Nebraska’s nine early enrollees for the 2020 recruiting class have already arrived on campus and have started classes. Of those, six are high school players, two are junior college players and one is a prep prospect. Nine early enrollees may seem like a lot, but it’s become a trend to have a number of early enrollees for Coach Scott Frost and his staff in their time with the Huskers. Enrolling early provides the players a jump start on their college careers, both on and off the field.
To get to know the Huskers’ early enrollees, we’re going to take a look at what they’re getting with each player. We’ve already looked at defensive back Henry Gray, outside linebacker Blaise Gunnerson, wide receiver Alante Brown and quarterback Logan Smothers. Now let’s look at offensive lineman Turner Corcoran.
What his recruitment looked like:
Corcoran was a massive verbal commitment in April 2019 when he pledged to the Huskers. Gaining his commitment the weekend of the spring game gave the team a big boost. The Free State High School standout had the chance to go anywhere in the country to play college football but he ultimately chose Nebraska. The Huskers had been recruiting him since his sophomore year and that early relationship building helped. Corcoran took many trips to Lincoln during the process. He chose Nebraska over Oklahoma, Kansas State, Ohio State and others.
Why he is important to Nebraska:
When you add the highest-rated recruit the school has landed in over 10 years, it’s a big deal. Quarterback, pass rushers and left tackles are gold in football. Corcoran is the type of left tackle that Frost and offensive line coach Greg Austin hope to build the line around. Elite offensive tackle prospects aren’t often found in the 500-mile radius. Signing Corcoran, a Kansas native, is a big boost to regional recruiting. Frost called him as good of an offensive lineman as he saw on tape in the entire country.
What stands out on film:
Something is very clear when you watch Corcoran play. He is a dominant run blocker. He also fires off the ball well and is powerful. Once he gets his hands on a player, they are not going anywhere. We saw this on display during the U.S. All-American Bowl recently when he helped blow open a hole for a touchdown. He’s an athletic big guy too so he holds up well in pass protection. As his technique continues to get refined and he gets stronger, Corcoran will be a powerful asset for Nebraska’s offense.
What type of room he’s walking into:
The offensive line room that Austin has right now is in good shape. All five starters return. There are well thought of young players like Bryce Benhart and Ethan Piper knocking on the door. Other players like Michael Lynn, Brant Banks and Jimmy Fritzsche are developing. It is a crowded group with potential. Corcoran has a chance to come in and compete because he is that talented. It’s hard for young linemen to make an impact.
Why it’s important that he arrives early:
The lineman needs to get stronger to compete in the Big Ten. Getting a jump start with head strength and conditioning coach Zach Duval is huge. Corcoran has already started reshaping his body in preparation for college football. That should help him hit the ground running. Going through spring ball will help him get comfortable with the Huskers’ offense and the pace the linemen need to play with.
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.
