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.
Let’s go portalling, shall we?
CJ Smith joined Cam Jones as Husker defensive backs to enter the portal this offseason. As it stands now, the only two 4-star defensive backs signed in the 2018 recruiting class have left the team. While that’s not great, it’s worth remembering that defensive back is among the deepest units on the team.
Not only is the position deep, it figures to get better with the freshmen coming into the program. Defensive backs coach Travis Fisher seemed to be excited about his newcomers earlier in the spring.
“I think those guys are really talented and they’re not skinny, bony guys,” Fisher said of the incoming group. “They do have to get stronger but it’s not like those guys haven’t been in a weight room. Myles Farmer is already probably my biggest safety right now. Quinton Newsome is also a big one. Noa Pola-Gates is a little smaller than those guys but he’s more explosive.”
Add in Arizona native Javin Wright (6-3, 190) and the incoming group of players doesn’t appear to need much seasoning on the surface. Of course, not all of those listed will play significant snaps this season but it’s a talented group. In addition, Deontai Williams, Cam Taylor and Braxton Clark all came in during the 2018 class and have multiple years of eligibility left.
In the end, there are are a host of possible reasons that this pair of safeties left the program that don’t have to do with the sky falling in Lincoln. If you are looking for additional silver lining, those scholarships will become extra spots for the 2020 class. That doesn’t automatically mean they will go to defensive backs and will be nice to have as the class unfolds.
It could be worse. According to reports earlier on Wednesday, both of West Virginia’s starting safeties last year are in the transfer portal. It’s a wild time in college football all over the country.
Recruit Watch
>> Last night, Teivis Tuioti, the son of Huskers defensive line coach Tony Tuioti, announced that he received an offer from Nevada.
After a great conversation with @Angus_McClure I’m blessed to have received an offer from @NevadaFootball #Battleborn 🐺🐺@SoutheastFB pic.twitter.com/5IbvQ7At0a
— Teivis Tuioti🇼🇸 (@TeivisT) June 5, 2019
>> One of the top edge-rushers in the 2021 class will be back in Lincoln this weekend. St Louis DE/OLB Travion Ford announced he is coming back to town.
I’ll be @HuskerFBNation this weekend‼️ Can’t wait to get back💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 @coach_frost @CoachChinander @NEB_Recruiting #GBR #Huskers #Blackshirts pic.twitter.com/iehCTL8EOI
— Travion Ford ® (@Tre_Got_Skills) June 5, 2019
ICYMI
>> The special midweek edition of the Varsity Club Podcast is here to talk about what’s next for Husker baseball.
>> The USA topped Korea in volleyball as former Huskers returned to Lincoln.
>> The mailbag is back and the Hail Varsity staff is here to answer your questions, including our picks in a zombie apocalypse.
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.
