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.
Spring football is getting close to kicking off. It will start a bit earlier this year. The Huskers will be replacing the field turf at Memorial Stadium after the spring game. We know that the Huskers have undergone a dramatic makeover. The roster additions and new coaches on the staff will keep things fresh. Half of the team’s offensive and defensive starters have departed.
A lot of focus will be placed on what the newcomers can bring to the team. There will be plenty of time for that. I’d like to focus on a few players that are young in the program who need big springs to solidify their spots on the team.
Wide Receiver Alante Brown
Nebraska has made a concerted effort to mix things up at wide receiver. There is a new coach at the position with Mickey Joseph in town. The team brought in transfers Isaiah Garcia-Castenada and Trey Palmer. Each should have an inside track to playing time based on experience alone. Omar Manning and Zavier Betts figure to be key players for Nebraska in 2022. Oliver Martin and Wyatt Liewer also return. Brown has shown flashes in limited action but is he ready to step into a larger role in a crowded room? A new coach and a healthy spring will be huge for him if he hopes to make a move.
Defensive Back Marques Buford
The competition among the defensive backs this offseason could be very fun. There is an intriguing mixture of talent coming into the program and players returning. Only one full-time starter returns. Defensive backs coach Travis Fisher likes to cross-train his players. My first question about Buford is what position will he play? Depending on how things shake out around him, he could help the team at safety or cornerback. How quickly will the program settle on his position so he can speed up his development? I can see Buford having a big role this season despite lots of newcomers ready to gobble up snaps.
Tight end Thomas Fidone
When Nebraska landed Fidone out of high school most felt like it was a matter of time before he made a splash in the program. He development was stunted last year with an unfortunate knee injury. Things were coming together for him on the field before that injury. Fidone will get the opportunity to be the number one tight end this spring. Travis Vokolek is sidelined with an injury. If Fidone lives up to his potential quickly, he has a chance to change the look of the offense. He’ll get all the reps he can handle this spring to show what he can do. How he develops will be an intriguing storyline through the spring.
Competition is going to be a big buzz word this spring. The table has been set for it with the changes to the program. Coach Scott Frost wants to see extra focus from the players returning. He spoke about this during his signing day press conference.
“The little things are going to help us win and attitude is going to help us win,” Frost said. “But with some of the numbers we have now at those positions, those guys better take advantage of their reps if they want to be on the field. I think that competition is gonna help stimulate effort in practice.”
The Red-White Spring Game is set for April 9 at Memorial Stadium.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska 2023 quarterback target Avery Johnson was offered by Memphis.
blessed and excited to receive an offer from the University of Memphis🐅 #gtg @tcramsey19 pic.twitter.com/6zBlmamJ8W
— Avery Johnson (@avery2johnson) February 20, 2022
>> Kansas City 2022 wide receiver/tight end target Quinton Conley has made his college decision. He will be walking on at Kansas.
Committed!🔵🔴 I will be accepting a PWO at KU. Thank you @CoachLeipold @CoachTSamuel @Kotelnicki for the opportunity. #RockChalk
KCMO➡️Lawrence KS pic.twitter.com/doWuYqghof— Quinton Conley (@quinton_conley) February 19, 2022
ICYMI
>> Nebraska women’s basketball assistant Chuck Love was suspended and Ashley Scoggin was removed from the roster.
>> Bryce McGowens is leaving his mark on and off the court at Nebraska.
>> History was made as girls wrestling made its debut at the Nebraska state wrestling tournament.
>> The women’s basketball team ignored the off-court distractions in a win over Minnesota.
>> It wasn’t the opening series that Nebraska baseball wanted as the Huskers leave Huntsville, Texas, with a 1-3 record following their 6-3 loss to the Sam Houston Bearkats on Sunday.
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.
