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 March edition of the Greg’s Guys list is out. The list—my top 10 players for Nebraska’s recruiting class based on needs, how a player fits in the scheme and talent—has turned the page to the current cycle.
There were some shake ups on the list as spring practices get underway at Nebraska. There is always some give and take on the list based on how needs are presenting themselves for Nebraska. Wide receivers will certainly be something to keep an eye on. Even with reinforcements arriving this summer the Huskers will need to keep the pressure on wideout recruiting this cycle.
We had our first running back make this list this time around when Amari Daniels broke onto the list.
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.
WR Brody Brecht (Ankeny, Iowa)
I’m keeping a close eye on the Iowa wide receiver. He’s a terrific athlete that stars in baseball and football. He’s visited Lincoln several times and at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, he would be another good weapon with size on the outside. He has visits on the horizon to Kansas and Kansas State over his spring break. Then he told Hail Varsity he wants to narrow things down. The Iowa schools are a threat but Nebraska is a nice sleeper here.
OL Marcus Mbow (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
The Wisconsin lineman is the only player to drop off the list this time. He debuted at No. 8 on the list originally. Mbow (6-6, 285) would be a great choice to finish the class. Nebraska is trying to hold off Iowa here but Mbow did delay his intended commitment. That was in part because he didn’t get to visit Lincoln in January. Finding athletic big guys is always nice. Nebraska can be selective on the next lineman to add. Teddy Prochazka and Henry Lutovsky are in the fold already for 2021.
DE Ryan Keeler (La Grange Park, Illinois)
Finding quality prep defensive linemen is a key to the 2021 recruiting class for Nebraska. The Illinois defender has been to Nebraska three times in the last year. While he most recently visited for Junior Day in January, he spoke with Hail Varsity after his first game day experience in Lincoln back in September.
“The whole experience was amazing,” Keeler told Hail Varsity. “The fans are wild, when I was on the field before the game and I looked around in the stands every single seat was filled. Walking though the parking lot and seeing all the fans tailgating was super cool. During the game the different chants were super loud and the whole stadium was participating. I definitely can fit in their defense. I was talking to [defensive line] Coach Tuioti about the defense and he said that I could play any position on the defensive line because of my abilities.”
Keeler has made the rounds to the other regional programs that are after him. Nebraska will surely aim to get a return trip this spring.
Recruit Watch
>> Gavin Sawchuk, a 2022 running back from Colorado, picked up an offer from Stanford on Monday evening.
Blessed to say I have received an offer to play football at Stanford University. Huge thanks to @CoachDavidShaw , @Coach_Gould & the rest of the staff for this opportunity. Thanks to the coaching staff at Valor, #GoStanford #weaponx @GoValorFootball @valorsportsnet pic.twitter.com/qG8lpBQdM7
— Gavin Sawchuk (@G28football) March 10, 2020
>> Offensive line commits Teddy Prochazka and Henry Lutovsky will be in Lincoln this weekend. It certainly won’t hurt having them around to peer recruit.
Lincoln this weekend 👀
— Teddy Prochazka (@TeddyProchazka) March 10, 2020
— Henry Lutovsky (@Luto_72) March 10, 2020
ICYMI
>> It’s huge news Nebraska announced a first of its kind brand-building program for student-athletes.
>> The Husker basketball team is starting over in the Big Ten Tournament. But they’ll have two new players after turning to football for help.
>> Check out the behind-the-scenes story from Erin Sorensen on how Noah Vedral got ready for this opportunity.
>> Derek Peterson has the story on Chris Hickman’s dual role (Premium) and his window of opportunity this Spring.
>> Kearney Catholic quarterback Heinrich Haarberg was the first practice visitor (Premium) for the Huskers yesterday. He gave Hail Varsity his thoughts on the visit.
>> We have a running list of expected Junior Day visitors (Premium) for the Huskers event this weekend.
>> Mike Dawson’s boomerang journey led him back to Nebraska, writes Jacob Padilla.
