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.
Every position coach at Nebraska has a blueprint for the type of players they want to fill their rooms with. Outside linebacker coach Jovan Dewitt has talked about the need for length. Defensive line coach Mike Dawson has talked size and the ability to use your hands to shed blocks in the past.
After Wednsday's practice, running back coach Ryan Held shared what he's looking for.
“I want guys that love football," Held said. "I want guys that can run. I want guys that are multi, five-tool players, like in baseball. I need a guy who can run, catch, block, be a great teammate, have great character, that’s smart and will learn. Those are things that, for my room, are match-up difficulties where if you put a linebacker on my guy, you’re not going to guard him.
"Those are the type of guys that we have to recruit that are really successful in this offense and as we go, that’s what we’re looking for. Obviously there are kids out in this country that can see our offense and where their opportunities might be, so that’s our job to recruit them and show them the opportunity here at Nebraska.”
Some of the things that Held described aren’t big surprises. What does catch my attention is just how often the intangible traits come up with this staff when they talk about finding guys that fit at Nebraska. “Loving football” comes up a lot, for example. That’s exactly what coach Scott Frost attributed Maurice Washington’s big block on that Adrian Martinez scramble against Minnesota to.
The staff obviously wants talented players as all football coaches do. It will also be fun to see how these intangible traits they are looking for keep popping up on Saturday’s and on signing day.
Recruit Watch
>> Earlier today, 4-star ATH Darien Chase verbally committed to Nebraska. Chase told me this evening that he will arrive in Lincoln next summer. He also shared what it was that led him to pick the Huskers over Boise State, Utah and others.
“The coaches, players and people were all huge factors," Chase said. "All were different than anywhere else and the players were great. I also want to be part of bringing Nebraska football back."
A lot of Nebraska’s commits going back to last cycle have mentioned wanting to be part of the group that brings Nebraska football "back." My feeling is that they see the fan support even in tough times and can imagine just how great things would be once it gets turned around.
https://twitter.com/_TheCamJuice4/status/1055562412290699271
>> Walk-on lineman commit Riley Moses shared a pretty cool graphic on Twitter last night with some of the other homegrown prospects.
This is only the beginning, we are all N #HomeGrown 🌽 pic.twitter.com/ILCuhYL4Xa
— Riley Moses (@RileyMoses53) October 25, 2018
>> Tavion Mayo, a 2019 defensive back target, is fresh off his official visit to Lincoln. He’s continuing to feel the love from Husker players.
🤫they not ready big bro ☠️☠️☠️
— tavian2x (@tavian_1) October 25, 2018
>> The Huskers were busy with some new scholarship offers going out on Thursday. One of them went to 2020 linebacker Jordan Bothelho from Honolulu, Hawaii. He’s an explosive player on defense.
https://twitter.com/Jordanbotelho_/status/1055551976895733760
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6321860/5bad7af6d45e781130a63ed0
ICYMI
>> Derek Peterson wrote a fantastic story for the lastest issue of the magazine on the origins of a coaching philosophy.
>> Scott Frost said Nebraska had their best Thursday practice ever.
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.