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 hosted a priority walk-on heavy group of visitors for the matchup with Indiana this weekend. The idea behind it is that this weekend would give those prospects and their families additional attention on a game day. The day was centered around Coach Scott Frost and inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud speaking to the players about what the walk-on program means to Nebraska.
One of the priority prospects in Lincoln was Guardian Angels Central Catholic offensive lineman Casey Doernemann. The lineman from Dodge, Nebraska, said his trip was really good with plenty of highlights.
“I would have to say the highlights were hearing Coach Frost and Coach Ruud talk to us about Nebraska football and how we can get it to the next level by working hard each day,” Doernemann said. “It gave me chills. We also got to hang out in the player’s lounge before the game and that was really cool too. Also, the locker room visit before the game was sweet too.”
I had a great time at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln this weekend! Very special place! Thanks for having me out @coachwilhite and @SeanDillonNU #GBR #Homegrown pic.twitter.com/22ClAQ354R
— Casey Doernemann (@CDoernemann62) October 27, 2019
He characterized the chances of him returning to Lincoln this season as “pretty high.”
There were plenty of 2021 targets in Lincoln as well, including South Dakota offensive lineman Caden Ellingson. The lineman who stands at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds told me that the visit was fantastic and he absolutely loved it. His grandfather and brother came on the trip. All left impressed with the culture building and how genuine the staff is. Ellingson said he will “most definitely” be back in Lincoln as the Huskers continue to evaluate him.
Had a great time in Lincoln yesterday! Thanks for having me down! @SeanDillonNU #GBR pic.twitter.com/oC0hZ4xL71
— Caden Ellingson (@caden_ellingson) October 27, 2019
Beau Stephens is a 2021 offensive lineman that the Huskers have had on campus a couple of times. In fact, after the big man camp, he picked up an offer from Kansas who also attended the event. Stephens and his parents had a lot of fun in Lincoln but a familiar name really impressed them.
“What impressed me a lot was the nutritionist Mr. [Dave] Ellis,” Stephens said. “He knows his stuff. And also the plans for a new practice facility.”
Thank you @SeanDillonNU for inviting me to the NU game today. My family and I had a great time and are very impressed with the program and the facilities. I'm glad I got to talk to Coach @GregAustin2717 and I'm excited to communicate more with the NU coaching staff. Go Big Red!🔴 pic.twitter.com/cugrj3bq1R
— Beau Stephens (@BeauStephens70) October 27, 2019
Stephens went on to say that the game atmosphere was one of the best he’s ever seen. He is also building a relationship with offensive line coach Greg Austin who told him he is continuing to watch his film and likes what he’s seen so far.
Expect to see Stephens in Lincoln again at some point in the future as well.
The early returns say the Huskers made a favorable impression on the priority walk-ons in town plus other prospects they are keeping an eye on for the future.
Recruit Watch
>> Lawrence Free State 2020 defensive back Colter Maldonado made the trip to Lincoln to check out the Huskers this weekend.
Had a great time with @turnercorcoran at Nebraska yesterday! Thank you coaches for having me! @coachwilhite @Callaghan_NEB @TMossbrucker @SeanDillonNU #GBR 🌽🔴 pic.twitter.com/f1ikcC2UAj
— Colter Maldonado (@coltermaldonado) October 27, 2019
>> Check out Kearney running back Miko Maessner’s senior highlights. He had a great season with 1,450 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7597300/5d7ef2e45b46aa10b0145925
>> Ali Wells, a 2022 running back from St Louis, picked up an offer from the Huskers this weekend. He will likely become a national recruit.
Blessed to receive an offer from the university of Nebraska 🔴🌽 #GBR pic.twitter.com/BsECLcDlCM
— 15 (@Ali_Wells15) October 25, 2019
ICYMI
> > I caught up with Nebraska’s lone official visitor (Premium) this weekend to get his thoughts on the trip.
>> Nebraska has an alarming reliance on newcomers (Premium) while playing just OK football, writes Derek Peterson.
>> As Brandon Vogel explains the Big Ten is no conference (Premium) for sloppy football.
>> Jacob Padilla’s play of the game (Premium) was one in which the defense couldn’t deliver in a crucial moment.
>> There are plenty of questions surrounding Nebraska’s quarterbacks (Premium) coming out of the Indiana game.
>> Purdue handed the volleyball team their first road loss of the season on Saturday.
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.
