The recruiting calendar has flipped. Even though we have been talking about recruits in the 2021 cycle for awhile, that group is officially up.
𝐆𝐁𝐑𝐗𝐗𝐈#GBR x #TheGoodLife pic.twitter.com/VoWjVX4iZP
— Nebraska FB Recruiting (@NEB_Recruiting) February 5, 2020
The state of Nebraska once again has many Power 5 level players that the Huskers hope to land. The state has a nice streak going which will only help the team moving forward. Going back to the 2019 class the state had five Power 5 players. Nick Henrich, Chris Hickman, Garrett Nelson, Garrett Snodgrass and Ethan Piper all signed with the Huskers.
The 2020 cycle was good for the state of Nebraska. Several players landing scholarship offers. Three players—Zavier Betts, Xavier Watts and Will Swanson—are heading to Power 5 schools. Betts is set to enroll at Nebraska this summer.
What about the class of 2021? It’s shaping up to be a solid year.
Nebraska players with offers
- OT Commit Teddy Prochazka (Elkhorn South)
- DB Avante Dickerson (Omaha Westside)
- ATH Keagan Johnson (Bellevue West)
- ATH AJ Rollins (Creighton Prep)
The Huskers already have a commitment from the next cornerstone offensive lineman in Teddy Prochazka. The big (6-8, 260) tackle is one of the top offensive line prospects in the country. Having him in the class to peer recruit is also a big bonus since he is such a visible recruit.
Dickerson is a player that any program around the country would love to have. He has sprinter speed with good coverage skills. He released a top three of Nebraska, LSU and Ohio State, but that has not stopped other schools from offering the Omaha Westside star. Recently, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Ole Miss have joined the fray.
Bellevue West athlete Keagan Johnson is one of the more intriguing players in the state. He made a huge jump between his sophomore and junior year. That was on full display during Bellevue West’s state championship run last season. Johnson has been making the rounds on visits lately to Nebraska, Kansas State and Iowa. It seems likely that he will play for a school in the region.
Creighton Prep’s AJ Rollins received an early offer from the Huskers as a tight end. Yet the versatile player could end up growing into a hybrid outside linebacker. He has four scholarship offers, with Iowa State, Missouri and UCF joining the Huskers. Rollins could be a player that takes big step forward for his senior season. That could generate a new level of attention for him.
Nebraska players without offers
- QB Heinrich Haarberg (Kearney Catholic)
- OL Isaac Zatechka (Elkhorn South)
- OL Nolan Gorcyzca (Roncali Catholic)
There will be plenty of players in-state that generate walk-on offers. Yet, these are a few names to keep an eye on with scholarship potential. Haarberg has been in frequent contact with the Huskers. That includes hosting quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco at his school during the contact period. Zatechka and Gorcyzca will be very interesting to follow. They are likely fringe scholarship players with high upside. Keep an eye on Iowa to emerge for Zatechka. The legacy prospect will continue to garner more attention as the process plays out.
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.
