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.
Last week, Nebraska continued to search the state for talent and offered 2021 Creighton Prep athlete AJ Rollins a scholarship.
Excited to say I’ve received an offer to play football at Nebraska! #GBR pic.twitter.com/5pv2UHVIq5
— Aj Rollins (@AjRollins__) June 4, 2019
Rollins is the third 2021 in-state prospect to earn an offer from the Huskers. He joins Elkhorn South offensive tackle Teddy Prochazka and Omaha Westside cornerback Avante Dickerson. Creighton Prep took part in Nebraska’s team camp last week, which is where he picked up the offer. I caught up with Creighton Prep coach Tim Johnk to get his thoughts on Rollins’ potential.
Johnk said that he knew Rollins could be a big-time recruit when he came in their building two years ago. Rollins (6-6, 220) mainly saw himself as just a basketball player but is figuring out that football is where his greatest upside is long-term. Now that Nebraska has offered, it’s all becoming real. Johnk told me that he was on Nebraska’s radar prior to the camp.
“When we got there (to the team camp), they knew about him a little bit,” Johnk said. “So, it was a really good opportunity to get their eyes on him for three days. He had a great camp. He’s really starting to embrace and understand football. He has no idea how to really play the game yet because he’s just new at all If you look at him, he is a picture-perfect 6-foot-6, 220-pound kid that will just be a junior.”
Rollins fits the mold of the type of long, athletic player the Huskers are trying to get more of in the program. Johnk believes that he’s a great tight end because he can flex out and he’s athletic enough to cause matchup problems. However, the Huskers also like him as a standup BUCK outside linebacker because he’s got length and is athletic in space.
At the end of the day, Rollins can fit into a couple of different roles which is great news for an in-state player on the rise.
Recruit Watch
>> Huskers priority outside linebacker target Quandarrius Robinson committed to Alabama.
#RollTide 🐘 pic.twitter.com/FstdJHFNbX
— Quandarrius Robinson (@QueRobinson23) June 12, 2019
>> Iowa Western defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey committed to Oklahoma on Wednesday.
BOOMER‼️ pic.twitter.com/OHOoVqb1mc
— Perrion Winfrey🦍 (@pdontplay) June 12, 2019
>> JaCobee Bryant, a 2020 defensive back prospect from Alabama, picked up an offer from the Huskers on Wednesday.
Extremely Blessed And Honored To Receive A(n) Offer From The University Of Nebraska 🔴⚪️ 🌽#GBR ☠️ pic.twitter.com/OvEGQwVh50
— JB1🌐 (@jacobeebryant33) June 12, 2019
>> Another 2021 quarterback picked up an offer on Wednesday when Nebraska offered Santino Marucci.
Excited & humbled to say I’ve received an offer from Nebraska. #Huskers 🏈 @Coach_Verdu @coach_frost @HuskerFBNation @EricKresser @BenjaminBucsFB @coachmarroquin @larryblustein @HuskerExtraPG @MikeMatya @NateClouse @Sean_Callahan @Husker247BC pic.twitter.com/WbpFLN6Skc
— Santino Marucci (@santinomarucci) June 12, 2019
ICYMI
>> Maurice Washington’s plea hearing in California has been moved to July.
>> Nebraska basketball announced the 2019-20 nonconference schedule.
>> Keep an eye on the confirmed visitor list for the Friday Night Lights and Adidas Pipeline camps. (Premium)
>> The staff is back to answer your questions in the mailbag, including who exactly is the top pick in the search for Nebraska’s next baseball coach.
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.
