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.
Believe it or not we are only a week out from the traditional signing day for college football. The early signing period has taken a lot of the juice out of the Feb. 2 day since it started a few years ago. So many prospects sign during that early period to get things done. Schools want players to sign then too so that they donāt have to worry about teams poaching their commits. It allows schools to move on to any priority 2022 targets that remain on the board for February.
That also allows schools to start working ahead on the next recruiting class. January has become much more about setting the board for the next recruiting class. This year is no different for the Huskers. The team will host a second Junior Day this weekend. Several important targets for the 2023 class and beyond will be on campus. They’ll get their first change to spend extended time with the new coaches.
There are a couple things that make the close to this recruiting class unique for Nebraska. Coach Scott Frost said during the season that the team would be looking more toward the transfer portal for immediate help. I donāt think anyone expected this. Nebraska has 17 new mid-year additions to the program which is a program record. There are 10 transfers joining the team, plus three junior college additions and three high schoolers. All are taking part in winter conditioning. That amount of incoming talent will have a big impact on the 2022 season outlook. How will Nebraska bring together those new faces with the players already on campus? That will be a huge storyline for this season. It is no easy task.
There is another thing making the end of this recruiting cycle unique. Nebraska has overhauled its coaching staff. Every offensive coach besides tight ends coach Sean Beckton is new. Bill Busch has taken an official spot on staff as the special teams coach. Mike Dawson is handling the defensive line now after Tony Tuiotiās departure to Oregon. That amount of shakeup has a lot of impact. From a recruiting standpoint, the big board needs to be completely reset.
Thatās why youāve seen so many new scholarship offers go out for the 2023 class and beyond just in the last week. Several areas that were not a priority before have seen an uptick. Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Louisiana are states Nebraska has made several offers in. New coaches are shifting recruiting priorities.
There has been an intense focus on future classes. Itās easy to forget that the Huskers are wrapping up the 2022 class next week. The team has just one 2022 target left. Louisiana running back Ajay Allen was in Lincoln for an official visit last weekend. Following that visit the Huskers sent Frost, Bryan Applewhite and Mickey Joseph to do an in-home visit Tuesday night. The Huskers are in the mix to flip the TCU commitment.
Itās been an unusual year for Nebraska recruiting. The group of players coming to Lincoln this cycle is a mixture of high school prospects, junior college additions and transfer. Thatās made the 2022 class take a back seat but are now in the home stretch to wrap up the cycle.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska 2024 quarterback target Dylan Raiola was offered by Miami.
Iām humbled and blessed to be offered by @CanesFootball #ITSALLABOUTTHEU @coach_cristobal @CoachField #wayfinder @SWiltfong247 @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/PgmGwTZoeb
— Dylan Raiola (@RaiolaDylan) January 26, 2022
>> Bellevue West 2024 quarterback Daniel Kaelin was offered by Minnesota on Tuesday night.
Blessed to receive an offer to the University of Minnesota. #RowTheBoat #SkiUMah @KirkCiarrocca @Coach_Fleck pic.twitter.com/kTw72Se18U
— Daniel Kaelin (@DanielKaelin5) January 25, 2022
>> Lance Heard, a 2023 offensive lineman from Louisiana, was offered by the Huskers.
#AGTGšš¾ Blessed to receive an offer from @HuskerFBNation @BryanApplewhite #GBR pic.twitter.com/6m7xC8VOGQ
— lanceheard (@lanceheard2) January 26, 2022
>> The earl Power Five run continued for 2025 Omaha North prospect Tyson Terry when he was offered by Kansas.
After a great talk with @CoachFuchs Iām blessed to receive an Offer from @KU_Football š“šµ #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/QPqDC1vBMm
— Tyson Terryš¦ (@tyson_terryyy) January 26, 2022
ICYMI
>> The Mind Your Own Podcast is back to discuss the LSU Tiger Girls, Taylor Swift and being a true ally.
>> Jacob Padilla has five thoughts on Omaha Skuttās varsity double-headed sweep of Lincoln Pius X.
>> The Hail Varsity staff is back to answer your questions in the mailbag including about Trev Albertsā plan for the menās basketball team.
>> This weekās Padding the Stats takes a look at the highest level of quarterbacking in the NFL.
>> The āeagerā Huskers are realy to host Wisconsin while looking to get back on track after a layoff.
