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.
A lot will be written and said about how big of a season 2021 is for Scott Frost in the weeks and months ahead. That’s mostly true. No one is happy with the results so far in a tenure that was supposed to be so full of promise. As it relates to the 2022 recruiting class, this year also feels like a big one for Frost.
We are still in the recruiting dead period. That might end in late April. It could get extended into June too. We don’t know at this point. The potential is there to have another extension to the dead period. What impact will that have on the 2022 recruiting class? The uncertainty is already on the minds of 2022 prospects. Each I’ve talked to so far has mentioned that they will decide based on information they have if needed.
Is that something that helps or hurt Nebraska?
This is one of the many reasons the 2021 season is so critical to the Huskers’ recruiting efforts. The team has recruited well under Frost despite subpar results. Each class has ranked in the top 25. How long can that last? We know that Frost believes in where the program is headed. Nebraska will need results on the field. That shows prospects things are headed in the right direction.
The Huskers are searching for the first commit of the 2022 recruiting class. One strategy could be to focus more attention locally. This seems to have started in the 2021 cycle but until we see how 2022 plays out, we won’t know if the trend is here to stay. Focusing locally could help with future attrition and let Nebraska lock up players earlier. It’s helpful that the 500-mile radius is once again swelling with talent.
It could benefit Nebraska to push hard on local players where they can. At the same time they can play the long game with recruits from farther away. That would allow the team to build deeper relationships with kids outside the area. That’d help with future attrition. There is another benefit in playing the long game with non-local targets. It allows time to show better results on the field once the season rolls around.
There is a wildcard here. Do the Huskers have the luxury of being more aggressive for commitments locally? Let’s look closer at Nebraska high school players that the Huskers have offered. Deshawn Woods, Micah Riley, Ernest Hausmann, Kaden Helms and Devon Jackson all have double-digit scholarship offers. It’s likely that each will want to take visits in-person. None have seen all the schools they are considering.
There are a lot of balls in the air right now for Nebraska. Recruiting and getting the team ready during winter conditioning is ongoing. Nothing can be done right now about the win/loss record. The Huskers will continue building strong relationships on the trail. Then the hope is that things will turn quickly this fall on the field.
Recruit Watch
>> Columbus linebacker Ernest Hausmann picked up another Big Ten offer when Michigan State offered him.
After a great call with @CoachEls_MSU I’m blessed and thankful to receive a scholarship to play football at The University of Michigan State! @Coach_mtucker #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/OYBMusWNGR
— Ernest Hausmann (@Ernest_Hausmann) February 9, 2021
>> Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou was offered by Nebraska on Monday night.
After a great conversation with @GregAustin2717 I am blessed to have received an offer to play football at the University of Nebraska! pic.twitter.com/DPzNvmRayp
— Armand Membou (@armandmembou) February 9, 2021
>> Alabama 2022 quarterback Conner Harrell is the latest quarterback offer for the Huskers.
Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln!!! @Coach_Verdu @SeanDillonNU pic.twitter.com/GfF661VgLJ
— conner harrell (@connerharrell2) February 9, 2021
ICYMI
>> The latest edition of the Straight Up Breakdown podcast is here to digest what Jay and I saw in the Super Bowl.
>> John Cook spoke on Tuesday about NCAA Tournament logistics, navigating a season during a pandemic and more.
>> The defensive line is the subject of focus in Derek Peterson’s latest Scoring the 2021 Huskers.
>> The short-handed Husker basketball team came up short at Minnesota on Monday night.
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.
