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As we all know, the high school football association early signing day was less than a month ago. New Husker head football coach Matt Rhule’s early signing day (12/21) was just three weeks into his Husker job. During that time, Rhule and his then-still-unfinished coaching staff somehow made a Top 30 (Rivals.com) class.
Let’s take a look at some of the players who have a chance to make an impact this fall.
Move portal players
This year’s Husker transfers all come from Power Five programs (Kai Wallin came from a JUCO). They have a proven track record of performance. Experience at this level of play usually means significant playing time and positive results at their new schools. The players are not listed in any particular order.
Jeff Sims QB 6-4, 220 lbs (Georgia Tech)
He has 3 years to play 2. Sims has plenty of experience as a GT starter over the past 3 years with 4,404 yards, 30 TDs and 20 INTs. Yes, the ratio of INT to TD is not good, but maybe Rhule & Company can coach him. Sims is going to be a crowded QB room, but some may be leaving the program. Last year’s starter Casey Thompson may not be available (postseason surgery) for spring ball, so having someone with Sims experience is a boon.
Josh Fleeks WR 5-10, 190 (Baylor) 6th year senior
Fleeks is a unique player. He played under Matt Rhule (2 years) when Rhule was at Baylor. Instead of staying with the Bears, he’s coming to Nebraska to play for his former coach. It’s amazing. Josh could replace last year’s transfer portal Trey Palmer. Palmer decided to enter this year’s NFL draft. Look for Fleeks to catch passes and return kicks.
Ben Scott (Center) 6-5, 290 (Arizona State)
Scott looks to be Trent Hixon’s replacement on the Huskers’ O-line. Scott will be able to play immediately. Added bonus: his mother’s family is from Columbus, NE. And get this: Ben went to the same high school (St. Louis in Honolulu) as his Husker position coach, Donovan Raiola, and former Husker All American center, Domonic Raiola. Scott graduated from ASU last month.
Chief Borders LB 6-4, 240 (Florida)
Borders are fast, intelligent and aggressive. He may be the replacement for Ernest Hausman, who transferred from Nebraska to Michigan. Borders is a great addition to the Husker LB crew.
Corey Collier, Jr. DB 6-2, 170 (Florida)
He could find early playing time. Collier was a 5-star prospect and high school teammate of Husker Dwight Bootle.
Elijah Jeudy (Edge Rusher) 6-4, 240 (Florida)
Jeudy will help contain the pass rush that has seen edge rusher Ochaun Mathis enter the ’23 NFL Draft.
Marco Ortiz (Deep Snapper) 6-4, 236 (Florida)
Generally, deep snappers aren’t considered essential to a football team’s success, but Ortiz fills an open spot and should be a big help on special teams.
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High school signatories
Let’s take a look at a few players from the ’23 class who may have a chance to participate this fall. Again, the list is in no particular order. And this by no means affects any of the new signatories not mentioned.
Malachi Coleman (WR/Athlete) 6-5 205 (Lincoln East HS)
If what Matt Rhule says is true, Coleman is just what the doctor ordered for Rhule’s first recruiting class. Speed, speed and more speed. MC was a Mickey Joseph commitment, and when Jospeh wasn’t going to be the next Husker head coach, Coleman quit. He looked at Deion Sanders and Colorado, but after listening to coach Rhule Malachi decided to recommit to the Huskers. Nebraska is getting a great player who should be able to contribute this fall as a WR, returner or even a TE. MC has a great career ahead of him.
Tristan Alvano 6-2, 185 PK (Omaha Westside)
Anyone who watched the Nebraska Class A Football Championship Game in November couldn’t help but think that Alvano is not only a great Power Five rusher, but also has great NFL potential. Yes – he is that good. Husker kickoff man, Brandon Franke, has entered the transfer portal. His departure could open the door for Tristan to take Franke’s place. Nebraska’s PK is already Timmy Bleekroode. With Bleekrode leaving Nebraska (he’ll be a junior this fall), it could open the door for Alvano to replace him.
Jaylen Lloyd WR/Athlete 5-11, 160 (Omaha Westside)
What is Omaha Westside High? Lloyd is a sprinter who runs track and plays soccer. He plans to do both at Nebraska. Thank God Rhule didn’t let Alvano and Lloyd leave the state. Lloyd should be able to play this fall. Remember, you can’t coach speed.
JUCO player
So far, Rhule’s first recruiting class has featured only one junior varsity transfer.
Kai Wallin (Edge Rusher) 6-6, 240 (American River California CC)
With his size and experience, look for Wallin to make an impact on the D-line this fall.
There are some good high school contributors in this class, but most of them need seasoning before they see significant playing time. Some of them, either by need or talent, may get playing time this fall.
Pierce, Nebraska TE Benjamin Brahmer decommits from Nebraska to sign with Iowa State, find coach Rhule to find TE via transfer portal.
An Evening with Johnny Rodgers
I recently spoke with Ashley Spitsnogle, a local artist known for her paintings of Husker greats. He has just completed a painting of Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers’ iconic punt return in the 1971 Game of the Century against Oklahoma. As all Husker fans know, JR won Nebraska’s first Heisman the following year.
The event takes place this Friday (January 6th) from 6-8pm at Main Street Studios and Gallery in Elkhorn, Nebraska. See the link below for more information. Joining Johnny are two other Husker Heisman winners, Mike Rozier and Eric Crouch. Don’t miss this! Here is the link.
How about those Huskers
In this week’s episode of the podcast, grandson Will and I talk about some of the bowling games we watched over the weekend. We discuss TCU’s win over previously undefeated Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl and Ohio State’s loss to Georgia in the Peach Bowl. Those two bowl games were the most exciting college football games I have ever seen.
I’m coming to see Max Duggan and the Horned Frogs in Georgia on Monday night in Inglewood, CA.
Get your Huskers tickets at SI Tickets here.
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Sources 2/ https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/football/husker-dan-rating-the-2023-nebraska-football-recruiting-class The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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