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 Huskers signed three players from the state of Nebraska in the early signing period––Ernest Hausmann, Gage Stenger and Jake Appleget. They weren’t the only players in the state that are going on to play college football. Nebraska has continued to produce many high school players who play at the next level. When next year’s signing day rolls around we will see the same thing.
Let’s take a look around the state to see where some players are going.
Oklahoma landed its first high school player from Nebraska since the 1970s. That happened when Bellevue West tight end Kaden Helms signed.
Starting today with another CHAMPION.
Welcome @KadenJHelms 🔒https://t.co/QggJG3XwIJ | #ChampU22 pic.twitter.com/N1iIVzUnC8
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 16, 2021
Helms wasn’t the only tight end from that school to go to a major program. Micah Riley-Ducker is heading down south to play for Auburn. It will be a lot of fun to watch Helms and Riley-Ducker square off as members in the SEC. The Sooners join the conference in a couple seasons.
"Micah is a big, long, physical tight end that really can get on the field and do it all"
🗣 @BradBedell on @micah_r_d pic.twitter.com/Od5oNANUgb
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) December 15, 2021
If you saw Bellevue West play this season you were impressed with running back LJ Richardson. He rushed for 2,180 yards and 35 touchdowns during his senior year. He’s the latest Nebraska preps player to head to Wyoming to play college football.
🤠RB
✍️ @LJRichardson__ #NSD22 • #RideForTheBrand pic.twitter.com/EqOTR1A6D5
— Wyoming Cowboy Football (@wyo_football) December 15, 2021
Richardson was not the only Nebraskan heading to Wyoming this recruiting cycle. Archbishop Bergan safety Koa McIntyre will join Richardson.
HEYYYYY DUUUUDE! Our DUDE @KoaMcintyre is officially a Wyoming Cowboy! The @wyo_football got themselves an absolute beast! So excited for this young man to bust through the ceiling! He won’t stop getting better! #KnightPride #NSD22 #nebpreps #RideForTheBrand #CowboyUp pic.twitter.com/9riHxy2Wvi
— Bergan Football (@FightingKnights) December 15, 2021
Omaha Skutt quarterback Caden Becker is the final piece of the trio from heading to Wyoming. The Nebraska native will head to Laramie scholarship.
🤠QB
✍️ @CBecker247 #NSD22 • #RideForTheBrand pic.twitter.com/21GDXNGH8v
— Wyoming Cowboy Football (@wyo_football) December 15, 2021
Northern Illinois has done a great job of recruiting Nebraska in recent years. This year is no different with a couple of the state’s best seniors heading to DeKalb, Illinois. The Huskies picked up a pair of players from Millard South this year.
Congrats to Jake Gassaway & Christian Nash – Millard South teammates both headed to Northern Illinois @MSHSactivities @NIU_Football @KETV pic.twitter.com/dL964T1R42
— Andy Kendeigh (@AKendeighKETV) December 15, 2021
Devon Jackson, a linebacker from Omaha Burke, is potentially going the farthest away from Nebraska to play college football. He’ll head to Oregon to play for new coach Dan Lanning. This is the second year in a row that a player form Omaha will head to the Ducks. He joins former Omaha Westside standout Avante Dickerson in Eugene.
Big-time ‘backer coming to Eugene. @DevontheJet402 is officially a Duck!#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/kPefTd7cDd
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) December 15, 2021
Scotus Central Catholic tight end Garrett Oakley is on his way to a former Big 12 rival of the Huskers. He will play his college football in Manhattan, Kansas, for Kansas State.
Yesterday was a great day. I want to thank @garrett_oakley for all of the things he has done to make @ScotusFootball and @ScotusCC a better place. He handled this process like he does with everything; focus, passion, and grit. Always a Shamrock! Love you big guy! pic.twitter.com/8eU0Tc5QPk
— Coach Linder (@CoachLinderSCC) December 16, 2021
There are many players around that state that will have to opportunity to continue playing football in college. In all the excitement and news around the Huskers it’s easy to lose track of the players going elsewhere. Congrats to all those players and their families moving forward.
Recruit Watch
>> Congrats to all the Husker football graduates this weekend.
Congratulations to all of our fall graduates#thegoodlife pic.twitter.com/MhXEW07xfj
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) December 18, 2021
>> Cincinnati 2022 tight end commit Danny Lewis Jr. picked up an offer from the Huskers over the weekend.
AGTG I’m Humbled and Blessed to receive an offer from the University Of Nebraska🔴⚪️ #wamp @samspiegs @JeritRoser @Rivals @PublicSKOOL_Bun @ryantoine @skiezwamp @daboot02 pic.twitter.com/SwQotZDd8s
— Danny Lewis Jr. (@DannyLewis2022) December 18, 2021
>> Nebraska wide receiver signee Decoldest Crawford got a nice send off from his high school.
Congratulations to @Yrncold, on your signing to @HuskerFBNation. @daboot02 You all are definitely getting a good one!!! @nebraska pic.twitter.com/3sUkfzuyjI
— Green Oaks Giants Football (@GO_Giants_FB) December 17, 2021
ICYMI
>> Wisconsin outlasted Nebraska in a five-set title fight on Saturday night. Check out the photo gallery by John Peterson.
>> Jacob Padilla has your volleyball Final Four notebook (Premium) that covers attendance records, Wisconsin appreciation, Stivrins stats and more.
>> I took a look into examining Nebraska’s recruiting class rank (Premium) after the early signing period.
>> Steve Marik was on hand as the Nebraska women’s basketball team took down Drake 89-68 to remain undefeated.
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.
