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.
Over the last day we’ve had the opportunity to see both the good and some of the bad with recruiting this year. Everyone recognizes this has been a strange year for recruiting. It has taken players, coaches and fans outside their comfort zones. The traditions that we normally get throughout a recruiting cycle have been upended.
One of the coolest things each year is the big two all-star games. Both the Under Armour and All-American games are staples for recruiting fans. They give recruiting fans a chance to see players committed to their school in action. You can also see the ones that fans are still holding out hope for. Those all-star games are also a big opportunity for the prospects to impress scouts. Doing well during that week of practice and the game can help boost a player’s stock.
Each game has been canceled this year in response to COVID-19. It’s been a while since they were canceled but the rising number of cases around the nation shows it was the right move. Still, it is a great honor for high school players to be selected to the games. The Huskers have a pair of commitments that were selected to play in the All-American Game this year. Both 4-star tight Thomas Fidone and 3-star wide receiver Kamonte Grimes were selected.
Both received their jerseys on Wednesday night.
Future Cornhusker ☠️🎈
Welcome Kamonte Grimes (@KG3life_) to the 2021 All-American Bowl @NBCSports #AAB21 🇺🇸#GBR 🌽#AllAmericanBowl 🏈 @GEICO https://t.co/uJNB3vtAGl pic.twitter.com/ML05roqffm
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) November 12, 2020
No. 1 Tight End in the nation ✅
Welcome Nebraska commit Thomas Fidone (@ThomasFidone) to the 2021 All-American Bowl @NBCSports #AAB21 🇺🇸#GBR 🌽 #AllAmericanBowl 🏈 @GEICO https://t.co/uJNB3vtAGl pic.twitter.com/vTVmFYEhJx
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) November 12, 2020
Even though the game won’t be played, it’s great the future Huskers still got to take part in part of the festivities.
The other piece of reported news to come out recently about recruiting is an extension of the dead period. According to a CBS report, the NCAA will elect to extend the dead period to April 15. If that ends up happening soon then we will go a full year without prospects being able to visit campuses. It would also mean that the 2021 class will go the whole cycle without any official visits.
I don’t see the NCAA changing the December signing period. It would make sense if most kids just go ahead and sign in December. The reason to not do it would be holding out hope for visits. If another dead period extension comes down that hope is gone. That could end up benefitting the Huskers to finish off the cycle.
There has already been so much change from normalcy for the 2021 recruiting class. What happens with these players will end up being studied for years to come.
Recruit Watch
>> Arkansas 2022 defensive lineman Nicholas Daviller is feeling the love from the Huskers.
Nebraska showing some love!!! @EarlGill10 pic.twitter.com/lRcHPAidVY
— nicholas davillier (@DavillierNico) November 12, 2020
>> The Huskers made the top 8 for 2022 Arizona offensive lineman Gavin Broscious.
Thank you to all of the schools who have recruited me and given me the opportunity to make my dream come true. With that being said, this is my top 8 Big thanks @BSmithEdits for the 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Pm3HNqvwme
— Gavin Broscious (@BrosciousGavin) November 12, 2020
ICYMI
>> In the latest I-80 Preview podcast Brandon Vogel gets you ready for the Huskers’ home opener for 2020.
>> You can also get a look at the game day forecast and weather updates curtesy of Rusty Dawkins.
>> Scott Frost spoke about the quarterback competition, where the center position stands and more during his Thursday press conference.
>> Kearney Catholic is preparing with a C1 semifinal rematch with Adams Central this weekend.
>> Amy Williams put together another top-25 recruiting class for 2021 this week.
>> Tom’s Time looks back at when Kansas took Nebraska the distance in 1993.