Nebraska’s 2019 recruiting class is well-represented in 247Sports' final recruiting rankings for the cycle.
The service released its "Top 247" on Wednesday afternoon and the Huskers had six players ranked among the top 200 in the country.
All-purpose back Wandale Robinson leads the way after a big jump, checking in at No. 40 overall in the country. In-state inside linebacker Nick Henrich is No. 92, offensive tackle Bryce Benhart is No. 121, defensive back Noa Pola-Gates is No. 134, defensive lineman Ty Robinson is No. 166 and wide receiver Darien Chase is No. 200.
Coach Scott Frost was quick to say in December on National Signing Day that he believed the strength in the class was not only the top-end players in the eyes of the recruiting services, but the depth of quality the Huskers think they have in a class that now numbers 26 signees.
NU’s class received similarly high marks from Rivals when that group’s final rankings came out earlier this month. There, Wandale Robinson finished No. 61, Ty Robinson No. 91, Pola-Gates No. 116, Henrich No. 127 and Benhart No. 139.
Wandale Robinson’s lofty ranking — he was outside the 247Sports top 100 before the final update — makes him one of the highest-rated recruits in recent years to sign with Nebraska.
In its final list, 247Sports designated 32 players in the country as five-star prospects, making Wandale Robinson one of the highest-rated four-stars.
Huskers offer 2020 speedster: The Nebraska coaching staff made a torrent of Class of 2020 offers this month.
One on Wednesday jumped out for a particular reason: speed.
Blessed and thankful to receive an offer from Nebraska ⚪️🔴🌽 #GBR #AGTG pic.twitter.com/TKZNjp7XF9
— CELLO🎗 (@_marcellusmoore) January 23, 2019
Running back Marcellus Moore (Plainfield, Illinois) tweeted that he received an offer from NU on Wednesday morning. The 5-foot-8, 165-pounder just finished his junior year as a running back for Plainfield North High — he had 170-plus rushing yards in the team’s first game of the season, but total stats were not immediately available — but his most eye-popping numbers came on the track.
Moore won several Class 3A state titles in Illinois back in May, including running a meet-record 10.31 seconds in the 100 meters. He also won the 200 in 21.30 and anchored the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Simply put: He’s fast.
That performance was enough for Moore to be named the Gatorade Player of the Year for track and field in Illinois.
So, an intriguing name to keep an eye on. According to his 247Sports profile, Moore has offers from much of the Big Ten West, including Iowa, Illinois and Purdue.
DB | Noa Pola-Gates
Signed
Pola-Gates
The basics
Position: DB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
School: Williams Field
Date Committed: Jan. 19 (Signed Dec. 19)
Ratings
Rivals ****
247Sports ****
Offers of note: USC, Arizona State, Alabama.
Lead recruiter: Travis Fisher.
The Skinny
The Huskers landed Noa Pola-Gates during the early signing period, though he didn't actually announce that publicly until Jan. 19 at the Polynesian Bowl. Pola-Gates is a big-time athlete and could play any position in the secondary for Travis Fisher. He'll arrive on campus this summer.
DE | Ty Robinson
Signed
The basics
Position: DL
Height: 6-6
Weight: 285
Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
School: Higley
Date Committed: N/A
Ratings
Rivals ****
247Sports ****
Offers of note: USC, Alabama, Oregon.
Lead recruiter: Mike Dawson, Erik Chinander.
The Skinny
Robinson’s been among the staff’s top defensive targets basically since it arrived in Lincoln. He’s big, powerful and wanted by several powerhouse programs. Robinson has family connections to NU — his mom is from Omaha — but is also being pursued by USC, Oregon, Alabama and others. Scott Frost had the final in-home visit (on Dec. 15) before Robinson makes his announcement on National Signing Day.
Nebraska defensive line coach Mike Dawson's take
"We’re really excited to have Ty. He’s a big-bodied guy with a huge frame. He’s a big man playing on the defensive front. His size and athleticism is exactly what we’re looking for on the defensive front."
RB | Dedrick Mills
Signed
Nebraska signee Dedrick Mills, a junior college running back from Garden City Community College in Kansas, takes in the pregame festivities before a Huskers game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 17.
The basics
Position: RB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 225
Hometown: Waycross, Georgia
School: Garden City (Kan.) Community College
Date Committed: Sept. 4
Nebraska signee Dedrick Mills, a junior college running back from Garden City Community College in Kansas, takes in the pregame festivities before a Huskers game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 17.
Ratings
Rivals ****
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Arkansas State.
Lead recruiter: Jovan Dewitt, Ryan Held.
The Skinny
Mills was a freshman All-American at Georgia Tech in 2016 before being dismissed from the program. He broke his collar bone and missed most of 2017, re-emerged as one of the most productive running backs in junior college ball this fall. Mills rushed for 1,358 yards and 19 touchdowns in 10 games at Garden City (Kan.) Community College this fall. Mills is an early enrollee.
ATH | Wandale Robinson
Signed
The basics
Position: ATH
Height: 5-9
Weight: 180
Hometown: Frankfort, Kentucky
School: Western Hills
Date Committed: Dec. 5
Wandale Robinson
Ratings
Rivals ****
247Sports ****
Offers of note: Kentucky, Ohio State, Alabama, Purdue.
Lead recruiters: Ryan Held, Troy Walters.
The Skinny
Among the biggest recruiting victories of the class, Robinson didn’t come easily. He looked like a sure Nebraska bet, then changed his mind last minute and committed to Kentucky on Nov. 1. But the Huskers kept at it, sent Ryan Held and Troy Walters to visit him during the postseason contract period and he flipped to Nebraska on Dec. 5. He’s a dynamic offensive threat – Robinson had nearly 2,700 offensive yards and 41 offensive touchdowns as a senior and more than 10,000 yards and 118 scores for his career – and looks to be a perfect fit as a do-it-all player in Scott Frost’s offense. He is an early enrollee.
Offensive coordinator Troy Walter's take
"Wandale is an explosive, dynamic, versatile athlete. He played offense, defense and special teams, so he’ll be able to help out in those two phases, on offense as well as special teams. We can move him around, he can play outside, inside, running back. He just brings that versailtity that fits so well in this offense."
WR | De'Mariyon Houston
Signed
Houston
The basics
Position: WR
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Hometown: Oklahoma City
School: Millwood
Date Committed: N/A
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ****
Offers of note: Texas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, others.
Lead recruiter: Troy Walters.
The Skinny
Houston recently decommitted from Texas and is considering his options. The four-star receiver visited Minnesota the weekend of Dec. 8. He would be quite the late-cycle grab for the Huskers.
RB | Rahmir Johnson
Signed
The basics
Position: RB
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
School: Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey)
Date committed: May 5
Johnson
Ratings
Rivals ****
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Boston College, Indiana, Kentucky.
Lead recruiters: Mike Dawson, Ryan Held.
The Skinny
Johnson was among the very first scholarship offers of the Frost era, committed relatively early in the process and has stuck by his pledge. He shared duty much of his career at powerhouse Bergen Catholic in New Jersey, but the Brooklyn, New York, native flourished in a primary role as a senior, rushing for 1,334 yards (6.3 per carry) and 11 touchdowns. Given NU’s backfield youth, Johnson will have every opportunity to get on the field early.
Running backs coach Ryan Held's take
"He comes from a great high school program in New Jersey. Rahmir’s a guy, when you watch the film, he really can run, he’s got really good hands, so he’s a guy that we’re very excited to come in and get in the mix early at the running back spot. The big thing about him is he comes from a great family and he’s a great kid. When we went the school and went around everybody was very high on him in terms of him as a person, his character and how hard he works. Obviously talent-wise, we’re very excited about him, but when you get those other intangible things, it’s awesome to get a kid like that in our program."
TE | Chris Hickman
Signed
The basics
Position: TE
Height: 6-5
Weight: 200
Hometown: Omaha
School: Omaha Burke
Date Committed: Sept. 15
Nebraska recruits Chris Hickman (center) of Omaha Burke and Garrett Snodgress (left) of York walk the sidelines prior to the Purdue game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: LSU, Texas, Oregon.
Lead recruiter: Barrett Ruud.
The Skinny
Hickman gave the Huskers a clean sweep of five in-state players with offers when he committed in September. A two-way standout at Burke, Hickman will begin his career as a tight end at NU. At 6-foot-5, Hickman must put on significant weight to play in the Big Ten, but he projects as a down-the-field weapon in Frost’s offense. He had 421 receiving yards and four touchdowns plus 39 tackles (10.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks as a senior for the state-champion Bulldogs. Hickman is an early enrollee.
Tight ends coach Sean Beckton's take
"Looking forward to really, really getting him in here midyear, seeing how well he fits in the culture (and) what we do offensively."
OLB | Garrett Nelson
Signed
The basics
Position: OLB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 235
Hometown: Scottsbluff.
School: Scottsbluff
Date Committed: June 24, 2017
Scottsbluff's Garrett Nelson (23), a Nebraska recruit, looks towards his sideline in the first quarter against Omaha Skutt at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday during the Class B state football championship.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: South Dakota, South Dakota State.
Lead recruiter: Barrett Ruud.
The Skinny
The longest-tenured member of the Huskers’ 2019 class, Nelson committed to Mike Riley’s program well before the 2017 season began. He played defensive end at Scottsbluff, but is an outside linebacker in Erik Chinander’s 3-4 scheme. He plays with abandon and is one of the binding forces of this class. Nelson is an early enrollee.
Outside linebacker Jovan Dewitt's take
"Garrett’s one of those kids that’s all go, no stop. He’s an old-school player as you could possibly imagine. I think when you think back to the heyday of Blackshirt football, you think of guys like Garrett Nelson, guys that are from the state, guys that don’t know how to stop. Guys that just keep on going, keep on going. You may get him on one play but he’s going to get you on the next here. We’re really excited what he brings to the table, not just from an ability standpoint, but from an attitude (and) effort standpoint."
RB | Ronald Thompkins
Signed
The basics
Position: RB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 200
Hometown: Loganville, Georgia
School: Grayson
Date Committed: June 15
Ronald Thompkins plays at Grayson High School in Georgia, which also has produced current Husker linebackers Mohamed Barry and Breon Dixon.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ****
Offers of note: Florida State, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Penn State, others.
Lead recruiters: Sean Beckton, Ryan Held.
The Skinny
Thompkins is one of the most physically gifted players in the class, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He was set to be a staple for powerhouse Grayson High, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first half of the Rams’ first game. He’s now had reconstructive surgery on both knees. Thompkins at one point was committed to Florida State and had interest from virtually every blue blood program in the country during his high school career. Now, can he get (and stay) healthy?
Running backs coach Ryan Held's take
"The thing with Ronnie is he’s got a really big frame, he’s a guy that’s going to be a 200-plus pound running back for us. Very talented, can run and catch. All the people at the school are really high on his work ethic. He’ll be coming off an injury but he’s a guy that will give us a spark this fall."
WR | Darien Chase
Signed
The basics
Position: WR
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
School: Union
Date Committed: Oct. 25
Darien Chase is a four-star athlete who plays both ways in high school, though he could be seen as a wide receiver at Nebraska.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ****
Offers of note: Washington, Oregon, Utah, Boise State.
Lead recruiter: Troy Walters.
The Skinny
Chase’s recruitment picked up steam fast when he officially visited for NU’s Oct. 20 win over Minnesota and then verbally committed the next week. Chase is considered perhaps the top overall 2019 prospect in the Pacific Northwest and offensive coordinator Troy Walters identified him as a priority target. The 6-foot-1 receiver had 1,004 yards as a senior to go along with 13 touchdowns.
Offensive coordinator Troy Walters' take
“Versatile athlete, played offense, played defense, played special teams … so he can help in a number of ways. We can’t wait to get him on campus in June, because he’s going add a lot of value to this receiving corps.”
DL | Mosai Newsom
Signed
The basics
Position: DL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 260
Hometown: Waverly, Iowa
School: Waverly-Shell Rock
Date Committed: July 23
Nebraska recruit Mosai Newsom takes in the pregame festivities at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Iowa, Northwestern, Iowa State.
Lead recruiter: Erik Chinander.
The Skinny
Newsom grew up right down the road from Iowa, but defensive coordinator Erik Chinander – himself an Iowa native, convinced the defensive end to come to Nebraska. Newsom visited frequently this spring and committed just before his senior season. He is perhaps a bit of a tweener — not prototypical length and mass for a defensive end but not a stand-up linebacker in a 3-4 — but Nebraska likes his upside.
Defensive line coach Mike Dawson's take
"Mosai’s been a guy that we’ve been on since the beginning of the process. The thing I really love about Mosai is he’s a three-sport athlete — basketball, track, his dad is the track coach. He understands the college athletics and the level of commitment it’s going to take to be able to excel both in the classroom and on the field. Edge guy. Depending on his growth and kind of where he goes with Coach (Zach) Duval and his staff, he’s a guy that’s got a big frame, he’s got nice long arms and he’s got the athleticism. Really loved to be able to be interchangeable with those three spots across the front and be able to do some stuff with him. He’s a guy we can line up all over the place."
ILB | Garrett Snodgrass
Signed
The basics
Position: ILB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
Hometown: York
School: York
Date Committed: Nov. 24, 2017
York quarterback Garrett Snodgrass (34) throws a pass against Seward during a Class B quarterfinal on Nov. 2 at Levitt Stadium in York.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: South Dakota, South Dakota State.
Lead recruiter: Barrett Ruud.
The Skinny
York’s do-it-all standout committed to NU one day before Riley was fired but never wavered. Snodgrass played multiple positions including quarterback in high school but will start his Husker career at linebacker. The Dukes have a local pipeline of sorts building. Simon Otte will be a redshirt freshman walk-on outside linebacker and Noah Stafursky is walking on as an offensive lineman.
Linebackers coach Barrett Rudd's take
"We’re excited because he’s going to be able to do a lot of things in our defense. He can drop in coverage, he can rush the passer, he’s a 6-3 kid so he’s going to be a problem in the passing lanes."
OL | Michael Lynn
Signed
The basics
Position: OL
Height: 6-6
Weight: 300
Hometown: Englewood, Colorado
School: Cherry Creek
Date Committed: Aug. 5
Lynn
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State.
Lead recruiter: Greg Austin, Barrett Ruud.
The Skinny
Lynn is another long tackle prospect that the Huskers are excited about developing. His Cherry Creek team lost to Luke McCaffrey’s Valor Christian in the state title game, but the two are close friends. Lynn has been an active peer recruiter and should help the Huskers get back in Colorado looking for more talent in 2020.
Offensive line coach Greg Austin's take
"Position versatility is what we really like about him. You can see how well he bends. Smart kid, very mature for his age. His upside is tremendous. Coming right there from Denver, so not very far away, glad we were able to get a guy we feel will help us here in the near future."
Future Husker with Michael Lynn: On pancake blocks and Big Ten football
OL | Matthew Anderson
Signed
The basics
Position: OL
Height: 6-6
Weight: 250
Hometown: Leesville, Louisiana
School: Leesville
Date Committed: June 22
Anderson
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Louisiana, Louisiana Tech.
Lead recruiter: Greg Austin.
The Skinny
The Huskers found this under-the-radar tackle prospect in rural Louisiana, but love his frame and athleticism. Anderson dealt with a knee injury throughout his senior year. He hit it off immediately with the staff and has been a consistent peer recruiter since committing in June. He might be a project, but NU thinks the potential is there for Anderson to become a big, powerful Big Ten tackle.
Offensive line coach Greg Austin's take
"Tackle prospect. Really excited about his athleticism, his ability to cover guys up in the open field, striking guys. (We plan) to put some weight on him and have him out there as a really good tackle in the Big Ten one day."
Future Husker with Matthew Anderson: On the referral that got him on the Huskers' radar, and chess
DB | Quinton Newsome
Signed
The basics
Position: DB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
School: North Gwinnett
Date Committed: Aug. 6
Quinton Newsome is a defensive back recruit out of Georgia.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Cal, Auburn.
Lead recruiter: Sean Beckton, Travis Fisher.
The Skinny
Newsome was the first defensive back prospect to commit to NU when he pulled the trigger in early August. He’s got the size and versatility that Travis Fisher covets and he comes from a talent-rich area in Georgia. The Huskers think Newsome could play corner or safety but he’ll likely start at corner.
Defensive backs coach Travis Fisher's take
"Quinton is a great kid, comes from an unbelievable family. He’s a very physical safety. He can play on the outside, but can also play corner. Gets his hands on the ball, has very good ball skills. Is about 6-foot-2, probably about 190 pounds right now, so Quinton is one of the top guys in the country coming out."
QB | Luke McCaffrey
Signed
The basics
Position: QB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
Hometown: Littleton, Colorado
School: Valor Christian
Date Committed: June 4
Nebraska quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco (left) watches players warm up with Huskers commit Luke McCaffrey on June 22 during Friday Night Lights at Memorial Stadium.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Michigan, Colorado, Duke.
Lead recruiter: Mario Verduzco.
The Skinny
McCaffrey visited for a junior day in April, hit it off with quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco and committed in June. He’s got the bloodlines and he’s got athleticism. He wasn’t a full-time quarterback until this fall, but the Huskers think he can stick under center. McCaffrey completed 55.3 percent as a senior for state-champion Valor Christian, finishing with 2,202 yards, a 21-4 TD-INT ratio plus 526 rushing yards and eight more scores. McCaffrey is an early enrollee.
Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco's take
"We’re fired up and really excited about Luke playing quarterback for us here. I know there’s been some chatter about him playing other positions. Luke’s going to play quarterback for us and he’s going to be a damn good one."
DB | Myles Farmer
Signed
The basics
Position: DB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180
Hometown: Atlanta
School: Westlake
Date Committed: Nov. 18
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Florida Atlantic.
Lead recruiter: Sean Beckton, Travis Fisher.
The Skinny
Farmer visited for the Michigan State game and was so sold that he committed as soon as he landed back in Atlanta with his family. He’s a long, rangy defensive back — do you sense a trend? — and could play any number of positions for the Huskers down the road. Farmer is one of several Georgia players in NU’s class.
Defensive backs coach Travis Fisher's take
"Myles brings a lot to the table, he’s a very physical safety. Contact player. Can play multiple spots."
WR | Jamie Nance
Signed
The basics
Position: WR
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 170
Hometown: Blanchard, Oklahoma
School: Blanchard
Date Committed: June 29
Nance
Ratings
Rivals ****
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Minnesota, TCU, Baylor.
Lead recruiter: Troy Walters, Ryan Held.
The Skinny
Nance’s stock took off during his senior year despite an early injury. He finished with 36 catches for 523 yards and nine scores, added 234 more (7.8 per carry) on the ground and returned two punts and two kickoffs for scores. He has the type of game-breaking speed NU covets. The Huskers weren’t afraid to jump on Nance and take his commitment before he was a highly regarded recruit and it paid off. Nance is expected to be an early enrollee.
Offensive coordinator Troy Walter's take
"The thing I love most about Jamie is he loves to compete, he loves football. We communicate probably once or twice a day. He’s excited to come. Very versatile, he plays defense as well so he brings that toughness as well."
Future Husker with Jamie Nance: On not wavering on his decision during Huskers' 0-5 start
OLB | Jamin Graham
Signed
The basics
Position: OLB
Height: 6-6
Weight: 220
Hometown: Attalla, Alabama
School: Etowah
Date Committed: Dec. 2
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Ole Miss, Auburn.
Lead recruiter: Scott Frost.
The Skinny
Graham was offered early by the Huskers but didn’t broadcast much about his recruitment. Frost made a point of going to see him in Alabama during the first week of the contact period, though. That led to an official visit, which turned into a quick verbal commitment. Graham has a 7-foot wingspan, just the kind of frame Jovan Dewitt and the Huskers covet on defense.
Outside linebackers coach Jovan Dewitt's take
"Really calm, cool, collected. Super-long kid. One of the surprising things about him is for being 6-4, 6-5 football player, defensive end, outside linebacker, is what you really need to see in order to see his athletic ability is watch him play a game of basketball. He really throw it down from anywhere."
ILB | Jackson Hannah
Signed
The basics
Position: ILB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 235
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
School: Montgomery Bell Academy
Date Committed: June 6
Hannah
Ratings
Rivals ****
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Arkansas, Cal, Duke.
Lead recruiter: Barrett Ruud.
The Skinny
Hannah said he and his dad visited dozens and dozens of schools and he just happened to fall in love with NU. The Huskers like his length and speed and he makes a dynamic inside pair with Nick Henrich for Barrett Ruud to work with. Hannah was a multi-year starter at Montgomery Bell Academy and continued to pick up significant interest from SEC territory after he pledged to the Huskers.
Inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud's take
"A really versatile inside linebacker, he’s got the ability to play on the outside. Really good working with his hands, has the ability to rush the passer. Probably the most thing we’re excited about is No. 1 his character, and then No. 2, a really versatile player. He’ll be able to do a lot of different things in the defense."
DB | Javin Wright
Signed
The basics
Position: DB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
School: Hamilton
Date Committed: Oct. 31
Javin Wright
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: UCLA, Arizona State.
Lead recruiter: Travis Fisher, Erik Chinander.
The Skinny
Wright is the son of former Husker Toby Wright and a good prospect in his own right, too. At 6-3, he’s a rangy, versatile defensive back prospect that could potentially even play outside linebacker if he continues to grow. Wright represents another big body for Travis Fisher to work with as the Huskers try to stockpile young secondary talent.
Defensive backs coach Travis Fisher's take
"Just going to watch Javin not too long ago, he’s growing. He’s about 6-3½, 6-4. He’s very physical on the outside, he’s a tall guy, he bends very well, be better to play corner on the outside. I can move him, put him at safety, I can move him at a lot of different spots, especially playing here in the Big Ten, going against some of these bigger receivers, he’s going to match up well with those guys. This kid here has some tremendous upside, he’s very physical and he’s got a lot of, lot of talent, so he’s going to … get a chance to play right away."
OL | Bryce Benhart
Signed
The basics
Position: OL
Height: 6-9
Weight: 305
Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota
School: Lakeville North
Date Committed: Oct. 28
Benhart
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ****
Offers of note: Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota.
Lead recruiter: Greg Austin, Scott Frost.
The Skinny
Benhart kept his recruitment under wraps for its entirety, but this was a massive recruiting win for the Huskers. The enormous tackle is a good athlete — he’s among the best heavyweight wrestlers in Minnesota — and a powerful football player. Can he compete for early playing time? Time will tell, but his coach at Lakeville North said Benhart might be the best offensive lineman in that school’s history.
Offensive line coach Greg Austin's take
"He’s big, he’s big and he’s aggressive, very similar to the guys you see we have committed. Bryce is a tough guy, as well. (We’re) very fortunate to have him and secure him in our class."
ILB | Nick Henrich
Signed
The basics
Position: ILB
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210
Hometown: Omaha
School: Omaha Burke
Date Committed: July 21
Nick Henrich
Ratings
Rivals ****
247Sports ****
Offers of note: Wisconsin, Iowa, Notre Dame, Iowa State, others.
Lead recruiter: Barrett Ruud.
The Skinny
Henrich represents one of the biggest recruiting wins to date for Scott Frost and company. The highly regarded in-state linebacker could have gone just about anywhere he wanted, but Frost and Barrett Ruud convinced him to stay and play for the Huskers. Henrich missed four-plus games with a knee injury, but still won Gatorade Player of the Year in Nebraska. In 21 total games as a junior and senior, Henrich compiled 215 tackles (10.2 per game), 51 for loss and 15 sacks. He’s considered by most to be the best college prospect in the state. Henrich is an early enrollee.
Inside linebacker Barrett Ruud's take
"First of all, a great kid, a great leader. The guy loves football. The biggest thing you’ll see about him is he plays with just a great motor. He’s fun to watch, he’s scratching, he’s clawing; that’s the first thing you look for in a linebacker, is how hard does he playing and this guy plays as hard as anyone out there."
OL/DL | Ethan Piper
Signed
The basics
Position: OL/DL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 275
Hometown: Norfolk
School: Norfolk Catholic
Date Committed: March 5.
Ethan Piper, Norfolk Catholic
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Iowa, Ohio.
Lead recruiter: Barrett Ruud.
The Skinny
Piper was a two-way standout at Norfolk Catholic and is the type of explosive athlete the Huskers covet. He dominated his level of competition and has the type of twitch and power that make him a prime candidate to thrive under the guidance of strength coach Zach Duval. Piper doesn’t get the same publicity as some other in-state commits, but he’s got a chance to be the best of the bunch.
Defensive line coach Mike Dawson's take
"The thing that jumps out about Ethan is he has the flexibility to probably play six different positions, maybe three on offense, three on defense. You can play him all over the defense. He’s a guy, if you want to say born to be a Husker, this is one of them. We had him in camp this summer and the thing that surprised me was his speed and athleticism."
OL | Jimmy Fritzsche
Signed
The basics
Position: OL
Height: 6-7
Weight: 250
Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
School: Greenville
Date Committed: Dec. 19
Fritzsche
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Syracuse, UCONN.
Lead recruiter: Scott Frost, Greg Austin.
The Skinny
Fritzsche is an intriguing prospect because he played tight end in high school and some schools like him there. Nebraska sees a high-upside, athletic tackle. It might take some time, but if Fritzche wants to play offensive line, the Huskers think they have a plan to develop him.
Offensive line coach Greg Austin's take
"This kid’s kind of a late bloomer. The kid has so much upside, you can see how athletic he is, how much quick-twitch he has coming out of his stance. He fits the bill. We’ll develop his body."
DL | Brant Banks
Signed
The basics
Position: DL
Height: 6-7
Weight: 285
Hometown: Houston
School: Westbury Christian
Date Committed: Dec. 19
University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds (left) shakes hands with Husker recruit Brant Banks of Houston prior to the Purdue game Sept. 29 at Memorial Stadium.
Ratings
Rivals ***
247Sports ***
Offers of note: Baylor, Cal, Boston College.
Lead recruiter: Mike Dawson.
The Skinny
Banks has visited Lincoln twice but hasn’t pulled the trigger. Will he end up closer to home — say, at Baylor — or at Nebraska? The Huskers like him as a defensive lineman while others are recruiting him for offense, though, it’s worth noting NU took both Mike Dawson and Greg Austin to see him during the contact period.
Defensive line coach Mike Dawson's take
"The thing that just jumps off about Brant is just his pure size. You don’t get your hands on a lot of 6-7 guys."
