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.
Zoom calls, virtual visits and heavy use of FaceTime won’t be going away any time soon. At the end of Wednesday, the NCAA announced that the recruiting dead period would be extended through Jan. 1.
DI Council extends recruiting dead period: https://t.co/vERK55eNjo pic.twitter.com/eFHD7SkAo2
— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) September 16, 2020
Some perspective on the subject came from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. He wasn’t thrilled about the ruling but understands everyone being in the same situation.
“We can’t do anything, but you know, we’ve tried to make the best of it just like we have with everything else during this time,” Swinney said. “Here’s what we’re dealing with: How do we make the best of it? We just try to keep the glass half-full. A lot of virtual visits, virtual tours, we’ve tried to do a little bit of everything.”
That’s the way that coaching and recruiting staffs have to approach this. Would they like to be hosting visits? Of course, they would. At Nebraska especially it’s a huge deal to get those visits to be able to show all that the school has to offer in person. The move by the NCAA came as no surprise but one big question remains for Nebraska now.
Can the Huskers close the 2021 class as strong as they want to without being able to use in-person official visits?
There have been no indications that the NCAA is moving the early signing period from December. Nebraska would like to have as much of its class signed in December as possible. That includes anyone who has not yet publicly committed to the team. Will Nebraska be able to close with players like linebacker Wynden Ho’ohuli (Hawaii), cornerback John Howse (Tennessee), defensive lineman Ru’Quan Buckley (Michigan) and defensive lineman Tiaoalil Savea (Nevada) without getting them out for an official visit?
If the Huskers can pull that off or something close to it then major kudos are in order. It’s tough to get kids from outside the region to commit without stepping foot on campus. There are other implications here now that we know there will be no recruiting during the season. It’s not just official visits for the current class taking place. It’s important to get those future class players on campus to experience as much as possible early on.
Nebraska adjusted to this new reality months ago so they are in a good position with its class. Could another run of commitments be coming now that the dead period has been extended again? It might happen. We know that some of the 2021 recruiting class will be signing without taking an official visit.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers offered high 4-star Texas running back Jaydon Blue on Wednesday.
Blessed to receive an offer from University Of Nebraska🌽🔴 #GBR @COACHJCLANCY @KLEINCAINFB @RoSimonJr @MikeRoach247 @samspiegs @Perroni247 @GregAustin2717 pic.twitter.com/y7k1wJFxTu
— 23🏈 (@JaydonBlue) September 16, 2020
>> Bellevue West 2022 tight end Micah Riley was offered a scholarship by Auburn on Thursday.
After a call with @CoachLPorter , I am extremely happy to announce I have received a scholarship offer from Auburn University!🐅 pic.twitter.com/4ZaLZ9uy61
— Micah Riley (@micah_r_d) September 17, 2020
>> The quarterback board is still being worked out for the 2022 class but Gavin Wimsatt is an intriguing prospect. He released some workout footage.
Due to several requests, extended dead period, and training. Here is my latest workout. – Gavin Wimsatt pic.twitter.com/DPzkQhottL
— Gavin Wimsatt (@GavinWimsatt) September 17, 2020
ICYMI
>> In a midseason report on Lewis Central I explain how Thomas Fidone and a salty defense are leading the way (Premium) for the team’s hot start.
>> Derek Peterson took a great look into what a potential Nebraska schedule could look like this season.
>> Football is back and we tried to answer all the questions about it in the latest mailbag.
>> Let Derek Peterson tell the story of ‘a field with his name on it.’
>> Jacob Padilla’s latest Padding the Stats centers around Taylor Kissinger and high school volleyball.
>> Former Husker Larry Frost passed away at the age of 73.
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.
