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 dust has settled on the early signing period. The focus always shifts to which new Huskers are going to be contributing right away for the team. That’s a natural line of thinking since fans hear so much about specific recruits. They want to know when they’ll end up seeing them on the field in scarlet and cream.
Rather than dive into that again though, let’s take a different approach to that topic. Which offensive position groups got a boost in depth with the additions in the 2021 recruiting class?
Wide receiver is getting a boost from the 2021 recruiting class. The Huskers signed a trio of wide receivers that will bring various skills to the room. Georgia native Shawn Hardy, Texan Latrell Neville and Florida native Kamonte Grimes are all eager to join the team this summer.
Those three guys all have something in common too. They have great size. Neville and Hardy are both 6-foot-3, and Grimes is 6-foot-2.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost was happy with the group he signed when he spoke about the class on signing day.
“Receiver is another position where we’ll take a special athlete no matter what his size—we certainly have and have some that aren’t real big that are exceptional players—but this group of receivers is gonna give us some length, some catch radius, some physicality, and they’re all really twitchy athletes too,” Frost said.
It’s pretty difficult to pick which receiver will break out first from that group. None are early enrollees so it’s best to take a wait and see approach with how they will impact the depth of the room. Tight end is another position group that got a big boost with the 2021 signees. It’s hard to discuss the haul at the position without highlighting Nebraska’s most important signee, Thomas Fidone.
“Thomas, specifically, probably has as much potential as anybody I’ve ever recruited just when you watch his tape and look at his frame and his speed and just the talent he has,” Frost said. “We’re anxious to get to work with him and I think he’s gonna be versatile enough we can do quite a few things with him.”
Creighton Prep’s AJ Rollins is among the most intriguing players in the entire class. He has enormous potential with his size and athletic ability. Norris’ James Carnie is another big athlete who runs well for his size. The Huskers are without youth at the position. These guys will get a chance to make an impact early on in their careers.
The Huskers have a good group of pass catchers coming into the program at just the right time. The offense needs to continue adding and developing more weapons.
Recruit Watch
>> Devin Smith, a 2022 linebacker from Florida, has the Huskers in his top five schools.
TOP 5❗️ Still 100% interested in all schools💯@ChadSimmons_ @Rivalsfbcamps @HuskerFBNation @FSU_Recruiting @CanesFootball @GTFootball @GatorsFB @OHSKnightsFB pic.twitter.com/1WwZFEnyBz
— Devin Smith (@DevinSmith_45) December 28, 2020
>> Check out the junior film from Lincoln Southeast athlete Jake Appleget. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound player could be heading towards a Nebraska offer.
Jake Appleget, 6-5, 210, ILB/WR, 2022, Lincoln SE @ApplegetJake Yale offer for the standout big time play maker. Junior Season (8-1)
67 Tackles 21 Solos 3 INT
17 Receptions 280 Yds 5 TDs
Check him outhttps://t.co/ri4hLO9pee— Six Star Football Nebraska (@6starfootballNE) December 29, 2020
ICYMI
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>> Watch Fred Hoiberg on Ohio State’s physicality, Nebraska’s shooting and more.