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.
What an eventful weekend for Nebraska football. For the first time under Coach Scott Frost, the Huskers were able to beat Purdue. Thanks to a hot start that put the team up 17-0, the Huskers ended up winning 37-27. The other reason I point out that the Huskers were up 17-0 at one point is because that’s when Miami outside linebacker Patrick Payton announced that he was decommitting from the Huskers’s 2021 class.
— Reaper’s Child👿 (@PatPayton6) December 5, 2020
Bad timing for sure but it wasn’t a complete shock that this is the way things would go with Payton. The Huskers did well to gain his commitment early. It was going to be tough to hang on to the talented pass rusher without getting him on campus. Adding to that, the exodus of Florida players from the program could have been concerning to Payton. In the end, it’s better for Nebraska to lose him now than a few months into his time on the team. The Huskers would have loved for him to be in the class but they’ll move on.
Oftentimes when some bad news comes down in recruiting, it is followed up by good news. That happened for Nebraska on Saturday when Michigan defensive end Ru’Quan Buckley announced his commitment to Nebraska.
Committed to the University of Nebraska thank you sooo much too all coaches who recruited me pic.twitter.com/RbiMfx0QIC
— Ru'Quan Buckley (@Darealruquan) December 5, 2020
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound lineman is an intriguing addition for the Huskers. The team has certainly prioritized adding size to lines of scrimmage under Frost. Buckley had been recruited by some schools to play offensive line, yet the Huskers like him as a defensive lineman the whole way. That is something that drew him to Nebraska along with his good relationship with defensive line coach Tony Tuioti.
Buckley also announced that he will be enrolling early at Nebraska. That’s become one of the big storylines of this recruiting class. The Huskers are now up to 12 total early enrollees. That includes transfer linebacker Chris Kolarevic.
- DE Ru’Quan Buckley
- DB Marques Buford
- TE James Carnie
- WR Latrell Neville
- TE Thomas Fidone
- OL Henry Lutovsky
- OL Teddy Prochazka
- LB Randolph Kpai
- LB Seth Malcom
- QB Henrich Haarberg
- OL Branson Yager
- LB Chris Kolarevic
Through this weird season, the Husker commits have remained strong in wanting to arrive early to get to work. We have just 10 days until the early signing period begins. The Huskers looking for a few more pieces to round out the class. If this weekend was any indication we will be in for my fireworks before the class is done.
Recruit Watch
>> California defensive lineman Mandela Tobin committed to Duke on Friday.
1000% Committed! I am so grateful for this entire opportunity and I am excited for the future! #AG2G #DukeGang4L #GoDuke 🔵⚪🔷️⬜🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/UH9Uz5d1xo
— Mandela Tobin🇳🇬 WeMatter (@MandelaTobin) December 4, 2020
>> The Huskers are in the top six for Hawaii athlete Titus Mokiao-Atimalala.
Thank you JESUS for blessings me with the family that I have. This is my reason why, this who I do it for. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! You and Mom are the reason why we are where we are today. Give me a little bit of more time. With that being said this one for you pops … TOP 6 pic.twitter.com/TkqD3DSie7
— Titus Mokiao-Atimalala 💯 (@TITUS_ATIMALALA) December 4, 2020
>> Nyair Graham, a 2022 outside linebacker from New Jersey, committed to Maryland over the weekend.
The commitment…. pic.twitter.com/rf4tlvAHIM
— Nyair Graham💫 (@NyairGlizzy) December 5, 2020
ICYMI
>> As Derek Peterson wrote, instead of ways to let it slip the Huskers found the plays to hold on for a win over Purdue.
>> The Huskers defense may have the start of something near the end of 2020, writes Brandon Vogel.
>> Check out Erin Sorensen and myself breaking down Nebraska’s win over Purdue.
>> Jacob Padilla looked at the big plays that Adrian Martinez, Ben Stille, Wyatt Liewer and more made on Saturday.
>> The Play of the Game was Cam Taylor-Britt’s big pass breakup and Jacob Padilla broke it down.
>> The kickoff time is set for the Huskers’ next game against Minnesota.