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 2020 class saw Nebraska recruit the state of Florida with great success. Seven of Nebraska’s 23 signees hailed from the Sunshine State. Defensive backs coach Travis Fisher played a key role in bringing defensive backs Henry Gray, Jaiden Francois, Tamon Lynum and Ronald Delancy to Lincoln. He was also critical in signing wide receiver Marcus Fleming, plus linebacker Keyshawn Greene.
One of the keys to landing those prospects was painting a picture for them of what life could be like at Nebraska. Not just while playing but after their playing days were over. Competition for those prospects was tough yet Nebraska has a unique selling point in Fisher’s mind.
“The one thing that stuck out was [at] Nebraska, you have an opportunity,” Fisher said. “Not only to play or compete cause of depth but you also have the ability to be somewhere that when you are my age, you can always bring your kids back here. Your name will not be forgotten here.”
It turns out that Fisher was not using a metaphor about painting a picture. Another thing that he says stands out about Nebraska is what you see on the walls while walking through the facilities in Lincoln. It’s not just hall-of-famers on the wall. You see Academic All-Americans up there, some from as far back as 1918 and those pictures are never dusty. That says something to recruits and their families about how much Nebraska cares.
Choosing to build your legacy so far from home has its challenges though. It helps recruits to see Fisher who is from Florida thriving at Nebraska. It also helps to see other kids from the South on the team. It gives prospects other people to talk to when they go through shared experiences.
Still, there is one more important piece of the puzzle. That part has nothing to do with Fisher but he says it might be the most important piece of all.
“When you have a coordinator like [Erik] Chinander and a head coach like [Scott] Frost that doesn’t mind reaching out to these kids and staying on these kids on the phone as much as they can,” Fisher said. “It really helps guys like me out. When you are battling with let’s say Texas A&M on a kid. When Jimbo [Fisher] calls it’s not Travis Fisher they want to talk to. It’s Scott Frost they want to hear from. That’s one key piece that is big. That helps those kids because they are able to talk to the guys in the big shoes.”
That last piece is such a key ingredient to the Huskers success on the recruiting trail in the Frost Era so far. It seems like it should be a slam dunk that the head coach and coordinator would help the assistants. Yet, that is not always the case.
The wins have not piled up the way anyone would like the first two seasons under Frost. As Fisher highlights the staff is striking the right chord with recruits. It’s not hard to imagine the Huskers taking another step or two forward once the wins come.
Recruit Watch
>> Before recruiting stopped around the country offensive line target Bryson Estes got a visit into Florida State.
Great visit at FSU yesterday. Can’t wait to get back. #GoNoles 🍢🍢 @Coach_Norvell @FSU_Recruiting @FSUFootball @CoachAAtkins @KennyDillingham pic.twitter.com/srrpEemksh
— Bryson Estes (@Brysonestes77) March 13, 2020
>> Kearney Catholic quarterback Heinrish Haarberg picked up an offer from Wyoming on Friday.
Thrilled to have received an offer from the University of Wyoming! Thanks @CoachCBohl and @bvigen pic.twitter.com/Eb9XzoPpA4
— Heinrich Haarberg (@HKHaarberg10) March 14, 2020
>> De’Anthony Lewis, a 2021 running back from Texas, was offered by Nebraska.
#AGTG BLESSED to receive an offer From the University of Nebraska 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/zGlCvUsIsb
— De’Anthony Lewis♠️ (@Dlew_30) March 13, 2020
ICYMI
>> The Big Ten suspended all team activities until April 6 amid COVID-19 concerns.
>> I wrote about the implications of the newly enacted manatory recruiting dead period.
>> Western Ilinois graduate transfer Kobe Webster committed to Nebraska over the weekend.
>> Jacob Padilla has your gamer from Bellevue West taking home the Class A State Championship with a late rally.