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.
During the 2019 recruiting cycle, the Huskers signed several big-time players that they hope will make a big impact in the Big Ten in the coming years. One player that we could see sooner than later is defensive back Noa Pola-Gates out of Arizona (or ‘Big Noa Pola’ as Travis Fisher called him).
Great kid. Great family. Hard hitter. 🙌🙏💥@SharpeGreg + @CoachTFisher » @NoaPola 🎥 pic.twitter.com/EwsAin9TTt
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) February 6, 2019
Since Pola-Gates wanted to keep his decision under wraps until the Polynesian Bowl, Coach Scott Frost was unable to talk about him during his December signing day press conference. On Wednesday, he was asked about the hard-hitting playmaker and gave an interesting look at the team effort it took to get him.
“We fought hard for a lot of our commits, a lot of guys put a lot of time in for these guys and I tip my cap to the coaching staff,” Frost said. “Coach Fisher, Coach Chinander, Coach Held, Coach Verduzco and Coach Dawson were all involved in recruiting him. I think he felt at home here, I think he felt like this was a good opportunity. He’s a dynamic playmaker, he’s aggressive. You saw him hit on Wandale [Robinson] in the All-Star Game and you could kind of see what both kids are made of from that play and that game in general.
“I love that we’re adding more speed, I love the attitudes that we’re adding, I like the toughness we’re adding and Noa certainly is a part of that. He signed in December, and we kept it under our hat as best we could to allow him to announce it at the Polynesian game the way he wanted to, but he’s a big addition for us.”
So, Fisher likes his versatility and Frost loves the speed and attitude that Pola-Gates can bring to the table. There could be a bright future ahead for Pola-Gates as he begins his collegiate career this summer.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska has sold 80,000 tickets to the spring game, as we saw on offensive coordinator Troy Walters’ Twitter feed. Lots of recruits for 2020 were paying attention to that.
Here are just a couple of examples:
That’s huge.. @Qnew_2019 fan base crazy!! #GBR https://t.co/hmvLL45ZnF
— Jdo (@JoshDowns_) February 7, 2019
That’s something special #GBR 🔴 https://t.co/5F3bVVymsZ
— ⁹ (@ChoeBryant) February 7, 2019
>> Incoming freshman defensive lineman Ty Robinson is getting himself ready for Zach Duval workouts.
@azhsfb
Nebraska DL commit T Robinson w/ some easy work today squattin a cool 335 lbs..Thoughts on teaming up w/ Pola-Gates?
“So excited! He’s a head hunter on Defense. I Got to spend a week with him in San Antonio. Hoping we can be roommates & bring a ring to Lincoln.” pic.twitter.com/35XxI2QOKA
— Chilluminati (@JUSTCHILLY) February 6, 2019
>> Pola-Gates did a quick video with Hudl showcasing his excitement for committing to Nebraska.
.@noapola let the world know at the Polynesian Bowl that he is going to be a HUSKER! 🗣
Congrats, Noa and GO BIG RED! ☠️🔴#B19RedRevival #NSD19 pic.twitter.com/15gUITKV4r
— Hudl (@Hudl) February 6, 2019
ICYMI
>> Zac Taylor is a ‘football guy’ according to Scott Frost and that was evident at NU, writes Mike Babcock.
>> The Hail Varsity staff took your questions in a recruiting mailbag to wrap up the 2019 class.
>> The NFL released its draft combine invites and only one Husker made the cut.
>> I gave my 5 thoughts on the 2019 recruiting class. (Premium)
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.
