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 will talk a lot in the coming weeks about what happened to put together the 2020 recruiting class. We will talk about the flurry of commitments that elevated the class. We'll discuss the big recruiting wins in the class, who can contribute early, etc.
All those topics and more are worth exploring.
There is something else to keep in mind as we go through the analysis of this class with a fine-tooth comb. When the Huskers commits became signees in the 2020 class they all realized a life-long dream. The hard work and sacrifice by the players and their families was all wrapped up in that signature.
Signing day meant a lot to each new Husker.
Defensive back Tamon Lynum
“It means that all that hard work I put in is paying off. All those late nights and early mornings that I was doing all this training. All the praying is finally paying off.”
Offensive lineman Turner Corcoran
“You know it’s everything that I’ve put into myself and my craft to get where I am today. All the countless hours and minutes that I’ve spent working on the classroom and the field. Just grinding it out. Being able to put the work in and have it pay off. It’s National Signing Day and feels great.”
JUCO defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne
“It means a lot to me. I overcame a lot of stuff. I’m from a place where people don’t make it out. If they do, they don’t go places like Nebraska to play college football. It feels so good to have this opportunity.”
Offensive lineman Alex Conn
It’s a blessing. I’ve been wanting to have this opportunity to play at a higher level since I can remember it’s a life-long dream! And it’s meant everything to me.”
There was one unique signing for the 2020 class for Nebraska. Wide receiver Zavier Betts was not scheduled to sign during the early signing period. A phone call from coach Scott Frost changed that.
"It's not that I was sad or anything but I was happy for Nebraska for getting all these recruits and all these kids signing Wednesday,” Betts explained. “And then finding out yesterday that I was going to sign, I was like, 'Oh, so I get to be a part of this.' I was like, 'I don't get to miss out.' I thought I was going to miss out a little bit because I signed later. When I got that call, it was like, 'Oh, I'm part of this now, so this is going to be awesome.'"
In a football sense, this is a great recruiting class. There are a lot of prospects to look forward to seeing develop as Huskers. Still, it’s worth pausing on the talk of star-ratings and instant-impact transfers. We can also appreciate the life-changing moment this is for so many kids and families.
Recruit Watch
>> Priority 2021 outside linebacker target Travion Ford added another offer when Washington State joined the mix on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/Tre_Got_Skills/status/1208948607845568512
>> Omaha Westside 2021 cornerback Avante Dickerson posted some pictures from a recent unofficial visit to Ohio State.
https://twitter.com/_dickerson1/status/1209196479195353088?s=21
>> Alabama 2021 4-star outside linebacker Deontae Lawson included the Huskers in his top 10.
Top 10… it’s still open ⌛️ pic.twitter.com/iEtBDu1l0E
— Deontae Lawson (@deontae_8) December 19, 2019
ICYMI
>> Derek Peterson explores why the 2020 recruiting class is an opportunity for Frost to say ‘I told you so.’
>> I caught up with new defensive line signee Pheldarius Payne (Premium) who knows that the Huskers are close to something big.
>> Erin Sorensen dove into the early attention (Premium) that Bellevue West wide receiver Keagan Johnson has received.
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.
