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 building of the 2021 recruiting class was unique. There was a lot of focus on the extended dead period that prevented any official visits during the cycle. Coaches couldn’t go out on the road to evaluate players. There were also no camps or in-home visits. That meant building the relationships required to compile a recruiting class was tougher than ever.
Meanwhile, the class of 2022 was also not able to visit schools. The sidelines are typically filled pre-game with lots of future class prospects too on those official visit weekends, so the class of 2022 would have been attending games throughout the season and getting to know the program better.
The strategy of getting top prospects on campus multiple times to build a relationship is taking an unexpected break. The strategy has worked well for Coach Scott Frost so far in his tenure. Turner Corcoran, Nash Hutmacher and Zavier Betts from the 2020 cycle all visited multiple times. There are guys that fit that bill for the 2021 cycle like Thomas Fidone, Henry Lutovsky and Teddy Prochazka, even if they didn’t get to officially visit this season.
It is going to be harder in my mind to build a good 2022 class for Nebraska in the absence of that.
That’s why it is important that the Huskers keep popping up in 2022 prospects’ top groups. I usually note when it happens in the notebook each day but it’s been consistent for the last week. One of the latest to include the Huskers in his most recent cut is Gabriel Lindy. He’s a 2022 5-star defensive lineman from Florida.
@beyondourbest @Hayesfawcett3 @polk_way pic.twitter.com/DcM8nJk1Xo
— Gabriel Dindy (@DindyGabriel) January 20, 2021
A couple of days ago, I highlighted Carsen Ryan, a tight end from Utah, who has the Huskers in his top six. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, he is a well put together prospect who is already familiar with the Huskers.
TOP 6.
Big things coming for 2021. @cavemanfootball #takingsouls #MILEWR pic.twitter.com/bA7UkZY3Ed— Carsen Ryan (@CarsenRyan) January 18, 2021
It’s easy to treat these situations and the others that have happened as throw-away moments. But this is a time where the Huskers need to stay in the hunt with many prospects until visits can be had again.
The most recent dead period extension goes until April 15.
Recruit Watch
>> Huskers 2022 quarterback target Gavin Wimsatt was offered by Oregon on Wednesday.
Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Oregon💚@BallCoachJoeMo @oregonfootball @SrHighFootball @SWiltfong247 pic.twitter.com/dkndDfLlRS
— Gavin Wimsatt (@GavinWimsatt) January 20, 2021
>> Mekhi Miller, a 2022 wide receiver target from Kansas, committed to Missouri on Wednesday.
(4)00% committed. Thank you for the opportunity! #newzou🐯 @BushHamdan @CoachCaseyWoods @CoachDrinkwitz @SAMIEPARKER pic.twitter.com/W4v5WoZdqy
— Mekhi Miller (@Mekhi4Miller) January 20, 2021
>> California 4-star 2022 defensive back Jaden Mickey had a good virtual visit with the Huskers.
Had an amazing virtual tour with the University of Nebraska‼️🔴⚪️ @CoachTFisher @CoachChinander @TMossbrucker @CoachBobbyMaf7
— JadenMickey (@thakidmick) January 19, 2021
ICYMI
>> I caught up with Georgia 4-star quarterback MJ Morris (Premium) to talk about his relationship with Nebraska, his commitment timeline and more.
>> Nebraska volleyball was picked third and two players were named All-Big Ten in the preseason coaches poll.
>> The Mind Your Own Podcast is back to discuss the topic of supporting women in sports.
>> The Hail Varsity staff is answering your questions in the mailbag including what needs to be Nebraska’s floor in 2021.
>> Nebraska volleyball’s return is exactly what Nebraska fans need, according to Jacob Padilla.