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 trenches have been reshaped under coach Scott Frost. The Huskers have signed massive players to play for offensive line coach Greg Austin. They’ve done the same for defensive line coach Tony Tuioti over the last three cycles. It was a point of emphasis for Frost to get bigger along the lines and he’s accomplished that goal.
Along the offensive line, the program will look to keep the ball roiling in the 2022 recruiting class. The team made a couple new offers along the offensive line that caught my eye recently. First let’s talk about Colorado offensive lineman Jake Maikkula.
I am very excited and grateful to have received an offer to play football at the University of Nebraska! A big thank you to @GregAustin2717! Go Cornhuskers! @HuskerFBNation @CoachLubick @coach_frost @SeanDillonNU @donnieyantis @GoValorFootball #GBR #Huskers #NebraskaFootball pic.twitter.com/qFwHIUxHEE
— Jake Maikkula (@JakeMaikkula) March 10, 2021
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman attends Valor Christian High School. It’s the same school that produced Luke McCaffrey. Valor has been pumping out Division I players at a high rate recently. The Huskers are smart to continue to keep going after kids in Colorado. The state has become a little de-emphasized during the Frost Era. Maikkula already holds 25 early offers but seems to be pretty open about his next steps.
The other recent offensive line offer went out to a player in Big Ten country. Ryan Baer, who is from Eastlake, Ohio, picked up an offer from the Huskers a few days ago.
After a great phone call with @GregAustin2717 I am blessed to announce that I have earned an offer from The University of Nebraska. @ENRangerfootbal @NEB_Recruiting @HuskerFBNation pic.twitter.com/meh88HNP0l
— Ryan Baer (@RyanBaer2003) March 10, 2021
Baer, who stands at 6-foot-7, 320 pounds, was happy about the offer from the Huskers.
“I was excited because I had a zoom with Coach Austin a couple weeks before the offer,” Baer said. “He just sounded like an amazing guy.”
The lineman didn’t have much knowledge of the Huskers, but he knows the program was a powerhouse back in the day. He currently holds 25 offers right now including seven from the Big Ten. In his talks with Nebraska they have mentioned wanting him to come out for a visit as soon as the dead period is lifted. Baer is open to making a trip to Lincoln so he can learn more about the program first-hand.
Baer doesn’t appear to be in a rush to make a decision right now. Baer also wants to be comfortable at the school without football.
Based on Nebraska’s history under Frost and Austin I expect them to take at least two offensive linemen this cycle. There are plenty of offers out right now as the pair try to find the right fit for the program moving forward.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska tight end target Kaden Helms was offered by Auburn over the weekend.
Extremely blessed to have received a scholarship offer from Auburn University! 🐅 @BradBedell pic.twitter.com/Iw7h885zKS
— Kaden Helms (@KadenJHelms) March 12, 2021
>> Indiana defensive end Joe Strickland has the Huskers in his top 10 which was released on Saturday.
Top 10 schools I’m focusing on… AGTG pic.twitter.com/rpTxpyL0YQ
— Joe Strickland. (@J3stripe) March 13, 2021
>> The Huskers gave a nice birthday shout out to Scottsbluff defensive end Chance Symons.
Thank you for the birthday shout out GBR @coachdawsgbr @SeanDillonNU @HuskerFBNation pic.twitter.com/Yk1xRzQV4t
— Chance Symons (@chancesymons56) March 12, 2021
ICYMI
>> As Derek Peterson wrote, Nebraska considered ducking Oklahoma and it was a sad moment for a proud program that won’t soon be forgotten.
>> Jacob Padilla has your 20221 boys basketball tournament state championship round-up.
>> Former Blackshirt Dicaprio Bootle joined the Varsity Club podcast to talk Husker stories and draft prep.
>> Nebraska volleyball split a weekend series with Ohio State.
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.
