We are now a full-go in the 2020 recruiting class. Currently, Nebraska sits at two verbal commits and they are both good ones. Quarterback Logan Smothers and new commit Zavier Betts are ‘N’ and the Huskers sit in a good position with many of their top targets. All of this is before the sold-out Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 13 when the Huskers figure to have quite a few prospects in town.
If you aren’t familiar 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.
There will be another edition of Greg’s Guys on Monday, April 15 after the spring game to get things all caught up after that big weekend. The list is always fluid and that’s what makes it fun.
1. OT Turner Corcoran (Lawrence, Kansas)
The top spot remains the same this time around. The Free State lineman isn’t just one of the top players in the region but the entire country. Corcoran was in Lincoln this spring to take in a practice and will be back for the Red-White Spring Game. We could be getting close to decision time for the lineman as he eliminated Ohio State from consideration. Corcoran visits Oklahoma this weekend.
2. DT Nash Hutmacher (Chamberlain, South Dakota)
Nebraska has done well to get Hutmacher on campus multiple times already. That includes a big official visit to Nebraska this weekend. He plays both offensive and defensive line for his high school in South Dakota but the Huskers would like him to be a future Blackshirt and man the nose tackle position. 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.
3. OT Roger Rosengarten (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)
Last year, when Rosengarten was an unofficial visitor in Lincoln for a game he was relatively unknown. The Huskers were early on Rosengarten and offered him one of his first scholarships. Rosengarten has seen his stock skyrocket since then. He took an unofficial visit to Nebraska on the first day of spring practice. 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. 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.
5. 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 and 200 pounds, he has the size to go up and get the ball in the redzone. He has some quality offers but there is interest in the Huskers.
6. LB Kaden Johnson (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
The dynamic athlete attends Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. 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 Coach Scott Frost will play a key role here.
7. ATH Xavier Watts (Omaha, Nebraska)
The Omaha Burke standout has really made a name for himself. Watts has become a bonafide national recruit who will continue to see his stock rise as more schools see his tape and then come watch him play during his senior season. The question is, will he still be on the board when his senior season starts? He is on a big tour of his top schools including a visit to Nebraska for the spring game.
8. WR Muhsin Muhammad III (Charlotte, North Carolina)
The 4-star (HV Rating: 92.7) wide receiver visited Lincoln back in late March for spring practice. The pass-catcher, who stands at 6-foot and 180 pounds, made the trip with his father. His dad is former Panthers and Bears wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. The visit went well and Muhammad enjoyed the family environment in Lincoln. Now the Huskers need to get him back in town for a game day in the fall for an official visit.
9. RB Sevion Morrison (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
There is still more clarity needed on the top running backs on the board for Nebraska. We know that running backs coach Ryan Held will land at least one quality back in this class based on his history. Morrison was highly productive his junior season with 2,761 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns. He continues to get more and more attention as schools circle back to his film.
10. Blaise Gunnerson (Carroll, Iowa)
The Iowa defender came back to campus for a second time this spring for practice after having visited for a game last season. The day he visited both Turner Corcoran and Xavier Watts were in Lincoln, giving him an opportunity to bond with potential future teammates. Gunnerson is a very good defensive prospect and the Huskers hope the he follows the footsteps of 2019 signee Mosai Newsom and leaves the state of Iowa for Husker red.
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.
