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 February edition of the Greg’s Guys list is out.
Greg’s Guys is my monthly list of my top 10 players in the class based on Nebraska’s needs, how a player fits in the scheme and talent now drops the first Tuesday of each month. As the end nears for the 2021 class, we have flipped the page to the 2022 recruiting class. This is the first list featuring that group.
The Huskers will have a challenge ahead building another top 25 class this cycle. The NCAA has continued the dead period, putting visits on hold until late April. Until then Nebraska will continue relying on virtual visits and Zoom.
There is no way to capture the whole picture with 10 top targets. There are several players who just missed the cut for the initial list. Let’s highlight a few.
OLB Devon Jackson (Omaha, Nebraska)
The Omaha Burke star is rated as one of the top outside linebackers in the country for the 2022 class. His offer list reflects that as Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Nebraska and many others are chasing him. The Irish could be major players in his recruitment but he is pretty open at this point. Nebraska continues to recruit Jackson (6-2, 200) hard but it’s an uphill batter for the talented athlete.
WR Jay Rockwell (Cedar Hill, Texas)
The Huskers are young at wide receiver but its safe to say they’ll take at least one in the 2022 recruiting class. Rockwell (6-3, 185) fits the bill of the type of receiver the Huskers have seemed to switch toward in recruiting. He released a top four back in October that included Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and UTSA. He wants to enroll early and have a decision made sooner than later.
LB Ernest Hausmann (Columbus, Nebraska)
Hausmann is the least talked about of the five early in-state offers Nebraska has made for the 2022 cycle. That hasn’t stopped his recruitment from continuing to grow regionally. He recently picked up an offer from Kansas State which he described as a humbling experience. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound linebacker could play either inside or outside linebacker in college. Nebraska is making a strong effort to recruit him.
“I think it’s a good relationship,” Hausmann said. “They are clearly making an effort to grow our relationship. I’m seeing that. I’m looking forward to growing the relationship as well. It’s been really awesome experience just communicating with them and learning more about Nebraska.”
Like most recruits, Hausmann is eager to get on the road to visit schools. He wants to choose a school before his senior season.
Recruit Watch
>> Bellevue West tight end Kaden Helms got another Big Ten offer when Illinois offered on Tuesday.
Extremely blessed to have received a scholarship offer from The University of Illinois! @BretBielema pic.twitter.com/lp7jitF5uR
— Kaden Helms (@KadenJHelms) February 2, 2021
>> Omaha Burke linebacker Devon Jackson was offered by Miami on Monday night.
Blessed to have received an offer from Miami University!!! 🙌🏾 #305 @T_WILL4REAL @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/OeJSctLHL6
— Devon Jackson (@DevontheJet402) February 2, 2021
>> The Huskers landed in the top eight for Missouri defensive lineman Marquis Gracial.
TOP8️⃣‼️ @PennStateFball @MizzouFootball @AlabamaFTBL @HuskerFBNation @OU_Football @CycloneFB @UKFootball @IndianaFootball @StChuckFootball @AllenTrieu @GSV_STL @JPRockMO pic.twitter.com/ni9MMin1oO
— Marquis Gracial (@gracial_marquis) February 1, 2021
ICYMI
>> The Straight Up Breakdown podcast dives into portal talk and we do a Super Bowl party food and drink draft.
>> EA Sports is bringing back a college football game and all is right in the world again writes Derek Peterson.
>> Fred Hoiberg offered an update as the Huskers approach return at Michigan State.
>> Check out the video of John Cook talking about postponed matches and more.