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 first 2021 edition of the Greg’s Guys list is out. The list is my top 10 players for Nebraska’s recruiting class based on needs, how a player fits in the scheme and talent, and we have officially turned the page to the current cycle.
There are some interesting trends from the initial list. Six of the 10 players are from the 500-mile radius. Nine of the 10 have already visited Lincoln, with several having visited many times before their senior year. It will be a fascinating recruiting cycle for Nebraska as the program looks to step forward on the field. That step forward—should it happen—will elevate recruiting this cycle. The catch is that several targets want to make decisions before the season. Still, 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 2021 list. Let’s take a look at those players.
OLB Travion Ford (St. Louis, Missouri)
Ford was easily the prospect I struggled the most with on where to place. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he would make a great rush end or stand up outside linebacker in college. He’s been to Lincoln several times and always speak highly of Nebraska. Ford has interest from schools all over the country so competition is fierce. He could skyrocket up the list with another good visit to Lincoln in the spring.
WR Brody Brecht (Ankeny, Iowa)
The Iowa wideout is one of the many Power 5 level players in the state of Iowa this cycle. He’s been to Lincoln a couple time getting more comfortable with each visit. He’s a good athlete with great size (6-4, 190) that could give the Huskers another big-bodied weapon on the outside. It will be tough to pull him away from Iowa and Iowa State but the Huskers are giving it a great shot.
RB Devin Neal (Lawrence, Kansas)
The Kansas native was in Lincoln last month for the smaller of the two Junior Days that the Huskers held. The 3-star (HV Rating: 84.8) runner spent most of the visit around running backs coach Ryan Held who he got to know well on his visit.
“I spent a good 30- or 45-minutes watching film with Coach Held,” Neal said. “He was talking about different plays and what he likes in a running back style. He likes that I’m a bigger back but also a speed guy. I can also go out into the wide receiver role and run routes. Or I can come in on a motion and still do run plays. Being versatile and dynamic as a back is what he liked about my game.”
Neal’s versatility makes him an intriguing option in this class. His ability to visit frequently could help as more schools get involved in his recruitment.
This could turn out to be a great year for Nebraska recruiting. The Huskers could make waves nationally by locking up a lot of the area talent while also branching out to the South.
Recruit Watch
>> The honors keep coming for No. 1 Greg’s Guy Thomas Fidone. He has committed to play in the US All-American Bowl in January.
COMMITTED! pic.twitter.com/XQ7Bvjd7Fn
— Thomas Fidone II ²⁴ (@ThomasFidone) February 19, 2020
>> Bellevue West wide receiver Keagan Johnson has set his official visit date with the Huskers.
https://twitter.com/_keaganj/status/1230204879823613952
>> Micah Riley, a 2022 tight end from Bellevue West, has picked up an offer from Kansas State.
Extremely happy to announce I have received a scholarship offer from Kansas State University! ⚒ pic.twitter.com/34i7Blu6LY
— Micah Riley (@micah_r_d) February 19, 2020
>> Incoming wide receiver Elliott Brown is in the weight room getting ready to join the team as a walk on this summer.
Lil squat action❌ #wardaddy #duvalbrothers #3×5 @GibbieDuval @TheXplosiveEdge pic.twitter.com/EUtDrdenle
— Elliott Brown (@brown_e14) February 19, 2020
ICYMI
>> The Hail Varsity staff is back to answer your questions in the mailbag including which Nebraska storylines we are looking forward to this spring.
>> Michigan State will offer a tough test plus a family reunion for the Huskers and Fred Hoiberg.
>> In the latest Padding the Stats Jacob Padilla explains why transfer freedom is a massive but needed change.
>> Check out Padilla’s five thoughts (Premium) on the sold-out Lincoln North Star at Millard North game.
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.
