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 questions never stop in the recruiting world. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to talk about so we take reader and listener suggestions on questions. I then answer the questions in a quick video. This week’s topic is another fluid one and builds off last week’s question. We discussed last week how big the 2023 traditional recruiting class could be. Let’s dive into how those remaining spots could be divided.
I would still expect about 15 traditional signees in the 2023 recruiting class. That means that the Huskers are actually about one-third of the way done with the class at this point. The team sits with five commitments as we approach the halfway point of spring football. The Huskers have a pair of offensive linemen in Gunnar Gottula and Sam Sledge. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer is in the class, as well as defensive back Dwight Bootle. Nebraska has its quarterback for this cycle with William Watson.
The Huskers are currently ahead of schedule when it comes to building the 2023 recruiting class. The spring game and summer should provide another boost. Expect the Huskers to be aggressive hosting official visitors for the spring game and the summer. Let’s say the Huskers are working with about 10 spots left for high schoolers. What positions could those spots go to?
It’s important to note that how this ultimately gets divided up relates to the current team. Attrition and development are going to have a big say in how coach Scott Frost thinks this needs to play out. A great example of that is wide receiver. I would think that the Huskers are going to add a pair of 2023 receivers. The Huskers have a lot of bodies at that spot now so how the room evolves after spring football will play a role.
Running back is same way. The competition will play out for running backs coach Bryan Applewhite. We could see the Huskers take a running back this cycle or pass if the numbers are tight. There are no scholarship senior running backs on the team. Whoever wins the job and backs him up will have many years of eligibility. How competition will impact the numbers remains to be seen. There is so much competition all over the field for Nebraska this spring. More attrition is widely expected.
I do expect to see the Huskers to focus on landing a few more players on the line of scrimmage. One more offensive lineman would be nice to go along with two or three defensive lineman. Linebacker could be a prime target for the portal this offseason. Especially at inside linebacker where they team is young behind the starters.
My projection for the 10 remaining spots are one tight end, two wide receivers, one offensive lineman, three defensive lineman, one linebacker and two defensive backs. Flexibility will also be coveted by Nebraska. That means that the team could take a “swing” player as an athlete that could project to either side of the ball. There are priority targets this cycle that could play defensive end or outside linebacker in college.
One thing that we mentioned in the video needs to be repeated: the importance of team performance in 2022 is critical. If the Huskers miss a bowl game once again under Frost we could have an entirely new set of questions. Those questions could come with a new coaching staff. This has the potential to be a bounce back class for the Huskers. It also has the potential to get blown up in December.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska priority 2024 quarterback target Dylan Raiola was offered by Michigan. He’s fresh off an unofficial visit to Oregon.
Blessed to receive an offer from @UMichFootball. Thank you @CoachJim4UM @MattdblU @SWiltfong247 @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ #wayfinder pic.twitter.com/nEDbLF0z1Y
— Dylan Raiola (@RaiolaDylan) March 14, 2022
>> Husker defensive back commit Dwight Bootle stopped by USC with his seven-on-seven teammates.
❤️💛 USC #FightOn ✌🏾
(still committed to Nebraska) pic.twitter.com/o1rKIeb5tj— Dwight Bootle II (@BootleIi) March 14, 2022
>> Nebraska offensive line target Logan Reichert visited Missouri this weekend.
Thank you @MizzouFootball and @CoachDrinkwitz for the amazing time this weekend! pic.twitter.com/SD2EAwiy6T
— Logan Reichert (@LoganReichert4) March 14, 2022
>> Class of 2024 defensive back Mario Buford was named defensive back MVP at an Under Armour camp.
Huge thanks to @UANextFootball for a great Camp. I’m honored to be named DB MVP and I appreciated the wisdom & feedback from @BigTimerCox and the other great coaches. 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/D3U2tzVCw5
— Mario Buford (@riogocrazy) March 13, 2022
ICYMI
>> The Nebraska women’s basketball team drew Gonzaga in its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018.
>> The Husker baseball team fell in walk-off fashion to UNO on Sunday.
>> Check out the Hail Varsity photo gallery from the Huskers’ matchup with the Mavericks.
