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 results for Nebraska football under Scott Frost have not met his or fan expectations so far. It’s not a stretch to say that no one wanted the coach to be 9-15 through his first two seasons. That is where we stand right now though. Despite the record, Frost and his staff have been able to sell the program to recruits in a quest to turn the program around.
The staff has been honest on the recruiting trail about the need for more playmakers. Time was also needed to develop them to get the Huskers back to a competitive football program. Their work in recruiting has paid off with back-to-back top 20 recruiting classes. The 2019 and 2020 classes are the type that Frost needs to stack to build depth in the program.
Now we turn toward a new season after the Big Ten released the slate of games. The 2021 recruiting class is mostly built and sits at 14 commitments. What has to happen on the field for Frost to show a proof of concept to the next batch of recruits he hopes to sign? I often think about a quote from Frost after the Purdue game last season. This was before Nebraska started a big-time run of commitments to finish the 2020 class.
“People see where this is going and we’re not going to lose sight of that,” Frost said. “This group has done an unbelievable job of getting the program turned. It’s certainly not happening as fast as I want it to. But we’re gonna get it done. That’s why I’m here. [We] knew this thing wasn’t in great shape when we took it over and we knew we had a lot of things to fix. We’re in the process of doing that.
“I think there’s a tremendous opportunity for recruits to come in and try to make an impact early. That vision and opportunity is going to help us on the recruiting trail a lot.”
Fall camp has begun in Lincoln. The Huskers are producing content as usual. We are heading toward Nebraska’s season opener on Sept. 5 against Rutgers.
08.08.20#GBR x #TheGoodLife pic.twitter.com/S53aeDrzPo
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) August 8, 2020
Right now, the Huskers have a 2020 slate of 10 games to show improvement on the field. It will start becoming difficult for the team keep selling that they are close to breaking through on Saturdays if it doesn’t happen this season. We are uncertain times though. This offseason has been weird for everyone in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season, in whatever form we get, has the potential to be unlike any other.
The Huskers feel like they have the team that can break through. Frost has a lot of his recruits in place and it looks like the team has worked hard this offseason. From the videos we’ve seen from head strength and conditioning coach Zach Duval, there hasn’t been much time wasted.
Now it’s time to show the 2021 class and beyond where the program is going.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska 2021 defensive end target Derek Wilkins committed to Cal over the weekend.
BERKELEY, I’M COMING HOME
COMMITTED.
💙💛🐻 pic.twitter.com/1th8VvwADK
— D🚂 (@derekwilkinss) August 8, 2020
>> Elkhorn South linebacker Makhi Nelson-Douglas committed to Northern Illinois. The Huskies have done a nice job recruiting Nebraska recently.
Just getting started🐺 pic.twitter.com/ldDptmn3kJ
— Makhi Nelson-Douglas (@Makhi_02) August 8, 2020
>> Former Husker Jaiden Francois is transferring to Central Florida. The Florida native will end up staying in-state.
Charge on⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/JuVK6RSf3h
— 2️⃣✈️ (@jHumble22) August 7, 2020
>> Talented 2022 Bellevue West tight end Micah Riley was offered by Kansas as he keeps piling up offers.
After a call with @JoshuaEargle , I am extremely happy to announce I have received a scholarship offer from The University of Kansas! #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/Fx8cJdD8ip
— Micah Riley (@micah_r_d) August 7, 2020
ICYMI
>> I spent the weekend at the Kansas City Showcase Camp (Premium) and came away impressed with the players and coaches in attendance.
>> In Derek Peterson’s latest piece in the Coaching from Home series, he caught up with Husker volleyball assistant Jaylen Reyes to see how he worked through the pandemic.
>> The Big Ten delayed padded practices and football must remain helmets-only.
>> Omaha Public Schools suspended all fall sports on Friday afternoon and I took a look at the potential impact (Premium) for recruits.
>> Jacob Padilla has the unique story of how former Husker Steffon Bradford is still competing at 42 years old.
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.
