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.
On Thursday, a pair of big-time Nebraska commits picked up huge honors.
Linebacker Nick Henrich, from Omaha Burke, was recognized as the Gatorade Player of the Year winner in Nebraska. Despite missing the last four games of the season with a knee injury, Henrich has 96 tackles with 19.5 for loss and four sacks.
@nickhenrich_42 Congrats to Nick Henrich, Nebraska's 2018 @Gatorade State Football Player of the Year. #GatoradePOY @BurkeFootball pic.twitter.com/mkOzaF4ekk
— Hudl (@Hudl) December 6, 2018
The other player in Nebraska’s recruiting class to be honored as a Gatorade Player of the Year was newly committed athlete Wandale Robinson, from Frankfort, Kentucky. Robinson, who was also named Mr. Kentucky, had a big senior season where he accumulated 3,112 total yards and 47 total touchdowns. The playmaker was also recognized as the Paul Hornung Award winner.
@robinson__era Congrats to Wandale Robinson, Kentucky's 2018 @Gatorade State Football Player of the Year. #GatoradePOY @WHHSKY pic.twitter.com/vNX9CyaWc2
— Hudl (@Hudl) December 6, 2018
A few years ago in the 2016 recruiting class, the Huskers had three Gatorade Player of the Year winners in the class — Matt Farniok, JoJo Domann and JD Spielman. The accolades that Henrich and Robinson have earned are just another cherry on top of a very successful run for the commits in the 2019 recruiting class.
All of Nebraska’s commitments have seen their seasons end but it was quite successful on the whole. Bryce Benhart, Darien Chase, Nick Henrich, Chris Hickman and Luke McCaffrey all won state titles. Garrett Nelson, Ethan Piper, Rahmir Johnson and Michael Lynn, as well as JUCO running back Dedrick Mills, were all runner-ups. Each of the state title winners had undefeated seasons as well.
This is a highly decorated group of players heading to Nebraska soon who have done a lot of winning in their careers.
Recruit Watch
>> Wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. was scheduled to take an official visit to Lincoln this weekend but it appears the visit will not happen and he has reaffirmed his pledge to West Virginia.
https://twitter.com/jetlifewright/status/1070752894893387776
>> Longtime Huskers defensive back target Tavian Mayo has had a pretty quiet recruitment since taking an official visit to Lincoln back on Oct. 20 for the Minnesota game. He now has an official set to West Virginia the weekend before the early signing period begins.
Attention‼️‼️I will be in Morgantown West Virginia on Dec 14th 🏔🏔🏔#takemehome19 @ChadSimmons_ @WVUFBRecruiting @rivalskeenan
— tavian2x (@tavian_1) December 6, 2018
>> Troy Walters had a great tweet about a funny interaction while on the road recruiting.
Stopped in at Einstein Bagels in Arizona with my Nebraska gear. Cashier asked if I was a fan. Told him I was and he told me that he was born and raised in Lincoln. Everywhere you go you will find #GBR🔴🌽
— Troy Walters® (@CoachWalters1) December 6, 2018
>> Noah Stafursky, a lineman from York, accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Nebraska after the HomeGrown event at Memorial Stadium Wednesday night.
Commited.🔴⚪🌽#GBR #AllN pic.twitter.com/l8sATJZPcd
— Noah Stafursky (@noahdukes19) December 6, 2018
>> Caden McCormack, a linebacker from Lincoln Southwest, also accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Nebraska after the HomeGrown event.
Nothing left to say…
I am COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA 🔴⚫️
Thankful for everyone. Recruitment is over. God bless… #GBR #HomeGrown #AllN pic.twitter.com/aPgJDGqIzP
— Caden (@CxdenMcCormxck) December 6, 2018
The event seems to have been another big success for Nebraska. There could still be more additions to an already good walk-on class.
ICYMI
>> New Huskers commit Wandale Robinson talked to me about the reasons why he picked Nebraska and how excited he is to play with Adrian Martinez.
>> The Huskers announced the Spring Game date.
>> Derek Peterson scored the tight ends and you won’t want to miss his explanation or score.
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.
