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.
ESPN recently put together a big list of rankings titled ‘Position U’ as a way to settle the never-ending Twitter debate between fan bases about which schools are the best at producing players are each position group. The way they formulated the list is as follows:
“ESPN Stats & Information dug deep into the numbers, culled details on all-conference performers, All-Americans, NFL draft picks and stars from the pro ranks, and came up with a formula to determine the official rankings for the schools best at producing quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, running backs, linemen, linebackers and defensive backs.”
The debate is limited to the BCS and College Football Playoff era—so just 1998 through last season—which is probably why you don’t see Nebraska on any of the position top 10 lists. That sobering thought actually illustrates something about Husker football that needs to change rather quickly. Nebraska needs to have an identity. There should be certain position groups under Coach Scott Frost that everyone just expects to be good.
I would strongly argue that quarterback will be that position group first and foremost. It is the most important position perhaps in all of sports, so that’s a great thing if it comes to pass. Just to lay it out, it should be noted how difficult and how much consistency would be needed to beat out No. 1 or No. 2 on the QB list. USC was first with Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez and Sam Darnold. Oklahoma was second with four Heisman winners in the past 15 years: Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Still, Adrian Martinez and his bright future are a great start.
Beyond that, as Husker fans, what would be your selection for what you would like to see Nebraska known for?
Considering Nebraska’s tradition, I think offensive line is the safe selection. ESPN’s list features three Big Ten schools (Wisconsin at 2, Michigan at 4 and Ohio State at 5) in the top 10. Based on the start that offensive line coach Greg Austin is off to, it’s not out of the question to think Nebraska could make some noise here.
Getting Nebraska back on lists like this isn’t going to be a quick fix even if a huge boon of success comes to the program in the next few seasons. The consistency of these schools at producing talent is what really jumped out to me when looking through it. For example, Clemson is the current power of college football yet they only appear at No. 2 in the defensive line rankings (despite recent success at quarterback and wide receiver).
Sometimes stepping back and taking a big picture view is needed, even if it reveals that a lot of hard work is ahead.
Recruit Watch
>> Ryan Keeler, a 2021 prospect who visited Nebraska this summer, picked up an offer from Wisconsin while visiting there over the weekend.
After a great visit at Wisconsin, I am excited to announce that I have received an offer from The University of Wisconsin!! #Badgers @UWcoachnokes @SWiltfong247 @AllenTrieu @EDGYTIM @JoshHelmholdt pic.twitter.com/ckFTvl4CmU
— Ryan Keeler (@ryankeeler71) July 25, 2019
>> Iowa Western Community College wide receiver Marcus Rogers committed to Troy on Monday.
Committed⚔️ @CoachStrohmeier pic.twitter.com/C9CumZs7XQ
— MARCUS ROGERS (@_Marcusjr2) July 29, 2019
>> The Huskers have made the cut for 2020 pass rusher Regen Terry from Arizona.
Top 6🔥!!! My recruitment is still 100% open!! @HuskerFBNation @Utah_Football @KStateFB @BroncoSportsFB @ArizonaFBall @BCFootball @CoachChinander @CoachMikeTui @CoachSumlin @Coach_SD @Coach_KMcDonald @BCCoachAddazio pic.twitter.com/LJLPmSe3o9
— 🐕 (@RegenTerry_7) July 29, 2019
ICYMI
>> Lets take a trip down memory lane (Premium) and remember Andre Hunt as a recruit and let me explain why he could make some noise the fall camp.
>> Erin Sorensen dove into Scott Frost and all the expectations on Nebraska this season.