Have you ever wondered how Nebraska’s opponent for the current week is doing in recruiting? Perhaps you’d like to know more about the battles on the recruiting trail in recent years. In this new feature, we are going to take a look weekly at some key factors in recruiting for the team Nebraska is facing.
We’ve gone through these opponents so far:
Colorado |Northern Illinois | Illinois | Ohio State | Northwestern
Minnesota’s 2020 recruiting class at a glance:
| Running back | 1 |
| Wide Receiver | 4 |
| Offensive line | 2 |
| Defensive line | 5 |
| Linebacker | 2 |
| Defensive back | 4 |
| Athlete | 5 |
| Total commits | 23 |
Best current commit: 4-star WR Daniel Jackson
Did Nebraska recruit any of the players in their class?
The two teams had a lot of crossover recruits in the 2019 cycle. Yet the Huskers and Gophers have not gone to battle for any of the targets that are currently in Minnesota’s class.
Are there remaining targets on their board that Nebraska is also recruiting?
Defensive end/outside linebackers Jared Ivey and Jamari Stewart each hold scholarship offers from both Nebraska and Minnesota. Ivey took an official visit to Nebraska for the Ohio State game. Stewart picked up his offer from Nebraska this week. The big target that Nebraska and Minnesota are battling for is 4-star outside linebacker Kaden Johnson. The Minneapolis native is a top target for both schools who also need to fend off Wisconsin and LSU. Johnson was in Lincoln for an official visit for the Ohio State game. He was also at Minnesota for an unofficial visit last weekend.
Any prospects from their last class playing as freshmen?
Yes, but not much. Las Vegas running back Cam Wiley has 11 rushes for 32 yards on the season. Georgia native Michael Lantz has made four of six field goals and 21 of 22 extra points in 2019. Outside linebacker Donald Willis has appeared in three games but has just one tackle. Tyler Nubin, a cornerback from Illinois, has appeared in five games but has one recorded tackle and a pass breakup.
How has Nebraska recruited the state?
The Huskers haven’t put a huge focus on Minnesota. Going back to 2016 when the Huskers offered one scholarship in the state (JD Spielman), it hasn’t been a state where the Huskers have offered may scholarships. In 2017 Nebraska again offered just one scholarship in the state. The Huskers offered two in 2018 but landed outside linebacker David Alston. It was much of the same in the 2019 cycle when Bryce Benhart and JUCO pass rusher Jermaine Johnson were the only Minnesota natives to get offers. For the 2020 cycle Nebraska has offered four scholarships in the state.
Are there any notable players that Nebraska lost to them?
No. There aren’t any notable players that had interest in both Nebraska and Minnesota who are now playing for the Gophers.
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.
