The Huskers want to keep riding the momentum from the 2020 recruiting cycle when they signed seven Floridians in the class. All four of Nebraska’s defensive back signees for that class were from the Sunshine State. Could Miami defensive back Gabe Nealy be part of the 2021 class? He included the Huskers in his top six on March 30.
https://twitter.com/GabeNealy1/status/1244776862892658689
Nealy has only visited Miami and Louisville from his top six so far. In general, Nealy is not one to go on visits and camps in the spring. He likes to use that time to focus on getting himself and his team better, so he originally planned to leave visits—including official visits—to the summer. Nealy is in wait-and-see mode when it comes to summer visits and whether or not they will happen as planned. He and the rest of the college football world must wait until it is safe for the COIVD-19 restrictions to expire.
Nealy’s school was shut down the week that spring break was supposed to start. When they returned from break, remote learning from home began. Like most athletes right now, Nealy is doing what he can to stay in good physical shape. He’s found some creative ways to get work in and is keeping a positive attitude.
“I’ve just been doing whatever I can do,” Nealy told Hail Varsity. “They are closing all the gyms and stuff so it’s been hard for me to get in the weight room. I go to my high school weight room to get the work in that I need to get done. I go out to the field and stuff. I go to some parks to run on the hills. It’s been good. It’s all about the little things. I can even go outside and run around the block to keep myself in shape.”
Nealy’s two main recruiters from Nebraska are defensive backs coach Travis Fisher and defensive coordinator Erik Chinander. The defender is in contact with Chinander daily so the two are really tight and the frequent communication is helping that relationship stays strong.
The Huskers have also built quite a reputation in Florida. Nealy said the Huskers’ reputation in the state has “been so good” at thit point.
“The name Flobraska came about,” he said. “It’s been great. Coach Fisher is a great recruiter for the Florida area. He knows how to get the job done. He tells you what you need to hear but not only what you need to hear but the reality of it all. The facts. I think he’s a really good recruiter. He knows what he’s talking about. He knows what Nebraska can do for you as a player. I think the reputation is really good.”
It turns out that Nealy has a connection to some recent Husker signees. Incoming wide receiver Marcus Fleming is his cousin. He also knows early enrollee defensive backs Henry Gray and Jaiden Francois. Though Nealy is still sorting through his top schools and needs to take his visits, he has a strong vision of what he’s looking for in a school.
“I’m just looking for a school that going to be committed to me just as I will be committed to them,” Nealy said. “I don’t want a school that just shows me how much they want me and then after I get on campus everything changes. I want a school to show how much want me but how much they need me by spelling out a plan for me. How they will develop me into the player I want to be. I think it’s all about how they all see my future. Whichever coach comes to me with a plan of how they want to get the job done and develop me into the superstar I want to be, that’s what it will come down to.”
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9569882/5d85b6c6d21b6a021cc9c2ab
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.
