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.
During the recruiting process, a high percentage of recruits list “ability to prepare me for the NFL” as a top trait they are looking for in a future school. There is a confidence needed to be a high-level athlete and with that confidence comes a belief that they are all going to the NFL after playing college football.
Can't wait to get this Draft Started tomorrow! #GBR #Blackshirts #DayByDay pic.twitter.com/fjwIWip9HY
— Erik Chinander (@CoachChinander) April 22, 2020
Schools realize this and sell their ability to develop players quite a bit on the recruiting trail. Whether it happened at your current school or anywhere before that, just having player development history on your resume is important. For this year’s draft the Huskers have four solid draft hopefuls. Cornerback Lamar Jackson plus defensive linemen Khalil Davis, Carlos Davis and Darrion Daniels all have a chance to hear their names called this weekend. There will be more selections this year (four) than in the previous three years combined for Nebraska if all four are selected.
The Huskers have had a slew of successful undrafted free agents from the school in recent years. That also helps and is a great way to make some noise in the NFL. However, getting back in the discussion where players know they can be developed be draft picks coming from Nebraska is crucial.
We haven’t gotten to the point where “Frost recruits” are draft eligible yet so all of this isn’t on him. That doesn’t absolve him completely though because if any of the players he coached but didn’t recruit get drafted, then Nebraska will use that with future recruits. It doesn’t help matters that the schools Nebraska wants to compete with in the Big Ten are very good at developing NFL players. The whole conference is chasing Ohio State when it comes to number of draft selections. But Iowa and Wisconsin have been excellent in recent years of producing NFL talent.
Everyone wants Nebraska to get back to being a school that is pumping out multiple NFL Draft picks on an annual basis. There is a long history of that for the Huskers that has slipped in recent years. This could be the year that things get back on track to start building again as Nebraska hopes for its most selections in an NFL Draft since 2016.
Where will the chips fall for our future #ProBigRed? pic.twitter.com/necM0hVBLQ
— Nebraska FB Recruiting (@NEB_Recruiting) April 23, 2020
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers have been sending out NFL Draft related edits to their targets. Here is the one that Georgia athlete Amari Wansley received.
Thank you @HuskerFBNation @NEB_Recruiting for showing love‼️ pic.twitter.com/9hq8tooTv2
— Amari Wansley🎒 (@amariwansley3) April 22, 2020
>> Omaha Westside lineman Cade Haberman committed to Northern Illinois on Thursday.
Committed🔴⚫️#NIU2k21 #TheHardWay #CornHuskies @WHS_WarriorFB pic.twitter.com/OA4NWQSlZe
— Cade Haberman (@Habs_51) April 23, 2020
>> Missouri 2021 offensive lineman Beau Stephens committed to Iowa on Thursday. It remains to be seen if that takes Iowa out of the running for priority Husker target Marcus Mbow.
After an exciting recruiting process, I have decided that the University of Iowa will be the best place for me to continue my academic and football career. Thank you Coach Ferentz @CoachTimIowa and @CopelandKelton for making this an easy decision. #SWARM21 #Committed pic.twitter.com/WTh5gNNHwz
— Beau Stephens (@BeauStephens70) April 23, 2020
>> Louisiana 2022 quarterback target Walker Howard continues to rack up national offers. Penn State is the latest school to offer him.
Blessed to receive an offer from Penn State! #WeAre @KirkCiarrocca @EThatchRC pic.twitter.com/bRIVauukAE
— Walker Howard (@Walker_Howard4) April 23, 2020
>> Penn State also threw their hats in the ring for 2021 Iowa outside linebacker TJ Bollers.
After a great call with @CoachJScott_DL I'm honored to say I've received an offer from Penn State University!! #weare 🦁@PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/6RpvvKw1AG
— TJ Bollers (@tj35ballin) April 23, 2020
ICYMI
>> Jacob Padilla took a look back through the Huskers’ first round NFL Draft history.
>> Athletic Directors around the country have weighed in on the likelihood of football in 2020. Brandon Vogel has the latest in Hot Reads.
>> Fred Hoiberg and the Huskers are navigating a unique spring (Premium) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
>> We’ve got all the information you need on the NFL Draft 2020 in one tidy spot.
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.
