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 questions never stop in the recruiting world. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to talk about so we take reader and listener suggestions on questions. I then answer the questions in a quick video. This week’s topic comes from @HuskerTom1997. He wants to know who the Huskers’ next 2023 commitment could be and when fans can expect more commitments.
We can start with the second part of that question. There is so much anticipation around portal additions right now. I think it’s making some fans uneasy about the 2023 recruiting class. That shouldn’t be the case. The Huskers are in a great spot right now with five players in the class. The coaching staff is focusing on building that class too.
We are in a slow period right now with commitments but that’s not unique to Nebraska. That is the case all over the country. There is a reason for that. We are close to summer official visits. If players haven’t committed by now they’ll want to get a trip or two in before committing to a school. That makes total sense. Plus, coaches are out on the road and working the phones to secure those summer official visits. This summer figures to be a busy one for Nebraska.
It’s possible that the Huskers will land a commitment out of the blue. It’s unlikely until official visits begin in late May. There are a handful of players with potential to join Nebraska’s 2023 class sooner than later.
Scottsbluff offensive lineman Brock Knutson was recently offered by the Huskers. Both he and Lincoln High athlete Beni Ngoyi are in-state players that the Huskers are surging with. Each could shut things down this summer.
Texas defensive lineman Riley Van Poppel will take an official visit to Nebraska in June. He’s been to campus before and has the Huskers high on his list. A good official visit could help Nebraska secure his commitment. Another out of state player to watch is Joshua Manning. The wide receiver was in Lincoln for the spring game. He’s built a good relationship with wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph.
One other thing to keep in mind about players committing is if they want to enroll early. Elkhorn South standout EDGE Maverick Noonan is going to be an early enrollee. He will likely want to commit this summer. He’d know exactly which academic requirements he needs to fulfill to go to college early.
There is one looming factor that could cause prospects to pause on getting in the Huskers’ class. This is a major season for coach Scott Frost at Nebraska. Another slow start to the season could raise serious concerns if he and his staff will be in Lincoln beyond this season. That might make recruits take a wait and see approach on how the season starts. The flip side to that is if Nebraska starts the year hot it will look more attractive to recruits and transfers.
Patience is key right now when wanting to see the 2023 recruiting class grow. It’ll happen but there are key factors that need to be ironed out first.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers in Texas visiting high schools on Monday and stopped by the home of 4-star 2023 defensive end Trey Wilson.
Thank you Nebraska for checking out our kids @HuskerFBNation @LC_PAT_NATION @LMS_Lumberjacks @CCBMS_Braves pic.twitter.com/GRYJGu3E5e
— Coach E (@JahmikalE) May 2, 2022
>> Nebraska offered Texas 2023 4-star defensive back Micah Bell on Monday.
Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Nebraska @BryanApplewhite @CoachLarned @Coach4343 @NatlPlaymkrsAca pic.twitter.com/V8ZMaVOf5v
— Micah Bell (@Bell11M) May 2, 2022
ICYMI
>> Scott Frost received a one-year show-cause order for a countable coaches violation.
>> The Huskers pushed Iowa over the weekend but the Hawkeyes won the series.
>> We’ve got a photo gallery of all the baseball action this weekend.
>> Jacob Padilla and Damon Benning have an all you can eat basketball buffet in this week’s Nebraska Preps Postgame show.
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.
