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 offseason has been dominated by transfer portal talk but that could be shifting soon.
The Huskers have added 13 players from the portal this offseason as of today. There is still a strong chance that number will grow. Defensive line recruiting has been the priority for the team since spring football. Ochaun Mathis is more of an EDGE player but will provide more pass rush to go along with Garrett Nelson. Texas Tech defensive tackle transfer Devin Drew could end up being a key piece for the team even though he was under the radar.
Defensive lineman Stephon Wynn visited Lincoln last weekend. It appears that he will be deciding soon between Nebraska and Georgia Tech. Wynn (6-4, 308) would fit nicely into the Huskers’ defensive front as a rotational player and provides needed experience. The South Carolina native appeared in 12 games in four years at Alabama after attending IMG Academy. The Huskers are still monitoring Taylor Lewis who may take an official visit in June.
Defensive line isn’t the only spot Nebraska is looking to fill. The Huskers are looking at adding best available type players to boost overall depth.
Texas transfer wide receiver Marcus Washington fits into that category. The former four-star recruit caught 18 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns in 2021. He played in each of the team’s 12 games and logged seven starts. He’d be a nice addition to compete for playing time in a crowded but wide-open receiver group.
Time is running out though for players to join the program. There isn’t a hard deadline for transfers to be on campus but there is a preferred time for them to be in Lincoln. Summer conditioning is starting up for the program this week. The players from the 2022 recruiting class that didn’t enroll early are moving to Lincoln.
Welcome to town @Timmybleekrode! 😄 pic.twitter.com/V9fnXMneOq
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) May 18, 2022
Nebraska would love to have extra transfers get involved with conditioning as soon as possible. That would help them get in better shape within a college conditioning program. It’s harder to stay in Big Ten shape on their own as they decide on a school.
There is also a team bonding aspect to keep in mind. There is no substitute for comradery built from tough workouts. The team has so many new transfers and players working back from injury it makes informal practice important. The rules prohibit coaches from running organized practices but the team will get together on their own. Defensive lineman will want to study film together to fine-tune technique. Quarterbacks and wideouts will need to throw and catch a lot of balls together this summer. That’s something quarterback Chubba Purdy mentioned after the spring game.
“We got a week off and then after that we are right back at it working out in the weight room,” Purdy said. “We are going to get together with the receivers, throwing routes and going over plays. We are still going to be doing stuff to get better. Then once fall camp happens, it’s on. We’re going to get together and throw every other day in the offseason. The receivers are going to understand which quarterbacks have a strong arm and which will zip it or float it in there. When we get that connection with the receivers, they are going to be just fine.”
All these smaller details take on more importance this offseason. The program needs more wins under coach Scott Frost and that led to a coaching staff and roster overhaul. That raises the stakes for this season but it makes the first game of the season more important. A Week Zero conference game pushes up the timeline of the offseason. It also increases the pressure.
The focus is about to shift to the 2022 season for Nebraska. It’ll be easier for the coaching staff to do that when the roster gets settled.
Recruit Watch
>> Nebraska 2023 priority target Malachi Coleman was offered by USC.
#AGTG After an amazing conversation with @CoachRoyM I’m blessed to receive an offer from @USC_FB !! @Rivals_Clint @SWiltfong247 @AllenTrieu @LEHS_FB pic.twitter.com/QukHxffqaa
— Malachi Coleman (@ChiColeman23) May 21, 2022
>> Class of 2025 quarterback Jack Wallace released his summer camp schedule and the Huskers are one of his stops.
Camp Schedule❗️
June 3rd – Lindenwood
June 4th – Iowa State @CoachJGordo @DerekHoodjer
June 9th – Missouri @CoachErikLink
June 16th – Iowa @TylerBarnesIOWA
June 17th – Nebraska @SeanDillonNU
June 21 – Notre Dame @ND_CalebDavis
June 26 – Kansas State @spedbraet
— Jack Wallace (@jackwallaceIA) May 21, 2022
>> The Huskers made the top 12 for 2023 four-star defensive back Curley Reed.
Top 1️⃣2️⃣.. pic.twitter.com/tKFSmLLywL
— Curley “Lockdown”reed 3rd (@d1curloo) May 22, 2022
ICYMI
>> I took a look at the Huskers’ projected defensive needs as the summer of visits ramps up.
>> Bryce McGowens was among the Big Ten standouts at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine.
>> The Nebraska women’s softball team season ended on Saturday with a loss to North Texas.
>> As Purdue’s season continued, Nebraska baseball’s season ended without a Big Ten Tournament berth.
>> Steve Marik gave his gut reactions to the betting odds involving Nebraska football this season.
