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.
Last week, Nebraska landed a commitment from Bellevue West 4-star wide receiver Zavier Betts. The high 4-star prospect stands at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. Betts has been productive in the Thunderbirds’ offense, racking up 2,100 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns so far in his high school career.
He obviously fits the wide-open offense but how does he fit in to Nebraska’s attack? Mike Huffman, his high school coach, took aim at that question on Hail Varsity Radio.
“He’s a long, tall receiver with speed,” Huffman said. “He’s not a long, tall possession receiver. He’s fast. He’s got those long arms and he likes to lift weights. He will be a kid that once he learns the verbiage that goes along with Coach Frost and Coach [Troy] Walters’ offense, he will be a guy that can make plays down the field and underneath which is hard to find in tall guys.”
If Betts can develop into that type of “do everything” pass-catcher that Huffman believes he will, the Huskers will have something big. The offensive coaching staff has talked quite a bit about the need to have versatile playmakers on the field who can scare the defense. Moving into the future, the Huskers have a bevy of young wideouts and they are still searching for more.
There is a lot of football ahead of guys like Jaevon McQuitty, Andre Hunt, Miles Jones, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jamie Nance. And that’s not to mention Darien Chase and Demariyon Houston who arrive in Lincoln this summer. Gaining a big commitment from Betts in the spring will allow Nebraska to laser in on its other top targets the rest of the cycle.
Recruit Watch
>> Nash Hutmacher, a major priority 4-star defensive tackle, took his official visit to Nebraska this weekend. He seemed to enjoy himself.
Had a amazing visit to Nebraska this weekend, thank you to @CoachTuioti92 @CoachRHeld @CoachChinander @coach_frost and rest of the @HuskerFBNation coaches and staff for the great weekend!! ☠️☠️ #blackshirts #GBR #Nebraska pic.twitter.com/eeS279UUOG
— Nash Hutmacher (@ThePolarBear605) April 7, 2019
>> Jordan Johnson, a big-time receiver target in St Louis, committed to Notre Dame over the weekend.
All glory to the man above ☘️💯 #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/oygnS3xyO4
— Jordan Johnson (@jjohnsonj1) April 6, 2019
>> Keeping with the receiver theme today, Omaha Burke wideout Xavier Watts took an unofficial visit to Wisconsin this weekend.
Great visit today‼️#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/wTFcPNl3Hn
— Xavier Watts (@xavierwatts6) April 6, 2019
>>Huskers offensive tackle target 4-star Turner Corcoran was back in Norman this weekend ahead of his visit to Lincoln for the spring game.
Boomer! 👀 #20Deep pic.twitter.com/jT09756eM0
— Turner Corcoran (@turnercorcoran) April 6, 2019
>> Kearney athlete Miko Maessner blazed a new school record in track this weekend.
Miko Maessner (Class of 2020, Kearney High School, 6’1, 190 lbs) today new PR, track meet record and school record 21.48 ! pic.twitter.com/13CqaizUKQ
— Christine Maessner (@ChristineMaess3) April 6, 2019
ICYMI
>> After his official visit, Nash Hutmacher gave me the scoop on how the visit went along with his growing relationship with defensive line coach Tony Tuioti. (Premium)
>> Last week, 2021 linebacker Seth Malcom picked up an offer from the Huskers. We caught up with him and he already has a return trip planned for the spring game. (Premium)
>> Derek Peterson dove into Fred Hoiberg’s time in the NBA and says it shouldn’t be discounted.
>> Nebraska’s defense is working to manufacture depth this spring as they go “position-less.”
>> There was a new Greg’s Guys list released ahead of the spring game with some important changes.
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.
