The first official visit weekend of January is here as Nebraska moves full steam ahead towards the traditional signing day on Feb. 7. Every visit weekend counts from here on out as Nebraska has some real needs to fill, though it got off to a great start during the early signing period considering it’s a transition class.
The strategy for the staff will be to frontload the weekends with their top visitors, so the first two weekends of visits are going to have a lot of players they would accept commitments from should they want to make them. Here are the prospects making their way to Lincoln this weekend and my thoughts on where Nebraska stands with them.
Official Visitors
4-star OLB Caleb Tannor
Tannor was a late addition to the visitor list but he plays at a huge position of need. He is exactly the type of pass-rusher that the team is missing right now. Getting him in Lincoln before he heads anywhere else next week is huge. He has a great relationship with the staff since they were recruiting him to UCF. Tannor has offers from Alabama, Georgia and LSU. Nebraska has a good shot with him.
3-star DE Daniel Carson
It feels like I have been talking about Carson forever since he’s been on Nebraska’s radar for this staff and even the previous staff for a long time. He will finally take his official visit this weekend with his mother and all indications are that he may be on the verge of joining the class. He is more of a 3-4 base defensive end that fits perfectly to set the edge. Distance from home is actually working in Nebraska’s favor on this one.
3-star OLB Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Jean-Baptiste is another pass-rushing outside linebacker that the staff has a great relationship with going back to the coaches time at UCF. That relationship needs to be huge because this week he picked up an offer from Ohio State which seems to be a game-changer in his recruitment. He visits Columbus next week but Nebraska has their chance to make a huge impression.
3-star CB Taiyon Palmer
The former Duke commit is a player this staff really covets. I believe he is their top cornerback target, and they were all set to put their best foot forward this weekend. They will still get the chance to do that, however Palmer picked up a Clemson offer this week which could prove to be a problem.
3-star CB Braxton Clark
The former Virginia Tech commit is a rangy corner that has had an on-again, off-again visit set this weekend. According to him on Twitter Friday morning, he will be in Lincoln this weekend. With Palmer picking up a Clemson offer, Clark becomes even more important to the class.
3-star ATH Matthew Tago
Tago is one of the most intriguing guys coming to campus this weekend. He is mostly becoming recruited by Power 5 schools as a linebacker but Nebraska is giving him a fair shake at quarterback. He did put up good numbers at QB, but he is the type of athlete that can move positions later if needed. I think he will end up committing to Nebraska.
3-star OL Jarrett Bell
Bell might be the hardest player visiting this weekend to predict. He likes Nebraska and there is a need for another offensive lineman or two in the class. He doesn’t currently have any visits set up after this weekend so Greg Austin has a big chance to secure him this weekend.
3-star ATH Miles Jones
If you have been reading my writing about Jones, you’ll know that I’m very high on him. He’s electric and would fill a need on the Huskers for an Otis Anderson, do-it-all type player. He is currently a Vanderbilt commit but told me that he is only considering Nebraska and Vandy. With a good visit weekend, the Huskers can flip Jones.
Unofficial Visitors
4-star S Cam Jones
Jones took his official visit to Nebraska back in December and it went very well. He has bonded with Huskers players and commits, plus he is sold on this coaching staff. It’s a matter of time before he is publicly in the class barring any last-minute surprises.
Preferred walk-on S Corbin Frederick
Frederick is the teammate of Jones and they will be making the trip together. It’s rare to see a preferred walk-on offer to a player out of state, but Frederick is a sneaky good get if Nebraska can secure him, which I believe it will. He’s got good athleticism and is a hitter.
Ole Miss transfer LB/DB Breon Dixon
If all goes well, Dixon will take his visit this weekend and stay in Lincoln, enrolling in class on Monday. Wisconsin is still pushing for him to delay that decision, but all signs point to him committing this weekend. He still officially needs a waiver to be eligible this season but it’s expected he will get it.
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.
