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.
Recruiting rankings can be pretty subjective. It’s hard to get a consensus on a prospect’s ranking. That’s why it’s best to look at composites when judging a player’s potential. During this period of time recruiting rankings are even more fluid. Without camps this summer prospects lost out on the ability to be seen. Many players that were off the radar before the summer will stay there simply because they were not able to get out and compete.
The same principle applies to the players on Nebraska’s commitment list. The Huskers currently have 10 known commitments. According to our Hail Varsity composite score, eight are 3-star prospects. There is still time in the recruiting cycle for those eight to be re-ranked. There is a fair chance that players like Patrick Payton, Will Schweitzer and Heinrich Haarberg could get bumps. Assuming that high school football happens, senior film will be very important. Players will still slip through the cracks from an evaluation or star rating perspective even with great senior film.
It’s also realistic to think that Nebraska will add more 4-stars to the class. But how much does that matter? Last season the Huskers had more 4-stars on the roster than Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. They lost each of their matchups against those three on the field. Recruiting rankings haven’t been the issue in Lincoln for a long time now. Properly evaluating prospects for potential and fit is important. That along with those rankings is the ultimate test of evaluation skills.
Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander described to Hail Varsity some of the thought process behind how the team evaluates prospects.
“To be honest without you, throughout our whole evaluation I try not to look where someone is ranked,” Chinander said. “Can we all see the 5-star? Yes. Can everyone see the highly-rated 4-stars? Absolutely. I think where we all differ and no one is wrong, is the guys ranked in the middle. The high 2-star, the high 3-star, that’s where we all differ. How does it fit our system? How does it fit where they are perceived as? Is he a weak side defensive end or an outside linebacker? Is he a 3-technique, how does he fit the role with what I’m looking for?”
Scott Frost and his staff trust their evaluations. This cycle more than ever we will see which programs around the country are good evaluators. We won’t know for sure until a couple years from now. This weird 2020 recruiting cycle has turned into a test for recruiting departments.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers landed in the top 10 for Alabama running back Jaylin White on Tuesday.
Top 🔟….. #top10❤️ pic.twitter.com/hs9rSP4dWw
— Jaylin White 🤟🏾 (@jaylinwhite06) June 30, 2020
>> Pleasanton High School athlete Tyce Westland got some love from the Huskers.
🔴🌽⚪️ #GBR @coachwilhite pic.twitter.com/fum4wGA6s7
— Tyce Westland (@tyce_westland) June 30, 2020
>> Nebraska is one of the early offers for 2022 defensive lineman Ty Chan out of Massachusetts.
Blessed and honored to recieve my third offer from The university of Nebraska! Thank@you to the coaches for the great opportunity! @BrianDohn247 @NEB_Recruiting @coachdawsgbr @HuskerFBNation #GBR pic.twitter.com/d6u2AM5L5c
— tyyyy (@chansanity5) June 29, 2020
>> Former Nebraska linebacker commit Chris Paul has a final commitment date in mind.
I’ve found a HOME!! My FINAL Commitment coming Thursday at 7!!✊🏾📍
— Christopher “POOH” Paul Jr. (@PoohPaul4) June 30, 2020
ICYMI
>> Nebraska will be included in a game mode in the next Madden video game.
Which College will you choose in your Rise to Fame?#Madden21 pic.twitter.com/zmTfYEOHvt
— Madden NFL 21 (@EAMaddenNFL) June 30, 2020
>> It’s time to Buy or Sell on the 2020 Illinois Fighting Illini football team.
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.
