Nebraska coaches spent multiple days on the recruiting trail during the bye week. This included a multi-day trek through Louisiana for interim head coach Mickey Joseph. In one day alone, Joseph attended a morning practice, an afternoon game and a night kickoff.
Huskers coaches regrouped after a trip on the recruiting trail. Overall, high schools and recruits were still highly receptive to Nebraska despite the national head coaching search.
“Everybody still loves Nebraska. All our commitments are still in,” Joseph said. “We had one decommit, but we can understand that. But the reception was great for all the coaches.”
Joseph referred to Florida 4-star edge rusher Cameron Lenhardt, who reopened his commitment an hour after former defensive coordinator Erik Chinander was fired. Chinander and defensive front coach Mike Dawson recruited Lenhardt. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound athlete at IMG Academy has also played at linebacker and as an interior defensive lineman this season. He became one of the Huskers’ big gets for the Class of 2023 when he committed last month. Lenhardt chose Nebraska over Michigan State and Penn State.
Nebraska hasn’t picked up a commitment since Lenhardt’s decision.
On Tuesday, Joseph said he’s encouraging current players and giving them opportunities in efforts to keep them at Nebraska.
“We’ve got to put them in the game and that’s what we’re going to do,” Joseph said. “Put them in the game and see what they can do.”
Recruit Watch
Nebraska currently has the 48th-ranked Class of 2023, per 247Sports recruiting database. That is with 13 hard commitments. Nebraska is among the final schools for Malachi Coleman (4-star Lincoln East receiver), Jr Sia (3-star Utah offensive lineman) and Lenhardt. The Huskers are also in the mix for Louisiana 4-star cornerback Ryan Robinson Jr., the top-ranked defensive back prospect in Louisiana.
2023 CB @ryan1rob was tested midway thru the 4th quarter and the Purple Knights found out why Robinson is one of the best DBs in the nation in this current cycle after he picked this pass off pic.twitter.com/ZARU2dWktw
— SportsTalkQue (@SportsTalkQue) September 25, 2022
Nebraska is also a potential landing spot for Texas 3-star running back Sergio Snider. Snider has tweeted sparingly this season but listed Nebraska among his top seven choices during the summer.
The Huskers are still in pursuit of Iowa Western CC sophomore defensive tackle Quientrail Jamison-Travis. The Minnesota native is the second-leading tackler for the undefeated Reivers with 4.3 tackles per game. He also has 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble through four games.
Nebraska is also in pursuit of IWCC freshman defensive lineman Anterio Thompson. He’s averaging 2.0 tackles per game for the defense that has allowed 20 points total through its four games.
In high school recruiting, Bellevue West’s Daniel Kaelin is back on top the high school leaderboards. The quarterback recently said Nebraska is back in play for him since the coaching change. Kaelin has thrown for 1,578 yards so far this season, the most in all classes. Bellevue West receiver Isaiah McMorris is currently fourth in the state with 638 receiving yards, according to MaxPreps.
Meanwhile, Omaha North’s Te’Shaun Porter leads the state with 964 rushing yards so far. Porter has also scored 78 points this season, the fifth-most in Nebraska. Sebastien Boyle (Scottsbluff), Carlos Callazo (Aurora) and Cole Ballard (Elkhorn South) are also in-state running backs Nebraska is recruiting that rank in the top five in either rushing yards or scoring.
ICYMI
>> Get caught up with video of Tuesday’s press conference where Husker coaches and players talk about the bye week and Indiana preparations.
>> Interim head coach Mickey Joseph and the Huskers hope for a fresh start coming off the bye.
>> After a week of “Nebraska versus Nebraska,” competition drives changes on the depth chart for the Huskers.
