Photo Credit: Aaron Babcock
Big Red Recon: Husker Coaches Keeping an Even Keel in Recruiting
By Greg Smith
Nebraska football is still deep into a holding pattern when it comes to recruiting for the 2018 class and beyond until the coaching situation is resolved. Keep in mind as committed players take a look around that in their minds, they aren't sure if a new staff will want them to be part of the class. Typically, when a new staff comes in there is some adjusting to the class and especially the recruiting board of who the team is targeting.
It's perfectly fine for current commits to check out their options just in case, especially before there is a new coach announced and they have a chance to meet them. It can be a scary time for a recruit who is all-in on a school to suddenly not know if their commitment will even be honored.
Husker Commits
Cameron Brown‍, 4-star wide receiver, St. Louis, Missouri
Will Farniok‍, 3-star offensive lineman, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Mario Goodrich‍, 4-star cornerback, Lee's Summit, Missouri
Cameron Jurgens‍, 4-star tight end, Beatrice, Nebraska
Masry Mapieu‍, 3-star defensive tackle, York, Nebraska
Joshua Moore‍, 4-star wide receiver, Yoakum, Texas
Barret Pickering‍, 2-star kicker, Birmingham, Alabama
Tate Wildeman‍, 3-star defensive lineman, Parker, Colorado
Chase Williams‍, 4-star athlete, Corona, California
David Alston‍, 3-star linebacker, St. Paul, Minnesota
2018 Needs
QB 0 DL 1
RB 1 MLB 0
WR 1-2 OLB 1
TE 0 DB 3
OL 1 K/P 0
News from the week
>>Four-star DB Christian Tutt made a decision earlier this week on the college he will attend.
>>Nebraska got in early on a 2020 WR prospect in the 500-mile radius.
>>There was a not so great development around the recruitment of 3-star DB Dallas Craddieth.
Additional Recon
>>Huskers 4-star defensive back commit Chase Williams is reportedly visiting USC this weekend for an official visit. I would not necessarily tie this directly to the fate of Mike Riley since it has been widely known that this visit was likely to happen even if the staff was remaining intact. With that belief, I don't think that Nebraska is in immediate danger of losing Williams from the class but he is making sure he has other options just in case things change in a way he doesn't like a Nebraska.
>>I must admit that I am surprised by the lack of players leaving the Nebraska class so far. There has been one big defection but there is a strong chance he was going to leave the class regardless. The season may have a very 2007 feel, the same year that saw Bill Callahan fired but the recruiting situation does not have that same vibe. In 2007, the class fell apart immediately and Nebraska ended up losing a future first-round quarterback and future first-round offensive lineman in that class.
This year it feels like a "wait and see" approach is being taken by most. What could be the cause for that? Well, the early signing period could play a role because players are bought into Nebraska and would rather not leave the class only to rejoin it if they like the new coach. Also, hats off to the staff for continuing to recruit their guys. I've talked to commits that say they still hear from their position coaches daily. That does not happen everywhere and it's a testament to this staff's professionalism even if things are clearly not working on the field.
>>Mike Riley said yesterday after practice that there would be another change to the right side of the offensive line. David Knevel now starting at right guard is a microcosm of this staff's personnel decisions. I don't understand the thought process behind starting a fifth-year senior at that spot when you knew you'd go through growing pains with a freshman there, but it was for the good of the team in the long run for Matt Farniok to get those reps. I suppose they feel like Knevel is the "ace in the hole" they've been saving for the last few weeks.
>>Here's the latest that I'm hearing on Scott Frost to Nebraska. I find it extremely interesting that Frost is the only real name anyone has heard as it relates to the coaching search that Athletic Director Bill Moos is absolutely conducting behind the scenes. That doesn't have to be a bad thing though. Keep in mind that Frost drove to Lincoln to meet with Bo Pelini to interview for a spot on his staff and Frost felt it was a sham interview and Pelini had already promised the job to someone else. Also keep in mind that Frost may have felt he was ready for the Nebraska job when Riley got the job three years ago. Let's say all of that is true, it would make sense for Moos to go all-in on Frost to show him that he's the number one target.
From everything I have gathered, it has been made clear to Frost's representatives that the job is his if he wants it. Frost himself will not be talking to anyone until his regular season is over but things can move quickly from there assuming some parameters of a deal have been worked out. One thing I am curious about hearing from Frost, wherever he ends up next is how he handled all of this with a newborn in the house. He has a pretty big decision to make as he is trying to soak in being a first-time dad and keep his head above water.
Greg Smith
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.
Tags: 2017, Football Recruiting, nebraska