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.
Nebraska's location in the middle of the country comes with advantages and disadvantages. We see it for the Huskers on the recruiting trail often. Nebraska and the surrounding areas do not have the same deep well of talent to tap into like the Florida or Texas schools. But being a nationally known program with the ability to recruit nationally has perks too.
The Nebraska coaching staff might have to log more air miles to find prospects but every region in the country is aware of the Huskers. That type of brand awareness if valuable. It's something the team needs to keep cashing in on as Coach Scott Frost rebuilds the program. Nebraska has 10 commits in the 2021 recruiting class. So far, seven different states are represented. Nebraska had 23 signees in the 2020 class with 13 different states represented.
Nebraska’s most recent commit is California outside linebacker Will Schweitzer. The defender is in a unique position. He committed to Nebraska before making a trip to check out campus on his own due to the NCAA mandated dead period. His head coach Mark Krail shared on Hail Varsity Radio what he believes the Huskers’ brand is out West.
“The tradition at Nebraska going all the way back to Coach Osborne has been so great,” Krail said. “They had some times that weren't great. I know when Coach Frost came in there was just this awesome optimism and he had a great run elsewhere. They brought him in and the hopes are high. I talked to Will about this kind of general dynamic. You want to go somewhere where the stability of the coaches is intact.
“From our perspective I think that Coach Frost there is stability there. I think he's going to be there and that's big because you want to play for the coaches that recruit you. I feel great about the direction that they're going.”
It can be argued that the prestige levels for Nebraska has dipped in recent years with recruits. The early results of Frost’s recruiting classes doesn’t back that up. The results on the field haven’t been good enough for anyone involved with the program the last two seasons. That lack of results can still be sold as reason for opportunity for recruits. There is another big reason recruits may still believe in the process with Frost. Krail is right about Frost not going anywhere.
The contract extension he received was a show of faith by athletic director Bill Moos. It was also an admission that the rebuild would take longer than expected. Recruits and their families care a great deal about coaching stability. Nebraska’s staff is on stable ground.
California has not been a key state for the Huskers under Frost. Schweitzer is the first Golden State native since the 2018 cycle to commit to the team. Still, it’s good to know the program still has some juice out West.
Recruit Watch
>> Quinton Conley, a 2022 wide receiver target from Missouri, picked up an offer from Kansas on Monday.
After a great call with @KU_EJones I’m blessed to announce that I’ve received an offer from The University of Kansas. 🔴🔵 #RockChalk @CoachLesMiles @SAMIEPARKER pic.twitter.com/R3cHo2FgBo
— Quinton Conley (@quinton_conley) June 15, 2020
>> Check out priority running back target Tavierre Dunlap getting some work this offseason.
👑🏈FRESH PRINCE OF TAV-IERRE: D1 bound Dunlap ('21) putting in the time this offszn #DVUKNO @DVCardinalsFB #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/7KKHYegGCg
— FLX ATX (@FlxAtx) June 15, 2020
>> The Huskers got an early 2023 edge rusher offer out to Alabama native Keldric Faulk.
Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Nebraska ⚪️🔴@CoachChinander @HankSouth247 @ChadSimmons_ @DemetricDWarren pic.twitter.com/XlPmnFGVHs
— keldric faulk (@FaulkKeldric) June 15, 2020
ICYMI
>> The Shrine Bowl is still on schedule to be played on July 11 after the state of Nebraska’s latest updates regarding COVID-19.
BREAKING NEWS: This just in…
✅ July 1: Contact Sports resume
✅ 75% Stadium Capacity
✅ July 11: 62nd Nebraska Shrine Bowl#OnWithTheShow #MoreThanAGame— Nebraska Shrine Bowl (@NEShrineBowl) June 15, 2020
>> In Derek Peterson’s latest column, he wrote about Lincoln coming together for change when a festival becomes a rally.
>> Nebraska basketball was in contact right away (Premium) with in-state recruits on the first day of the 2022 contact period.
>> The Moore To It Podcast is here with trip down memory lane with Heisman trophy winner Eric Crouch.
>> Nebraska basketball released its nonconference schedule on Monday.
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.
