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’s running back situation got more interesting on Monday. That’s when reports surfaced that Ohio running back John Bivens would be walking on a Nebraska. Bivens confirmed the news to Hail Varsity. Adding Bivens is quite a unique situation.
Initially part of the 2019 recruiting class, Bivens was a three-star recruit that had a number of Power Five offers. USC, West Virginia, Iowa State, Louisville and Nebraska were among the notable offers. He rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 15 touchdowns in eight games as a junior before suffering a severe knee injury. That knee injury caused him to miss the entire senior season;.
Bivens did not make it academically straight out of high school but he provides an intriguing new member to Nebraska’s running back room. He joins starter Dedrick Mills and a bevy of young players vying for carries in an offense that ran the ball 63% of the time last season. Th young but talented group of Rahmir Johnson, Ronald Thompkins, Marvin Scott III and Sevion Morrison are all eager to show what they can do in the Huskers offense.
The addition of Bivens is a fairly low-risk move for the Huskers who are still looking for their first running back commitment of the 2021 recruiting cycle. The lack of spring visits added to the mystery about who is just right at the top of the board for 2021. It will also be interesting to see what if any adjustments the staff makes to the type of running back they are looking for this cycle. Could this be a year they are looking to add more size to the room to balance with the speed their have brought in?
Nebraska likes several backs this cycle including Texas back Caleb Berry (who made an unofficial visit to Lincoln in January). California running back Prophet Brown, Trenten Howland, Amari Daniels, Javion Hunt, Gabe Ervin, and Deshun Merrell are others that the Huskers are staying in contact with. Running back seems to be wide open right now for the Huskers in the 2021 recruiting class but as we have seen with the last two commits for Nebraska, it can be a complete surprise on who is a close to ending their recruitment.
The longer the shutdown goes the more unpredictable recruiting could end up being across the nation. Recruiting is already packed full of twists and turns but the roller coaster this cycle is just beginning.
Recruit Watch
>> Class of 2021 defensive end/outside linebacker Davon Townley picked up an offer from the Huskers on Tuesday.
Blessed to receive an offer from the university of Nebraska ❤️❤️ Thank you Coach Chinander and the coaching staff ‼️ #GoHuskers pic.twitter.com/m7kD7VN0H1
— D1.Davon (@D1Davon) May 5, 2020
>> Oklahoma defensive lineman from the 2022 class Chris McClellan was offered by the Huskers on Tuesday.
After talking with @CoachRHeld I am blessed to say that I’ve earned my 6th offer and 1st Big Ten offer from Nebraska‼️⚪️🔴🌽 #GBR #Huskers
@Josh_Scoop @samspiegs @BrandonDrumm247 @gabrieldbrooks @DemetricDWarren pic.twitter.com/A5c7KxeQJ2— Chris McClellan 7️⃣🦍 (@ChrisDMac10) May 5, 2020
>> Omaha Westside quarterback Cole Payton committed to North Dakota State.
After an offer from NDSU, I’m excited to announce my commitment!! 🔰#21Bison pic.twitter.com/g6v9dmbnXZ
— Cole Payton (@ColePayton9) May 5, 2020
ICYMI
>> I spoke with Bellevue West tight end Micah Riley who has seen his recruitment take off in recent weeks. (Premium)
>> In the latest Hot Reads, Brandon Vogel looks into what comes next for offense in football.
>> Versatility on the wings allows Fred Hoiberg to win with different big men, writes Jacob Padilla. (Premium)
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.
