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 is locked in some big battles on the recruiting trail in the 2021 recruiting cycle.
This isn’t new territory for Frost and his staff at Nebraska. They’ve shown in previous recruiting cycles that they aren’t afraid. Nebraska will go head-to-head with anyone for a prospect they covet. Take a trip down memory lane to the 2019 recruiting class. Ty Robinson, Bryce Benhart, Nick Henrich and Wan’Dale Robinson could have gone anywhere in the country. Turner Corcoran, Keyshawn Greene, Omar Manning and Henry Gray didn’t lack for options.
The early difference that I see with the 2021 class is that Nebraska is in some tough battles early in the cycle. Nebraska’s staff has long been in contact with tight end Thomas Fidone, outside linebacker TJ Bollers, cornerback Avante Dickerson, linebacker Terrence Lewis and other top targets. All these targets continue to see their recruiting rankings rise. All continue to receive more offers by the day.
Alabama recently offered both Fidone and Bollers. It’s the first time Nick Saban’s program has offered any player from Iowa since 2014. Dickerson and Lewis were recently offered by USC. All are top 100 players with offer sheets to match those rankings. Speaking of those rankings after the latest update from 247Sports Fidone, Bollers, Dickerson and Lewis bumped up. They are all top eight at their respective positions. Fidone and Lewis and each rated as the best in the nation at their positions.
The Huskers are consistently recruiting at a top-20 level under Frost. To take things to a top-15 level, these are the types of battles they need to win.
Keep in mind the players I highlighted are the national battles that the Huskers are in. Let’s look at 3-star (HV Rating: 83.9) offensive lineman Marcus Mbow. The Wisconsin native is being hotly pursued by Iowa. We’ll see if Wisconsin enters the fray. How about 3-star (87.0) defensive end Ru’Quan Buckley? The Huskers are very high on the Michigan defender. He visited Lincoln last month and just picked up an offer from new Michigan State coach Mel Tucker.
Bellevue West wide receiver Keagan Johnson has burst onto the recruiting scene. He would be a welcome addition in Lincoln and that has been conveyed to him by Nebraska’s staff. But, Iowa and Kansas State are also making pushes for him. The two-way standout will keep rising up the rankings.
Nebraska is after the right types of players. The staff does a nice job of identifying players early that will continue getting better throughout their time in high school. The flip side of that is the Huskers find themselves in a lot of battles with other quality schools.
To beat those teams on the field one day it helps to beat them on the trail.
Recruit Watch
>> Rising Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg received an invite to Kansas State’s Junior Day.
Thanks @CoachCRiles for the Junior day invite. Can’t wait to get to Manhattan! pic.twitter.com/BEJw8Yl2oN
— Heinrich Haarberg (@HKHaarberg10) February 20, 2020
>> Major Husker linebacker target Terrence Lewis picked up an offer from USC on Wednesday.
https://twitter.com/Terrence21Lewis/status/1230291823891009537
>> Lackawanna junior college defensive back De’Jahn Warren had a big day on Wednesday. The former teammate of Huskers signee Pheldarius Payne got offered by Alabama, Oregon and Nebraska in the same day.
Truly Blessed to say I’ve received an offer from The University Of Nebraska 🌽 #GBR @CoachRHeld pic.twitter.com/EcmZLioO87
— De’Jahn “Nugget” Warren (@Ayoooo_daeee) February 20, 2020
>> Kansas State continues to be active in Nebraska after they offered Omaha Burke 2022 outside linebacker Devon Jackson on Wednesday.
I’m blessed to have received an offer from k-state @CoachCRiles pic.twitter.com/z9A5CcJXc3
— Devon Jackson (@DevontheJet402) February 19, 2020
>> Texas wideout Cam Brady (6-3, 195) was feeling the love from Nebraska on social media Thursday.
Appreciate the Love Coming from Nebraska💯👀@NEB_Recruiting pic.twitter.com/8yHkkUwMLZ
— Cam🕷 (@cameronbrady88) February 20, 2020
ICYMI
>> The February 2020 issue of Hail Varsity is on its way to newsstands and mailboxes this week. The feature story clears up the case of George Flippin’s Nebraska captaincy.
>> An early game shooting cold snap sent the women’s basketball team to a defeat at the hands of Ohio State on Wednesday.
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.
