Recruiting

[timnsun]

The recipe for success here is well-known but nobody wants to do that. They want to do it their way.

Coach Riley will likely succeed in getting us a few nice seasons but the reality of it is, he will only turn over the roster to his style of players, before he retires or is run out of town. If the next coach has a different system, it's going to take another 3-4 years to turn the roster over for that system.

One failed experiment after another, with nothing but more and more time lost.

While I do think a positive attitude is important, this idea that some energy bus book is going to translate into winning championships is naive. Our AD doesn't have the experience, wisdom, nor the leadership ability that the position requires.

They say life is a balance of making things happen, and letting things happen. I know the staff is trying very hard in recruiting, but maybe that is in some ways part of the problem.

Huh? Trying to recruit too hard is the problem? Completely lost on that one... please explain that better.

If the staff took their foot off the gas and let things happen they would be crucified. With recruiting there is no letting things happen.

Maybe I misunderstood, and if so, I apologize.

 

[Ruiner1]

You need to swing for the fence, swing for the fence. ......Ok.......Why you keep trying to kill it man, just get a hit.

 

[otismotis08]

The genius of Osborne's final 60-3 run was that it didn't require #1 ranked recruiting classes.

The option took mobile quarterbacks who would have been running backs or DB's at other schools. It took 6'0" offensive linemen who were amazing players but overlooked by top schools wanting everybody to be 6'5". It allowed an attacking style of defense where the players wouldn't get tired because the offense was on the field for long, grinding drives. Tight ends and wide receivers who needed to be better blockers than catchers. Fullback when no one else even used fullbacks.

Callahan tried the West Coast offense when everybody was running it. Pelini tried the zone read when everyone else was running it. Nothing to differentiate yourself.

Maybe you can never go back, but to go back would be to separate yourself from everybody else, and stop trying to compete with USC, Texas, Ohio State, and Alabama for top quarterbacks and wide receivers, when 98% of the time you are going to lose those recruiting battles.

Been saying it for years now...we don't an IDENTITY.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Been saying it for years now...we don't an IDENTITY.

I think this is premature, there is an identity being developed, it's just not the one some of you like or want.

I also find it sort of funny that the same people complain about where Nebraska is currently ranked in recruiting are also in the "we need to be like Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota" crowd. Have any of those teams finished in the top 30 in recruiting?

As I have said before, if you want to win 7-10 games a year, every once in a while squeeze out 11. You can play the Wisconsin and Iowa version of football. But if winning conference and national titles are what you want, you have to be a balanced on offense, play good to great defense and have difference makers at the skill positions on offense.

 

[Mr.Scary13]

The genius of Osborne's final 60-3 run was that it didn't require #1 ranked recruiting classes.

The option took mobile quarterbacks who would have been running backs or DB's at other schools. It took 6'0" offensive linemen who were amazing players but overlooked by top schools wanting everybody to be 6'5". It allowed an attacking style of defense where the players wouldn't get tired because the offense was on the field for long, grinding drives. Tight ends and wide receivers who needed to be better blockers than catchers. Fullback when no one else even used fullbacks.

Callahan tried the West Coast offense when everybody was running it. Pelini tried the zone read when everyone else was running it. Nothing to differentiate yourself.

Maybe you can never go back, but to go back would be to separate yourself from everybody else, and stop trying to compete with USC, Texas, Ohio State, and Alabama for top quarterbacks and wide receivers, when 98% of the time you are going to lose those recruiting battles.

Tom didn't go on that run until he changed how he recruited and started bringing in flat out studs. Frazier was an extremely highly rated recruit and a coup for Nebraska. So we're most of the other skill position players and many DL recruits. While many of the OL were under the radar it was offset because of Nebraska's state of the art lifting program that nobody else had.

 

[SilentCommit]

Just in time for the Holidays, it's the annual "freak out about recruiting" thread. Allow me to open the fortune cookie and read aloud for you from it's wisdom:

Recruiting isn't for the faint of heart. We will have more decommits before this ends, as well as nice surprises;
This class won't finish in the top ten. If that's the only way we can win championships, turn on the Hallmark channel. It's pretty much over for you, then;
The 90's aren't ever coming back. The conditions that created them are gone now. Please repeat this until you understand;
Nebraska can still win National Championships and recruit nationally. Please repeat this until you understand;
Oregon State will not finish ranked ahead of us in recruiting. Stop effing trolling, and get that stupid s**t out of here;
Tom Osborne was one of the greatest coaches to ever coach. He's not replaceable like a light bulb;
Callahan, Pelini (seriously, eff that clown), Solich: none of them are here anymore, and none of them matter now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you, and quit freaking out.

 

[cubsker]

I think this is premature, there is an identity being developed, it's just not the one some of you like or want.

I also find it sort of funny that the same people complain about where Nebraska is currently ranked in recruiting are also in the "we need to be like Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota" crowd. Have any of those teams finished in the top 30 in recruiting?

As I have said before, if you want to win 7-10 games a year, every once in a while squeeze out 11. You can play the Wisconsin and Iowa version of football. But if winning conference and national titles are what you want, you have to be a balanced on offense, play good to great defense and have difference makers at the skill positions on offense.

wisky has won 10+ games 6 of the last 8 years and have won the Big Ten 3 times and lost in the conf title game twice. All of this while going through two different coaching changes. It's no accident, they have an identity and they do it well. If we were Wisconsin on D and the OL, but with better QB/WR play than they have which I think we can easily get, we would give ourselves the best chance to get back to elite status.

 

[HuskerJack95]

wisky has won 10+ games 6 of the last 8 years and have won the Big Ten 3 times and lost in the conf title game twice. All of this while going through two different coaching changes. It's no accident, they have an identity and they do it well. If we were Wisconsin on D and the OL, but with better QB/WR play than they have which I think we can easily get, we would give ourselves the best chance to get back to elite status.

This post is just way too logical.

We need more hysterics!!

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

wisky has won 10+ games 6 of the last 8 years and have won the Big Ten 3 times and lost in the conf title game twice. All of this while going through two different coaching changes. It's no accident, they have an identity and they do it well. If we were Wisconsin on D and the OL, but with better QB/WR play than they have which I think we can easily get, we would give ourselves the best chance to get back to elite status.

And when they play teams that aren't in the Big Ten, or that play just like they do, they struggle to win. They have zero national titles and are 3-6 in bowl games coming into this year.

 

[cubsker]

sounds similar to what nebraska was for 20 years under tom osborne

 

[NikkiSixx]

Huh? Trying to recruit too hard is the problem? Completely lost on that one... please explain that better.

If the staff took their foot off the gas and let things happen they would be crucified. With recruiting there is no letting things happen.

Maybe I misunderstood, and if so, I apologize.

Have you ever tried to do something, and tried so hard that it actually backfired? It's like the guy who is trying too hard to get a date, it pushes all the girls away. I'm not saying this is exactly the case here in recruiting, but it seems to me recruiting is being made out to be much harder than it should be. The type of system you run, the type of talent that is available nearby, your identity.. it all plays into it. I'm not saying their system won't work, but the odds of that working and being sustainable with the more local talent are probably lower... hence why it may not be the best match and requires such a huge energy expenditure for recruiting to it.

 

[otismotis08]

I think this is premature, there is an identity being developed, it's just not the one some of you like or want.

I also find it sort of funny that the same people complain about where Nebraska is currently ranked in recruiting are also in the "we need to be like Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota" crowd. Have any of those teams finished in the top 30 in recruiting?

As I have said before, if you want to win 7-10 games a year, every once in a while squeeze out 11. You can play the Wisconsin and Iowa version of football. But if winning conference and national titles are what you want, you have to be a balanced on offense, play good to great defense and have difference makers at the skill positions on offense.

Never said Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota are the goal. No idea where you got that from.
National Championships or bust. We still have no IDENTITY.

 

[TruHusker]

Never said Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota are the goal. No idea where you got that from.
National Championships or bust. We still have no IDENTITY.

Please help me with this identity crisis. Define please. Is identity the result or the way you get there?

 

[cubsker]

its a consistent philosophy on how you want to play which guides who you recruit. we havent had one on offense in a decade, at least not anything coherent.

 

[otismotis08]

its a consistent philosophy on how you want to play which guides who you recruit. we havent had one on offense in a decade, at least not anything coherent.

It's what separates you from the masses.

 

[big red22]

Just 2 weeks ago I was saying to a buddy of mine that I haven't felt this optimistic about a recruiting season since 2005. We need some positive news, because it has been a shit show since the Iowa game

Jaylon Johnson chooses Utah <<< yes Utah over us

Robert Poucher decommits

Thomas Graham chooses Oregon

Leitao Decommits

Don't get me wrong I know there is a lot of recruits that are interested in us, but OMFG can we get a little good news mixed in with rain shower of shit that has been dumped on us.

This stuff doesn't help either

Lady Husker Volleyball losing to Texas in Volleyball

Nebraska's basketball team looks like absolute shit

Nebraska's Women's basketball looks like absolute shit

At least Wrestling isn't terrible

 

[percyland]

Wisconsin and Iowa get tough guys up front, build them up for 4-5 years and try and beat you down until you submit in the 4th quarter. So it's not as big of a deal when they don't get some flashy 17 year old from California.

Also, both Wisconsin and Iowa has produced more NFL draft picks than Nebraska last 5 years.

Worry more about developing talent in house. Desmond Kind (All American) and Josey Jewell were both 2 star guys. Kirk Ferents admits he doesn't even look at "stars" that some internet guy gives high school kids. He just looks at tape and finds kids that fit their style.

 

[little a]

Oregon State came close to Nebraska's class last year. And they're on pace to beat Nebraska this year.

You know, the place that was impossible to get quality recruits when our coach was there.

If this is true, jeez.....

 

[nordakotahusker]

Wisconsin and Iowa get tough guys up front, build them up for 4-5 years and try and beat you down until you submit in the 4th quarter. So it's not as big of a deal when they don't get some flashy 17 year old from California.

Also, both Wisconsin and Iowa has produced more NFL draft picks than Nebraska last 5 years.

Worry more about developing talent in house. Desmond Kind (All American) and Josey Jewell were both 2 star guys. Kirk Ferents admits he doesn't even look at "stars" that some internet guy gives high school kids. He just looks at tape and finds kids that fit their style.

Do you really think there are any Div 1 coaches that do?

 

[studed]

Do you really think there are any Div 1 coaches that do?

yep. very few but wouldnt doubt iowa does not. minnesota coaches dont seem to care. they had a 4star ol commit last year. decided he was not the olineman they wanted pulled the offer and went after 3 star kid. minnesota signs a ton of 2 star kids. minnesota would never be a top recruiting team but you dont care what kids are rated when you sign as many 2 star kids as they do.

 

[timnsun]

If this is true, jeez.....

Well it's not true, as you would know if you read the rest of the thread. Jeez.....

 

[Snickerdoodle70]

Well it's not true, as you would know if you read the rest of the thread. Jeez.....

It isn't true. But the difference between the two is hardly vast. Our avg star ranking is much better, though. Just need to close on several more - no more time for signing anything less than a full class.

How many are we able to logically sign this year? Also, I notice, once again, Bama is atop the list and has 25 recruits. Why hasn't the NCAA leveled the playing field by limiting over-signing?

 

[jflores]

Never said Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota are the goal. No idea where you got that from.
National Championships or bust. We still have no IDENTITY.

Its hard to have an identity for an offense that requires a QB that is not TA. We'll see what happens when we have all the basic pieces and can actually execute said offense.

Strangely enough the guy you quoted and piled onto specifically lamented the fact that we aren't "different" and so its hard to beat the Bama's of the world for WR and QB's. Ironically enough, our QB and WR recruiting are quite good and don't seem to be an issue, making his point moot.

 

[BHoppy]

Do you really think there are any Div 1 coaches that do?

True, but all fan bases looks at the rankings and that is why we have these sites!!

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

It isn't true. But the difference between the two is hardly vast. Our avg star ranking is much better, though. Just need to close on several more - no more time for signing anything less than a full class.

How many are we able to logically sign this year? Also, I notice, once again, Bama is atop the list and has 25 recruits. Why hasn't the NCAA leveled the playing field by limiting over-signing?

The over-signing is an old, tired and irrelevent argument. Go look at the schools that signed the most players last year and maybe the year before and Alabama is not at the top. They've signed 26 or less each of the last 4 or more years. Could be they are just full or only have a spot or 2 left.

And even if other leagues are cycling players out and signing 30 every year, they have to stay at or under 85 total. The Big Ten had the original oversigning rules. The league handcuffed their member schools by creating rules that were more restrictive than the NCAA had (s). That a Big Ten problem.

 

[dinglefritz]

The over-signing is an old, tired and irrelevent argument. Go look at the schools that signed the most players last year and maybe the year before and Alabama is not at the top. They've signed 26 or less each of the last 4 or more years. Could be they are just full or only have a spot or 2 left.

And even if other leagues are cycling players out and signing 30 every year, they have to stay at or under 85 total. The Big Ten had the original oversigning rules. The league handcuffed their member schools by creating rules that were more restrictive than the NCAA had (s). That a Big Ten problem.

You don't have to run many guys off when you lose some early to the pros AND all you sign is 4 and 5 star guys. 26 per year equals a roster of 104 scholarship players IF nobody redshirts. I would say that's a significant over signing.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

You don't have to run many guys off when you lose some early to the pros AND all you sign is 4 and 5 star guys. 26 per year equals a roster of 104 scholarship players IF nobody redshirts. I would say that's a significant over signing.

They replaced players that left.

Nebraska signed 92 and Alabama signed 100 from 2013 to 2016. Many years Nebraska awarded scholarships to senior walk ons and had less than 85 scholarships athletes on the roster and redshirted a majority of their class. That's roster management and talent evaluation not oversigning.

 

[dinglefritz]

They replaced players that left.

Nebraska signed 92 and Alabama signed 100 from 2013 to 2016. Many years Nebraska awarded scholarships to senior walk ons and had less than 85 scholarships athletes on the roster and redshirted a majority of their class. That's roster management and talent evaluation not oversigning.

How much could have 8 four and five star guys helped us over a 4 year period? Just think, 8 early NFL draftees....hmmm. So do we not award deserving walk ons a scholarship using a scholarship of a guy that we lost to injury or transfer?

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

How much could have 8 four and five star guys helped us over a 4 year period? Just think, 8 early NFL draftees....hmmm. So do we not award deserving walk ons a scholarship using a scholarship of a guy that we lost to injury or transfer?

I didn't say you don't award the walkons, if that is what you choose to do. But when you don't use the full allotment of scholarships each year and instead of signing a 4 or 5 star player for 4 years, you award those scholarships to walk ons. And when you allow non-contributing players to stick around and eat up scholarships. I bet you could have made up that 8 scholarship difference.

8 scholarships over 4 years is 2 per year. I am pretty sure Nebraska has awarded at least 2 walk ons with scholarships (which you will never see in the signing numbers) the last 4 years AND has been under the 85 limit.

As I said Roster Management and Talent Evaluation 101. They pass we fail.

 

[KingBlackshirt]

Lewis looks headed to USC

Anyone who thinks this class isn't falling into another "ok" class is kidding themselves.

My prediction #25-28 in most rankings

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Watch the periscope he was in last week.

His own words was it's down to Nebraska and ASU.

 

[big red22]

Lewis looks headed to USC

Anyone who thinks this class isn't falling into another "ok" class is kidding themselves.

My prediction #25-28 in most rankings

I'm calling BS... prove it or stfu

 

[headcard]

Lewis has received two crystal ball picks from national guys the last two days. I am still optimistic we land him, but there is reason to be concerned. Ditto for Greg Johnson (except two in the last week).

 

[vs540husker]

Lewis has received two crystal ball picks from national guys the last two days. I am still optimistic we land him, but there is reason to be concerned. Ditto for Greg Johnson (except two in the last week).

Yeah, when two of the top recruiting guys in the country both pick Lewis to USC, there is certainly reason for concern.

 

[KingBlackshirt]

Big Red22 please read the last 2 comments. Thanks...

 

[KingBlackshirt]

"Ok" classes are fine if you have about 80% of the class contribute and some over perform based on ranking. The coach em up factor...

 

[big red22]

Yeah, when two of the top recruiting guys in the country both pick Lewis to USC, there is certainly reason for concern.

They both also pick Jamire Calvin to Nebraska in the same time frame. We'll see what happens

 

[Pennsyhusker]

They both also pick Jamire Calvin to Nebraska in the same time frame. We'll see what happens

My head is spinning. How do college coaches do this without losing their minds? No wonder a lot of them prefer going pro where they do not have to recruit.

 

[Snickerdoodle70]

The coach em up factor...

I think that's what many of us are concerned about.

 

[siebo454]

I was really hopeful for this class, but if the predictions are true we are in trouble. None of most recent projections have lewis, Johnson, sarell, or holmes coming here. Worst of all projections are holmes to ohio st. Projections do have us landing calvin and daniels so theres that. Lets hope these projection guys are really wrong.