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.
There are a lot of reasons to be excited about Nebraska’s 2020 recruiting class. One reason is that the Huskers hit on many of their top targets during this cycle. Players like Omar Manning, Turner Corcoran, Nash Hutmacher, Logan Smothers, Blaise Gunnerson, Zavier Betts, Henry Gray and Keyshawn Greene are some of the players in the class that Nebraska identified early and landed.
Top to bottom it is a great recruiting class that will help Nebraska in the short-term and in the long-term.
“I’m really excited about this class," Frost said on signing day. "I think the thing that excited me the most was flying around the country for the last two weeks. Getting in homes with these guys and seeing what type of kids they are, what kind of personalities they have. Best thing about them is they love football, they love the game. They’re excited. They want to be at Nebraska.
“I would walk out of almost every house and say we’ve got the chance to win a lot of games with kids like this coming to the program."
There are a lot of positions that Nebraska identified targets early and secured. The 2020 running back tandem of Sevion Morrison and Marvin Scott III generate excitement. Each were prolific runners in high school that fit the Huskers’ system perfectly. Both committed back in August.
The Huskers are making a habit of landing players they identify early as top targets. As Nebraska’s staff continues to build the talent base in program, building on this habit is essential. Bryce Benhart, Nick Henrich, Wan’Dale Robinson, Ty Robinson, Noa Pola-Gates and Luke McCaffrey were some that fit the bill in the 2019 cycle.
Having good prospects coming to your team is always a good thing. Getting good prospects that you believe fit your system is even better. This staff believes in trusting its evaluations. Running backs coach Ryan Held has spoken about this in the past and how key it is.
“It’s a balance,” Held explained last spring. “Sometimes you see a kid and think there is no doubt, we need to offer. I’ll say this, there are guys getting all these offers and we need to trust our eyes in evaluation. Just because 30 other schools say yes, he’s an offer, doesn’t mean he fits us. Being national here, we do have to expand out net a little more but that doesn’t mean we will offer every single person out there because other schools are. They might not fit us.”
One of the things you lose with constant staff and scheme changes the ability to stack a roster with players that fit your style of play. Nebraska is still finding its way to better results on the field. Things are going in the right direction when it comes to talent accumulation.
Good results on Saturdays tend to follow that.
Recruit Watch
>> Travion Ford, a top 2021 outside linebacker target, posted his junior highlights on Hudl this weekend.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12472870/5dfe5a7e32dced09a8ff2928
>> Jeff Bowie, one of Nebraska’s many 2021 Iowa targets, picked up an offer from Indiana.
After a great talk with @Lee_Wilbanks I am excited to announce that I have received my 8th offer from Indiana University! pic.twitter.com/Rey46ZSots
— Jeffrey Bowie (@jeffreyjbowie) December 20, 2019
>> Huskers defensive line signee Nash Hutmacher has pinned 46 straight wrestling opponents. That is quite the accomplishment for Hutmacher.
After holding the most consecutive pins record in South Dakota since 1975, Randy Lewis' record was broken on Saturday by two wrestlers in state Nash Hutmacher and Kellyn March. pic.twitter.com/ZCoNbEk6Ux
— KSFY Sports (@ksfysports) December 22, 2019
ICYMI
>> As Erin Sorensen writes, Zavier Betts is eager (Premium) to show Nebraska what he can do.
>> Low energy trumped a late surge for Nebraska as they lost a close one to North Dakota.
>> Swag and a dog mentality is mandatory (Premium) for Husker defensive back signee Tamon Lynum.
>> Ashtyn Veerbeek’s time is split and that is perfectly fine, writes Derek Peterson.
>> Another Husker volleyball assistant has gotten a head coaching opportunity. Kayla Barnwarth has been named the coach at Ole Miss.
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.
