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.
Things are becoming tougher on the class of 2022. We are coming up on a full year of the NCAA-mandated dead period. These rules are in place because we are still in the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has altered life around the globe for well over a year now.
It was announced on Wednesday that the dead period was extended again.
Division I Council extends recruiting dead period through May 31: https://t.co/B89I052c1z pic.twitter.com/eRLyILmMkL
— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) February 17, 2021
Last recruiting cycle, players were affected by not getting the chance to take official visits. It’s worse for the class of 2022. None of 2022s I’ve talked to recently have visited any schools that have offered them. Take Columbus linebacker prospect Ernest Hausmann for example. He holds double-digit scholarship offers from around the country. Hausmann hasn’t even visited Nebraska, much less been able to check out Michigan.
The frustration is mounting with recruits and families around the country. A part of that is because of something the NCAA isn’t good at: transparency. No one understands what criteria they are using to either extend or lift the dead period, so it feels like the group is just kicking the can down the road with no plan. That’s why the key point NCAA made about having a plan caught my attention.
“After careful consideration of all available information, the Council agreed that an extension of the dead period through May 31 was necessary,” said Council chair M. Grace Calhoun, athletics director at Pennsylvania. “However, there is a strong commitment to use the next several weeks to outline the transition plan back to recruiting activities post June 1 and to provide those plans to prospective student-athletes, their families and the NCAA membership no later than April 15.”
The point here is not to take shots at NCAA. I’ve done that plenty when warranted but they are in a tough spot. That doesn’t mean a plan isn’t needed. It’s a positive that they have a date outlined to inform recruits and their families. There is something else to note. The Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee also supported an extension.
“While we support the dead period extension, we also note the importance of providing prospective student-athletes immediate guidance on the future of the dead period,” said SAAC co-chair Justice Littrell.
The NCAA said that several council members recognized the importance of summer camps and clinics. Those are impactful for both coaches and prospects. That signals that the hope to allow the dead period to be lifted in time for schools to host summer camps.
It would help the NCAA a great deal if they were more proactive about getting this messaging to people. A lot of time has passed without players being able to visit campuses. It will continue putting prospects in a worse position making a life-changing decision.
Recruit Watch
>> Louisiana defensive back Jordan Allen picked up an offer from the Huskers on Thursday.
Blessed to say I EARNED an offer from THE UNIVESITY OF NEBRASKA 🌽 🛑!! @samspiegs @JeritRoser @4thQtMentality @SWiltfong247 @ErikRichardsUSA @NEB_Recruiting @TalkHuskers @JacardeCarter pic.twitter.com/o4K5sxfZEq
— Jordan “LOCKDOWN” Allen (@jordanallen2022) February 18, 2021
>> Major Huskers defensive line target Domonique Orange was offered by Oregon.
Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Oregon!! 🦆 #ScoDucks pic.twitter.com/JzQiX5I6X2
— Domonique Orange (@OrangeDomonique) February 17, 2021
>> New York pass rusher Jimmy Scott has Nebraska on his growing list of scholarship offers.
Live life under pressure but I never budged a inch🏁 pic.twitter.com/4rTjzi6KPx
— Jimmy “Bear” Scott • 🐻 (@jimmybearscott1) February 18, 2021
ICYMI
>> The next issue of Hail Varsity magazine is hitting soon with Husker guard Mi’Cole Cayton featured on the February cover.
>> Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou (Premium) is excited to learn more about the Huskers.
>> Between experience and upside, Nebraska volleyball’s roster boasts plenty of flexibility writes Jacob Padilla.
>> Check out how Nebraska’s recruiting efforts (Premium) on the offensive line compare to the Big Ten and Power Five.
>> Cain and Bourne powered Nebraska to another upset of Northwestern.