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.
Following Wednesday’s practice, running backs coach and junior college recruiting coordinator Ryan Held spoke to a group of media members. One topic he covered during that time was about the response Nebraska has received from junior college prospects this season and how can they help the team immediately.
“I think in today’s world with injuries and now with this transfer thing going on, you will have to potentially look at junior college kids to fill spots more,” Held said. “Hopefully you don’t get to that point but for us we want JUCO kids that are good kids who can really help fill a need. We are not looking for depth guys. When we recruit a guy, we want a guy that has a chance to start. That’s our job in the evaluation process to find those guys.
“I’ll be honest with you, the reception with all recruits has been outstanding. We can send them a lot of different statistical analysis, especially from an offensive perspective of how much we’ve improved. We just need a few more guys. Then the defense, we have to give them a few more guys at certain spots. When you think about it, as every side of the ball gets better. If the defense gets two more stops, that’s two more opportunities for us on offense. If we are better on special teams, that’s better field position. So, we have to keep improving the roster, you just can’t fix it all in one year.”
Held then went further into the pitch he gives prospects on the offense, especially when considering this is only Year 1 for the staff at Nebraska.
“We have a freshman quarterback and three linemen coming back. We need to keep filling and getting more playmakers,” Held said. “As we continue to build it and change the culture, these guys are having fun every day. If you came to practice you wouldn’t know if we were 10-0 or whatever we are right now. These guys have been awesome. It’s fun to come to work.
“Again, would we like to have more wins? Absolutely but we are getting better each week and every day. That’s what our goal is.”
Right now, it is easy for the coaching staff to sell offensive improvements because the results are real. They don’t have to pitch what things may look like in the future when such positive results have already happened in Year 1. That’s a big advantage on the recruiting trail and a testament to their coaching ability and the players on the roster.
Recruit Watch
>> Huskers defensive back target Jamel Starks is racking up honors for his senior season. He was named athlete of the year and defensive player of the year in 5-AAAAA in Georgia.
DeKalb Recruits is proud to announce that the 2018 ATH of the year Jamel Starks (@jamel_starks) #RecruitDekalb pic.twitter.com/Tjogd7aCld
— Dekalb Recruits (GA.) (@DekalbRecruits) November 14, 2018
>> Michael Henderson, a 2020 ATH from Ranchview High School in Texas, released his top six last night and the Huskers are included on the list.
https://twitter.com/nolimitmikey7/status/1062502902403645440
>> Nebraska’s 2019 quarterback commit Luke McCaffrey is part of a three-headed monster of a rushing attack for Valor Christian. Check out some highlights that were released on Tuesday.
Watch out for the 3-headed monster at Valor Christian 😳@mccaffrey_luke @G28football @Jackhowell1205 @valorsportsnet pic.twitter.com/spi1n9QODw
— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) November 13, 2018
ICYMI
>> There’s a rolling premium thread in the Varsity Club of all the confirmed visitors for the Michigan State game this weekend.
>> Nebraska volleyball announced the 2019 recruiting class.
>> The Huskers’ offense is ‘very excited’ to test themselves against Michigan State’s defense.
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.