The Huskers are hard at work trying to put the finishing touches on the 2022 recruiting class. During the early signing period the team signed 13 high school players and one JUCO player. It was known that the traditional class would be small this cycle. That’s one of the factors that kept the overall ranking low for coach Scott Frost. Despite an underwhelming traditional class on paper the Huskers have supplemented the class with several transfers. The team had landed commitments from seven scholarship transfer players. Nebraska is looking for more to round out recruiting this cycle.
The team will be mostly focused on transfers through February. Why not start looking ahead to 2023 players?
DE Maverick Noonan
Noonan is a legacy player and the next big-time player to come from Elkhorn South. He’s one of the top in-state players for the 2023 cycle. That means that he is essentially a player that Nebraska can’t afford to miss on. Noonan (6-4, 225) could end up as a stand-up outside linebacker or hand-in-the-dirt defensive end. He’s said before that he likes playing either. The Huskers are battling Iowa State and Missouri for him at this point
ATH Malachi Coleman
The Lincoln East prospect (6-5, 180) was one of the best stories locally from 2021. He was unknown coming into the season and now he’s one of the hottest prospects in the region. Coleman made a lot of plays as an explosive wide receiver in 2021. Some schools like him there. He is also an athletic player on the edge and could play linebacker or defensive end in college. Coleman is one of the more exciting players in Nebraska for the 2023 recruiting class. He holds offers from Minnesota, Maryland, Kansas State and others
OLB Denzel Moore
The search is always on for edge rushers. The Huskers have made a good impression on Georgia outside linebacker Denzel Moore. The Huskers see the defender (6-2, 225) as more of a stand-up outside linebacker in their scheme. That way he’d be able to use his full skill set. It’s something that Moore likes about Nebraska’s pitch.
“Yes sir, I feel like that matches with my skills,” Moore said. “I feel like I’ve been working and grinding all my life to end up playing stand-up linebacker that rushes. I love to rush the quarterback and get them under pressure. I’m going to always bring the pressure.”
The Huskers will likely want to get Moore on campus for a spring or summer official visit.
DE Andrew Depaepe
The Huskers have been locked in battles with Iowa for top players from the state since Frost arrived. The 2023 cycle will be no different. Nebraska has already offered eight players from Iowa in the 2023 class. The biggest battle brewing is over defensive end Andrew Depaepe (6-5, 230) out of Pleasant Valley High School. He visited Nebraska for a game in 2021. He has nice versatility and could bulk up to play on the interior defensive line. Depaepe could also stay lean as an edge rusher. The Huskers are going to pursue the 4-star hard and keeping him away from Iowa City would be a big bonus.
DB Braeden Marshall
The Huskers had a lot of 2023 visitors this season that went under the radar. The Huskers got 2023 Florida defensive back Braeden Marshall on an unofficial visit. He came to Lincoln for the Northwestern matchup. The relationship he has built with the coaches helped get him to Lincoln.
Cornhusker nation how this look ?🌽⚪️🔴 #GBR pic.twitter.com/EE3AorBCXh
— Braeden Marshall (@MarshallBraeden) October 12, 2021
“They’ve been talking to me every day just reaching out every day,” Marshall said. “That means a lot to me. The University of Nebraska, that’s one of the biggest fan bases around and wanted to get out there and visit for a big game.”
Marshall (5-10, 170) is an early 4-star prospect that the Huskers have made good progress with. He’s got a strong relationship with defensive backs coach Travis Fisher. Marshall’s defensive backs coach at his high school is a former player of Fisher’s. He’s got a good connection to learn more about the program. The Huskers should get a return visit this spring from the Florida native.
What’s interesting to note is that a few positions for Nebraska don’t have clear top targets yet. The coaching changes on the offense have shaken things up. It will be awhile before we can tell how the board has been shuffled by new coaches. We learn a bit more as each new offer goes out. The 2023 class is important just like every recruiting class. The Huskers will want to show that 2022 was just a blip on the radar by having a strong class for the 2023 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.
