The season is in full swing, which means Nebraska is in the midst of hosting plenty of prospects on official visits. The early-season official visitors gave us a glimpse into some of the prospects that are high priorities for the 2019 recruiting class. That also means it is time for a fresh Greg’s Guys list.
The number one slot has remained the same but there is some big movement on the list. In addition, a couple of players (Chris Hickman and Tiawan Mullen) committed so they need to be replaced. Nebraska has a number of targets planning to make October decisions so next month could see another big shakeup.
Here are the top 10 players for the class of 2019 based on Nebraska’s needs, how a player fits in the scheme and talent. We keep this list fluid and that’s what makes it fun.
1. ATH Wandale Robinson (Frankfurt, Kentucky)
Through four games, the electric do-everything back has 1,215 all-purpose yards and 15 total touchdowns. He took officials to Purdue and Michigan over the summer. Robinson took an official visit to Nebraska for the Akron game and said he “never experienced anything” like the atmosphere in Lincoln. An official visit to Alabama looms the weekend of Sept. 21 before Robinson makes an October decision. He has named Nebraska as his leader right now.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5633673/5ba14d35f55f8b0c44fe2b6b
2. OL Bryce Benhart (Lakeville, Minnesota)
The Minnesota mauler is a 4-star (HV Rating: 91.5) prospect for good reason. He stands at 6-foot-8 and 290 pounds of good weight. He already took official visits to Wisconsin and Tennessee over the summer. The Huskers had the opportunity to host him for an official visit during the Akron game. Benhart doesn’t care much for interviews but the feeling behind the scenes is that he is a Nebraska lean.
3. DE Ty Robinson (Gilbert, Arizona)
The versatile defensive lineman has a great relationship with Nebraska following his two trips to Lincoln this spring, including the spring game. While Nebraska has been the school most closely linked with him, it’s long been an expectation that he’d take other visits. Robinson will visit Cal on Oct. 13, Nebraska on Nov. 17 against Michigan State and Alabama on Nov. 24.
4. OL Bamidele Olaseni (Garden City, Kansas)
Nebraska will go hard after a top junior college offensive lineman or two this cycle. Olaseni is one of the best tackle prospects in the JUCO ranks and it’s easy to see why when you watch his film. It is rare that you see guys his size with such quick feet. He would be the perfect fit on Greg Austin’s offensive line. It helps that Nebraska has a great relationship with his head coach, Jeff Sims. The Huskers also have a current commit Dedrick Mills on the team, along with Dominick Watt and Willie Canty.
5. DB Noa Pola-Gates (Gilbert, Arizona)
The Huskers number one priority in the 2019 class is to land difference making defensive backs. Pola-Gates certainly fits that description. The 4-star (HV Rating: 92.0) profiles more as a safety but does also possess cornerback skills. He has told me that he will be taking an official visit to Lincoln for the Minnesota game. Alabama is a huge threat here as he has made multiple visits to Tuscaloosa with an Iron Bowl visit on his calendar.
6. WR Jameson Williams (St. Louis, Missouri)
Wide receiver recruiting for 2019 has been slow going as not many names have emerged as legit targets to end up in Lincoln. The St Louis prospect, is very fast, having run a 10.54 in the 100-meter dash, so he fits perfectly into what the Huskers are trying to do offensively. Williams visited Nebraska in June before the dead period began and has an official visit slated for September 29th when Nebraska takes on Purdue. Ohio State is the main threats for him and he just canceled a trip to Oregon for the weekend of September 21st.
7. WR Marcus Washington (St. Louis, Missouri)
Things appear to be heating up between Nebraska and the 4-star (HV Rating: 94.8) wide receiver from St. Louis. Washington may be the biggest Nebraska target that decided to slow down and look around after the situation at Ohio State with coach Urban Meyer. Washington did take an official visit to Lincoln for the Colorado game followed by a trip the next week to Texas for their game against USC. I believe we are set up for an old Big 12 showdown between Nebraska and Texas for the pass-catcher.
8. CB Javin Wright (Chandler, Arizona)
The Hamilton High School standout made his first trip to Lincoln for the Colorado game despite suffering a knee injury in his game the night before. His father Toby Wright was a Blackshirt in the '90s, so the pull may be strong to follow in his father’s footsteps. Pac-12 schools want Wright but Nebraska seems to be his leader at the moment. Still, he will take more visits and make his decision in December.
9. DB Jamel Starks (Decatur, Georgia)
Nebraska has been on a roll in Georgia and will hope to keep it going with the talented defender. The Peach State native is a two-way standout for his high school. Starks shows good coverage instincts on film and is not shy about coming in the box and making a hit. He was in Lincoln for an official visit for the Colorado game. In my mind, Starks is a very underrated prospect because he lacks ideal size. He currently has no other official visits planned.
10. OL Danielson Ike (Kansas City, Missouri)
When a prospect measures at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, it is hard to miss him. The Kansas City prospect is a real wild card in this cycle for Nebraska. Ike has not played football very long but he is oozing with potential if he gets in the right situation. He was in Lincoln as an unofficial visitor for the Akron game. Nebraska is in a good position with him but will need to keep working hard.
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.
