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.
We are just a few days away from the early signing period beginning on Dec. 19 and things have quieted down publicly quite a bit. Don’t worry though. This typically happens as prospects tighten things up ahead of making their decisions about which school they are choosing.
While the news isn’t flying 100 MPH (that will come soon enough), it’s a good time to reset and keep a few key dates and times in mind.
First, the main date to know is the early signing period runs from Wednesday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 21. The vast majority of players that will sign early are going to get it out of the way by signing on that first day. I still expect all of Nebraska’s commits to sign on Wednesday, except for junior college offensive lineman Desmond Bland. For a running list of when players are scheduled to sign, we have a handy guide.
Second, there is one huge announcement scheduled for 4-star defensive end Ty Robinson. At 12:45 p.m CT, Robinson will announce his college decision at his high school. As of right now, Noa Pola-Gates is scheduled to send his letter of intent to his school of choice but not make his public announcement until Jan. 19 at the Polynesian Bowl.
There are other players that Nebraska is in on that could make decisions between now and Wednesday. Offensive tackle Jimmy Fritzsche is fresh off an official visit to Lincoln and could shut things down. Defensive end Brant Banks visited Lincoln twice this fall and is an early enrollee so he will be deciding by Wednesday. Junior college defensive end Amare Barno is also a mid-year enrollee so a decision will be made early in the week for him as well.
I’ll have full predictions tomorrow on what I see happening to close out the December signing period. Enjoy the quiet now. The fun begins early this week.
Recruit Watch
>> Jeremy James, a 3-star offensive lineman committed to Ole Miss, took an official visit to Lincoln for the Purdue game. Since then, Nebraska has stayed on him but after an official to Ole Miss, most thought he was solid there. Well, he took a visit to Missouri this week, so he is at least still listening to other schools.
Mizzou 🐯 pic.twitter.com/epPV8sAahT
— Jeremy James (@JJames_78) December 16, 2018
>> Take one under the radar wide receiver target off the board. Isaiah Washington had been hearing from Nebraska but did not have an official visit set up. Over the weekend, he visited and committed to Rutgers.
all glory to God. pic.twitter.com/N2KVrJ22nL
— isaiah washington (@ZayWash4) December 16, 2018
>> Priority 2019 defensive back target Noa Pola-Gates released his senior highlights. It doesn’t take long to see why he is so coveted. He closes in a hurry and is a violent hitter.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7796777/5c08d729041dfe0e3cfc44a2
>> If you want another example of the family atmosphere that Nebraska has created, look no further than the love walk-on kicker commit Dylan Jorgensen got from Nebraska.
This is why I committed to Nebraska. This coaching staff is the best in the nation! Feel’N the love🔴🌽 pic.twitter.com/orxE0mrvZ5
— Dylan Jorgensen (@dylanjorgens3n) December 16, 2018
>> Bryce Benhart became the latest Nebraska recruit to pick up some big honors for his high school career. He was named first-team all-state.
Congratulations to @RaJaNelson7 @BenhartBryce @MostaertWill and @EliMostaert on being named to the All-State First Team this weekend! pic.twitter.com/ahwZsYstgI
— Lakeville Panther FB (@LNHSPantherFB) December 15, 2018
>> Defensive back target Jamel Starks says he will take his decision to February.
I’m signing in February need more time to think with that being said I’m not doing anymore interviews. 💯
— Jamel Starks (@jamel_starks) December 16, 2018
ICYMI
>> Jacob Padilla wrote a championship volleyball notebook on the thriller in Minneapolis.
>> There was a 3 a.m. “volleyball after dark” Varsity Club podcast by Derek and Jacob.
>> I took your recruiting questions in a special recruiting only edition of the mailbag.
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.
