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.
We are now in full swing for the 2021 recruiting class for Nebraska. Official visits are being set up for this summer. Unofficial visits are being planned out for spring practices. That’s coming on the heels of an exciting finish to the 2020 recruiting class for Nebraska s well. There is a lot of discussion on which incoming players from both high schools and the junior college ranks that will be able to contribute to Nebraska for the 2020 season.
Before we can get to those players, what about the guys who redshirted in 2019?
Scott Frost’s program was aggressive with redshirting last season. Frost and his staff are taking a long-term building approach to the rebuild in Lincoln. Four scholarship players from the 2019 recruiting class burned their redshirts. There were 27 total scholarship additions to the roster that class. So, a whopping 85 percent of that class redshirted last season.
Who are a few players that you are looking forward to seeing and hearing about as spring football gets underway in a couple weeks? Let’s highlight a few guys that people were excited about as recruits who could make a nice jump.
Linebacker Nick Henrich
The former 4-star recruit was one of the most important pieces of the 2019 class. He spent a chunk of last year banged up. Henrich had a should injury after arriving in Lincoln needing to rehab a high school knee injury. The spring could be huge from the Omaha Burke star. There are snaps up for grabs in the inside linebacker group and the competition isn’t getting easier. JUCO transfer Eteva Muaga-Clements is in Lincoln and prep star Keyshawn Greene is on the way.
Defensive lineman Ty Robinson
Robinson was a huge victory on the recruiting trail for Nebraska. He chose the Huskers over Alabama, USC and Oregon. When we saw him in limited action in 2019 he was getting reps at nose tackle. Will he stay at that position or kick back outside to be a stout defensive end? I don’t think the question with Robinson this spring and season is if he will play. The question is how much he’ll play and if he can push for a starting role.
Offensive tackle Bryce Benhart
I saved the guy who will be the most talked about redshirt freshman for last. The key to the 2020 season in my mind is how quickly the offensive line can gel. That starts during spring practice. Nebraska must figure out the question of whether or not Benhart is ready to hold down the right tackle spot. Benhart played sparingly last season but when he did offensive line coach Greg Austin said he looked like he belonged out there. If he progresses the way most expect him to he could vault himself into a starting role in his second year on campus.
There is a lot of intriguing young talent on Nebraska’s team. That’s a good thing since the team is still young. There are always unexpected players who make big jumps from one spring to the next. Nebraska will also need the players they fought the hardest for on the trail to start showing consistent flashes too.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers showed love to the family of priority 4-star outside linebacker Travion Ford with some nice hand-written notes.
Thank you @HuskerFBNation @coach_frost @CoachChinander @coachwilhite for the postcards❤️ #GBR @Tre_Got_Skills pic.twitter.com/sH3d0UGAey
— Tricia Ford (@Lelee702) February 22, 2020
>> Nebraska continues to be active with tight ends in the 2021 class. They offered a scholarship to Colorado pass catcher Gunnar Helm on Friday.
Unreal! Thankful and honored after talking with @CoachBeckton to announce that I have received an offer from the University of Nebraska! Thank you @HuskerFBNation for the opportunity! #GBR 🌽🟥@CCNextLevelFB @sheridanswag @CoachE_AutheniK pic.twitter.com/TdZ2K3lo6r
— Gunnar Helm (@gunnar_helm) February 21, 2020
>> Keeshawn Silver, a defender from North Carolina, included the Huskers in his top group. Silver is one of the top defensive ends on the East Coast this cycle.
Wanna Thank God for all the Opportunities! 🤟🏾🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/KcDv52a8dU
— Keeshawn Silver (@_jumpman74) February 21, 2020
>> Nebraska signee Nash Hutmacher is still rolling with his dominance on the mat. His latest pin, his 69th in a row, came in 24 seconds. Hutmacher is
It took @ThePolarBear605 about 24 seconds to get consecutive pin No. 69 and win the region 3A Championship for 5th year in a row! pic.twitter.com/CWRTvnsDqP
— Joe Hutmacher (@joe_hutmacher) February 22, 2020
ICYMI
>> As Derek Peterson writes, Nebraska loves Charlie Easley because he is as Nebraska as it gets.
>> Despite the Nebraska loss, it was a memory-making moment (Premium) for the Hoibergs when Michigan State came to town.
>> It was a special senior day for Nebraska’s coach on the court on Saturday.
>> Check out the sights and sounds of Nebraska beach volleyball’s season opening 5-0 sweep.
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.
