shooting me a text once or twice a week. That is good coming from all three coaches that are recruiting me.”
Gbayor will announce his college decision on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. CT.
Decision Week, 5 Great Programs, I’ll Be At The Crib And IG Friday -DM For Address !! #IrvingtonTuff💙 pic.twitter.com/yFVSTVxjuT
— Mikai Gbayor🗡 (@MGbayor) September 1, 2020
3) OLB Wynden Ho'ohuli (Mililani, Hawaii)
Last Rank: 3
The Hawaii native is one of the biggest mysteries on the recruiting board for the Huskers. Nebraska has been linked to him for a while but he’s been mostly quiet during his recruitment. Ho’ohuli (6-3, 215) may represent the best chance to get back on the board in Hawaii for the 2021 cycle. He hasn’t visited Lincoln which has been a snag in his recruitment but the relationship between him and the Huskers is strong.
4) DE Mandela Tobin (San Diego, California)
Last Rank: 5
Tobin is one of a handful of defensive linemen that the Huskers like this cycle who are still on the board. He’s not going to get to play high school football this fall in California which has impacted his recruitment. Like everyone else he also wasn’t able to get out on the road to visit schools. Nebraska is among the schools chasing him hard, alongside with Kansas and Kansas State.
5) DB John Howse IV (Brentwood, Tennessee)
Last Rank: Unranked
The Tennessee native (6-2, 185) has long been a target of the Huskers’ staff. The Huskers have not dipped into Tennessee often for prospects but Howse could get things moving a new direction. The defender has taken plenty of virtual visits but recently took trips on his own to Kansas and Nebraska. He told Hail Varsity that he liked what he found in Lincoln.
“We really liked it,” Howse said. “It’s a huge college town which is cool and we heard it’s crazy on game days and the team has really good fans.”
A decision is on the horizon for Howse but first he will release a final group of schools.
6) DE Tiaoalii Savea (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Last Rank: Unranked
It’s not often that I list committed players on this list but an exception needs to be made for Savea. There is a lot of smoke around the potential for the Nevada native (6-5, 260) to reconsider his commitment to USC. The Huskers have done well under Frost with keeping in contact with potential flip candidates. Savea is certainly a prospect that would fit well along the Huskers’ defensive line.
7) RB Tavierre Dunlap (Del Valle, Texas)
Last Rank: 4
The Huskers would like to keep adding talent to the roster from Texas and Dunlap is a dynamic playmaker from the Lone Star State. The Huskers are in his top eight schools but beyond that not much is known about where the team stands. He’s been very productive for Del Valle High School amassing 3,000 yards and 37 touchdowns over the last two seasons. If the Huskers add another offensive player this class Dunlap would be a good fit.
8) ATH Dametrious Crownover (Grandview, Texas)
Last Rank: Unranked
The senior is being recruited to either play tight end or outside linebacker by different schools. The jumbo athlete has potential at either position. After playing at 235 pounds as a junior he started his senior campaign around 275 pounds. That makes a move to defensive end more likely in college. Crownover recently named a top five of A&M, Baylor, Nebraska, Ohio State and Texas. He has an older brother that plays at Baylor.
9) RB Cam'ron Valdez (Rockdale, Texas)
Last Rank: 6
The Rockdale High School standout will be heavily featured this season. Valdez is a high three-star prospect ranked in the top 20 running backs in the 2021 class. He named a top seven in July that included Arizona State, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Texas Tech, and Utah. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound Valdez has gained more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage and scored almost 50 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
10) DL Michael Mokofisi (Woods Cross, Utah)
Last Rank: Unranked
The stout lineman (6-3, 300) is one of the top uncommitted players in the state of Utah. Mokofisi has some position flexibility which the Huskers like as he could project to either nose tackle or defensive end in college. Utah is making a strong push for him but he has visited Lincoln before. He was at Nebraska last year for the matchup with Wisconsin so he’s aware of the game day atmosphere in Lincoln.
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.
