Three & Out: questions on OL, Matt Rhule at THSCA, and five to focus on for 2024 class

Three & Out is Nebraska On3’s feature in which recruiting analyst Bryan Munson gives his weekly takes on topical issues concerning Nebraska football and recruiting.

In this week’s Three & Out, Preston Taumua is N but there are still questions around the OL group in the 2024 class, Matt Rhule at the THSCA is all about recruiting according to one former Texas high school coach, and five names to focus on for the 2024 class. Here is your Three & Out:

Questions remain for OL in the the 2024 class

Nebraska adds a big piece to their 2024 recruiting class with offensive tackle Preston Taumua. The 6-foot-4 and 320-pound offensive tackle from Waipahu (Hawaii) fills one of two needs remaining with the class.

Now, is Taumua an offensive tackle?

That is a new question that is being raised. Some are insisting that the staff is looking at Taumua to play IOL. He could do that, but when Taumua picked up the offer from Nebraska in October, he said coach Raiola offered, and it was to play the tackle position.

Maybe things have changed since Matt Rhule has come to Lincoln, and the evaluation now is to play IOL. The ability is there, and with four IOL committed, one has to ask if all four are IOL or fit multiple spots.

All four of the current offensive line commitments have played offensive tackle. Out of the four, Taumua and Gibson Pyle are likely best suited to get a look at playing the tackle spot, while Landen Davidson and Jake Peters are better suited to play inside.

And there are other possibilities. Consider Jake Peters, whose film I like on the offensive side of the ball, might be a defensive line recruit. Remember, Nebraska told Peters after camp that he could have been offered on either offense or defense. He could be the next Jason Maciejczak.

So what does Nebraska do about offensive tackle? While I still believe Taumua is an offensive tackle recruit, the remaining chips are all in on Grant Brix. Brix, who officially visited Nebraska at the end of June, seems down to Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Alabama.

And there is also Brandon Baker. And with Baker, the Huskers take him if they can get him, and that’s if there are already five offensive linemen in the class, including Brix. Baker, the No. 1 OT in the country, plays for Mater Dei High School, which could help open things up in California, and Nebraska could use some help in getting Nathaniel Frazier to take another look at Lincoln.

Matt Rhule speaking at THSCA is all about recruiting

I caught up with former Husker Byron Bennett to ask him about Matt Rhule at the THSCA this week. This is the first time in 25 years that Bennett won’t be at the THSCA convention because he has traded in coaching football to coach golf.

Bennett gave some context that all in-state schools will have representation there like they always do. And he said that he’s heard Rhule speak before at the convention when he was at Baylor. Rhule has ties to the state already, Bennett explained, and he is trying to re-open those relationships. It’s all about relationships in Texas, according to Bennett.

“I guarantee where he’s speaking, it’s packed,” Bennett said. “It will be standing room only. And not 40 or 50 people. Hundreds of coaches from all divisions, 1A through 6A, will be there to listen.”

Bennett said it’s not unusual for an out-of-state school to have coaches attend the convention or speak. The reason that they are all there is simple: recruiting. Texas is a hotbed, and leadership for the THSCA has made it a rule that to recruit their athletes; you must come through the high school staff.

“He’s there because of recruiting. Texas is one of the few states through THSCA leadership to inform schools that recruiting goes through them. The in-state schools all know, and I am sure that schools around the country will too.

“You can’t go through the 7v7 leagues or a 7v7 coach or a trainer to recruit a Texas kid. You have to go through the high school coach. That is important to remember here.”

Bennett has been impressed with what Matt Rhule has been doing at his alma mater. He follows still from afar, but he has thought about what Matt would do as the head coach at Nebraska: keep the in-state kids home and get kids from Texas. Bennett wasn’t surprised that Rhule was at the THSCA as a speaker this year.

“I would have been shocked if he didn’t attend the THSCA. He already has a relationship with the Texas high school coaches and schools, returning to his time at Baylor. And he knows to get kids from Texas to go to Nebraska; he will have to reopen those relationships with coaches.”

Five names to focus on for the 2024 class

The Nebraska recruiting class is currently at 24 commitments. There are still plenty of names floating around that Nebraska fans need to pay attention to when it comes to the class. Here is a preview of those five names to focus on:

Brandon Baker: This is a no-brainer. The No. 1 industry-ranked OT in the country is considering visiting Nebraska officially. Yes, NIL will need to “get up” to land Baker, but there isn’t a more straightforward path to the field for Baker out of the top 10 schools than at Nebraska. Baker feels at home in Nebraska and has a great connection with the Nebraska staff. Baker is a take, no matter the number of commitments or how many offensive linemen Nebraska has committed.

Nathaniel Frazier: Another no-brainer. The On3 No. 1 ranked running back in the nation visited Nebraska in the spring. Frazier visited Nebraska with Baker for the big junior day at the end of March.  Nebraska made the top eight list for Frazier, and he may also want to take an official visit to Lincoln in the fall. You don’t say no to Baker or Frazier for a visit or if they want to commit.

Grant Brix: Brix took an official visit to Nebraska the last weekend in June, and following that trip, he wanted to get back to some normalcy. Recruiting has been overwhelming, and he wanted to enjoy part of his last summer at home. If you asked me, Brix is down to four, and the Huskers are leading. Nebraska is edging out Oklahoma, and then there is Kansas State, followed by Alabama. Brix hasn’t ruled out taking another official visit this fall before deciding.

Devoux Tuataga: Tuataga will be in Lincoln next week for one day visit. His visit next Friday will be for an unofficial visit, and he plans to head to Oregon afterward. He will make a round of official visits in the fall and then plans to announce his decision in November. The Huskers have had a visit set up with Tuataga several times in June, but he had to cancel because of his busy schedule. Despite the current RPM Tuataga, I like Nebraska’s chances here. Let’s see how next week’s visit goes.

Amare Sanders: Nebraska hosted Sanders the first weekend in June. Sanders took the trip with Jacory Barney, who eventually chose Nebraska over Miami and others. And with seven defensive backs already committed to Nebraska in the 2024 recruiting class, the Huskers could make Sanders their eighth. Sanders is long and more of a true cornerback, which Nebraska needs more of in the class. Sanders wants to commit before the start of his season, which could be anytime between now and September.

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