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.
It has been an interesting contact period for the Huskers. Nebraska signed 23 prospects for the 2020 recruiting class in December, so there isn’t much left on the board for immediate needs. That’s a good thing for Nebraska to not have to worry. There isn’t a scramble to find another pass rusher, inside linebacker or wide receiver.
The thought coming into the month was that that the Huskers may host a few 2020 targets but there has only been one. Two weekends ago wide receiver Kris Abrams-Draine made his way to Lincoln. The 2020 playmaker is the only prospect from the current cycle to come for an official visit this month. It doesn’t seem like the staff is out doing in-homes with many 2020 prospects either.
Of course, they have busy hitting the recruiting trail but they have the luxury of working ahead.
Between hosting Junior Days for the 2021 cycle the staff has been busy offering new prospects. Despite hosting many players that are priorities investments in the future continue. The Huskers landed seven players from the state of Florida in the 2020 recruiting cycle. That lays the groundwork fo them to continue recruiting the state well. A slew of Florida offers that went out in recent days. That started with 6-foot-4 cornerback Gabe Nealy from Miami.
https://twitter.com/GabeNealy1/status/1221850116086255616
Davion Sistrunk, a 2021 cornerback from Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida, also picked up an offer this week.
Excited to receive an offer from the University of Nebraska ! 🌽@247Sports @njrivals1 @BlairRIVALS @coachchinander @EauGallieHC @QNHall_Uno_JTG #bEGreat #EGscholarshipfactory pic.twitter.com/tDKD4gotGF
— Davion Sistrunk (@DavionSistrunk) January 27, 2020
A 2023 offer got made this week by Nebraska. Miami athlete Jalen Brown received a very early offer from the Huskers.
Very blessed to receive an offer from Nebraska #gohuskers pic.twitter.com/ptK7smA5gA
— SG_.J3 (@sg_j3) January 27, 2020
It hasn’t just been the Southeast where Nebraska has been out making connections. Building a bridge to prospects within the Big Ten footprint has become more of a focus for 2021 and beyond. It took the Huskers a couple years to ramp things up but the behind the scenes work could pay off soon. Illinois running back Willie Shaw was offered by Nebraska on Tuesday.
🙏🏽Blessed and Thankful to receive an Offer from The University of Nebraska⚪️🔴 ! @CoachRHeld @EDGYTIM @AllenTrieu pic.twitter.com/gqaC6YtVsc
— Willie Shaw III🦍⚡️ (@Shawiii_26) January 28, 2020
For more evidence of Nebraska’s work on the trail in the Big Ten footprint look no farther than the visit list the last two weekends. There have been 22 players holding Nebraska scholarships on campus from a Big Ten state. Nebraska finds itself locked in battles with Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan for many of them. Until we see Nebraska battle these teams again on the field the battles on the trail will have to do.
Recruit Watch
>> It’s another day and another offer for 2021 4-star tight end Thomas Fidone. Texas A&M became the latest team to jump in the mix on Tuesday.
Very excited to say I have received a scholarship from Texas A&M University! #12thMan #AggiePride pic.twitter.com/RZG8OPtU3R
— Thomas Fidone II ²⁴ (@ThomasFidone) January 28, 2020
>> Pictures keep rolling in from Nebraska’s Junior Day weekend. Priority cornerback target Avante Dickerson shared his on Monday night.
Had a great time this weekend at Nebraska #GBR 🌽 pic.twitter.com/zoTy2cXrMC
— AD #28 (@_dickerson1) January 28, 2020
>> California 2021 defensive back Kaleb Higgins also shared his photos.
had a great time this weekend with poppop in Nebraska #GBR 🌽🌽 pic.twitter.com/ova7SdsIOI
— Kaleb Higgins (@kk_higgins) January 28, 2020
>> Deshawn Woods, a 2022 offensive lineman from Omaha North, picked up an offer from Iowa on Tuesday. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz made the rounds in the metro on Tuesday. Woods also received an offer from Missouri.
I’ve so very proud to say I’ve received my 4th offer from @HawkeyeFootball thank you @LeVarWoods for the great opportunity. @MikeSautterOWH @247Sports #GoHawks pic.twitter.com/piNnWUt21M
— Deshawn woods (@Deshawnwoods8) January 28, 2020
ICYMI
>> Another Nebraska player is in the transfer portal. On Tuesday it was reported that running back Jaylin Bradley will transfer.
>> The Nebraska basketball team is looking to stop their skid against a struggling Michigan team without its star.
>> Nebraska announced that spring game tickets will go on sale in early February.
>> The Nebraska roster reset has locked in on the linebackers (Premium) today.
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.
