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 was a quiet February signing day for the Huskers, but there was still one important piece of business to be done.
The bulk of the work was done in December. The Huskers got 19 high school players to send their letters of intent in that month. The only high school player who had not sent his letter in was 4-star Hawaii linebacker Wynden Ho’ohuli. The defender committed to Nebraska in January so he signed on Wednesday.
🌽🌽 LETS ROCK! https://t.co/sHJUFzBjcN
— WYNDEN HO’OHULI⚜️ (@WyndenHoohuli) February 4, 2021
Ho’ohuli has a good frame (6-3, 220) that he can add lean mass to without sacrificing explosion. He is a versatile linebacker who could fit in at either inside or outside linebacker in Nebraska’s defense. The Huskers prioritized linebackers that could play either inside or outside this cycle. Ho’ohuli will fit in nicely with Randolph Kpai, Seth Malcom and Mikai Gbayor.
When Scott Frost met with media via Zoom on Thursday he spoke about the Huskers’ only signee for February. Landing Ho’ohuli without getting him on campus for an official visit was no easy task.
“Really unusual to recruit somebody from there without really having a chance to get over there,” Frost said. “But we were lucky enough to see Wynden on that trip when we were over. We stayed in touch with him. Tony [Tuioti] did a good job. Barrett [Ruud], [Mike] Dawson and [Erik Chinander] Chins all did a good job with him. He’s our kind of guy.
“We don’t care where they’re from. The only disappointment is I didn’t get to go over and do a home visit with him. But he’s a good player. Hopefully that opens the door for us.”
The Huskers haven’t signed a player from Hawaii since the 1990s. They are starting to have more success getting Polynesian players interested in the program since defensive line Tuioti was hired. Frost’s two most successful quarterbacks–– Marcus Mariota and McKenzie Milton––are from Hawaii. too. Other coaches on staff have had success recruiting in the state, valuable experience the team can benefit from.
Ho’ohuli will arrive this summer to begin his college career with Nebraska. Frost and his staff have high hopes for him on the field. They also hope that he is the start of more Hawaii natives making their way to Lincoln to play college ball.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers announced their incoming batch of walk-ons Wednesday afternoon.
The tradition continues 🎈☠️#GBR /// #Thegoodlife pic.twitter.com/JmO6YsevPM
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) February 3, 2021
>> Priority Husker defensive line target Domonique Orange was offered by Ole Miss on Wednesday.
Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Mississippi!! 🔴🔵 #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/iiroLoVjvE
— Domonique Orange (@OrangeDomonique) February 4, 2021
>> Texas offensive lineman Connor Robertson added the Huskers to his growing offer list.
Honored to have received my first Big Ten offer from the University of Nebraska. @coach_frost @GregAustin2717 @SeanDillonNU pic.twitter.com/3HmG6vHbJb
— Connor Robertson (@ConnorRob72) February 3, 2021
>> Columbus outside linebacker Ernest Hausmann was offered by Michigan on Wednesday.
Blessed and thankful to receive a scholarship offer from The University of Michigan to play football. Thank you @MikeMacUM for this great opportunity! @CoachJim4UM #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/IzP3ZfvrQb
— Ernest Hausmann (@Ernest_Hausmann) February 3, 2021
ICYMI
>> Omaha will host the entire 2020-21 NCAA Volleyball Tournament.
>> Derek Peterson took a look at the outside linebackers in his latest entry to the Scoring the 2021 Huskers series.
>> Scott Frost spoke with media on Thursday to talk adding a transfer quarterback, getting Omar Manning healthy and more.
>> As I wrote, the potential for Nebraska’s offensive line development excites Frost in 2021.
>> The Bucs are the pick for Frost in Super Bowl LV because of Husker ties.