Recruiting never stops and it’s easy to miss the top stories day-to-day. Recruiting analyst Greg Smith recaps all things Nebraska recruiting news, analysis and more so you never miss a thing.
The questions never stop in the recruiting world. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to talk about so we take reader and listener suggestions on questions. I then answer the questions in a quick video. This week’s topic comes all over the place. Now that Nebraska has taken steps to address the defensive line and pass rush, what other positions could the team look to upgrade?
The Huskers were locked in on trying to find help up front on defense. The addition of Ochaun Mathis as a pass rushing defensive end will help the team a lot. He had at least 30 quarterback pressures the last three seasons. Mathis brings a pass rush element that the team has been lacking for years. Defensive tackle Devin Drew helps bolster the interior of the line. He fits in well with the team’s move to playing more 4-3 defense.
Keep in mind that Nebraska still wants to add at least one more interior defensive lineman. Alabama transfer Stephon Wynn (6-4, 307) appears to be the top target for the team at that position. Florida defensive line transfer Lamar Goods is also slated to take a visit soon. To be successful in the Big Ten up front you need to have a solid rotation of players beyond the first unit. The Huskers are working toward that.
Defensive line isn’t the only spot where the Huskers want to get better on defense. Safety has emerged as a position the Huskers want to have more options at. The team underwent a major overhaul at defensive back this offseason. High schooler Jaeden Gould joined the team in January. So did JUCO transfers Javier Morton and DeShon Singleton. Marques Buford got reps at safety this spring. Myles Farmer returns after playing a lot of snaps in the 2021 season. There are options for defensive backs coach Travis Fisher to work with.
It seems like no one has stepped forward besides Buford who might be best suited for a slot cornerback role. Nebraska is bringing Alabama safety transfer Kaine Williams. He’s a younger player with four years of eligibility left. Williams (6-2, 205) is a player with high-potential that Fisher might view as a good long-term player.
The offensive side of the ball is less about adding transfer at this point. Offensive line is the spot that most had circled for another potential addition. There are two problems with adding an offensive lineman to the mix. First, the Huskers don’t truly know what they have with the current unit. They haven’t seen Teddy Prochazka and Turner Corcoran work in live action with offensive line coach Donovan Raiola. How the line comes together with those two and a new center will be critical for the team this season.
The other issue is a lack of quality options in the portal. There were many more big-name offensive linemen in the portal after the season ended. Not as many have entered the portal after spring ball ended. That could force Nebraska into working with what it already has. The unit in Lincoln could end up being just fine under a new coach. It’s just a question mark heading into summer conditioning.
Nebraska is looking at all avenues to improve the talent on the team heading into the 2022 season. There are still players out there but time is running out to continue adding pieces. The team playing a Week Zero game against a conference opponent means coach Scott Frost will want his roster settled as soon as possible.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers offered Georgia 2203 wide receiver Jalon Kilgore on Sunday.
After a great conversation with @CoachBeckton I am blessed to receive my first (Wide Receiver) offer from @HuskerFBNation @coach_frost #AGTG pic.twitter.com/Bv8w27r4Qy
— Jalon Kilgore (@JalonKilgore) May 8, 2022
>> Check out Nebraska commit Dwight Bootle helping his team get a goal line stop.
big goal line stop in yesterday’s scrimmage! pic.twitter.com/gjtFTyRn5P
— Dwight Bootle II (@BootleIi) May 8, 2022
>> The Huskers offered 2023 Texas lineman Cullen Fite recently. The team has hit Texas hard over the last week.
I am truly blessed to say that I have received my first BIG TEN offer from the University of Nebraska!!🔴⚪️ @TrustMyEyesO pic.twitter.com/LNYixkrs4p
— Cullen Fite (@FiteCullen) May 7, 2022
ICYMI
>> I caught up with NCAA director of governance Susan Peal to talk all things transfer portal.
>> Nebraska couldn’t take care of business against Minnesota and dropped the series to 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.
