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.
This time of year is usually filled with coaches on the road evaluating prospects. That coincides with coaches visiting high schools to check in while they are attending satellite camps. Teams are also hosting camps of their own. While these events are happening, there are other showcase events. Nike’s The Opening, regional camps and the 5-Star Challenge are a few examples.
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has effectively wiped out camp season. There is big lag in evaluations for prospects. So, it’s difficult to accurately rate and re-rate prospects. For a school like Nebraska that prides itself on evaluating a lot of prospects, that lag doesn’t matter much internally. But recruiting rankings are based on those rankings.
Since we ultimately keep score in the short-term on who did well based on the recruiting rankings at the end of the cycle, those adjustments that happen for prospects play a big role in perception of the class. Had there been a normal camp season this year, which Husker commits would have had the chance to impress?
Offensive Lineman Teddy Prochazka
The Elkhorn South standout checks in at 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds. He has plenty of room to keep adding good weight. He’s a good run blocker who will keep getting stronger over time. Prochazka also has good footwork and the ability to bend well. That helps his ability in pass protection. I’m not sure why he isn’t rated higher already. Maybe if he had been able to hit the camp circuit it would have helped.
Outside :inebacker Patrick Payton
The edge rusher—who stands at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds—was a surprise to Husker fans when he committed but he’s been very productive during his high school career. In 2019, Payton was a Miami Herald All-Dade 8A-5A first-team selection. He posted a 17.5 sack season at Miami High. He could have made a big impact at camps showing off his rush ability off the edge, especially if he dominated some good offensive linemen.
Quarterback Heinrich Haarberg
All the measurables are there for Nebraska’s quarterback commit. At 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, he’s big. He runs track for Kearney Catholic High School and has done well there so he’s athletic too. If you doubted that you can see him throwing down dunks on Twitter.
I can throw it up and down @ThomasFidone 😇 pic.twitter.com/sfJLX0Kqmo
— Heinrich Haarberg (@HKHaarberg10) May 29, 2020
As a junior, Haarberg threw for 1,869 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also rushed for 468 yards and four touchdowns. Who knows where his recruitment would have skyrocketed to if he had been able to get on the camp circuit to show his skills. With or without camps, Haarberg will be very fun to watch develop during his senior season.
Recruit Watch
>> Huskers wide receiver target Cristian Dixon is leaving California to play for Michigan.
LOVE ME OR HATE ME BUT REGARDLESS YOU GOTTA FEEL ME #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/brm7LbG3BD
— Cristian Dixon (@Dixondoesit8) June 25, 2020
>> Minnesota 2023 tight end target Jaxon Howard continues to pick up early offers from around the country. Last season’s champs LSU offered him on Thursday.
After a great conversation, Blessed to receive an SEC offer from Defending National Champions @LSUfootball Excited to learn more about the culture @Coach_EdOrgeron
Coach Linehan @WillieHoward77 @JoshHelmholdt @AllenTrieu @HamiltonESPN @cooperhawksFB @GameFaceTr #GeauxTigers 🐯 pic.twitter.com/V5Ok2FQ0nD— Jaxon Howard ✪ 2023 ✪ (@jaxonhoward11) June 25, 2020
>> Tyler Maro, a 2021 lineman prospect from Iowa, picked up an offer from Oklahoma State.
https://twitter.com/tylermaro/status/1275876650320826370
>> The Division I Council has extended the recruiting dead period (for all sports) once again. No in-person recruiting can take place now through at least Aug. 31.
The Division I Council has extended the recruiting dead period: https://t.co/cGExRdbLrl pic.twitter.com/se3BFgg8wY
— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) June 25, 2020
ICYMI
>> The Huskers are taking advantage of every path (Premium) to build up the walk-on program and Jacob Padilla has good insight there.
>> Derek Peterson is here to give you the power index for the 2020 slate of home games for Nebraska.
>> Tom’s Time is back to look at how mental lapses marred the Huskers win over Arizona State in 1992.
