The 3-2-1: National analysts remain high on Nebraska heading into 2024
Several national analysts remain high on Nebraska as the Huskers prepare for the 2024 season.
In this week’s 3-2-1 column, we hit on that and more with three things we learned, two questions, and one prediction.
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THREE THINGS WE LEARNED THIS WEEK
1 – Several national analysts remain high on the Huskers heading into 2024
We’ve seen several national analysts buy into Nebraska as we prepare for the 2024 season.
On3’s Andy Staples predicts a 7-0 start for the Huskers, while FOX’s Joel Klatt also thinks NU is poised for a big 2024 under Matt Rhule.
Many Husker fans remain cautiously optimistic heading into 2024 after seeing the program endure such struggles since 2017.
NU does have history on its side, though. Every year two for a new head coach at Nebraska, for the most part, has been successful over the last 25 years.
Frank Solich won the Big 12 and the Fiesta Bowl in his second season in 1999 and Bill Callahan led Nebraska to an Alamo Bowl win over Michigan in his second season in 2005.
Meanwhile, Bo Pelini had a breakout second season in 2009, falling to Texas in the final seconds of the Big 12 championship. Even Mike Riley’s second season in 2016 was the program’s best over the last decade, leading NU to a 9-3 regular season. That season produced a 7-0 start and a top-10 national ranking.
Only Scott Frost failed to have a good second season at Nebraska in 2019, and you can argue he should have. That team was picked to win the Big Ten West and preseason ranked in the AP top 25. They finished the season a disappointing 5-7.
Rhule’s history of successful year twos over his career can also be added to this discussion. His teams at Baylor and Temple took major jumps in his second season.
2 – NU has added seven commitments in the last month
With the addition of Winner (S.D.) offensive lineman Shawn Hammerbeck on Wednesday, Nebraska has now added seven new commitments to its class of 2025 since June 5.
Hammerbeck is now the third offensive lineman the Big Red has also added since June 27, joining Brian Tapu and Houston Kaahaaina-Torres.
This has been the run Rhule and his coaching staff have needed over the last month, and quite frankly, one you would expect. So much emphasis in recruiting is placed on June with official visitors, that this becomes the time of year you want to see teams close on key targets.
With 15 commitments and the potential of a few more on the way, it’s safe to say Nebraska could have 16 to 18 commitments heading into the start of training camp on July 31. Today, there are only 18 seniors on the Husker roster.
3 – The state of Nebraska’s run of high school tight ends continues
It’s crazy when you analyze the numbers. Millard South’s Chase Loftin and Platteview’s Reiman Zebert have committed to play tight end at Florida State and Stanford for the class of 2025.
Since 2016, Nebraska has produced a Power Four tight end every year, and 26 have gone on to play Division I football.
You would be hard-pressed to find any state with this type of run of tight ends, considering that Nebraska and West Virginia have the smallest populations within the Power Four.
It’s simply remarkable the run of tight ends the state of Nebraska has produced, and you could also add both Thomas Fidone and Brayden Loftin to that discussion from nearby Council Bluffs.
Loftin is a Nebraska native who played his high football at Lewis Central due to COVID. Fidone is a stone’s throw away from Nebraska and grew up an avid Husker fan.
Ed Foley, Christian Jones and Matt Rhule. (Photo credit: Casey Fritton/HuskerOnline)
1 – Can the Huskers close on either linebacker Christian Jones or Will Hawthorne?
Nebraska still has two big linebacker targets on the board – Gilbert (Iowa) standout Will Hawthorne and Omaha (Neb.) Westside four-star Christian Jones.
Both took official visits to NU in June. Can the Husker close on both? Would they take both players? The answer to that discussion at this point remains fluid.
We know Hawthorne is close to his final decision between NU and ISU. That could happen anytime this month.
Meanwhile, Jones has given no indication on his timeline. He took official visits to Nebraska, Auburn and Oklahoma. Wisconsin is another team to watch in the discussion.
I think it’s probably more realistic that the Huskers will get one of the two players right now.
2 – Will we see grass in Memorial Stadium in the future?
We’ve seen this topic come up quite a bit lately. Will Memorial Stadium make the move from field turf to grass? I think it’s closer to happening right now than most realize.
I know this: If Ruhle had his way, there would be grass in Memorial Stadium right now. He’s a big believer in it. I believe athletic director Troy Dannen also shares that vision.
The issue now would be the timeline and cost. The current field turf in Memorial Stadium will only be in its third season in 2024. Past field turf surfaces have lasted seven to 10 years since 1999 in Memorial Stadium.
Switching to grass would also come with quite a cost. Dannen would need to submit a proposal to the NU Board of Regents for approval. If Rhule can put together a good 2024 season, it would not shock me at all to see this proposal hit the Regents in time to make the switch for 2025.
The big question is, if they switched to grass, could the stadium still host things like graduations, concerts, and high school football state championships?
ONE PREDICTION: DB Bryan Webber will be NU’s next commit
We saw Hammerbeck jump on board Wednesday as commit No. 15 in Nebraka’s 2025 recruiting class. I’ll call my shot for No. 16.
Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point cornerback Bryson Webber will be the next recruit to join the Huskers 2025 recruiting class. The 6-foot-3 corner would be an excellent addition.
Sean Callahan can be reached at sean@huskeronline.com and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.
The post The 3-2-1: National analysts remain high on Nebraska heading into 2024 appeared first on On3.
