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 highly-anticipated week we’ve been waiting for this since summer is finally here. This weekend’s matchup between Nebraska and Ohio State has long been circled on the calendar for a couple of big reasons.
First, this football game is a sort of measuring stick for the program’s progress under Coach Scott Frost. It’s a lofty standard to meet in Year 2 of the Frost Era, yet an easy way to see how far the team is from competing in the Big Ten for the conference title. After playing the Buckeyes tough last season in Columbus, Ohio, Husker players and fans have been eager to get another crack at Ohio State.
The second reason this game has been circled is because Nebraska’s staff has planned to use this game as a recruiting showcase for quite some time. All indications are that this weekend will be the biggest this staff has ever hosted. Nebraska hosted eight official visitors for the Colorado game last season, but half were already committed to the team.
In terms of number of prospects and talent, this has the making of a very big weekend for Nebraska. Just in the last few days, Hail Varsity has confirmed official visits from 4-star cornerback Darion Green-Warren and 4-star wide receiver Lavon Bunkley-Shelton. Unofficial visits from running back commit Sevion Morrison, outside linebacker/defensive end commit Blaise Gunnerson and 2021 4-star outside linebacker Travion Ford have also been confirmed. Currently, I have over 10 official visitors confirmed.
It’s still early and things remain fluid so there is no sense in putting the full list out just yet. It will be the biggest collection of talent we’ve seen at a Nebraska game in recent memory.
Things have not gone 100% according to plan to start the season for Nebraska. Things rarely go according to plan when rebuilding a football program and culture though. It was almost assumed that this game would be a matchup of two undefeated top-15 teams. The Buckeyes have lived up to their end of the bargain but Nebraska painfully stubbed its toe in Boulder.
From a recruiting standpoint, these are the types of weekends that can launch a program forward. The looming question is if Nebraska is ready to kick the door down as a team and seize the opportunity. The Huskers are back on the big stage. ESPN’s College GameDay will be in Lincoln. The college football world (and many blue-chip recruits) will be watching.
There is no way to avoid how massive this game can be for the Huskers.
Recruit Watch
>> Santino Marucci, a 2021 quarterback target who will be in Lincoln this weekend, posted highlights from his most recent game.
Benjamin 21
John Carroll 7
All the credit to my RB's and O-Line! pic.twitter.com/qxk8HOxsup— Santino Marucci (@santinomarucci) September 21, 2019
>> Huskers running back commit Marvin Scott III showed his range of skills this weekend.
@HuskerFBNation commit @ms3_scott skills on full DISPLAY!!
21-3 @SCHawksFootball in the 4th pic.twitter.com/OJsNSdBNeH— DSFB (@gregminnick_) September 21, 2019
>> Big-time 2021 quarterback target Dematrius Davis included Nebraska in his top-5 over the weekend.
https://twitter.com/Dematrius09/status/1175447946315345924
>> Minnesota 2021 offensive tackle Riley Malhman committed to Wisconsin on Sunday.
COMMITTED!!🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/IZ1T9lX3ka
— Riley Mahlman (@riley_mahlman) September 22, 2019
ICYMI
>> Brandon Vogel is here to take you through an insane, intense, maddening yet memorable night (Premium) in Champaign.
>> When Nebraska needed him most, Wan’Dale Robinson answered the call (Premium), writes Derek Peterson.
>> Jacob Padilla breaks down (Premium) Adrian Martinez’ 25-yard fourth quarter run as his play of the game.
>> With the win over Illinois, the Huskers picked up win No. 900 all-time.
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.