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 best things about camp season is all the new prospects that get uncovered by college coaches. We are coming off a dead period that lasted over a year in response to the pandemic. We knew that plenty of players were itching to get seen by college coaches. When the dead period finally lifted on June 1 the floodgates opened. Camps began and so prospects had to plan out where to go for maximum exposure.
One prospect that has been very busy during the early part of this month is Georgia defensive back Quantaves Gaskins. The defender found himself in a unique situation. He switched positions to defensive back which slowed down his recruitment. Then he transferred schools but couldnβt get his film from his previous school. Without being able to send his film to coaches, he hit the road.
Gaskins went to camps during the first week of the month at Iowa State, Wisconsin and Nebraska. While he was at the Friday Night Lights camp he spoke with coach Scott Frost and defensive coordinator Erik Chinander.
βWell I talked to Coach Chinander and Coach Frost while I was at the camp,β Gaskins said. βThey both gave me really positive feedback. They liked what they saw. When they heard that I was going to be going to the FSU camp, they wanted Coach Fisher to be able to see me. He was actually down there at the time. He was just waiting and was going to be watching me when I attended the camp.β
While at the Florida State megacamp Fisher and Gaskins were able to work closely together. Fisher started coaching him up during the one-on-one drills. At the same time the coaches from Kansas State started doing the same thing. Thatβs when Gaskins really knew he was doing well.
“I was really excited,” Gaskins said. “There were a lot of kids out there. But once they started following me around, I knew I had to keep going. I had to put some good reps in their face. I just kept going, I got pretty much most of the reps during that one on one session.
βAt the end of it, I talked to the defensive coordinator at Kansas State and Coach Fisher back-to-back and they both offered.”
After a competitive camp at Florida State I am blessed to receive an scholarship offer from the University of Nebraska. @CoachTFisher @HuskerFBNation @grindatlanta @WgordonCoach @HCCA_Athletics #AGTG pic.twitter.com/mMQmt0BAOb
— Quantaves βGumboβ Gaskins (@QuantavesG) June 6, 2021
After the offers came through Gaskins was happy. But so was his dad who attended the camp with him. Gaskins said that his dad got so excited that it embarrassed him a little. Then he got on the phone with his mom who yelled so loud that it hurt his ear. It all made Gaskins appreciative because he knows how much his parents have invested in him.
The plan for the rest of the month is to hit more camps. Gaskins is thrilled to have offers but there are more schools out there to meet. Heβs not offer chasing but he just wants to build up some options. Heβd like to select a school halfway through his senior season. Gaskins is also a stellar student and plans to enroll early.
βThe thing I’m really looking for in a school is a school that I know will develop me into becoming a way better player than I am now,β Gaskins said. βOne that can definitely help me make it to the next level. Also, I’m just looking for a very good school with a great culture. One that I would be proud to be part of the team.β
Recruit Watch
>> Recent Husker 2022 defensive line offer Jordan van den Berg committed to Penn State on Tuesday night.
South Africa….. Atlanta……… HAPPY VALLEY #WeAre π¦π₯ @coachjfranklin @CoachJScott_DL pic.twitter.com/Stp9EAvlKd
— Jordan van den Berg (@JordanvandenB12) June 9, 2021
>> Illinois offensive lineman Valen Erickson took an official visit to Nebraska over the weekend. Then he was offered by the home state school.
Extremely Excited to receive an offer from The University of Illinois!!!@Coach_BMiller @BretBielema@StRitaAthletics @StRitaFootball @CoachSaboFIST pic.twitter.com/65dz5YHF2w
— Valen Erickson (@ValenErickson) June 8, 2021
Check out recent Husker official visitor Landon Samson making a nice catch up the sideline.
ππππππΏ π³
2022 All-Americans Quinn Ewers (@QuinnEwers) and Landon Samson (@Landonsamson1) connect for a big time play. #AllAmericanBowl πΊπΈ pic.twitter.com/i4x9bnwJZa
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) June 9, 2021
ICYMI
>> Derek Petersonβs 10 most intriguing Huskers series has reached defensive back Quinton Newsome at No. 8.
>> In the latest Padding the Stats, Jacob Padilla explores a team in the middle of a basketball youth movement.
