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Photo Credit: Greg Smith

Nebraska Recruiting: Commits React to Big Ten’s Return to Play

September 21, 2020

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.


Wednesday was a great day for Big Ten football fans. The league announced that play will resume the weekend of Oct. 23 and 24. This has to be an interesting time to be a recruit for a Big Ten school. For a month, those recruits had to watch as the SEC, ACC and Big 12 got ready to play. In the ACC and Big 12’s case, we saw gamesΒ recently.

Meanwhile there was a fight within the Big Ten on how and when to resume play. Nebraska was among the first schools pushing hard to continue playing football. Eventually the vote was unanimous to return to play but there was plenty of drama along the way. Coach Scott Frost was consistent in his message that he felt it would be safe to play at Nebraska. The commitments in his 2021 recruiting class took note when the official announcement was made.

β€œI felt like it was my birthday and my parents got me the gift I asked for,” wide receiver Latrell Neville said. β€œIt was a great way to show what this team and program is all about.”

Offensive line commit Henry Lutovsky shared similar thoughts. He also had a word on recruiting related to the Big Ten’s decision to start football this fall.

β€œI was excited,” Lutovsky said. β€œI was happy to see that our coaching staff’s constant fight and hard work has finally paid off. I think we led the way in this fight and it’s something I hope all recruits see.”

I’ll be in Tabor, Iowa, next weekend to see linebacker commit Seth Malcom play. Malcom gave his reaction on the news of the day.

β€œI was immediately excited,” Malcom said. β€œJust to see a season being played is awesome. I’m happy to see Nebraska play this year.”

Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg was also pleased with the conference’s decision to play.

β€œI was super excited for those guys and all the coaches because I knew how bad they wanted to play,” Haarberg said.

Elkhorn South star offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka has been playing football this fall. He’s thrilled to see his future college get to compete next month.

β€œI don’t think they should’ve canceled in the first place,” Prochazka said. β€œI’m just excited to watch them play and I’m happy that they changed the decision.”

Defensive back commit Lardarius Webb thinks it’s great that the Huskers are coming back. He’s ready to see what Nebraska can do on the football field. Lewis Central star Thomas Fidone is thrilled but has one more hope of something that can change soon.

β€œI’m extremely excited,” Fidone said. I can’t wait because there’s nothing like Big Ten football. Hopefully they’ll allow recruits one visit.”

The Husker commits were watching this situation unfold with a watchful eye. Now they’ll all get to see their future school compete in conference play during the 2020 season.

Recruit Watch

>> Kansas 2022 linebacker target Caden Crawford picked up an offer from Iowa on Wednesday.

>> Marquis Gracial, a 2022 defensive tackle from Missouri, was offered by the Huskers.

>> Florida defensive back James Monds is an early 2022 4-star prospect. He’s also feeling the love from the Huskers.

ICYMI

>> Each Big Ten team will get nine games with a plus-one schedule this fall.

>> Erin Sorensen and Sausha Durkan are here to discuss what the heck is going on in the latest Mind Your Own Podcast.Β 

>> Check out the medical protocols the Big Ten has put in place for a safe return to play.

> > Watch Bill Moos and Ronnie Green discuss the return to play from their press conference today.

>> The Titans conquered the Vikings in a five-set showdown, writes Jacob Padilla.

>> Photographer John Peterson has the photos from the match featuring future Huskers aplenty when Norris beat Waverly 3-2.

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