After a busy week on the road, Nebraska’s first opportunity to host prospects for the weekend after the season is here. This weekend seems to be the appetizer to the main course next weekend which is the last weekend before early signing. Still there are intriguing targets coming to campus that can help the program moving forward.
Let’s breakdown where each prospect is in their recruitment.
3-Star Tennessee Commit OLB Jimari Butler (Mobile, Alabama)
The pass rushing defender (6-5, 210) has been a target of the Huskers for some time now. It was midly surprising when he elected to commit to Tennessee before making his trip to Nebraska but he’s always been adamant that he would still visit Lincoln. Volunteers coach Jeremy Pruitt went in-home this week and Butler is scheduled to take his official to Tennessee next week. Still, the Huskers will get their shot at Butler this weekend.
Butler told Hail Varsity ahead of the visit that his mom will be joining him and on what he is most looking forward to.
“I’m really looking forward to just checking the city out and meeting the coaching staff personally,” he said.
Butler says he will wait until February to sign with a school.
JUCO ILB Eteva Mauga (Pleasant Hill, California)
For my money, Muaga is the most intriguing prospect that will be on campus this weekend. His coach at Diablo Valley College raves about his ability on the football field and as a person off the field. Darr told me that Mauga’s burst and motor are as good as he’s seen in 24 years of coaching at the JUCO level. Mauga is originally from American Samoa and was the JUCO player of the year in a tough conference. He posted 62 tackles including 23 tackles for loss and seven sacks.He will be a midyear transfer with three years to play 2 seasons.
JUCO DL Pheldarius Payne (Scranton, Pennslyvania)
The JUCO defender (6-2, 270) is currently commited to North Carolina State and has been since July 26. He will head to Lincoln this weekend fresh off playing in the JUCO National Championship game. While his team lost, he did have one of the highlights with this fumble return for a touchdown.
@Pheldarius #builtbyWAR pic.twitter.com/ok0knfeGfs
— COACH P. (@CoachP_NR) December 6, 2019
This season Payne had 23 tackles including 9.5 for loss and four sacks. He also had four more quarterback hurries.
JUCO DL Jordon Riley (Garden City, Kansas)
The North Carolina bounce back has been at familiar Garden City Community College. This season he had 26 tackles including five tackles for loss. Based on size (6-6, 305) he would have the ability to play some nose tackle and defensive end for defensive line coach Tony Tuioti if he were to commit.
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.
