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 Nebraska high school football season has moved into the post-season. This is the time of year we typically see the Huskers’ walk-on class start to grow. In fact, Nebraska picked up a pair of addition to its walk-on class over the weekend.
Creighton Prep defensive back AJ Collins was the first to announce that he was joining the team as a preferred walk on. Collins made his announcement on Saturday.
#AllN #AGTG 🎈 pic.twitter.com/XoapqeYAXG
— Anthony (AJ) Collins (@acollins6_) October 31, 2020
Collins is teammates with Nebraska scholarship tight end AJ Rollins at Creighton Prep. The Huskers are hoping a third teammate joins the fold as a walk-on commitment: Alex Bullock.
Weeping Water lineman Weston Reiman also announced his intention to join the walk-on class over the weekend. He shared the news on Twitter on Sunday evening.
COMMITTED‼️ truly blessed to be able to pursue a lifelong dream of mine #ALLN #GBR 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/BxlxAFBjAy
— Weston Reiman (@weston_reiman) November 1, 2020
Reiman currently plays on both lines in high school. I believe he’s projected to start his career in offensive line coach Greg Austin’s room in Lincoln. Collins and Reiman join Ashland-Greenwood running back Matthew Schuster and Ord kicker Kelen Meyer in the growing class for the 2021 cycle.
#NWOAlert #HomeGrown #GBR pic.twitter.com/qgSzcknDvo
— Kenny Wilhite (@coachwilhite) November 2, 2020
I’m curious how things go this cycle for building the walk-on class. The Huskers have been very aggressive in adding preferred walk-ons under Coach Scott Frost. He’s talked extensively about the importance of a healthy walk-on program at Nebraska. This year it might be trickier to pull off. We are getting to decision time for the players that Nebraska has offered walk-on opportunities to. Those players also will have to make decisions without attending the traditional HomeGrown Husker event that Nebraska holds each year. It is hard to get a gauge on roster management in 2020 because of the new eligibility rules.
Also with the Big Ten limits on COVID-19 testing, a larger roster may not matter as much for the time being.
The Huskers’ 2021 walk-on class currently sits at four members. It wouldn’t surprise me to see that number stay under 15. Everything that has happened in 2020 has had wide-reaching effects. We might also see an impact on one of Nebraska’s richest traditions for a year.
Recruit Watch
>> Priority outside linebacker for 2022 Caden Crawford had a great virtual visit with the Huskers.
Great Virtual Visit with @HuskerFBNation @coachdawsgbr pic.twitter.com/cBheVZzu5o
— Caden Crawford (@CadenCrawford0) November 2, 2020
>> Iowa 2022 tight end target Eli Raridon picked up a Big 12 offer on Monday.
After a great conversation with @CoachTTrickett I am excited to receive an offer from West Virginia University!!! pic.twitter.com/eWu5L5EE6z
— Eli Raridon (@EliRaridon) November 2, 2020
>> Iowa 2022 linebacker target Jacob Imming released his junior season highlights.
Check out my highlight – https://t.co/NztlXBNpUF
— jacob imming (@ImmingJacob) November 2, 2020
ICYMI
>> After an unexpected week off Nebraska has turned its full attention to Northwestern.
>> As Derek Peterson writes, Husker coach Scott Frost can sense a chip on his team’s shoulder.
>> Let Jacob Padilla explain why Adrian Martinez and Luke McCaffrey’s relationship is key for Nebraska’s quarterback usage.
>> Check out the videos from Scott Frost’s and Husker player’s time with media on Monday.
>> Get ready for a wild, wild Big Ten West where anyone is vulnerable in 2020.