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 Huskers are hot on the recruiting trail right now. Since June 23, the team has added four commitments. Tamon Lynum, Alex Conn, Nash Hutmacher and (on Tuesday) Blaise Gunnerson have all publicly committed to the Huskers in the last week and a half. With apologies to Conn, the lone offensive player in the group, I can’t help but notice the pattern in the defensive players.
Each of the recent defensive commits represent something the Huskers are really looking for on the trail and gives a glimpse into what each position coach wants in his group.
Going back to last Sunday’s commitment, the cornerback from Orlando is raw but long (6-3, 165) with a great frame. Lynum isn’t afraid to come up and make a tackle either. All of those attributes are exactly what defensive backs coach Travis Fisher wants to continue adding to his room.
We know that Hutmacher was one of, if not the, top target remaining for Nebraska on the board. That’s because he’s an extremely powerful player who plays with great leverage thanks to his wrestling background. He will also be a tone-setter for the Huskers in the weight room. That sounds like the type of “war daddy” that defensive line coach Tony Tuioti has talked about adding in multiple interviews to the middle of his line.
Gunnerson gives Nebraska another versatile player in its front seven. The staff has liked him all along as a stand-up outside linebacker in their scheme. However, with his size (6-5, 250), he could easily continue putting on weight and end up putting his hand in the dirt as a defensive end. He could even end up doing both at some point in his Husker career. To me, that sounds like another chess piece that could allow Nebraska to stay multiple on defense.
The class is still taking shape but some pieces are sliding in to build the type of defense the Huskers want moving forward.
Recruit Watch
>> Not every announcement made recently has gone Nebraska’s way. Cornerback Josh Moten committed to Texas A&M on Monday.
https://twitter.com/thareal_2/status/1146116461502615552
>> Priority 2021 outside linebacker target TJ Bollers’ dad Trevor sent out a nice congratulations tweet for fellow Iowan Blaise Gunnerson.
BIG News today For this kid he has been through a lot to get to this point. #GBR @b_gunnerson is a top prospect and a huge commit for @CoachChinander. Congrats!!! @TheStrengthU https://t.co/JVNcTCmB2N
— Trevor Bollers (@tbollers) July 2, 2019
ICYMI
>> Adrian Martinez is getting love from his performance at the Manning Passing Academy.
Veteran Coach at Manning Camp on @Huskers QB. @MartinezTheQB.
“No question about the talents of Justin Herbert, Jake Fromm & Jordan Love, but I came away from the @mpa_info really impressed with @HuskerFBNation QB. Adrian Martinez.
If he stays healthy, Adrian is a star player.” pic.twitter.com/lHJzrB1PV7— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) July 1, 2019
>> I gave my five thoughts on the commitment of Blaise Gunnerson and why he’s a key cog in the 2020 class. (Premium)
>> Dedrick Mills checks in at No. 6 on Derek Peterson’s most intriguing Huskers list.
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.
