Three & Out: Wild finish coming for 2024 class, Nebraska in a good position with Alex Manske, and the Huskers need to keep the recruits coming back

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, a wild finish could be coming for the 2024 class, things are looking good between Nebraska and 2025 signal-caller Alex Manske, and Nebraska needs to keep bringing back all of the 2025 and 2026 recruits they can this fall. Here is your Three & Out:

Wild finish coming for the 2024 class?

Things seemed “simple” a few weeks ago. There were only a couple of loose ends: an offensive tackle and a pass rusher. But things have changed with either added quantities or new targets as well as new positions on top of what we already knew. Let’s discuss:

Offensive Tackle

Since mid-July, the picture at offensive tackle has been the same: Grant Brix and Brandon Baker. With Brix, he has slid out his commitment date a couple of times and is down to three or four schools. My last prediction on Brix’s commitment date was a week or two after Labor Day. Not much has changed, except he did tell me last Friday he wouldn’t be in Lincoln for the NIU game.

BREAKING: Five-Star OT Brandon Baker is down to 5⃣ Schools!

The No. 1 OT in the ‘24 Class will announce his Commitment on September 24th

Where Should He Go?https://t.co/jhhCUet6Cc pic.twitter.com/qrSsJDL3xK

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 10, 2023

As for Baker, he took his official visit to Nebraska last weekend for the home opener, and by all indications, it was a good trip. We did have an arrangement to chat with Baker following the visit, but we have yet to connect so far. Baker is announcing his decision between Texas, Ohio State, Oregon, Nebraska, and Florida State this weekend. That was the pecking order for the schools going into the weekend, and I am not sure anything has changed.

Nebraska has made a couple of interesting offers to tackles over the last week or so. The first to Daniel Akinkunmi. He is considered the No. 1 European recruit and has been a solid Oklahoma lean since the Sooners offered this summer. I have yet to determine what drives the offer, but I have my theories, which I shared on RSS earlier this week.

The other offer to an OT went to Andrew Dennis. Dennis, a Michigan State commit, has been growing in popularity. Since September 8th, he has picked up offers from Purdue, Penn State, Stanford, Nebraska, and Auburn on Tuesday. Between the new attention and the news that Michigan State has started the process of firing, Mel Tucker could push Dennis to look around.

Wide Receiver/Safety

Nebraska has seven defensive back commitments and three or possibly even four wide receivers in the 2024 class if you count Keelan Smith as a receiver. The Huskers hosted JD Crisp from Cypress (Texas) Second Baptist this past weekend, and Nebraska offered Crisp as either a wide receiver or a safety. Crisp is now looking at weekends to return to Nebraska for an official visit.

After a great conversation with coach @Omeezi_ and @evancooper2 I’m blessed to receive an offer from the University of Nebraska pic.twitter.com/EI34GGAvwX

— JD Crisp (@jdcrisp_sports) September 16, 2023

Caleb Benning was also in town this last weekend. The Husker legacy had a great visit and says he could announce his commitment soon. The current staff at Nebraska has only talked with Benning about playing safety. He has had some conversations with coach Garret McGuire, but nothing would indicate it’s in their plans.

Lastly, you have Amare Sanders. Not much has been heard from Sanders since he visited Nebraska and Florida in June. Jacory Barney and Willis McGahee IV have been staying in touch with Sanders and are still optimistic that Sanders will end up coming with them to Lincoln and becoming a Husker.

Running Back

There was big injury news following the game on Saturday, specifically on Monday. Nebraska will be down two running backs for the rest of the season. This may be why Nebraska has begun showing interest in a new 2024 running from Manor (Texas).

Nebraska has Kewan Lacy from Lancaster (Texas) already in the class. Lacy is having a big year and is a game-breaker running and catching the football. We will see his production grow in the coming weeks as Lancaster enters district play.

Adding just one running back to the class may be short-sighted and insufficient. Titus Petteway is having a monster senior year. The 2024 running back is the first in central Texas to go over 1,000 yards this season, and Nebraska is taking notice. Petteway will be in Lincoln this weekend, and it will be interesting to catch up with him to see what Nebraska’s plans are exactly.

So buckle up! As excited as I was to get some new stories and names to follow with the 2025 and 2026 recruiting class, I was reminded that things aren’t entirely done with the current class.

Things look good with 2025 QB Alex Manske

Let’s talk about Alex Manske because I am optimistic about Nebraska’s chances with the talented signal-caller. This last weekend was Manske’s first opportunity to see a Nebraska game in person. The environment blew him away from the stadium being filled with fans to the light show between the third and fourth quarters.

Had a great time back at @HuskerFootball thanks for having me and my family out @Adam_DiMichele @Coach_Satt @CoachMattRhule @s_kwilli32 @Omeezi_ pic.twitter.com/5UUR6EtbH6

— Alex Manske (@AlexManske4) September 19, 2023

It’s critical to have a handle on who your quarterback will be in a cycle, or classes sometimes seem to lack focus or direction. Nebraska has zeroed in, and it’s feeling like Manske is as serious about Nebraska as the Huskers are about him.

This fall, he will take some other visits to schools such as Iowa, Kansas State, and Minnesota. Interestingly, the recent offer from Iowa State didn’t move the needle, but in fairness, it did come pretty late for an in-state product.

Besides visiting Iowa, Kansas State, and Minnesota, Manske mentioned that he wanted to return to Nebraska for another game or two. Nebraska is the only school that he told me will visit multiple times this fall. It’s what Nebraska has to do with Manske to keep him thinking about Nebraska and continuing to build the relationship with the Nebraska staff.

Additionally, Manske will be making his decision shortly after the end of his season. He didn’t know when exactly, but he did think that it would be before “spring”. I don’t know precisely when that is, but it’s not June or January. So pick a spot in the middle, and Nebraska should focus on that timeline and do all they can to impress Manske.

The Huskers need some juice in the 2025 class. Once they add their signal-caller, it should add some win in their sails to get things going. There are a ton of offensive tackles and skill position players that I am sure want to know who the quarterback in the class will be for Nebraska. The sooner, the better for the Huskers to get Manske in the boat.

Keep them coming back!

Something struck me this weekend listening to Matt Rhule’s post-game comments. Isaac Gifford told coach Rhule about the fans and game-day at Nebraska, “You know what, coach? No matter what, this will never get old.”

So many recruits were on their first visit to Nebraska to see a game. This is explainable for players like Brandon Baker and JD Crisp in the 2024 class. But for players like Alex Manske or Jack Lange in the 2025 class, getting those top targets on campus is incredibly important to see what it’s like for a game in Lincoln.

The NCAA has inadvertently created a race condition. The creation of the early signing day period followed by the summertime official visits has everyone’s timelines sliding left. Schools can focus on filling up their class before the start of fall camp based on their official visitors and summertime commitments.

This puts pressure on someone like Matt Rhule, who was hired after last season. There isn’t a great carryover from the previous staff regarding recruiting for future classes. What’s more, would you trust it?

Nebraska has likely found that they needed to reset their board at several spots. That’s fine and can be done, but the race condition comes into the equation here. If you are recruiting for next year’s class in November and December, you will likely have to encourage players to visit your school who have never seen a game in Lincoln.

And through all the years of covering recruiting, I can tell you that Nebraska has no more considerable recruiting advantages than a gameday visit. You heard Matt Rhule recall what he saw at his first home game this past week. The fans are in their seats early. All of the seats are sold out, and it’s loud.

Matt Rhule and his staff need to be on a mission when it comes to recruiting. Every possible 2025 and 2026 recruit that they have either offered or is on their radar, even in the slightest, needs to visit this fall. The Huskers need to capitalize on the experience of a gameday in Lincoln. It’s what’s tangible right now when you look at what Nebraska has to offer with its program.

They have fan loyalty like no other school in the country. Those loyal fans are passionate and want what’s best for the state, school, team, and players. There might still be a couple of loose ends with the 2024 class, but the focus shouldn’t even be split 50-50 right now. Rhule and his staff need to favor the younger classes, encouraging them to return for future games and tell them they want them back in June for official visits.

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