This time of year is typically the calm before the storm. Preparations for camp season would be underway as we geared up for Nebraska’s Friday Night Lights camp, tracking which important visitors were coming to town. That has all changed. It was still an important week for college football in general though.
For the first time since the shutdown there was real progress on what a return of college football would look like. A lot of that discussion has played out behind the scenes but we are getting more information by the day. While that’s happening, the Huskers continue working on top targets as they inch closer to decisions.
Let’s get to the Recon.
Husker Commits
Heinrich Haarberg, Quarterback, Kearney, Nebraska
Randolph Kpai, Inside Linebacker, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Henry Lutovsky, Offensive Lineman, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Christopher Paul Jr., Inside linebacker, Cordele, Georgia
Patrick Payton, Outside Linebacker, Miami, Florida
Teddy Prochazka, Offensive Lineman, Elkhorn, Nebraska
Branson Yager, Offensive Lineman, Grantsville, Utah
2021 Needs
QB 0 DL 3
RB 2 MLB 1
WR 2 OLB 1
TE 2 DB 2
OL 1 K/P 0
The Recon:
>> South Dakota transfer wide receiver Levi Falck is an intriguing veteran addition for the Huskers receiver room. Nebraska has a shortage of experience in the unit so it will be interesting to see what kind of role Falck can carve out for himself.
“We agree that this is a good opportunity for me, but nothing is given,” Falck said. “I’m confident I’ll get down there and show them what I can do and then we have to wait and see what happens.”
Falck caught 70 passes for 774 yards and two touchdowns during his career at South Dakota.
>> Sticking with wide receiver the Huskers made an intriguing 2021 offer this week. I’ve written here before that I believe Nebraska should make a harder push into Texas for talent. The latest wideout offer is 6-foot-3, 180-pound Texan Eric McAlister. We are starting to see a little bit of what new wide receivers coach Matt Lubick likes on the trail and he seems to be much more receptive to recruiting guys with size. Also, McAlister has the look of a prospect just waiting to blow up on the national scene.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6484123/5da35f66041e4c0c64043874
Those are some fun highlights. The Huskers are smart to go to work now on this under the radar prospect.
>> This week the Huskers made the top five for Georgia running back Gabe Ervin. The Huskers made the cut along with Georgia, Michigan State, Duke and Arizona State. The 6-foot, 200-pound runner helped Buford to a state championship last year while rushing for over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns. Ervin looks ready for the Big Ten with potential to be a workhorse type of back. Nebraska has recruited him hard and he is among the top choices at the position along with Amari Daniels, Trenten Howland, Caleb Berry and Deshun Merrell. Ervin was scheduled to take an official visit to Nebraska during June before the dead period was extended.
>> It’s not often that I note when Nebraska “cools” on a player but that is the case with Illinois defensive end Ryan Keeler. His recruitment has been a little strange because he had a tough time narrowing down his choices from the 30-plus offers that he has. Defensive line is among the most important positions this cycle but you can cross one of the more well-known names off the list.
>> It looks like June 1 is when we will see some schools start their voluntary workouts with football players. The NCAA paved the way for that with the easing of restrictions earlier this week. The SEC is scheduled to meet on Friday, May 22, to vote on the same measures. Ohio State has mentioned June 8 as a potential start date. Whether it is June 1 or June 8, it appears workouts will start early next month. Nebraska is prepared for both situations as returning players are mostly back in Lincoln. There are still hurdles to cross but there has been a lot of movement this week that suggests a return of college football soon.
