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 questions never stop in the recruiting world. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to talk about so we have been taking reader and listener suggestions on questions. I then answer the questions in a quick video. This week’s question is something wants to go away from the hot topic of quarterbacks for a bit. It comes from LED on Twitter. They want to know what the upcoming schedule is like for the Huskers. Plus, what the priorities are for the team and if there are any JUCO or high school recruits left out there for the team. There is a lot in this question so let’s dive in.
QBs, QBs, QBs. Instead let's talk about the lifting of the dead period. What does the schedule look like for the Huskers starting next month? Any future JuCo/HS signees?
— L. E. D. (@lredeugene) December 27, 2021
First there is an important date to keep in mind. It seems like Nebraska newcomers are preparing to report to Lincoln on Jan. 9. That means winter conditioning will start around that time. The other important date to keep in mind is Jan. 14. That is when teams can host official visitors on campus. That will be important for many reasons.
Will we make it that long before a transfer quarterback is committed to the program? It would be unusual but not unheard of for a quarterback to join Nebraska without taking an official visit. Let’s say we make it nine more days before a quarterback commits. Seeing who comes to campus that weekend will be a huge indicator of what’s to come. Classes start for Nebraska on Jan. 18. Coach Scott Frost will want to have the new signal-caller on campus for that.
There are other big items to keep an eye on in the coming days and week. What happens at running back for the Huskers? Nebraska has an opening still at running backs coach. It feels like that is the last piece of the staff puzzle to be decided. It makes sense to look outside the program for this hire and the opportunity is there to make a splash. Will Frost take the big swing? Once there, is a running backs coach in place the next running back related question can be answered. That question on my mind is are the Huskers done with running backs this offseason?
Nebraska has young running backs on the roster but no one has separated from the pack. Minnesota native Emmett Johnson is on his way to Lincoln as part of the 2022 class. Will Nebraska look for another high school back if it can land a top-end player? The portal could be an option here too. If the Huskers hire a new position coach from outside the program he could bring someone new to the table. We saw that with wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph and Decoldest Crawford.
Offensive line will continue to be a focus for the program. The team added a second transfer offensive lineman on Sunday. That’s when Hunter Anthony announced he was joining the team. The Huskers could decide to look for an experienced center in the portal or from JUCO. After losing Cameron Jurgens early to the NFL Draft the team has a hole in the middle of the line. We also need a better sense of what new offensive line coach Donovan Raiola thinks he can mold the current linemen into. Perhaps there is a potential center already on the roster.
There is a lot that needs to unfold in the days and weeks ahead for the Huskers. Expect plenty of news between now and the February signing day. the Huskers try to get the program turned around under Frost.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska 2023 defensive line target Jerod Smith has some big goals for his senior season.
New Year's Resolution List
20 Sack Season
Already done everything else 👿👿 pic.twitter.com/aoLhS8fLXI— Jerod Smith (@Jerodsmith44) January 1, 2022
>> Class of 2022 prospect Mikey Pauley announced his commitment to Nebraska baseball and football on Monday. He was previously committed to just Husker baseball.
#GoBigRed Football & Baseball🌽 pic.twitter.com/bXFCvuFLzh
— mikey pauley (@mvpauley44) January 3, 2022
>> Hawaii 2023 linebacker target Liona Lefau was offered by USC on Monday.
Let’s Go! Excited to receive an offer from the University of Southern California!!✌️🔴🟡 @CoachBOdom @CoachGrinch @bangulo @Rivals @coachsterls @Solmatix7 #FightOn pic.twitter.com/rBlin6ECo0
— liona lefau (@LefauLiona) January 3, 2022
>> Minnesota running back Ky Thomas has entered the transfer portal after having 824 yards and six touchdowns in 2021.
I want to thank my coaches, teammates and The University Of Minnesota. I have entered the transfer portal. – Ky Thomas
— 8️⃣ (@Ky_Thomas) January 3, 2022
ICYMI
>> Missed free throws opened the door as No. 13 Ohio State rallied to beat Nebraska in overtime.
>> John Peterson has a great photo gallery from the Huskers’ near-upset.
>> Steve Marik started a new series scoring the 2022 Huskers. Up first is Nebraska’s wide receivers.
>> The Huskers were thankful to land Mississippi defensive back Malcolm Hartzog (Premium) after the secret got out about him.
>> Amy Williams learned something about her team and Sam Haiby has the Michigan game circled as Steve Marik writes.
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.
