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.
Each coaching staff at Nebraska has their own unique spin on recruiting. For each staff there seems to be a position that we end up talking about more than others. Under coach Scott Frost, it feels like we are always talking about wide receivers. It felt like more numbers were needed at the position when the staff first arrived at Nebraska.
As a result, the staff has consistently loaded up on pass catchers in each recruiting class. The results have been mixed. The team is still searching for consistency at the position. Another thing that happened along the way as more time has passed with these coaches. Size has become an emphasis at the position.
In Frost’s first full recruiting class, the team signed four players that got to Lincoln and played wide receiver.
- Wan’Dale Robinson (5-9, 175)
- Darien Chase (6-1, 175)
- Jamie Nance (6-0, 160
- Demariyon Houston (6-0, 165)
The 2020 recruiting class saw the start of the shift. You can see the mixture of body types the team brought the team.
- Zavier Betts (6-3, 190)
- Will Nixon (5-11, 185)
- Omar Manning (6-3, 215)
- Marcus Fleming (5-11, 165)
- Alante Brown (5-10, 180)
In the 2021 class, there is no way to hide the team went after size.
- Shawn Hardy III (6-3, 190)
- Latrell Neville (6-4, 190)
- Kamonte Grimes (6-3, 200)
So far in the 2022 recruiting class, the Huskers have one receiver verbally committed. Florida wideout Victor Jones Jr. stands at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds. The trend of Nebraska going after more size out wide has been brought up to the Nebraska coaching staff this spring.
In his first press conference of spring practice, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Matt Lubick summed it up neatly.
“In a perfect world, you always want the biggest, strongest, fastest athlete,” Lubick said.
With Jones already in the class, what’s next for the Huskers at the position?
This class could end up being smaller. Let’s operate under that assumption. It makes sense that there is just one more spot left at the position this cycle. Should the team add another player with a good size and speed combination? Or should they look for a speedster who might be smaller?
There are options for whichever way the team goes. The dream prospect would be Texas native Brenan Thompson. He is among the fastest players in America and stands at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds. We’ll see if the Huskers can stay in the race long enough to get a visit. The Huskers could dip back into Florida if Quan Lee (5-10, 170) ends up as part of the class. He’d be another speedy addition. If the Huskers want more size, the team won’t have to look far. Kansas City wideout Quinton Conley (6-4, 210) has long been a preferred target of the staff.
There are still good options on the board for the Huskers. They continue to reshape the receiver room under Frost. The Huskers have good talent on hand at the position. Now the search continues complementing the pieces that are being developed on campus.
Recruit Watch
>> Lewis Central quarterback Braylon Kammrad is working himself into a prospect to watch for the 2023 class.
Thank you @Stumpf_Brian for the invite! @Elite11 @QBHitList @Warren_Academy @SBock247 @PrepRedzoneIA pic.twitter.com/r2IhhH0TMn
— Braylon Kammrad (@KammradBraylon) April 10, 2021
>> Husker linebacker commit Ernest Hausmann plans to be at Nebraska’s spring game.
Got the tickets! Spring game here we come ⚪️🔴 #GBR
— Ernest Hausmann (@Ernest_Hausmann) April 10, 2021
>> Oklahoma 2022 pass rusher Desean Brown picked up an offer from the Huskers over the weekend.
Blessed to receive another power 5 offer from Nebraska @YellowjacketsFB @CoachGBryant @EJCOACHT pic.twitter.com/PCwsw1SVO3
— Deseanbrown (@DeseanBrown2022) April 11, 2021
ICYMI
>> The Huskers had a number of newcomers enroll early to participate in winter conditioning and spring practice. I took a look (Premium) at what the coaches are saying about the players so far.
>> Jacob Padilla has your look at the Nebraska NCAA Tournament storylines which there are plenty.
>> Derek Peterson looked into Nebraska being excited (Premium) by wide receiver Samori Toure.
>> The bond between Adrian Martinez and Mario Verduzco helped the pair through tough times (Premium) as I wrote this weekend.
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.
