Steven Sipple: Rhule’s salesmanship part of Nebraska’s impressive recruiting package, but how much fruit will it bear?

Sean Padden, who’s essentially in charge of the substantial Nebraska football recruiting apparatus, recently covered a lot of ground in a meeting with local media. He reminds me of his boss, Matt Rhule, in that he shoots out sentences in a rapid-fire manner. You have to listen intently. If you do listen closely, you get valuable information.

For instance: Padden dropped into the conversation that he originally came to Nebraska as a consultant for Rhule. Padden didn’t plan to stay around long.

However, “I got charmed by the city of Lincoln, by the people here, and I got super-charged by the setup at 1890,” said Padden, referring to the collective that raises money for and helps manage Nebraska players’ name, image and likeness opportunities.

Keep in mind, Padden is a salesman of sorts, and on this day in early May he was doing an excellent job. But he was simply speaking truth. That’s the key. Regarding The 1890 Initiative, he emphasized that “every dollar goes to athletes.”

“Every single external penny that they raise goes to athletes,” he said. “It doesn’t go to wallpaper. It doesn’t go to anybody’s salary or commission or anything like that. I think that’s an amazing thing, and I think it’s something we should be yelling from the rooftop. That charged me up.”

Bottom line, “I jumped in because I was excited by the way things are situated here.”

Of course, Rhule, Padden and company hope prospects share their excitement. Nebraska seems to be getting the attention of the nation’s highest-profile recruits (see offensive tackle David Sanders Jr., for example). The Huskers appear to be in good position to land four-star running back Jamarion Parker out of St. Louis. On and on. In-state recruiting is strong. There’s some momentum.

Nebraska just received a verbal commitment from four-star quarterback TJ Lateef. That obviously was critical, getting a prized QB in the fold in mid-May.

If you stop and consider the entire package that Nebraska presents to prospects, it’s impressive. Any objective observer can see it. But the Husker roster still needs a lot of work before anyone can talk seriously about NU winning Big Ten championships. So, how much fruit can an improved overall Husker recruiting pitch bear?

Reiman Zebert has four visits locked in, eyeing a fifth, and a commitment to follow

Rhule blessed by Peed family helping at high level

It should be noted that some of the improvement was underway well before Rhule arrived in Lincoln in late 2022. Exhibit A: The sparkling training facility that sits just to the north and east of Memorial Stadium — which was formally announced in September of 2019 when Scott Frost and Bill Moos were still on the scene.

It’s finishing touches occur as we speak.

“It’s emblematic of the effort that goes into our athletes,” Padden said of the $165 million building, adding, “I don’t think anyone is coming here just because of it. But sometimes you like the sizzle with your steak.”

Meanwhile, credit for the nearly two-year-old 1890 Initiative goes to the Peed family of Lincoln. The Peeds pay for all the collective’s infrastructure — most of which runs through their Lincoln-based company, Sandhills Global — so all money raised goes to athletes. If you’re a Nebraska fan, you should thank your lucky stars for the Peeds. Believe me, Rhule thanks his lucky stars for them — perhaps on a daily basis.

Of course, it also helps matters that Nebraska happens to compete in the powerful Big Ten, which along with the SEC has sprinted away from the field of conferences. Rhule also can sell that unassailable fact to prospects.

And, yes, true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola can be a part of Rhule’s pitch, too. You don’t have to use your imagination on how that might work.

We also should give credit to the pitchman because Rhule could sell hamburger to a vegan. But in his current role, he’s selling high-grade steak. Yes, that’s the case. Right now. Much of it has fallen into place organically, somewhat quietly. Nebraska, as it stands, has plenty to offer to prospects. And if it ever starts winning at a high level, well, it’s easy to imagine how effective Rhule and company could become as salesmen in that scenario.

Padden shares fascinating tidbit on Rhule

Easy to imagine? Well, as Padden’s 30-minute session with media was winding to a close, he shared an intriguing story about Rhule from Rhule’s time as Temple’s head coach (2013 to 2016).

During that period, Padden was out of the college game for a spell. He lived in Philadelphia, where he coached a team of 5- and 6-year-olds, the West Philly Tar Heels, in an inner-city league. When it came time for the league banquet, a speaker was needed.

“It was a fish fry in a grade-school gym,” Padden recalled. “So, I asked Matt, who was coaching at Temple, if he would come in and talk to the room — and he absolutely burned the room to the ground.”

Most Nebraska fans have seen enough of Rhule at a podium to understand.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Padden said. “He’s just my friend. He’s a good football coach. He got up there and took control of the room like I’ve never seen. My jaw dropped.”

Padden texted a friend, Geoff Collins, about what had just occurred, and Collins texted back, “Yeah, your boy can talk.”

Boy, can he ever.

Nebraska can sell “developmental” staff

To be sure, Rhule also can sell, and he has plenty to sell. He can sell a “developmental staff.” Yes, it’s a buzz phrase. But he does genuinely seem intent on hiring coaches “who have an ability to teach and reach young people,” as Padden puts it.

I think Rhule eventually will be able to sell staff stability. Stability is what Rhule prefers, Padden said.

I like what Rhule says about Nebraska’s program being “a caring environment, not a coddling one.”

I like what Rhule says about the importance of being brutally honest with athletes in a day and age of extreme roster movement nationally.

Nebraska’s proud gridiron tradition remains a selling point, and I like the vibe at Nebraska right now.

I could go on. I just know Nebraska’s overall recruiting package has evolved into something that looks formidable.

Now, if wins come in bushels, look out.

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The post Steven Sipple: Rhule’s salesmanship part of Nebraska’s impressive recruiting package, but how much fruit will it bear? appeared first on On3.