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.
We are less than one week from the early signing period opening on Dec. 18. Pretty soon all the speculation of who signs where and when they will sign can be put to rest. Then we will be left to dissect the key question of what we think about the Huskers’ haul for 2020. Now of course, the late signing period will bring some drama too. There will still be a few spots left to fill in the class and February signees will fill them.
This particular early signing period has a lot of intrigue. The Huskers need more commits now than usual. Last year at this time the Huskers were counting on a few new commits on Dec. 18.—Ty Robinson, Brant Banks and Jimmy Fritzsche. This year there are some prospects out there who will determine how we feel about the class as a whole.
Some positions are locked down. Quarterback, running back, offensive line and tight end are finished for the class of 2020, unless we get a big surprise. Wide receiver is the big mystery on offense. Bellevue West 4-star Zavier Betts and Waco, Texas, 3-star Will Nixon are in the class. Betts will not sign in December but appears on track with his classwork to sign in February. That leaves one or two spots left at wideout. There are candidates to fill those spots. All have taken official visits to Nebraska.
- WR Omar Manning
- WR Alante Brown
- WR Marcus Fleming
- WR Justin Robinson
Flipping to the defensive side of the ball every position still has work to be done. The defensive line for 2020 has Nash Hutmacher and Marquis Black locked up. How many more defensive linemen are the Huskers looking to take? There has been good progress made with some these prospects.
- JUCO DL Julius Coates
- JUCO DL Jordon Riley
- JUCO DL Pheldarius Payne (NC State commit)
- DL Nusi Malani
- DL Tuli Tuipulotu
At linebacker we are seeing a lot of activity especially at outside linebacker. Blaise Gunnerson is a long-time commit at outside linebacker. JUCO pass rusher Junior Aho is also in the class. JUCO inside linebacker Eteva Mauga-Clements just joined the class as an intriguing option. There could still be one extra inside linebacker added plus two outside ‘backers from this group.
- LB Keyshawn Greene
- OLB Kaden Johnson
- OLB Jimari Butler
- JUCO OLB Niko Cooper
Defensive back numbers are tight. The Huskers have three additions coming to Travis Fisher’s room. They feel good about Henry Gray, Ronald Delancy III and Tamon Lynum. He’s still looking to add a least one more from this talented group.
- DB Jaden Francois
- DB Darion Green-Warren
- DB Myles Slusher (Oregon commit)
We can’t rule out the possibility of a surprise name or two surfacing before the early signing period. The staff does too well under the radar to completely discount that chance. This weekend’s final visit list will also give us a sign of who Nebraska is making a final push with.
There is still work to be done and pledges to be announced but there are options left on the board for Nebraska. How well they close on the options will determine how much of a success this class is viewed as. A public flurry of commits will have to take place to elevate the class.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska walk-on commit Keegan Menning posted some photos from the event that took place in Lincoln last night.
Thanks UNL staff & Coaches for a great FB Walk-on Event last night! @kennywhilhite #GBR #Homegrown #ALLN #NWO pic.twitter.com/iC1MPRRiiz
— Keegan Menning (@KeeganMenning) December 12, 2019
>> Chris Paul Jr., a 2021 inside linebacker target from Georgia, is preparing for a state championship game. He received a cool edit from the Huskers on Thursday.
It’s almost ⏰ to FINISH THE DRILL‼️ Thank you @CoachChinander @NEB_Recruiting 🌽🌽#GBR #CougarNation #RingChasing 🏆💍🏃🏽♂️🏆💍🏃🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/UTejb3LaND
— Christopher “POOH” Paul Jr. (@PoohPaul4) December 12, 2019
>> Avante Dickerson, the 2021 4-star cornerback from Omaha Westside, released his top three on Thursday.
Top 3 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/lYwJAcn1zC
— AD #28 (@_dickerson1) December 12, 2019
>> Huskers defensive back target Myles Slusher received his U.S. All-American Bowl jersey on Thursday. Frost went in-home with his family on Wednesday night as the Huskers try to flip him from Oregon.
Congratulations to Myles Slusher, who received his 2020 All-American Bowl jersey this afternoon in the Varsity Training Center. The game will be played Jan. 4, 2020, at noon in San Antonio. @BrokenArrowFTBL pic.twitter.com/2KVERcgUvU
— Broken Arrow Athletics (@batigersports) December 12, 2019
>> Lincoln Southeast defensive back Isaac Gifford picked up an offer from Youngstown State on Thursday.
Blessed to receive an offer from Youngstown State! #GritU pic.twitter.com/DeiBPefM5w
— Isaac Gifford (@IsaacGifford2) December 12, 2019
ICYMI
> > Our recruiting tracker (Premium) has seen plenty of action today including a big change in Frost’s expected travel plans.
>> Tom’s Time looks back at when McCartney got his red-letter day against Nebraska.
>> As Derek Peterson writes, not much is being taken away (Premium) by the Nebraska basketball defense right now.
>> Nebraska is preparing to dip its toes into Big Ten play this weekend with a quick turnaround, writes Jacob Padilla.
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.
