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.
Since we are winding down the 2019 recruiting class during the race to Dec. 19 for the early signing period and then the traditional February signing date, we aren’t doing much looking back at past recruiting classes.
However, news of the official departure of outside linebacker Guy Thomas today reminded me of just how much of an extreme situation Nebraska is in with the class of 2017.
CB Elijah Blades – never made it to Lincoln
DT Deiontae Watts – never made it to Lincoln
QB Tristan Gebbia – transferred
WR Tyjon Lindsey – transferred
FB Ben Miles – transferred
LB Andrew Ward – transferred
LB Avery Roberts – transferred
WR Keyshawn Johnson Jr – transferred
LB Guy Thomas – transferred
LB Willie Hampton – transferred
That class finished 23rd in the 247 composite rankings but has left holes in multiple spots on the Huskers roster. Half of the 20 players signed that year won’t finish their careers at Nebraska. There are no linebackers left on the team from that class. Nebraska signed seven total four-star recruits in 2017 and the only one that is still part of the team is wide receiver Jaevon McQuitty.
I don’t bring all of this up to say you shouldn’t be excited about the players who are committed and will sign for 2019. What has happened with the class of 2017 is a really unique case.
Not having players become all-conference caliber is one thing but to have double-digit players never see the field and a handful of other non-contributors will destroy your depth. Here’s hoping Scott Frost never has a class like 2017 or the 2011 class which was very similar in terms of attrition.
Recruit Watch
>>Huskers offensive tackle commit, Matthew Anderson got a visit from a couple of his future coaches today.
Excited for the future! #GBR pic.twitter.com/Zsmvvn0qwd
— Matthew Anderson #72 (@mateoanderson37) November 29, 2018
>>I expect to see a lot of graphics highlighting Nebraska’s offensive improvement during Year 1 in Lincoln. It makes too much sense as we lead up to both signing days.
Rising Up. #GBR 🔴🌽🔴🌽 pic.twitter.com/DKIZ11tGVB
— Nebraska FB Recruiting (@NEB_Recruiting) November 28, 2018
>>Nebraska’s latest commit, defensive back Myles Farmer from the Atlanta area, got a visit from his future coaches early this week.
Great In-Home Visit the other night with my new coaches ❗️.. #GBR 🔴💨 @HuskerFBNation 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zmVMNCxWUR
— $how2x 🏴☠️ (@mylesfarmer2) November 28, 2018
>>Tyler Miller, one of the top linemen in Iowa for 2020 visited Lincoln this year for a game. On Thursday he announced he would be joining the Iowa State class.
I couldn’t more fired up to announce my COMMITMENT to @CycloneFB! Thanks to everyone that helped me get here. @ISUMattCampbell & staff are special people! I am committed to our #P2OCESS #CyclONEnation pic.twitter.com/DGTVhFdedC
— Tyler Miller (@TylerJmiller23) November 29, 2018
>>Nebraska junior college running back Dedrick Mills is playing for a JUCO national championship on Thursday night. Here’s a little video of him talking about the journey.
Star running back for @GCCC_FOOTBALL, @MillsDedrick and First Team @KJCCCmedia recipient and @HuskerFBNation commit, speaks on tomorrow’s championship game and his journey to get there. #NJCAAonCBS #eTeamSponsor #NJCAAFootball pic.twitter.com/7lkstoSrb3
— eTeamSponsor (@eTeamSponsor) November 29, 2018
ICYMI
>>The Huskers locked in an official visit with an offensive tackle from South Carolina and I caught up with him.
>>Jacob Padilla took a look at a Husker heavy year in high school hoops.
>>We’ve been tracking the Huskers staff’s moves as they are on the road recruiting with new offers and getting official visits set.
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.