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 Huskers pulled off something pretty unique on Saturday. For the first time since I’ve covered Nebraska football, the team held an open practice. Fans and media could attend and get a look at the team ahead of the Red-White Spring Game on May 1. Since the event was open to the public, that also meant that recruits could technically come to the event.
Since recruits haven’t been able to interact with coaching staffs in-person or visit campuses since last March, this was a welcome change for some players. The Huskers do typically utilize their practices as a selling point to recruits. Seeing a practice allows prospects to see how the team operates behind closed doors and how position coaches interact with their players.
One of the players that made it to Lincoln on Saturday was 2023 tight end/defensive end Jaden Hamm. The Kansas native enjoyed his time in Lincoln.
Fun day trip to Nebraska. Thanks for the invite @CoachRHeld and @CoachBeckton. pic.twitter.com/gLAtPKRmrQ
— Jaden Hamm (@JadenHamm) April 17, 2021
“It was a great experience and fun to be at,” Hamm said. “Just seeing how practice was run and what kind of drills they like to go with was good to see.”
Hamm already has nine early scholarship offers including Nebraska, Michigan and Penn State. He liked what he saw enough to tell me that he will be back in Lincoln for the spring game in May.
Another player that made the trip to Lincoln was 2023 4-star offensive lineman Cayden Green. He already stands at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds as a tenth-grader. He holds 14 scholarship offers from around the country. The Missouri native wanted to get a feel for Nebraska.
— Cayden Green (@CaydenGreen3) April 17, 2021
“I personally have never been to Nebraska so I just wanted to see the stadium and see how a practice was run,” Green said.
The lineman has been in contact with area recruiter Ryan Held. He looks forward to getting to know offensive line coach Greg Austin more. Green can’t make it back to Lincoln for the spring game because his brother has an AAU basketball tournament that weekend. He does plan to come back to visit in June.
While it doesn’t look like the Huskers have a large amount of recruits on hand for practice, the day was impactful for those who made it. If a good impression was made for an open practice it’s safe to assume the spring game will make a huge impression on prospects. The team has several players lined up to be in attendance that day. It was a good day for recruits to check things out along with 4,000 or so Husker fans.
Recruit Watch
>> Husker 2022 linebacker commit Ernest Hausmann was at the open practice taking things in.
Man can’t wait to join this team⚪️🔴#GBR pic.twitter.com/Vf0YEEj36e
— Ernest Hausmann (@Ernest_Hausmann) April 18, 2021
>> Justin Williams, a 4-star running back from Georgia, will be taking an official visit to Nebraska.
Lincoln here we come ! #GBR pic.twitter.com/Zksva9QW5S
— JUSTIN WILLIAMS AKA J-WILL (@sh4fty) April 16, 2021
>> Mason Ludwig, a 2023 offensive lineman in Ohio, got some work in by an unconventional method recently.
Getting in some work after baseball practice. Thanks, @pottercoachlud pic.twitter.com/QTIVpiPKoE
— Mason Ludwig (@mlud_13) April 17, 2021
ICYMI
>> Nebraska volleyball aced its Baylor test to advance in the NCAA Tournament with Lauren Stivrins.
>> Omar Manning stole the show (Premium) in the Huskers open practice on Saturday.
>> Check out thoughts from me and Derek Peterson on the Huskers open practice.
>> John Peterson also captured he action and has a photo gallery of the event.
>> Nebraska basketball picked up a nice addition when former DePaul wing Keon Edwards committed to them.
