5. Nebraska Huskers
5-Year Cycle: #19, #6, #3, #11, #1
Ranked Recruits:#8-Chad Red, IN (141)
#14-Beau Breske, WI (174/184)
#35-Eric Schultz, IL (197)
#96-Taylor Venz, MN (184/197)
Others: Luke Weber, MT (149); Johnny Blankenship, MO (165)
In Lincoln: The Huskers have finished in the Top 12 at NCAA’s 8 of the last 10 years. A large part of that comes from consistent recruiting efforts. They’ve been 11th or higher in the recruiting rankings 6 of the last 7 years.
Why They’re Here: You have two elite and proven talents in Red and Breske, who spent portions of their career #1. But Eric Schultz elevates the class giving the Huskers three in the Top 35. Schultz is not to be slept on. The multi-sport athlete was a late bloomer on the national wrestling scene and one that many Illinois experts will say has his best days in front of him. Additionally, Venz has showed a lot of upside as well, majoring a nationally ranked Lucas Jeske in state finals. And Weber owned two wins over nationally ranked Jarrett Degen and won Senior Nationals.
Why They’re Not Higher: Another detail is that as optimistic as I am about Schultz, he’ll have to beat out Derek White, another guy I was high on, or sit behind him for two years. Ultimately, where this class eventually ranks when the dust settles will probably depend on Schultz.
Needs for Next Year: Nebraska already has #5-Mikey Labriola (174/184) committed for next year. Along with Patrick Grayson (FR/HWT), the Huskers are young and completely filled up in the back half of their line-up. What Nebraska should be targeting for 2017 and 2018 are the bluest of blue chippers from 125 through 149.
Flashback Stat: Nebraska had the #1 class in 2011 with Jake Sueflohn, James Green, All and American Austin Wilson. Donny Longendyke, who won two DII titles, and Tyler Caldwell, who ended up going to Oklahoma State, were also part of that equation.
5-Year Cycle: #19, #6, #3, #11, #1
Ranked Recruits:#8-Chad Red, IN (141)
#14-Beau Breske, WI (174/184)
#35-Eric Schultz, IL (197)
#96-Taylor Venz, MN (184/197)
Others: Luke Weber, MT (149); Johnny Blankenship, MO (165)
In Lincoln: The Huskers have finished in the Top 12 at NCAA’s 8 of the last 10 years. A large part of that comes from consistent recruiting efforts. They’ve been 11th or higher in the recruiting rankings 6 of the last 7 years.
Why They’re Here: You have two elite and proven talents in Red and Breske, who spent portions of their career #1. But Eric Schultz elevates the class giving the Huskers three in the Top 35. Schultz is not to be slept on. The multi-sport athlete was a late bloomer on the national wrestling scene and one that many Illinois experts will say has his best days in front of him. Additionally, Venz has showed a lot of upside as well, majoring a nationally ranked Lucas Jeske in state finals. And Weber owned two wins over nationally ranked Jarrett Degen and won Senior Nationals.
Why They’re Not Higher: Another detail is that as optimistic as I am about Schultz, he’ll have to beat out Derek White, another guy I was high on, or sit behind him for two years. Ultimately, where this class eventually ranks when the dust settles will probably depend on Schultz.
Needs for Next Year: Nebraska already has #5-Mikey Labriola (174/184) committed for next year. Along with Patrick Grayson (FR/HWT), the Huskers are young and completely filled up in the back half of their line-up. What Nebraska should be targeting for 2017 and 2018 are the bluest of blue chippers from 125 through 149.
Flashback Stat: Nebraska had the #1 class in 2011 with Jake Sueflohn, James Green, All and American Austin Wilson. Donny Longendyke, who won two DII titles, and Tyler Caldwell, who ended up going to Oklahoma State, were also part of that equation.
