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.
A lot is happening with Nebraska recruiting right now. All season it seemed like I was saying that the big push was coming, or that there was an opportunity to seize momentum around the corner. It took a while but the Huskers are heating up.
Less than a week ago, the Huskers had just 14 commitments for the class of 2020. The fun began for the Nebraska last Wednesday. That's when rising junior college linebacker Eteva Mauga-Clements joined the recruiting class. The American Samoa born Mauga-Clements will end up as one of the most intriguing players in the class.
Things really got heated up on Friday though. Offensive lineman Nouredin Nouili announced his decision to transfer to Nebraska. Early in the day, he declared his intention to join from Colorado State. Nouili started several games for Colorado State last season. He hopes to be immediately eligible at Nebraska. Friday night is when the big one happened. Wide receiver Omar Manning announced that he was joining the class of 2020. The Huskers staff recruited Manning very hard. His skillset and size (6-4, 230) are greatly needed on the team. If I had to bet on one player to make an immediate splash in 2020 it would be him.
Normally the last official visit weekend before signing day is busy on campus but not as much with news. If you have waited this long to take that final visit the odds are you will announce on signing day. That is part of why it came as a surprise when 4-star inside linebacker Keyshawn Greene committed to the Huskers. He did so as he was finishing his official visit. The former Florida State commit is a terrific athlete. He is exactly the type of player that inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud is looking for.
On Sunday night, JUCO outside linebacker Nike Cooper joined the Huskers’ class. The defender (6-5, 220) is a unique junior college player with three years of eligibility left. He will give outside linebackers coach Jovan Dewitt another older player. Dewitt’s room wasn’t done adding players since high school outside linebacker Jimari Butler joined the fold on Monday afternoon. The Alabama native is still developing but has a great frame (6-5, 217) and a ton of potential.
There was another addition on Monday. Lincoln Southeast defender Isaac Gifford announced he would be signing with Nebraska.
After a good talk with the coaches this past weekend, I’ve decided to sign with the University of Nebraska!#GBR #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/SSno3MmwEO
— Isaac Gifford (@IsaacGifford2) December 16, 2019
He will be joining the team as a “blueshirt.” Gifford detailed his thought process with Jacob Padilla which is a must-read.
It has been a wild five days for the Huskers on the recruiting trail. There is still plenty left to be answered before the early signing period is over. Several big decisions are left to come in. This could just be halftime of an exciting game to end the 2020 recruiting class.
Recruit Watch
>> Huskers running back commit Marvin Scott III released his senior highlights. It’s easy to see why running backs coach Ryan Held would like him a lot.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1817829/5ddc1ec3a676420d94985ad6
>> Tamon Lynum, the defensive back from Florida, isn’t talked about much in this class but if he hits like he did in his highlights while at Nebraska he will be a fan favorite.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9336272/5dee53965caaa50f0c976408
>> Walk on JUCO punter Taiten Winkel elected to go to Kansas State.
I would like to announce that I will be continuing my academic and football career at KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY! On to the next chapter… #PoundTheStone ⚒💜 pic.twitter.com/eJFgXMsOI2
— Taiten Winkel (@Taiten_wink5) December 15, 2019
>> Priority 2021 outside linebacker target Travion Ford picked up some honors despite a shortened season.
Blessed 🙏🏾Honored to receive 1st 🥇Team All-District and 1st 🥇Team All-State Honors for DE🏈 #ChampionshipDNA #Scholarshiphigh #GodsPlan pic.twitter.com/cfkSi3K9rr
— Travion Ford ® (@Tre_Got_Skills) December 16, 2019
>> Javian Hester, a 2020 wide receiver from Oklahoma, will be signing on Wednesday. This isn’t good for Nebraska who hoped he’d wait until February so he could take an official visit to Lincoln.
I will be signing my NLI Wednesday at 11:30 in front of the auditorium.
— #BeGreat (@JJHester_8) December 16, 2019
ICYMI
>> Early signing day is almost here so that means its time to put in (Premium) predictions. I took a stab at it and things look good for Nebraska.
>> Derek Peterson looks at Husker hoops’ finishing moves, the quarterback-only club and looks into the biggest recruiting get in his latest column.
>> Cam Mack produced the school’s first ever triple-double in a runaway win over Purdue.
>> We are keeping a running tally of when Husker targets are expected to sign (Premium) during the early signing period.
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.
