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.
Summer workouts are usually a fun time for teams. It typically means that football is around the corner, while media days start to ramp up. This year, however, there is a cloud hanging over college football and the country in general. It’s OK to be excited that Nebraska’s head strength and conditioning coach Zach Duval posting workout videos. It’s easy to see starting center Cameron Jurgens moving heavy weight and picture him pancaking defenders in the fall.
Straight Rage baby, Get it Loud,get it violent and let the Dogs Go Hunt! #nebraskaFootball #huskerpower #wardaddyup @CameronJurgens pic.twitter.com/10coRuFkCN
— Zachary Duval (@zduval1) July 13, 2020
The culture building part of Coach Scott Frost’s rebuild job in Lincoln is hard to wrap your arms around. There is no real concrete way to say that the culture has improved. Generally, people will point to it being improved once the wins start piling up which hasn’t happened yet for Nebraska. Still, teams with good leadership will be able to handle all the uncertainty responding to COVID-19 better. Last month, Frost told reporters via Zoom he that he felt good about the leadership on his team now.
“I think this is the first time we feel like the team culture is where we want it,” Frost said. “It can always get better, but I feel really good about where we are as a football team right now and the type of people we have on our team. Our leadership on the football team has been invaluable throughout this time because without complete access to our players, a lot of stuff has to be led by them and organized by them. Really, through the challenge of this, I’ve seen the leadership grow, Coach Duval’s seen the leadership grow.”
We often talk about programs needing an identity. The culture of Nebraska football could become a major asset if that culture is built the right way. The hope could be that this becomes the type of program that churns out talented gym rats who embrace hard work. I think that’s why this staff often references finding players that “love football” so much. That would be an identity for a program that’s been in search of one for 20 years.
This tweet from transfer tight end Travis Vokolek had to make Frost smile.
Best strength staff in the country! Love going to work everyday with the guys!! GBR https://t.co/Jo5pT9WVzy
— Travis Vokolek (@tvokolek2) July 11, 2020
Things will be tough for programs around the country. For now, this might be a time to block out everything and work in preparation for a season. It’s difficult to keep pushing through with so much uncertainty but you have to hope that you have the right guys in your program to lead regardless.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers did not make the cut for JUCO defensive back De’Jahn Warren.
#BoomerSooner 🔴⚪️#GBO 🍊#RollTide 🐘🔴#Noles 🍢#GoDawgs 🐶#Terps 🐢#WeAre 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WY02e2vyS1
— De’Jahn “Nugget” Warren (@Ayoooo_daeee) July 12, 2020
>> One of the top tight ends in the 2021 class Dametrious Crownover included the Huskers in his top five.
https://twitter.com/Dametrious1/status/1282502792800854018
>> Iowa lineman Tyler Maro picked up an offer from Utah on Monday.
After a great phone call with @coachjharding I am excited to have received an offer from the University of Utah. I'm looking forward to learning more about everything @Utah_Football has to offer. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/l3wJMPzwfY
— Tyler Maro (@tylermaro) July 13, 2020
ICYMI
>> In Derek Peterson’s latest column, he takes a look at options for embracing a wild, wild West of scheduling.
>> As Jacob Padilla notes, depth could be more important than usual for Husker volleyball in 2020.
>> The Moore To It Podcast is back to talk about the fickle game of golf with Mike Schuchart.
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.
