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.
It’s that time of year again. Players from all around the country are hitting college camps in hopes of earning scholarship offers. The Huskers held their popular Friday Night Lights camp on Friday night. There were over 200 prospects registered to attend. It was a fun night in Memorial Stadium with a lot of lively competition.
Senior director of player personnel and recruiting Vince Guinta explained recently how much value he places on prospects working out in the camp setting.
“Camps are critical because as much as you want to put on film, that is great, but to get young men here on to campus and to watch them compete, to watch how they take coaching, to see the look in their eyes when they’re out on that field – you can feel it,” Guinta said. “It’s a totally different vibe than you can replicate on film and it says a lot if a young man is willing to come here and perform for you, right? Because that’s what they’re doing, they’re coming here to perform.”
The coaching staff saw several players perform well during the camp under the lights. A couple earned Nebraska scholarship offers. Iowa Western defensive tackle Anterio Thompson was one of those players that earned a scholarship.
Thank you @HuskerFBNation and the coaching staff for the great camp‼️(Run a 4.61 40 today!👀) @SeanDillonNU pic.twitter.com/f2quJqS3CK
— Terio💤 (@ThompsonAnterio) June 4, 2022
“I was loss for words when they offered me to be honest,” Thompson said. “I never thought I would be in this position.”
Thompson had the chance to speak with a lot of different Nebraska coaches during the camp. His time with defensive coordinator Erik Chinander stood out to him. Chinander also wants Thompson to come back to Lincoln in the fall for a visit. Thompson’s recruitment is just taking off but he knows what he wants in a school.
“The experience and the relationships I build,” Thompson said. “Yeah, you want to win football games but you also want to have fun at the same time and build good relationships with the coaches and players.”
Class of 2024 Louisiana athlete Ju’Juan Johnson was another player offered this weekend. He decided to camp at Nebraska after wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph came by his school this spring and told his coach that he’d like to see him compete.
#AGTG WOW!!Extremely Humbled and Blessed after a great camp and convo with @daboot02 to EARN my first Division 1 Offer from THEE University of Nebraska!!!#GBR @BryanApplewhite @BillyEmbody @samspiegs @DemetricDWarren @KenAnioJr @ReggieLeader1 pic.twitter.com/ORxYHkQpf6
— Ju’Juan Johnson (@JujuanJohnson7) June 4, 2022
Johnson was in awe that he got offered by the Huskers. He thought he was having a good camp but he didn’t know he was on the verge of an offer.
“I thought I was competing and just having fun,” Johnson said. “There was a lot of good talent out there.”
The Huskers like Johnson as a true athlete right now that could play on either side of the ball in college. He camped at LSU on Sunday and will go to Vanderbilt next weekend to work its coaches.
It’s always fun to see which players emerge on the radar from camp season. This should just be the beginning for the Huskers who are set to have a busy month of recruiting.
Recruit Watch
>> Priority Nebraska defensive line target Riley Van Poppel took an official visit to Tennessee this weekend.
Had a great time at Rocky Top!#GBO🍊 Big thanks to @Vol_Football @LevornH @coachg76 @CoachTimBanks pic.twitter.com/yU8W0unx3z
— Riley Van Poppel (@Riley_VanPoppel) June 4, 2022
>> Houston linebacker Dylan Rogers announced that he has locked in his official visit with Nebraska.
Lincoln Nebraska 17th-19th. #GBR ☠️🎈 pic.twitter.com/zNvcZPdqru
— Dylan Rogers (@drogers041) June 3, 2022
>> Check out recent Nebraska official visitor Dylan Edwards looking quick while running routes.
Check out this matchup from today's @sharp_spelite Top Prospect, Dylan Edwards (@dylan_edwards02) vs. Wesley Fair (@_Wesfair )! pic.twitter.com/DiwlWyE1dC
— Kansas Pregame (@KansasPregame) June 2, 2022
ICYMI
>> Nebraska’s latest commit Jaidyn Doss spoke with Hail Varsity to give the details of why he picked the Huskers.
>> Steve Marik has reached the No. 1 spot in his countdown of most important newcomers for the Huskers this fall.
>> Class of 2024 defensive back Mario Buford showed his skills at camp but also enjoyed some Nebraska traditions on his latest visit.
>> Jacob Padilla has a look at Nebraska’s in-state recruiting under coach Scott Frost by the numbers.
>> Another legendary Husker legacy competed at Friday Night Nights this weekend.