Nebraska’s spring game is just days away, and it is shaping up to be the most loaded visitor weekend in recent memory for the Huskers. More than 30 prospects for the 2018 class are expected to be in Lincoln on April 15, with more than 10 prospects from the 2019 and 2020 classes joining them. A visitor list that loaded results in us having to deliver two recruiting previews. Today we will focus on the offensive side of the ball, where Nebraska is expecting to host 16 offered prospects from the 2018 class.
Committed Prospects
Cameron Jurgens – Tight End- Beatrice, Nebraska
Will Farniok – Center- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Nebraska is expecting two of its three offensive commits to be in Lincoln for the spring game, with Los Angeles, Calif., native Eric Fuller not expected to make the trip. Jurgens, a Nebraska commit since August of 2015, will be making yet another visit to the Huskers’ sideline, where he has been a fixture since Mike Riley’s first season as head coach. Farniok, who recently committed to Nebraska on April 8, has also been a consistent presence on Nebraska’s sideline in recent years, but this will be his first visit to Nebraska as a commit.
Uncommitted Prospects
Mychale Salahuddin – Running Back, 31 FBS Offers
One of the more intriguing prospects to be making the trek to Lincoln this weekend is Washington D.C.’s Mychale Salahuddin. Salahuddin received an offer from Nebraska on February 23 and scheduled his unofficial visit to Lincoln soon afterwards. This will be part of a large slate of visits for the northeastern prospect, as Salahuddin has already taken visits to Temple, North Carolina and Georgia this spring. As a junior, Salahuddin rushed for 1100 yards and 10 touchdowns while helping lead Woodson High to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the District of Columbia Class 2A state finals.
Chance of committing this weekend: 10%
Grahm Roberts – Running Back, 5 FBS Offers
Nebraska landed a star from Delaware named Roberts for its defense last year; this year the Huskers are trying to land another Roberts for the offensive side of the ball. Grahm Roberts, a 6-0, 210-pound running back prospect from Wilmington, Del., announced his plans to visit Nebraska via Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Bam_Roberts6/status/852000710178852865
Roberts, whose older brother Avery is currently an inside linebacker for Nebraska, has been on Nebraska’s radar since receiving an offer in February of 2016. Roberts also holds offers from Rutgers, UMass, Syracuse and North Carolina, and he has already taken one unofficial visit to Rutgers this spring. As a junior, Roberts earned second team all-state honors while helping lead Concord High to a 7-4 record in 2016.
Chance of Committing this Weekend: 75%
Joshua Moore – Wide Receiver, 53 FBS offers
For the second straight year, Nebraska wide receivers coach Keith Williams has brought in a loaded visitor group, and no receiver is more sought after than Joshua Moore. Moore, who spent his junior season at Yoakum High School in Texas before transferring to IMG Academy for his senior season, announced his intentions to visit Nebraska via Twitter.
https://twitter.com/_TheJoshuaMoore/status/851815403546329089
At one point Moore was sorting through an incredible 53 FBS offers, but he recently trimmed his list to 10 schools. Nebraska made the cut and is now battling with schools such as Alabama, Texas A&M, Ohio State and Florida State for the talented prospect. Moore will be taking in Nebraska along with his brother Jordan, who is a WR/FS recruit that is currently committed to Texas A&M. While it will certainly be a tough battle, one thing Nebraska has working for them in the recruitment of Moore is the constant presence of Bookie Radley-Hiles. Radley-Hiles is a teammate of Moore at IMG Academy and is considered a Nebraska lean, Radley-Hiles is planning to be in Lincoln with Moore and will likely be in Moore’s ear throughout the weekend. Moore is planning to announce his college decision on June 18 to honor his late brother.
Chance of Committing This Weekend: 0%
Chase Williams – Wide Receiver, 13 FBS Offers
Nebraska has been extremely active in the state of California since Riley and his staff arrived, and it has continued in the 2018 class with players such as Chase Williams. Williams, a wide receiver prospect out of Corona, Calif., scheduled an unofficial visit to Lincoln shortly after receiving an offer from Nebraska on April 2. Williams currently holds 13 FBS offers and has already taken unofficial visits to Notre Dame, Ohio State and Arizona State earlier this spring. As a junior, Williams averaged 24 yards per catch and scored 19 touchdowns for Eleanor Roosevelt High, helping lead the Mustangs to a 10-3 record in 2016.
Chance of Committing This Weekend: 10%
Manuel Allen – Wide Receiver, 19 FBS offers
A name that Nebraska has really zeroed in on in recent months is Manuel Allen, and Nebraska’s increased efforts may be rewarded this weekend. Allen, an intriguing wide receiver prospect from Corona, Calif., announced his intentions to visit Nebraska via Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Mannyp___/status/851820531787546624
Allen was originally committed to USC, but decommitted from the Trojans on Feb. 24, at which point Nebraska really began its push for the talented prospect. Allen recently released a top four of Nebraska, Ole Miss, Oregon and UCLA, with Nebraska being considered by many to be the favorite for him. As a junior, Allen was a standout for Centennial High, helping lead the Huskies to an 11-2 record in 2016.
Chance of Committing Over the Weekend: 60%
Shaquon Anderson-Butts – Wide Receiver, 22 FBS offers
Nebraska’s coaching staff has shown an ability to recruit the northeast well in recent classes, and they have convinced multiple intriguing prospects from the northeast to take in Lincoln this weekend. One of those prospects, Harrisburg, Pa., prospect Shaquon Anderson-Butts, has quietly emerged as one of Nebraska’s top recruiting targets this weekend. Anderson-Butts currently holds 22 FBS offers, including tenders from Penn State, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. As a junior, Anderson-Butts was a standout performer for Harrisburg High, helping the Cougars achieve an 11-4 record and reach the Pennsylvania Class 5A finals.
Chance of Committing This Weekend: 25%
Jaquayln Crawford – Wide Receiver, 22 FBS offers
Nebraska has shown a preference for small but dynamic wide receivers since Riley and his staff arrived, and the Huskers are hosting an intriguing option out of the slot in Jaquayln Crawford. Crawford recently released a top-10 list with the Huskers battling Auburn, TCU, Florida and TCU. As a junior, Crawford tallied 1,364 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns on just 89 touches. His efforts helped lead Rockdale High to an 11-2 record in 2016.
Chance of Committing This Weekend: 10%
Sean Ryan – Wide Receiver, 9 FBS Offers
Nebraska will be hosting an intriguing wide receiver prospect from Brooklyn in Sean Ryan, as Ryan confirmed his intentions to visit Nebraska via Twitter.
https://twitter.com/ryan1_sean/status/851823364012470274
Ryan currently holds nine FBS offers and has already taken unofficial visits to Rutgers and UConn this spring. As a junior, Ryan earned All-City honors while helping lead Erasmus Hall High School to a 10-2 record in 2016.
Chance of Committing Over The Weekend: 15%
Kobe Smith – Wide Receiver, 4 FBS offers
Another talented skill position player from California will be in town for April, and once again Nebraska will have to go through USC to land him. Kobe Smith, a 6-2, 175-pound wide receiver prospect out of Gardena, Calif., received an offer from Nebraska on February 28 and scheduled an unofficial visit soon afterwards. Nebraska is currently in a battle with USC and Oregon State for the talented receiver, and the Huskers will need to bring their A-game in order to get Smith out of Pac-12 country. As a junior, Smith caught 51 passes for 859 yards and six touchdowns while helping lead Serra High to a 7-4 record in 2016.
Chance of Committing Over The Weekend: 15%
Kassidy Woods – Wide Receiver, 5 FBS Offers
Nebraska recently offered an intriguing athlete out of Texas in Kassidy Woods, and Woods responded by scheduling an unofficial visit to check out Lincoln. Woods has stayed relatively under the radar, as he only holds five FBS offers, but he has taken an unofficial visit to Baylor already this spring. As a junior, Woods caught 41 passes for 844 yards and seven touchdowns while helping lead Greenhill High to an 8-2 record in 2016.
Chance of Committing This Weekend: 15%
Judge Culpepper – Tight End, 34 FBS Offers
Nebraska already holds one highly touted tight end prospect in Cam Jurgens, and now the Huskers are zeroing in on another top tight end prospect in Judge Culpepper. Culpepper, a 6-4, 255-pound tight end prospect out of Tampa, received a Nebraska offer in April of 2016 and will be taking his first visit to Lincoln this weekend. Culpepper, whose father Brad was a standout defensive end for Florida in the early 1990s, has already taken unofficial visits to Penn State, North Carolina and Alabama earlier this spring. Culpepper was a standout on both sides of the ball for Plant High in 2016, helping lead the Panthers to a 13-1 record and an appearance in the Florida Class 7A state championship.
Chance of Committing This Weekend: 5%
Antwan Reed – Offensive Tackle, 11 FBS offers
One of the top offensive line targets in the Midwest will be coming to Lincoln this weekend, as Antwan Reed will be taking in Lincoln for the first time this Saturday. Reed currently holds 11 FBS offers, including tenders from Michigan, Penn State and Virginia Tech. Nebraska is currently on the outside looking in for Reed, but have an ace up their sleeve in 2017 Husker signee Andrew Ward. Ward was teammates with Reed in 2016 and is close friends with the 2018 prospect, and he will be in attendance along with Reed this weekend.
Chance of Committing This Weekend: 5%
Chris Bleich – Offensive Tackle, Currently Committed to Penn State
Nebraska will look to swipe a prospect from right under their Big Ten foe’s nose this weekend, as Chris Bleich will be taking a visit to Lincoln this weekend. Bleich has been committed to Penn State for over a year, but he has recently taken an unofficial visit to Mississippi State and will be coming to Lincoln this weekend despite that commitment. One thing that Nebraska has working for it is the presence of Broc Bando, a Nebraska offensive linemen that developed a close friendship with Bleich during their time together at IMG Academy.
Chance of Committing Over the Weekend: 30%
Michael Thompson – Offensive Guard, 22 FBS offers
Finishing out the list is Michael Thompson, arguably the most highly touted visitor that will be in attendance this weekend. Thompson is considered one of the best defensive tackle recruits in the country, but Nebraska is currently recruiting him as an offensive lineman. Thompson currently holds 22 FBS offers, with Missouri, Ohio State and Michigan considered the early leaders for him. Nebraska has been working extremely hard to develop a pipeline to St. Louis, and Thompson would be a huge addition to that pipeline.
Chance of Committing This Weekend: 5%