Linebacker recruiting is the No. 1 priority for the 2020 recruiting class. As we have seen this season on the football field, linebacker play is very important to how the Husker run their defense. After inheriting low numbers at linebacker overall a couple years ago the staff did a nice job in the 2019 class of adding players at both inside and outside linebacker. Outside linebacker still needs more impact players on the roster that can both stop the run and get after the quarterback.
Down the line, inside linebacker in particular should be much better on the team based on who they have now. Nick Henrich, Jackson Hannah and Garrett Snodgrass and are all redshirting this season.
However, that doesn’t mean that more reinforcements aren’t needed. On Tuesday evening one of Nebraska’s top linebacker targets Choe Bryant-Strother chose UCLA over Nebraska.
I want to thank God, my family, my coaches, and everyone who believed in me…
I'm all Bruin 💙💛🐻 #4sup pic.twitter.com/WGCdzSJ5Nb
— ⁹ (@ChoeBryant) November 6, 2019
This news hit about a month after priority inside linebacker target Caleb McCollough picked Arizona State over Nebraska about a month ago. So which targets are left out there for Nebraska as it looks to fill a key need this cycle? Let’s take a look at some names that are still on the board.
4-star OLB Kaden Johnson
Johnson is likely the No. 1 overall defensive player on the board for Nebraska currently. He took an official visit for the Ohio State game and the Huskers await his decision. Johnson may still take an official to LSU. Johnson is exactly the type of hybrid outside linebacker the roster is missing.
3-star ILB Rodney Groce
The former Husker commit has still left the door open to a possible return to the Huskers’ class. Groce will likely take some trips to SEC schools before signing in December. He is an early enrollee so we will know his decision relatively soon.
4-star ILB Desmond Tisdol
Tisdol is a relatively new name to the board for Husker fans. The Georgia linebacker is a terrific playmaker in space, which is something the Huskers lack currently at the inside linebacker position. Getting him on campus for an official visit over the next two home games would be huge for Nebraska’s chances.
3-star OLB Regen Terry
The Arizona pass rusher visited Lincoln for an official visit for the Northern Illinois game. He has gone pretty quiet but has taken a couple other official visits. It’s unclear if the Huskers are still in the mix for Terry but he was someone they liked early in the process.
3-star OLB Jared Ivey
The former teammate of current defensive back Quinton Newsome made the trip to Lincoln for the Ohio State game. He is an intriguing option as a hybrid outside linebacker standing at 6-foot-6, 220-pounds. His frame should allow him to add muscle over time to become a solid edge player in college.
Other names to know
- ILB Devyn Curtis
- ILB Brennon Scott
- ILB Mister Williams
There are still targets left on the board for the Huskers but we are really getting to crunch time with preferred targets. If a few more of the decisions go against Nebraska they will have to start working down the board and preparing to hit positions hard next 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.
