2017 Nebraska Recruiting: Nebraska Has A Lot Of Needs

This is a recurring feature leading up to National Signing Day where we will preview each teams recruiting class and who each team’s best recruit is and who can make an immediate impact. We’ll go in order from worst to first based on 2016 standings. All ratings come from the 247 composite rankings.

I reached out to Brian Towle, Corn Nation writer, for some assistance on the Nebraska recruiting piece as he has been tracking their class closely coming up to NSD.

Where do they stand?

Nebraska currently ranks 24th in the nation in recruiting, 5th in the Big Ten, and 1st in the West. That is a bit more impressive considering they only have 17 recruits, 5 of which are early enrollees. If Nebraska can hit at that level the next two weeks this could be impressive.

How does the class breakdown?

The current class breaks down as 11 on offense and 6 on defense. Nebraska has a big need at WR and on offense in general, so the emphasis on that side of the ball sort of makes sense. Here is the positional breakdown:

• QB: 1
• RB: 2
• WR: 3
• TE: 1
• OL: 4
• DL: 3
• LB: 3

And here is the full class, via 247:

Is the talent any good?

Yes. Nebraska’s class average is .8718, or a high three star rating. Nebraska doesn’t have the quantity that they need but they are bringing in quality recruits.

Brian: Nebraska is reloading at WR, needing at least 2, maybe 3 more in this class. They could also use a couple DB’s, as they don’t have any currently committed but already have a fairly young nucleus. Nebraska could use one more TE, RB, and DT, due to the change to the Bob Diaco 3-4, where the Huskers aren’t currently possessing a big 0-1 technique tackle.

Who are they still after?

Brian: Nope. Nebraska sits at 17 players, with one (Guy Thomas) seemingly ready to flip. So, Nebraska could use as many as 6 more players if Thomas bolts, but would be comfortable with 5-6 even if Thomas stays home. The big names are Jamire Calvin and Joseph Lewis at WR, athletes Greg Johnson and Michael Onyemaobi, Running back CJ Verdell, and Cornerbacks Elijah Blades and Deommodore Lenoir. Nebraska hits on say 4 of those names, they could very well be a top 15 nationally class, and at the very least inside the top 20.

Can anyone make an early impact?

Brian: On offense, any WR that Nebraska gets into their system this spring/fall will have a chance to start at WR. That includes Tyjon Lindsey, Keyshawn Johnson Jr and Jaevon McQuitty as well as Calvin, Lewis and even a Greg Johnson. Fullback Ben Miles (yes, the son of Les Miles) should be starting for Nebraska Day 1 of Fall Camp he’s that damn good. On defense, target Damion Daniels could very well get in the mix early at BG/DT due to his size, and Avery Roberts is an insta-contributor right away at linebacker. Blades is a great coverman, and could be in the 2 deep at CB right away if he comes to Lincoln.