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.
The questions never stop in the recruiting world. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to talk about so we take reader and listener suggestions on questions. I then answer the questions in a quick video. The Huskers have finished up the 2022 recruiting class. There was a lot of activity down the stretch run of the class. The team landed a couple high schoolers on the second signing day to go along with many transfers. That furious finish has fans wondering about the class of 2023 potential ranking. This week is all about giving an early prediction on the 2023 class rank.
A combination of numbers, effort and ability to get high-level high school players interested for the 2022 class led to the lagging class. That ended up being bolstered by an enormous transfer class. It is tough to separate the traditional recruits from the transfers. The transfers will also be the driver of success for the Huskers in 2022. Still, traditional recruiting wasn’t in a good place before the new coaching hires were made.
My early feeling is that Nebraska has a great opportunity to have a bounce back year. The new coaches are a big part of that feeling. Mickey Joseph, Bill Busch and Bryan Applewhite bring major energy and effort to the Huskers’ recruiting. Combine them with defensive coordinator Erik Chinander and defensive backs coach Travis Fisher. That gives the Huskers a good mix of high-level recruiters.
Another factor my thinking is where the talent is located for the 2023 recruiting class. The talent in Nebraska is good once again. The Huskers already have two in-state commitments. There are three more offers out. Offensive lineman Sam Sledge and wide receiver Malachi Coleman have offers, as well as defensive end Maverick Noonan. Nebraska is likely the leader for at least two of those players right now. All three could end up in the class. There are also a couple more players that could emerge as scholarship players.
The 500-mile radius is also loaded with talent. Nebraska has increased efforts in Kansas, Missouri and Colorado in January. There are several players in those states that have the Huskers high on their lists. Iowa is always a priority for the Huskers too and 2023 is no different. If things break well the Huskers could build 60%-70% of their class from in-state and border states. That would be a big deal down the line for potential attrition and the talent in these areas is good.
There is one big x-factor in all this: winning. The Huskers obviously have to perform better on the field for this plan to come together. The new assistants are infusing new energy into the recruiting efforts. That will all go out the window if they Huskers go to Dublin and lose. If they season starts poorly with the favorable schedule the it will spell big problems. The opportunity is there to have a major bounce back. If things go well the team could have a top-20 recruiting class for the 2023 cycle.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers offered 2023 athlete Jaylon Braxton out of Texas over the weekend.
ALL GLORY TO GOD BLESSED AND THANKFUL TO EARN AN OFFER FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRAKSA!!! @BryanApplewhite @SeanDillonNU @CoachJRayburn @drkharp @LSHS_FBRecruits @coach_johnson05 @clintsurratt @samspiegs @Perroni247 pic.twitter.com/CmPrtAIMF4
— Jaylon Braxton J🐝 (@JaylonBraxton6) February 6, 2022
>> Check out the growing list of early offers for 2024 athlete Tyseer Denmark.
Grateful to be in this position! pic.twitter.com/P9qA28XG2w
— tyseer5denmark (@tyseer5denmark) February 3, 2022
>> The Huskers offered 2023 Pennsylvania defender TaMere Robinson as scholarship.
After a conversation with @coachdawsgbr I am blessed and excited to have received an offer from The University of Nebraska ⚪️🔴 #GBR @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @210ths @Evolve2tenths @_Drew_55 pic.twitter.com/KHFWtnQejr
— ᴛᴀᴅᴅᴇʀ ③ (@TaMereRobinson3) February 2, 2022
ICYMI
>> Nebraska had trouble handling No. 17 Maryland’s pressure and fell on the road Sunday.
>> Caleb Tannor is the next entry into Steve Marik’s Making the Jump series.
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.
