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.
Football is officially back. We had our first weekly media availability of the regular season on Monday and with that came the first depth chart release. There was a lot to discuss too.
For now, I’m interested in this nugget: there were 10 freshmen listed on Nebraska’s Week 1 two-deep.
Offense
- Redshirt freshman Cameron Jurgens (center)
- Redshirt freshman Will Farniok (center)
- Freshman Bryce Benhart (right tackle)
- Freshman Wan’Dale Robinson (wide receiver)
- Redshirt freshman Miles Jones (wide receiver)
- Freshman Rahmir Johnson (running back)
Defense
- Redshirt freshman Joseph Johnson (inside linebacker)
- Redshirt freshman Isaiah Stalbird (safety)
- Redshirt freshman Braxton Clark (cornerback)
- Freshman Quinton Newsome (cornerback)
That’s six on offense and four on defense that cracked the initial two-deep for the Huskers. Nebraska has some fascinating decisions to make when debating how to use the 4-game redshirt rule.
“There’s a bunch of guys I think that fall into unique categories that fall into the four-game redshirt rule,” Coach Scott Frost said on Monday. “There’s some guys that we need to play now or have earned the right to play and play the entire season. Some other guys we’re still kind of in wait-and-see mode if we want to use the year or not. Ideally, it would be to play them in four games and save the year. There are some other positions where with some other guys, just kind of in that situation, we might be able to play one for four games and give us depth and help out on special teams.
“So, there are some that are clear that they’re going to play, some that are going to redshirt. There are others that we’re going to be in a holding pattern and at least get four games out of them.”
In general, it will be easier for freshmen to get on the depth chart at positions that aren’t on the line of scrimmage. There is one notable exception this time around though. Lakeville, Minnesota, offensive tackle Bryce Benhart is the only newcomer on the depth chart in the trenches. Starting right tackle and captain Matt Farniok had high praise for Benhart’s work on Monday.
“He has done a great job,” Farniok said. “He has learned that when you are in high school you can be bigger than everyone so you can kind of get away without the best technique. He has tightened it up and he has gotten a lot better with how he moves his body, his footwork, striking within the frame. He is starting to excel in the tiny details of what it takes to become a good O-lineman and a great O-lineman. I love it. I am so excited for him. He is a great guy, too. He is always eager to learn. He’s another prototype mindset for a lineman. He wants to be the best he can be and he wants to help any way he can.”
Benhart came to Lincoln this summer with big expectations but we shouldn’t overlook what an accomplishment this is.
There will likely be some movement throughout the season on the depth chart. The young players in the program are looking to make a mark on the program early. It’s also worth tracking throughout the season which if any freshmen utilize the four-game rule.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska defensive tackle commit Nash Hutmacher started off the day with a good lifting session.
405 lb Front Squats pic.twitter.com/5KB0AQQ8HK
— Nash Hutmacher (@ThePolarBear605) August 26, 2019
>> Recent Husker running back commit Sevion Morrison posted some highlights on social media.
— Sevion morrison ⚡️ (@SevyMorrison28) August 26, 2019
>> There are also highlights from Hutmacher’s season opening game that he dominated in.
https://twitter.com/AnderaMidcoSN/status/1166026257819156480
ICYMI
>> The Huskers handed out the coveted Blackshirts on Monday. Check out who got them and how.
>> Conversations with Cook is back on extra practice, Nicklin Hames and more. (Premium)
>> Ryan Held’s work has Nebraska’s running game set up for success, writes Derek Peterson. (Premium)
>> John Cook also previewed the upcoming volleyball season for the Huskers.
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.