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.
Scott Frost elected to not have a press conference for the February National Signing Day after adding no new signees. So the time to hear him speak about incoming recruits has been few and far between. He did make an appearance on Sports Nightly earlier this month though. He remarked that he did not want to go too far in praising new additions, citing the problems that can cause.
Still, he did offer up some thoughts on players added to the roster on Sunday’s show. That makes sense because we are between the end of the recruiting cycle and the start of spring ball. Frost, as a result, has been in to watch the new guys work out.
"We’re starting to build a team that’s our team," Frost said. "Maybe for the first time since I've been at Nebraska, the culture's about there. Watching the guys work out, we still have a long way to go. We've got to get bigger, stronger, faster, better. We've still got to executea but I love the attitude in there."
The remarks on early enrollees stood out to me. The Huskers brought in nine early enrollees from the 2020 recruiting class. My personal leader in the clubhouse to see early playing time is wide receiver Alante Brown. The Chicago native got a nice shout out from Frost.
“He's a guy I'm used to having in my offense,” Frost SAID. “A guy that can play running back and carry the ball and play receiver and get open on routes and do things after the catch. I think he's going to make us better immediately."
Quarterback Logan Smothers could be throwing Brown the ball in the future. Frost described him as having a "clean stroke" and the athleticism NU wants at quarterback. Speaking of athleticism, Frost said that offensive lineman Turner Corcoran is really athletic for his size.
On the defensive side of the ball Frost likes junior college defensive lineman Jordan Riley’s and outside linebacker Blaise Gunnerson’s body types. Each player looks the part of a Big Ten football player. Frost believes that inside linebacker Eteva Mauga-Clements has good instincts for the ball. The JUCO linebacker will be able to come in to help right away.
Frost praised the work ethic of the three young defensive backs added to the program. The coach also noted that cornerback Ronald Delancy III loves football. He's like a kid in a candy store just to be at practice.
"RJ has a chance to be one of our better players because I know he's going to work at it and he already has talent," Frost said.
Fellow Florida defensive back Jaiden Francois can "come up and strike you” and Henry Gray was called a strong peer recruiter who can play corner or safety. Frost said cornerback Tamon Lynum has "length and fluidity" but that he's already gained 15 pounds since arriving at Nebraska. Lynum will be a fun player to track through his time in Lincoln.
It’s difficult to get on the record comments while winter conditioning is taking place. It sounds like Frost is encouraged by the things he sees and hears early on.
Recruit Watch
>> Former Husker wide receiver Justin McGriff has landed at Utah State after a stint in JUCO.
FL ➡️ UT
BIG time welcome to the #AggieFamily @JustincliftM‼️#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/ll1E8xJKgO
— USU Football (@USUFootball) February 5, 2020
>> Lando Hullaby, a 2022 defensive back from Texas, included the Huskers in his top group.
https://twitter.com/_Lhull22_/status/1226590610188120067
>> Omaha Burke running back standout Jaylon Roussell is heading to Iowa Western to get his college football start.
Congratulations to @jaylonroussell who signed with @ReiverFootball today!! pic.twitter.com/my4OAtpCig
— OmahaBurkeFootball (@BurkeFootball) February 10, 2020
>> Thaddius Franklin Jr, a 2021 running back from Florida, has the Huskers in his top 12.
I Want To Thank The Man Above🙏🏾 #Top12🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/RJfQwXTL1P
— Thaddius Franklin Jr. (@Gucciboypopo) February 5, 2020
ICYMI
>> As Derek Peterson writes, Nebrasketball requires patience and that’s the frustrating part.
>> Cheatham and Burke are questionable as Nebraska heads to No. 9 Maryland.
>> Take a look at our photo gallery from the women’s team effort against No. 18 Indiana that came up just short.
>> In this week’s High School Roundup, Jacob Padilla takes a look at a big week for Donovan Williams’ and some Husker targets.
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.
