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.
Adjusting to life amid the COVID-19 spread has been a trying time for everyone. The college football world has been changed in many ways as all organized team activities have come to a halt. Recruiting during this time has had to become more creative. Schools like Kansas and Minnesota are turning to virtual visit days with prospects. Avante Dickerson, a priority cornerback target for Nebraska this cycle, took one of those virtual visits with Minnesota recently.
Thanks to all the coaches that i’ve talked to today over my visit, Enjoyed learning more about Minnesota. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/HEdcCSUMFJ
— AD #28 (@_dickerson1) March 25, 2020
Other schools are starting to get their coaches out there too within the new guidelines. Penn State and Iowa have been doing spotlights on their coaches on social media. That allows recruits to get information that they'd gotten if they took an in-person visit. Iowa State has done some virtual tour videos of their facilities that are soon to be built. Brian Kelly isn’t known for his social media use but Notre Dame has started doing a series called the “Notre Dame Minute.”
As we all stay safe and practice social distancing, my staff and I want to bring the Notre Dame football program to you!
Excited to showcase the ND Minute on @NDFootball! #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/aJ62pnZw4v
— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) March 24, 2020
Teams are doing what they can to adjust and get their message out to recruits. Nebraska is also adjusting as Coach Scott Frost explained during his radio interview on Sports Nightly Tuesday night.
“There’s going to be a big hiccup in this recruiting cycle without being able to have kids unofficially on campus,” Frost said. “We’re trying to find out if we’re going to lose our entire spring recruiting where our coaches go out or not. We’re burning up the phone lines and trying to talk to ‘21 recruits about the great things about Nebraska and trying to get ahead with recruits in the ‘22 and ‘23 classes.”
There are still plenty of questions to answer with how the NCAA will let teams conduct business once the restrictions are lifted. New questions are sure to arise as well since there are so many moving parts. Seemingly, each time one piece of news comes out it creates new things to consider.
For example, on Wednesday the NSAA released a statement that all activities, practices and competitions are suspended through May 1. These suspensions may be extended should the conditions warrant it.
Member schools and student-participants are expected to adhere to the NSAA Constitution & Bylaws and activity manuals during this time. The NSAA encourages all member schools to follow CDC, local, state and federal health department recommendations.
Spring sports will likely not happen in any fashion at high schools across the country. That'll have an effect on recruiting. Track season is important for evaluation of athleticism which helps players get noticed. With schools closed it will also impact the evaluation period. Coaches can't see prospects at their high schools if they are closed. Everyone is getting used to the new reality but there are schools going above and beyond to make the best of the situation.
Recruit Watch
>> Huskers linebacker target Danny Stutsman, who visited Lincoln in January, has been offered by Texas A&M.
After an amazing talk with @CoachSantucci I would like to say I’m blessed to have received an offer from Texas A&M #tamu #12thman #sec @247recruiting @Rivals pic.twitter.com/mYOdVU53Vq
— DannyStutsmanFB (@FbStutsman) March 24, 2020
>> The Huskers showed some love on social media to Illinois running back Trenton Howland.
Nebraska showing love 🌽🔴 pic.twitter.com/pKxcJCnGOE
— T💭 (@HowlandTrenten) March 22, 2020
>> Nebraska is getting out in front with an offer to 2023 Iowa offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor.
Exited to have received my fourth Division 1 scholarship offer from the University of Nebraska!!! 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/px3TlZ6Z4I
— Kadyn Proctor (KP) (@KadynProctor1) March 20, 2020
>> JUCO tight end target Deshawn Hanika was offered by Iowa State on Wednesday afternoon.
I am BEYOND blessed to say I have received my 3rd D1 offer from the IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY🌪🌪🌪 pic.twitter.com/1MKnoeW5FK
— DeShawn Hanika (@DeShawnhanika) March 25, 2020
>> TJ Bollers, who is one of Nebraska’s top targets overall, was re-offered by Michigan State on Wednesday.
Honored to have been RE-OFFERED by the NEW Michigan State staff! @CoachRonBurton @Coach_mtucker #GoGreen ⚔ pic.twitter.com/YRKrqFlv84
— TJ Bollers (@tj35ballin) March 25, 2020
ICYMI
>> Brandon Vogel is taking you Beyond the Box Score to look at the 2007 Nebraska versus Auburn Cotton Bowl.
>> Padding The Stats gives takeaways from Fred Hoiberg’s first year in Lincoln.
>> The mailbag is back to tackle the difficult question of who you’d bring to your island cult and more.
>> The women’s basketball team was hit hard with attrition on Wednesday as two players announced their departure.
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.
