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.
We are just two days away from the start of the early signing period and the Huskers are ready.
[ 12.19.18 ]
🔜✍️🌽#B19RedRevival pic.twitter.com/4ljBJ37l7V
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) December 17, 2018
Prospect official visits and coaches’ in-home visits are done ahead of the early signing period opening on Wednesday. I’ve been asked a few times what coaches can do for the next two days to convince recruits to sign with Nebraska until the faxes start rolling in.
We have now entered what’s called a dead period in the recruiting calendar. It runs from Dec. 17 to Jan. 10. Per the NCAA rules, it states:
“During a dead period, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.”
So, coaches can mail prospects things the old-fashioned way or they can call prospects leading up to Wednesday. They can also get creative and make videos like this one with Devine Ozigbo explaining why Nebraska is so great.
https://twitter.com/TrulyDevine_22/status/1074730735884533762
And when you can’t see a recruit face-to-face, it’s those little details in the final hours that can go a long way.
Recruit Watch
>> Josh Downs, a 2020 4-star wide receiver from Georgia, released his top 9 schools. That included Nebraska. Downs is teammates with Husker commit Quinton Newsome. I was able to reach Downs to see what has him interested in Nebraska.
“Coach Frost is a top tier coach and the staff shows me a lot of love,” he said. “The offense fits me well and I am starting to build a good relationship with the whole staff.”
Look for Downs to be a spring game visitor.
https://twitter.com/JoshDowns_/status/1074474032618266625
>> Nash Hutmacher, one of Nebraska’s top 2020 targets, is also a big-time wrestler in South Dakota. He extended his winning streak to 95 matches recently.
Hutmacher @Nashnation72 wins Rapid City Invite to extend winning streak https://t.co/CfZfqdJ4Of
— Joe Hutmacher (@joe_hutmacher) December 12, 2018
>> Add a new defensive line target to the board. Soni Fonua, a defensive end from Mesa Community College, announced on Twitter that he will be taking an official visit to Lincoln the weekend of Jan. 11.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3931882/5bca44f02aa62904e074c6e5
>> Jake Steward, an offensive lineman from Gardner, Kansas, has been offered a preferred walk-on spot by Nebraska. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman has quite a few PWO opportunities.
Excited to receive a w/o offer from the University of Nebraska! Thank you @coachwilhite for this opportunity!! #GBR #Huskers @HuskerFBNation pic.twitter.com/THrlEPacy6
— Jake Steward (@Big_Jake_TM) December 17, 2018
ICYMI
>> I took a shot at predicting what the remaining uncommitted targets will decide before the end of the early signing period. (Premium)
>> Jacob Padilla has his latest high school hoops roundup as Hunter Sallis closed the week with a big game.
>> Husker volleyball found out their final ranking today.
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.
