Nebraska Recruiting: Let the Biggest Need for 2020 Debate Begin
Photo Credit: John S. Peterson

Nebraska Recruiting: Let the Biggest Need for 2020 Debate Begin

March 18, 2019

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.


Spring practice has taken a bit of a break with the University of Nebraska on spring break. Why not take the opportunity to take a deep breath and evaluate the big picture for the 2020 recruiting class?

Let’s take a look at a topic that fans and recruiting analysts will likely end up arguing about at some point during the cycle: what is the biggest need in this class for the Huskers? Remember back to the 2019 class where we sort of had a moving target. At one-point defensive back was the answer. At other times it was wide receiver. Outside linebacker was always a hot topic. The offensive line is always in the mix as well. 

For the 2020 class, a few positions do jump out right awat. However, we might need to see how things play out on campus before having any of them in the No. 1 spot. For example, a true cover corner belongs on the list, right? Lamar Jackson and Eric Lee Jr. graduate after the 2019 season. It’s difficult to know just how big of an emphasis to put on corner without knowing how Cam Taylor, Braxton Clark, Ethan Cox and the incoming freshmen look this year.

I feel pretty safe saying that Nebraska will need to add offensive tackles in this class. True tackles have eluded Nebraska in recent years, even though the 2019 cycle was a good step in the right direction. “Pass-rusher” has become a fun catch all term to use, especially since Nebraska moved to the 3-4 defense. I’m not going out on a limb by saying that continuing to add outside linebackers who can get after the quarterback will be a focus. Versatile defensive linemen are needed in the Big Ten too.

Wide receiver feels like it’s always getting a lot of attention but Nebraska is still playing catch up there. The scholarship offers sent out by the Huskers back that notion up as well. The Nebraska staff has offered scholarships to more receivers than any other position in the 2020 class. Getting the players they want at that position seems to be a focus. Right now, I’m taking wide receiver as the biggest position of need.

Nebraska still hasn’t built the roster to head coach Scott Frost’s liking and it will take at least one more full cycle to get there. There are holes on the roster currently but as you can see, identifying a top need this cycle can still be considered fluid. 

That won’t stop us from having some healthy debate, right?

Recruit Watch

>> Tony Tuioti is continuing to add guys to his target list. Raesjon Davis, a 2021 linebacker from Mater Dei High School in California, was the latest to pick up an offer from Nebraska.

https://twitter.com/RaesjonDavis1/status/1107727131591622657

>> Incoming junior college walk-on center Josh Wegener looks to have a clean bill of health as he gets ready to join the team this summer.

ICYMI

>> Nebraska basketball is heading to postseason play for the third time under Tim Miles.

>> Tony Tuioti is bringing consistency to Nebraska’s defensive line, writes Derek Peterson.

>> Jacob Padilla believes that position changes are they key to Nebraska’s offensive line in 2019. 

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