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.
The questions never stop in the recruiting world. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to talk about so we have been taking reader and listener suggestions on questions. I then answer the questions in a quick video. This week’s topic comes from @InDaWilderness on Twitter.
“With how strange the last year was, a lot of players haven’t gotten eyes on them so I assume rankings are going to fluctuate a LOT once football starts this fall. Which Husker commits or targets do you feel will have especially high jumps in rankings?”
I think this question is going to come up quite a bit during the cycle. We are all slowly seeing that the 2022 class was more affected by the dead period than even the 2021 class, especially when it comes to evaluations. It is just not realistic to think that the 2022 class has been properly evaluated. In a lot of cases these prospects have changed since the last time evaluators and coaches had eyes on them. That means that when the next rating updates come, we could see a lot of changes. Those changes would actually be based on what was seen in-person during June instead of old tape.
Which Husker commits could be candidates for ratings bumps? Two offensive players come to mind right away. Quarterback commit Richard Torres is an intriguing prospect. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, he certainly passes the eye test. To truly understand what type of prospect he is, evaluators need to see him throw more in person. Torres did some camps in early June and will have more eyes on him this fall during his senior season.
Victor Jones Jr. is the other future Husker that came to mind. The wideout from Orlando (6-2, 185) didn’t get a chance to visit Nebraska this summer but has been plenty busy. He’s been a standout performer at each camp he has attended this month including the UCF camp recently. The Huskers did a nice job to gain his commitment early. His stock will likely continue to rise through his senior season.
I do also wonder about the two in-state commitments Ernest Hausmann and Jake Appleget. Each burst onto the scene with colleges during the extended dead period. It’d be surprising if either has had much in the way of in-person evaluation by scouts. If they get seen during their senior year, a small bump could happen.
It’s going to be a wild ride following the ratings through the 2022 recruiting cycle. A big course correction could happen down the road. It will be tougher than ever to truly evaluate the 2022 group while also seeing what the 2023 and 2024 group can do.
Recruit Watch
>> Recent Husker offensive line offer John Pastore was offered by Kansas State this weekend.
After a great camp and conversations with @CoachKli and @CoachCRiles I am thankful to have received a offer to continue my academic and athletic career at Kansas State University. @ErieTigersFB @coachcurtis42 @kstatesports @ErieHSAthletics pic.twitter.com/aioYhBbAHy
— john pastore (@johnpastore70) June 20, 2021
>> Georgia running back Justin Williams took an official visit to Nebraska on June 4. This weekend he was offered by Missouri.
Blessed to receive a(n) offer from THE University of Missouri pic.twitter.com/FzUrRiUCff
— JUSTIN WILLIAMS AKA J-WILL (@akajwill) June 20, 2021
>> Nico Davillier was also a recent Husker official visitor. He had an official with Oklahoma this weekend.
I had a great OV with Oklahoma this weekend!!!
— nicholas davillier (@DavillierNico) June 20, 2021
ICYMI
>> The Huskers are hosting an early week offensive line (Premium) official visitor right now.
>> Derek Peterson took a look at Scott Frost’s comments, Shannan Lum’s inspirational role and the blitz’s reception in his column.
>> Husker legacy James Monds III left Lincoln (Premium) with Nebraska leading his recruitment.
>> Linebacker commitment Ernest Hausmann is even more excited to be a Husker after his official visit. (Premium)
>> Derek Peterson fills you in on Mario Verduzco’s thoughts on Logan Smothers’ progress and more. (Premium)
