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.
One of the things that can be difficult for a new staff to get a good handle on is roster management. There is typically an adjustment when running a program. Coach Scott Frost has only been a head coach since 2016 but it has become hard to ignore that he can flip a roster in short order.
When Frost and his staff arrived in Lincoln last year, they signed a full class of 25 players and added Vaha Vainuku, Noah Vedral and Tre Neal as transfers. In addition to the scholarship players, the Huskers added 20 walk-ons to the program. In the current recruiting cycle, it’s likely that 30 scholarship players will be added and there are currently 21 players pledged to walk-on in 2019.
As it stands now, there will be 99 new players added to the roster in two recruiting cycles (if another walk-on doesn’t join the program, of course).
In addition to the large amount of new faces entering the program, Nebraska will enter 2019 as one of the youngest teams in college football. There are only 23 total seniors on the roster and very few expected on the two-deep this season. In fact, every member of Nebraska’s projected starting offense in 2019 will have eligibility beyond the 2019 season.
When a coach takes over a program, they often speak about changing a culture that existed before he came to town. Frost was no different. It makes things a little easier to flip the culture if you select the players that you know are buying into your systems from the start.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers picked up another walk-on for this class when Brayden Miller, a quarterback from Kearney, accepted a preferred walk-on slot.
I’m a very excited to announce that I’m officially committing to The University of Nebraska! #GBR #HOMEGROWN 🔴🌽 pic.twitter.com/9SFG2pa7eb
— Brayden Miller (@BraydenMiller9) January 22, 2019
>> Priority 2020 target and offensive lineman Turner Corcoran took an unofficial visit to Kansas State last weekend for the Wildcats’ Junior Day.
MHK 😈💜 Thanks to the K-State staff for a great visit! #pipeline pic.twitter.com/wBpdvjsHCj
— Turner Corcoran (@turnercorcoran) January 22, 2019
>> Keep an eye out for 2020 offensive lineman Hayden Pauls. He picked up an offer from Nebraska on Tuesday and has already to been to Lincoln for a game.
https://twitter.com/HPballer16/status/1087758116278685696
>> Nebraska 2020 wide receiver target Xavier Watts picked up an offer from Kansas State on Tuesday.
Blessed to receive an offer from K-State‼️ pic.twitter.com/e78ojgkyau
— Xavier Watts (@xavierwatts6) January 22, 2019
ICYMI
>> Since the staff is back on the road in full swing for Week 2, we are providing updates on their whereabouts throughout the week including another visit to Logan Smothers’ high school. (Premium)
>>Jacob Padilla took a look at the runs that led to Nebraska’s defeat against Rutgers.
>>The class is coming to a close, so I went ahead and explained how I think the class will finish. (Premium)
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.
