Big Week for Recruiting Visits

6 comments so far September 23, 2009 by Darren K. Carlson

Night games at home in Lincoln are a recruiting strength for Nebraska. High school players are able to make it ot Lincoln because of the timing. And the environment sells. This Saturday's game against Louisiana Lafayette should be truly special. The 300th consecutive sellout and the celebration that surrounds it should really be something to see - raucous crowd, throwback jerseys, fired up team, unique commemorations. It should be quite a scene. It could fuel a recruiting run for NU.

Quantity
As previously discussed, Nebraska's recruiting class should be a smaller one this year, somewhere between 15 and 18 players. With eight already verbally committed, Nebraska is basically half way full. Well, another significant of the class may be dropping by Lincoln Saturday. As of this morning, there were seven players telling the recruiting services that they intend to visit NU this week.

One of them - Ciante Evans - is already committed to the Huskers. Will all of the remaining six sign with NU? No, of course not. That would be unrealistic. But, it's entirely possible that anywhere from two to four might become future Huskers. When you are only trying to count to 16, that's a significant amount.

Quality
Okay, so who are these guys? Ciante Evans is a highly regarded cornerback. It will be nice to keep him in the fold.

After that, you have other players who all play a position of "need" for NU's 2010 class. At wide receiver, there is Bud Sasser and Bobby Swigert. Nebraska still needs another offensive lineman, and that is where Colin Tanigawa comes in.

Nebraska's biggest need might be along the defensive front. Saturday, defensive tackle Damon Williams and defensive end Chase Rome will see if they like Lincoln. Rome is supposedly committed to Oklahoma State. But, if he's taking visits, then I say his pledge is pretty soft.

One position where NU appears pretty well stocked is tight end. And yet, Nebraska is bringing in Chase Harper - a JC tight end - in for a visit. Harper is apparently a heavy lean toward NU. And, his talent profile must be such to warrant an offer, despite having a multitude of tight ends on the roster.

In addition to the need for NU, there are lots or reasons to like these visitors. You can go and research the star ratings if you like. Many are well regarded in those circles. More importantly, they all have multiple offers from NU's direct competitors, which tells me pretty much all I need to know. If Texas Tech and Missouri want a receiver, the Nebraska probably should too. If Miami wants a tight end, Nebraska probably should look at him. If Kansas wants a cornerback...well, you get the point.

Geography
The geography of these visitors is important too. Four are from Texas, which is a point of emphasis for NU. One is from Missouri, which is part of the staff's "500 mile radius to NE" territory, also a priority area. One is from California, where NU has had recent success. And, one is from Coach Pelini's home state of Ohio.

Now, here is hoping they like what the state of Nebraska - and NU's team and environment - have to offer on Saturday.

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