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 topic comes from @dmhusker1 on Twitter.
Can you explain how the Husker coaches manage offers/commits? If they only have one slot open for a position, does the first to commit get it even though lower ranked than 9 other offers?
— royalsfan2 (@dmhusker1) June 13, 2021
This is one of the toughest parts of recruiting. It’s a constant juggling act for the Nebraska coaching staff to manage how to handle offers and commits. There are a couple things that help the coaches out though.
It’s fairly rare that a player will get an offer and commit on the spot. That typically only happens with in-state players that grew up a fan of the program or legacy players who have always dreamed of playing for the team that a relative did. Since it’s rare that it happens that way, the team doesn’t have to worry so much about “instant commits” messing with the recruiting board.
Also, players generally want to take some time between getting offers and committing to a school. They want to see if more offers come in from new schools. The players are also getting to know the coaching staffs and schools that have offered which takes time. All that smooths the process out a bit when it comes to the juggling act.
Still, it can be a real issue. Running back recruiting is an example right now in the 2022 recruiting class. During the first week of official visits, Justin Williams came in for his visit and loved Nebraska. The second week saw Ashton Hayes from Nevada come in. The Huskers are likely to take just one player at the position. They’ve been up front with the players letting them know that. In that case, it’s unlikely that whoever is ninth or tenth on the recruiting board would be allowed to just commit today and the Huskers accept it.
Remember that commitments are a two-way street. A player really can’t just commit to a school without the school accepting him as part of the class, so that’s the ultimate way for a school to let a player know he doesn’t have a firm spot. That’s a pretty rare situation too.
It should be noted the Huskers’ board differs from recruiting services. So whichever player is the ninth best running back the team has offered might not be ninth on the team’s board. In-house evaluations are done on each prospect that will differ from recruiting services. The program also has the benefit of more information like character evaluations and academic information.
Ultimately, this can be a tricky line to walk from time to time. Recruiting is a high wire act that can have some unsavory elements. But in general, honestly is the best policy that serves everyone in the long run.
Recruit Watch
>> Husker legacy Chris Brooks Jr. is excited to head to Miami (OH) for his next visit.
Excited to visit to Miami Ohio tomorrow! @MiamiOHFootball @IWMiamiFootball @RedHawk_Recruit
— Chris Brooks Jr. (@chris_brooksjr2) June 14, 2021
>> Brayden Loftin, a 2023 tight end from Council Bluffs, picked up his first Power Five offer on Monday.
So blessed to have received my first power 5 scholarship offer from Kansas State University. Cannot thank the staff enough for this opportunity! @CoachMessingham @CoachJRay @CoachKli pic.twitter.com/swHeKK4rlM
— Brayden Loftin (@BraydenLoftin1) June 14, 2021
>> Missouri 2022 offensive lineman Keanon McNally will be at Friday Night Lights this weekend.
Busy week ahead!
KU on the 15th – @CoachSchoonie
MU on the 17th – @CoachCaseyWoods
Nebraska on the 18th – @CoachRHeld— Keanon McNally 6’10” 285 (@KeanonMcnally) June 14, 2021
ICYMI
>> The Huskers have landed their 2022 quarterback. Texas native Richard Torres verbally committed to the class on Monday.
>> Nebraska impressed (Premium) 4-star Florida defensive back Markeith Williams during his official visit weekend.
>> Derek Peterson explained why an expanded College Football Playoff is a huge win for the sport in his latest column.
