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.
Coach Scott Frost explained on the Big Ten Network this week that this football program needs to get used to having expectations again. There used to be a day where every season opened with lofty goals. Often times, those goals were met both before and during Frost’s time as a Nebraska player.
Another thing this program has a reputation for is having great running backs. Some of the best in school history include Mike Rozier, Johnny Rodgers, Lawrence Phillips and Ahman Green. There have been some outstanding backs in recent years too — Ameer Abdullah, Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead.
How close would running backs coach Ryan Held say his group is to meeting the standard set by the players before them?
“We are getting closer. We have an opportunity to get some kids in this recruiting class too,” Held said following Wednesday’s practice. “Which, hopefully if we hit on that and do well in recruiting, we can get a few more guys to add to the room that can really close the gap in terms of the type of guys we want. In this offense it’s a little bit different than the past. We have a little more flexibly in what we do offensively and the type of guys we can get. We have to get big strong physical running backs that can run because of the type of league we are in. It could be a Michigan State game where it’s 9-6 and you have to be pounding that thing up in there.
“So, you can’t have a bunch of small guys. We like our speed ‘duck’ guys because of the matchup difficulties they create. We are closer. Again, we as a coaching staff and me personally take a lot of pride in doing everything I can to get that position back to where running back is a position of strength.”
To get the running back room back to where the coaches believe it should be, there will be strong competition. Held is upfront during the recruiting process that prospects should come to Lincoln prepared to fight for a spot.
“Well, what I tell them is you are coming into a historic place,” Held said. “Two, you are going to be treated right. Three, you better be ready to compete. You aren’t going to be given anything, that’s not how this world works. You are going to be put in a position to be successful. Then it’s up to you to make plays. I try to give the guys the tools when we watch film. Here’s the play, here’s what the front is, here is what the blocking scheme is and here are the opportunities for the big play. We talk about that all the time.”
The competition moving into the future just got tougher on Wednesday. Nebraska added 3-star (HV Rating: 85.7) running back Sevion Morrison to the mix. Held likely expressed to Morrison that a new type of running back room is building in Lincoln that looks a lot like the old ones.
Recruit Watch
>> New running back commit Sevion Morrison posted a cool edit that Nebraska did for his commitment.
Wassup big 10 #Committed #GBR pic.twitter.com/tpmr6sDwuM
— Sevion morrison ⚡️ (@SevyMorrison28) August 21, 2019
>> Ryan Keeler, a 2021 defensive end from Illinois with a Huskers offer, picked up an offer from Oregon State.
Blessed and honored to receive my first #PAC12 offer from Oregon State University!! @J_Rodgers18 @LegiSuiaunoa @TevitaLose #BuildTheDam @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong247 @JoshHelmholdt @EDGYTIM pic.twitter.com/ho6glVEmaJ
— Ryan Keeler (@ryankeeler71) August 21, 2019
>> Georgia athlete Desmond Tisdol released a top group that included the Huskers.
This is it💯 Thank you God🙏🏽 No Order✊🏽 @GeorgiaTechFB @GATALifestyle @TroyTrojansFB @GamecockFB @FloridaGators @HuskerFBNation @AuburnFootball pic.twitter.com/MkK8QDWGqU
— Desmond Tisdol⭐️ (@Des_Tisdol) August 20, 2019
ICYMI
>> I gave five thoughts on the commitment of Tulsa running back Sevion Morrison. (Premium)
>> Derek Peterson spoke with tight ends coach Sean Beckton and Travis Vokolek will redshirt but hopes are high for 2020.
>> Check out the practice report as Nebraska begins its prep for South Alabama.
>> The Hail Varsity staff is back to answer your questions in the mailbag, including what has to happen for the Huskers to win the West.
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.
