Thoughts on recruiting

[big red23]

1. This staff is targeting the recruits they want and landing them
2. This class is going to look "meh" as far as the final rankings go.
3. We ended up on average with roughly six 4* every year under Pelini, the only problem with Pelini's 4* recruits is they never stayed and did anything. I think we will have less then 6 in this class, but hopefully they all contribute to the team... Cough cough 2011 cough cough
4. Though I think getting a 5.6 3* recruit today isn't exactly amazing, it is a solid pick up and hopefully will be good.
5. Other than belief in the current staff eye for talent this class is not going to be better than Pelini classes on paper
6. I've been on this site for too long to get too high or too low on a recruit. When we got Marlon Lucky in 2005 I thought we struck gold. All he did was make me realize 5* doesn't mean greatness see Ameer Abdulah
7. We are filling in holes that need filled. I am really hoping we land a DT in the class, because I don't like skipping any position any year. Too many possibilities for "****" to happen
8. Trent Bray is a real good recruiter
9. No matter what happens come signing day, the sun will come up tomorrow
10. I really do think offer lists matter, because if there are multiple coaches at the D1 college level at P5 schools that want a kid. I'm thinking the chances of striking out on that kid will be a lot less then getting a kid with only a few. Although there are possible exceptions, I prefer to not take those risks.

 

[otismotis08]

I'm afraid you may be right about #2 and #5.

 

[GeauxBigRed]

I tend to agree with alot of what you are saying..

IMO we have recruited pretty well given everything that is going on with the program.
I think this staff does a great job at recruiting on social media and I don't think that's something we can not over look in this day and age.

To face facts, we are not in Tuscaloosa Alabama or Baton Rouge so Nebraska will always fight an uphill battle when it comes to recruiting. We will have to take flyers on some kids and recruit our 500 mile radius well.

I think we have a good staff that is experienced, looks like we will have to prove it on the field before the recruits start comes. (Chicken or the egg)

I am hopeful going forward and I think this class shows it.

 

[mwulf]

I miss the option ..it gave us a pretty good advantage in the recruiting arena ...didnt need 5* kids to execute that offense

 

[TruHusker]

Recruiting will always be a challenge at Nebraska despite all of the "advantages" many think we have. Winning consistently is the key to getting the national attention we need. The past is nice for remembering the glory days but escapes the current mind set of recruits. Recruiting will have to get better in the future, no doubt. It will all come along at the same time - winning, better recruiting, better coaching, winning, better recruiting, etc.

There are always the occasional fliers in a given year - but look at consistency over time and being at the top of the heap. What happened to Colorado who we all thought had numerous advantages in recruiting over Nebraska. How would you like to recruit to Wyoming? Do you think they will ever play for a NC? The same teams, the same schools will normally be up there because they have built the systems and have the resources. Can someone sneak in? Sure, but not on a consistent basis. It isn't one thing - it is everything in the process. I get a kick out of people who say if we just do "this" well there are a whole bunch of "this" things that have to come together.

 

[chicolby]

I echo what I think a couple others on here are saying. Riley/Nebraska isn't going to instantly recruit our way to the top 10. It's going to have to get there by development and sound coaching. Then hopefully that opens the door to more recruits. Fortunately, every year you see teams without 5 star talent that put the pieces together and compete at high levels, so it can happen.

 

[dinglefritz]

I miss the option ..it gave us a pretty good advantage in the recruiting arena ...didnt need 5* kids to execute that offense

Sorry. IF you wanted to win at a high level you needed elite talent at key positions to run TO's offense and defense. The idea that the option doesn't require elite athletes to win is bullsh##. Frank's 7-7 says hello as do all of those years losing to OU before Tom got serious about recruiting speed.Tom got over the hump finally because he landed some of the best skill position players on offense and defense to go with some of the developed guys. MANY of our BEST O and D linemen came from out of state.

 

[otismotis08]

I miss the option ..it gave us a pretty good advantage in the recruiting arena ...didnt need 5* kids to execute that offense

...and an IDENTITY.

 

[Redscarlet]

T.O finest teams weren't in the top 10 in recruiting every single year nether...We will always struggle in recruiting given our population but finishing with top 25 classes for the most part should be good enough to be coached up by the staff to compete and win in the B1G West.

It will always help recruiting out when we win on a consistent bases.

 

[newAD]

T.O finest teams weren't in the top 10 in recruiting every single year nether...We will always struggle in recruiting given our population but finishing with top 25 classes for the most part should be good enough to be coached up by the staff to compete and win in the B1G West.

It will always help recruiting out when we win on a consistent bases.

 

[siebo454]

Osborne did get some very highly rated recruits. Frazier, the Peter brothers, Wistrom, and Tomich I believe were all at or near the top of the rankings. Along with most of the running backs were top tier guys. Osborne didn't win championships with a full team of walk-ons.

 

[WoodRiverJennings]

I miss the option ..it gave us a pretty good advantage in the recruiting arena ...didnt need 5* kids to execute that offense

You don't need 5* players to execute any offense. You probably do need some players of that caliber to execute it at a national title-winning level though. Check out the recruiting rankings for guys like Tommie Frazier and Ahman Green.

 

[inWV]

Riley needs to plug some roster holes that were left to him. It's always best to get the highest value recruits that you can, but none have played a down of major college FB. NU has landed some highly rated talent that never panned out. Character and work ethic plus talent equals a player who will see the field.
Great news that the coaches are closing strong.:-

 

[Husk10]

The organizational aspect of this staff is light years ahead of the previous staff. From evaluations, communications, social media, camps, et al., it's just flat out better.

The thing they are going to have to continue to do and improve on is going after kids that are outside of the normal targets that an OSU would go after. Being they are at a premiere school, they need to focus on premier kids.

This is happening, but it needs to continue and improve in perpetuity.

 

[Harry Caray]

MANY of our BEST O and D linemen came from out of state.

D-Line yes, but the majority of our O-Lineman on our best teams were Nebraska kids. And almost our entire 1997 offense was Nebraska kids (Frost, Green, Makovicka, Brown, Davison, Zatechka, Anderson, Pollack).

The fact that most of the high schools in the state ran a similar offense in the 90s helped our recruiting tremendously. Very few high schools in Nebraska run an offense similar to Riley's. It's going to be hard to find great pass-blocking linemen and pro-style QBs close to home.

 

[hddude55]

I miss the option ..it gave us a pretty good advantage in the recruiting arena ...didnt need 5* kids to execute that offense

It wouldn't give an advantage anymore. Far less elite teams are looking for pro-style qb's these days, so it may well be an advantage to be running a pro-style offense.

 

[spinner4_rivals42045]

T.O finest teams weren't in the top 10 in recruiting every single year nether...We will always struggle in recruiting given our population but finishing with top 25 classes for the most part should be good enough to be coached up by the staff to compete and win in the B1G West.

It will always help recruiting out when we win on a consistent bases.

Not so fast my friend. Tom landed a bunch of top 10 classes especially during his run for titles, depending on who you follow for recruiting rankings. But every recruiting service back then had a TON of Husker commits in its top 100's or top 250 players. All the guys Siebo454 stated plus guys like the Browns, Nuke, LP, a ton of highly rated Jucos, & many other guys. Maybe tom didn't land the #1 class every year but that staff recruited MUCH better than this staff and it's not even close. All I'm saying is don't sugar coat this class by trying to act like its on par with Tom's. Other posters have tried to do that and many (including myself) have totally debunked that. It's just not true.

Call it like it is, a class that this staff will have to develop in order to win titles. If you can't recruit top 10 classes, you have to develop better than the rest. I can't see any of these guys being penciled in the 2 deep right away. If they can develop these guys (and develop better than they did in Beaver land), then I think they'll be fine.i just think there's too much dead weight on the staff to recruit with the big boys. Too much nepotism. Notice bama & LSu don't believe in nepotism, those head coaches demand everyone carries their weight and they aren't afraid to fire folks for not doing just that. NO coach will ever be let go under Riley.

 

[Yossarian23]

Call it like it is, a class that this staff will have to develop in order to win titles. If you can't recruit top 10 classes, you have to develop better than the rest. I can't see any of these guys being penciled in the 2 deep right away. If they can develop these guys (and develop better than they did in Beaver land), then I think they'll be fine.i just think there's too much dead weight on the staff to recruit with the big boys. Too much nepotism. Notice bama & LSu don't believe in nepotism, those head coaches demand everyone carries their weight and they aren't afraid to fire folks for not doing just that. NO coach will ever be let go under Riley.

Think you were shooting for 'cronyism'. But I'm admittedly not really familiar with the family ties of this staff.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

the recruiting services rank classes based on quantity and quality (stars) . What these services do not address is how well your class addresses needs. This class needs 1-2 Off Tackles of which we currently have none - hopefully Farniok commits but that is far from certain (maybe a coin flip). A whiff at this position to go along with the apparent shut out at DT would put a damper on this class regardless of what it ends up in overall rankings

 

[spinner4_rivals42045]

Think you were shooting for 'cronyism'. But I'm admittedly not really familiar with the family ties of this staff.

Google the word nepotism.


nep·o·tism
noun

the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.

preferential treatment, the old boy network, looking after one's own, bias, partiality, partisanship
"hiring my daughter was not nepotism—it was just good business"
antonyms: impartiality ...


So yep, I think it applies. It's not just family as so many people believe.

 

[Yossarian23]

Google the word nepotism.


nep·o·tism
noun

the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.

preferential treatment, the old boy network, looking after one's own, bias, partiality, partisanship
"hiring my daughter was not nepotism—it was just good business"
antonyms: impartiality ...


So yep, I think it applies. It's not just family as so many people believe.

So I googled it, as suggested, and 7/10 of the results mention family--and family only--as I've typically understood nepotism to mean.

But I'll acknowledge the 3/10 (including the first result) that define it as friends and family, and go ahead and learn something new today.

 

[spinner4_rivals42045]

So I googled it, as suggested, and 7/10 of the results mention family--and family only--as I've typically understood nepotism to mean.

But I'll acknowledge the 3/10 (including the first result) that define it as friends and family, and go ahead and learn something new today.

Seriously, that is the way many schools are teaching it now in sociology. Sorry my friend, its the world we live in. I only know it this way because I missed it on a quiz some years back when I circled family only. It is what it is.

 

[Yossarian23]

Seriously, that is the way many schools are teaching it now in sociology. Sorry my friend, its the world we live in. I only know it this way because I missed it on a quiz some years back when I circled family only. It is what it is.

I'm not arguing it...sorry if it came off that way. I suppose the /10 stuff would make it seem that way, but I just wanted to stay in the majority while I can, while still also learning with changes. Now, the more I read it, the more I look like an ***. Sorry about that.

 

[BringBackRoyal_rivals20022]

1. This staff is targeting the recruits they want and landing them.

This is what some segment of fans always says when their school isn't competitive for much elite talent. Are you really arguing that if your coaches could sign any group of recruits they wanted, your class would look just about like it does now? You cannot possibly believe that.

 

[BringBackRoyal_rivals20022]

It wouldn't give an advantage anymore. Far less elite teams are looking for pro-style qb's these days, so it may well be an advantage to be running a pro-style offense.

Wishful thinking. A pro-style offense is not a good choice for mitigating talent disadvantages. Nebraska is never going to consistently recruit at the level required to field a dominant pro-style offense.

 

[otismotis08]

Wishful thinking. A pro-style offense is not a good choice for mitigating talent disadvantages. Nebraska is never going to consistently recruit at the level required to field a dominant pro-style offense.

+1

We need to establish an IDENTITY, preferably something different than what everyone else is doing. This would enable us to attract a more specific talent set. We already tried the pro-style approach under BC, trying to sell kids on getting to the NFL. We should focus on an approach to winning at Nebraska.

 

[timnsun]

BringBackRoyal, I appreciate you coming over and pointing out all our problems.

While you're at it, what the heck is going on with Texas? You guys might be an even worse train wreck than Nebraska...

 

[dinglefritz]

D-Line yes, but the majority of our O-Lineman on our best teams were Nebraska kids. And almost our entire 1997 offense was Nebraska kids (Frost, Green, Makovicka, Brown, Davison, Zatechka, Anderson, Pollack).

The fact that most of the high schools in the state ran a similar offense in the 90s helped our recruiting tremendously. Very few high schools in Nebraska run an offense similar to Riley's. It's going to be hard to find great pass-blocking linemen and pro-style QBs close to home.

So what did I post that was wrong? You gave a couple of examples of guys that were from Nebraska. MANY of our BEST O and D linemen came from out of state from places like California and Texas. Notice I didn't say ALL. Without those guys from out of state, we would have had HUGE holes in our roster. Never mind all the DBs that came from elsewhere. Something tells me that we wouldn't have won those championships with a bunch of kids from Ulysses and Doniphan playing DB for us.

 

[sparky4986]

+1

We need to establish an IDENTITY, preferably something different than what everyone else is doing. This would enable us to attract a more specific talent set. We already tried the pro-style approach under BC, trying to sell kids on getting to the NFL. We should focus on an approach to winning at Nebraska.

IMO the offense that HCMR is bringing is a lot different that BC brought. Personally I like the offense that we had last year. Now, that being said, a QB that can run that offense is HUGE & IMO POB is that QB. This offense will win here, I have no doubt about it.

 

[dinglefritz]

Wishful thinking. A pro-style offense is not a good choice for mitigating talent disadvantages. Nebraska is never going to consistently recruit at the level required to field a dominant pro-style offense.

Says the whorn fan. Good heavens now Texas fans are trolling our board.

 

[Tulsa Tom_rivals17485]

This is what some segment of fans always says when their school isn't competitive for much elite talent. Are you really arguing that if your coaches could sign any group of recruits they wanted, your class would look just about like it does now? You cannot possibly believe that.

I bet if you asked our coaches in private if they wanted our guys or Ohio State's guys they would choose the latter. That was the first thing I thought when I read that initial quote from the OP but didn't say anything because I am trying the kinder gentler approach these days.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Even with our latest recruits, and even IF we finish strong with four or five guys, this is a "meh" class. No offensive or defensive tackles??? You win in the trenches as the UCLA game only underscored even more.

Traditionally a new staff makes its biggest recruiting splash in year one, e.g Harbaugh, Calllahan, Franklin. This is why I did not like the Riley hire. It was a safe, but boring, hire that created very little excitement or mojo for the program on a national stage. I still think Frost, with his connections to "flashy" Oregon, was the more exciting hire. This next year is huge for Riley. He has to put together a good season and a better recruiting class. Otherwise, as far as winning and recruiting and national relevance goes, he is just Pelini part two.

 

[dinglefritz]

Even with our latest recruits, and even IF we finish strong with four or five guys, this is a "meh" class. No offensive or defensive tackles??? You win in the trenches as the UCLA game only underscored even more.

Traditionally a new staff makes its biggest recruiting splash in year one, e.g Harbaugh, Calllahan, Franklin. This is why I did not like the Riley hire. It was a safe, but boring, hire that created very little excitement or mojo for the program on a national stage. I still think Frost, with his connections to "flashy" Oregon, was the more exciting hire. This next year is huge for Riley. He has to put together a good season and a better recruiting class. Otherwise, as far as winning and recruiting and national relevance goes, he is just Pelini part two.

Riley will NEVER be Pelini part 2. He may not win any more games but he will NEVER embarrass our university the way Pelini and his brother did.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Riley will NEVER be Pelini part 2. He may not win any more games but he will NEVER embarrass our university the way Pelini and his brother did.

Agreed. That is why I said "as far as winning and recruiting and national relevance goes" he is Pelini part 2. Character wise he is a step up. I am glad Pelini is gone. But so far Mike Riley has done NOTHING to return us to elite status. He has a losing record, which he seems to excel at no matter where he coaches, and his first year of recruiting is at Pelini's level. And Banker is his DC. Ugh.

 

[GBR_Atlanta]

+1

We need to establish an IDENTITY, preferably something different than what everyone else is doing. This would enable us to attract a more specific talent set. We already tried the pro-style approach under BC, trying to sell kids on getting to the NFL. We should focus on an approach to winning at Nebraska.

I hear you. I think the pro-style offense will give us an identity. With everyone moving to spread systems, we are running something different than a lot of other teams. A couple good recruiting classes and we have something good going here. I liked our spread systems too though. I actually favored Watson (the brief time he ran it) over Beck in that offense.

 

[jeans15]

The

It wouldn't give an advantage anymore. Far less elite teams are looking for pro-style qb's these days, so it may well be an advantage to be running a pro-style offense.

Riley will NEVER be Pelini part 2. He may not win any more games but he will NEVER embarrass our university the way Pelini and his brother did.

Going 5-7 is an embarrassment to the program.. We have been laughed at all year.

 

[Nate004]

The





Going 5-7 is an embarrassment to the program.. We have been laughed at all year.

Unlike making a general fool of yourself multiple times, its quite possible to get over a 5-7 "embarrassment" (I don't... The end the of the year was strong) quickly. Look at Michigan. They went from 5-7 two years ago, and last year 10-3.

 

[jflores]

The





Going 5-7 is an embarrassment to the program.. We have been laughed at all year.

The general tone nationally seems to have been (at least post MSU) "this is what transition looks like". Granted, 5-7 is not acceptable here and doesn't make it hurt any less, but people haven't been going out of their way to point out NU stubbing its toe.

Certainly, after winning the UCLA game, where we were named one of the "winners" of bowl season, the tone is a much more positive one nationally, yet another step in transition.

 

[Husk10]

The general tone nationally seems to have been (at least post MSU) "this is what transition looks like". Granted, 5-7 is not acceptable here and doesn't make it hurt any less, but people haven't been going out of their way to point out NU stubbing its toe.

Certainly, after winning the UCLA game, where we were named one of the "winners" of bowl season, the tone is a much more positive one nationally, yet another step in transition.

Agreed. Aside from Herbstreet, most chalk it up to transition and bad luck.

Next year will be a proving ground on the field.

 

[spud888]

1. This staff is targeting the recruits they want and landing them
2. This class is going to look "meh" as far as the final rankings go.
3. We ended up on average with roughly six 4* every year under Pelini, the only problem with Pelini's 4* recruits is they never stayed and did anything. I think we will have less then 6 in this class, but hopefully they all contribute to the team... Cough cough 2011 cough cough
4. Though I think getting a 5.6 3* recruit today isn't exactly amazing, it is a solid pick up and hopefully will be good.
5. Other than belief in the current staff eye for talent this class is not going to be better than Pelini classes on paper
6. I've been on this site for too long to get too high or too low on a recruit. When we got Marlon Lucky in 2005 I thought we struck gold. All he did was make me realize 5* doesn't mean greatness see Ameer Abdulah
7. We are filling in holes that need filled. I am really hoping we land a DT in the class, because I don't like skipping any position any year. Too many possibilities for "****" to happen
8. Trent Bray is a real good recruiter
9. No matter what happens come signing day, the sun will come up tomorrow
10. I really do think offer lists matter, because if there are multiple coaches at the D1 college level at P5 schools that want a kid. I'm thinking the chances of striking out on that kid will be a lot less then getting a kid with only a few. Although there are possible exceptions, I prefer to not take those risks.