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 question hit the topic of how many players the Huskers can take in the 2022 recruiting class.
A little late to the party here but do you have any idea how many players the staff can recruit to the 2022 class? Is it dependent on how many scholarship players stuck around?
— Matt (@matts0688) February 23, 2021
This year might end up being unique with how many players Nebraska takes this recruiting cycle. Each year under Coach Scott Frost, the team has taken close to a full group or a little beyond with the rules about counting scholarships back. For the transition class of 2018, the Huskers signed 25 players. During the 2019 class, the team brought in 28 players. In the 2020 recruiting class, Nebraska signed 26 players. In the most recent recruiting class, the team has signed 23 players including transfers. There are two spots available for transfers later.
There are a few things to consider when projecting the size of Nebraska’s class this cycle. The first factor is that we don’t know how the extra year of eligibility will impact things next year. Nebraska had a handful of “super seniors” that returned for another season. Aside from those players, the Huskers have very few seniors on the roster because of the eligibility freeze last year. So once again, roster management will be a moving target because of the uncertainty. We don’t know how many players who are juniors in football eligibility but seniors in school for 2021 will decide to return in 2022.
With this amount of uncertainty, it’s safe to assume the class will be smaller. The number that I’m keeping in mind for this cycle is 20 for the Huskers’ 2022 class. Writing that on March 1 as a projection is tricky. Under Frost, we’ve had cycles where it was projected that the class would be a bit smaller. Somehow the staff finds a way to inch that number up higher in the end. So I wouldn’t put it past this group to find some more wiggle room.
We’ll surely revisit this topic throughout the cycle as things shift around with needs. It’s rarely set in stone this early in the recruiting cycle.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska 2023 wide receiver target Jaxson Howard was offered by Ohio State on Monday.
After a great conversation with @OSUCoachKDub I am Blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State University! @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB @WillieHoward77 #gobuckeyes @JoshHelmholdt @AllenTrieu @HamiltonESPN @cooperhawksFB @OhioStAthletics #GoBucks 🌰 pic.twitter.com/zpmJnohIF8
— Jaxon Howard (@jaxonhoward11) March 1, 2021
>> Nebraska is keeping an eye out on JUCO practice starting up today in a lot of places.
Juco practice starts today for a lot of teams. Make that film! #Jucoproducts
— Ryan Held (@CoachRHeld) March 1, 2021
>> The Huskers offered Alabama defensive lineman Trevon Mcalpine over the weekend.
Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Nebraska 🔴⚪️ @CoachChinander @CoachTuioti92 @CoachBrettWest pic.twitter.com/tQnXHGDsXQ
— Trevon Mcalpine (@Thekvng10) February 28, 2021
ICYMI
>> I caught up with Ohio offensive lineman Carter Smith (Premium) and the Huskers have his attention.
>> In Derek Peterson’s latest column, he looks into second-year Huskers who could make moves this spring.
>> Husker guard Teddy Allen is no longer with the program.
>> Jacob Padilla has your Huskers viewing guide for the 2021 girls state basketball tournament.