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 making moves for the long-term vision of the program. Despite the lackluster record of the team under Scott Frost, it was announced that he has received a two-year contract extension. For me that extension was less about what has been done versus an investment on the future. Coaching stability also matters.
Especially during this time of year. This is when programs around the country are firing up the coaching carousel. There will be recruits who have doubts about the programs they are committed to. That’s where Nebraska can benefit.
Frost spoke about the importance of stability in the Big Ten during his Monday press conference.
“I talked about this is where we wanted to be,” Frost said. “This is the program that I care about. I’m going to do everything I can to get it fixed. We are going to get it fixed. One of the other things that we really appreciated about this school and the Big Ten in general there is length to coaching tenures in this league. That is not always the case in a couple other Power Five leagues. Like I said I’m grateful to Ronnie [Green] and Bill [Moos] and the leadership on this campus for having faith in us. This was a fix and we are in the process of getting it fixed and it’s going to happen. Grateful for the people in Nebraska that are as impatient as I am, but they trust us and grateful for the people on campus that trust us as well.”
There was also another indirect admission that Frost and his staff need more time. It's going to take longer to get this rebuild off the ground than they anticipated. While that pivoting in messaging isn’t the news fans want to hear, it seems to be the reality of the situation. The announcement of the new facility also shows commitment to the future.
“Guys are excited,” Frost said of the recruit response to the plans. “The guys we are recruiting for this class right now will get to spend quite a lot of time in the new facility. I think it will help us even more when there are plans and mockups of what it is going to look like done. It will help us even more when we break ground and will help us even more when it is up and usable. We will continue to show guys the facility and resources that they will have. Recruiting is competitive so any advantage we can get we will take advantage of."
Schools like Florida State are firing head coaches just two years in. Nebraska is doubling down on its commitment to Frost and his vision. Time will reveal if that’s the right course but Frost will certainly get plenty of it to get things fixed.
Recruit Watch
>> Marcus Fleming, a wide receiver from Florida, decommitted from Miami while finishing up his official visit to Nebraska.
https://twitter.com/_humble_3/status/1196442753774714882
>> Thomas Fidone, a 2021 tight end from Iowa, visited Lincoln this weekend. He picked up an offer from Tennessee on Monday.
After a great phone call with coach @NiedermeyerB I am very blessed and excited to say I have received a full scholarship from the University of Tennessee! #govols pic.twitter.com/WCKlfrYp9A
— Thomas Fidone II ²⁴ (@ThomasFidone) November 18, 2019
>> One of the key official visitors this weekend, Darion Green-Warren, had a great time on his official visit.
Lincoln can you keep a secret? #GBR #ToughDecisions #LincolnWasAMovie #blackshirts ☠️☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/bz9wWlAy1X
— Darion Green-Warren (@gogettadarion) November 18, 2019
>> Gabe Stephens, a 2021 cornerback from North Carolina, included the Huskers in his top 12.
TOP 12‼️ @falufale @CoachDubb80 @HawkMgmt @DonCallahanIC @JoeLHughesII @SWiltfong247 @RivalsFriedman @NCPreps @langstonwertzjr pic.twitter.com/rplfaOJ2kz
— 𝒢𝒶𝒷𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓁 𝒮𝓉ℯ𝓅𝒽ℯ𝓃𝓈 (@gastephens05) November 18, 2019
ICYMI
>> Derek Peterson wrote his Monday column on the need for specialists, basketball ceilings and he showed love to the offensive line.
>> Newest Husker commit Henry Lutovsky told Hail Varsity (Premium) what went into his decision to join the 2021 class.
>> JUCO LB Jamoi Hodge left Nebraska ‘pretty much shocked’ (Premium) by what he found.
>> There is a huge weekend ahead for Husker volleyball at the Big Ten race nears the end.
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.