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.
When we got a chance to speak with Nebraska’s assistant coaches ahead of spring practice a couple of weeks ago, new defensive line coach Tony Tuioti spoke about the differences in recruiting to Cal versus Nebraska.
He recognized that you have to get bigger guys that are stout and can play the run. In the Big Ten, you also need some athletic guys to chase the quarterback when it’s time to do that. At Cal, it was a different scope that he had to use because of the academic process. At Nebraska, he can recruit a wider group of players.
The opportunity is there to take a look at the junior college programs and what type of players you can get out of there. At Cal, it’s tough because it’s hard to get kids from the East Coast to come there. Nebraska is centrally located so you can really get kids from both sides of the country.
Tuioti is excited to recruit different types of kids but also laid out what he believes his recruiting areas of focus would be for Nebraska.
“West Coast is obviously my area that I feel most comfortable with,” Tuioti said. “I used to live and coach in Las Vegas, Northern California, the Bay Area where I’ve lived. Plus, I grew up in Orange County. So pretty much anywhere in California you can drop me in and I can find someone for us. I have some good relationships in Arizona. Also, in Utah I have a lot of family and friends out there. Obviously, Hawaii too.”
Over the last week, Tuioti has been hard at work stacking his recruiting board and sending out new scholarship offers. Here is a list of some of the most recent offers made:
- DL Solatoa Moeai (Hawaii)
- S Alaka'i Gilman (Hawaii)
- DL Kobe Pepe (California)
- DL Van Fillinger (Utah)
- S Kamo’I Latu (Hawaii)
- OL Myles Murao (California)
- 2021 OL Tiaoalii Savea (Nevada)
- 2021 TE Moliki Matavao (Nevada)
- 2021 DE/OLB Logan Fano (Utah)
There is clearly a pattern forming with the location of the offers. They all cover the areas of focus that Tuioti laid out during his roundtable prior to spring ball. Keep in mind that this staff recruits by area and not position when you notice that he was first point of contact for positions not on the defensive line.
It will be fun to continue to track Tuioti’s impact on the recruiting trail for Nebraska since it already appears he is opening new doors.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska’s 2020 quarterback commit Logan Smothers started off his track season with a gold medal in the 100m.
Super proud of my brother @logan_smothers 2020 QB @HuskerFBNation commit on walking away with the gold medal in the 100m with a 10.93! Great start to the season! #GoLo #RunTough #GBR pic.twitter.com/VS4C8VMIJM
— Smothers (@luke_rylan) March 16, 2019
Smothers also won a gold medal in the 200m.
James Clemens Invitational, Athens HS @logan_smothers 🏈 claims another Gold Medal winning the 200m w/ a 22.31
— Shane Smothers (@CoachSmothers5) March 16, 2019
>> A couple of 2020 recruits from Deerfield Beach, Florida, showed Nebraska some love on Twitter after getting a cool edit.
That’s you if you ask me #GBR https://t.co/GHqZ95mU3S
— Deajaun McDougle (@Goatboidea) March 15, 2019
>> The Huskers offered Theo Johnson, an intriguing 2020 tight end from Canada.
Blessed to receive my 25th divison 1 offer from The University of Nebraska pic.twitter.com/Lw0hGoB8ms
— Theo Johnson🇨🇦 (@theo_Johnson_) March 16, 2019
ICYMI
>> Turner Corcoran, a 2020 4-star offensive lineman, made another trip to Lincoln. This time he took in a practice and told Hail Varsity his impressions. (Premium)
>> Derek Peterson has the story of Nebraska hoping that the family that eats together, wins together.
>> Jacob Padilla runs it back to look at Glynn Watson’s strong performance against Wisconsin.
>> The Husker coaches talked surprises from the first year in the Big Ten. (Premium)
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.
