Husker Targets: All About The Middle

Examining 2019 Nebraska Recruiting Targets

Aug 16, 2018 by Willie Saylor

As we covered in A Decade of Recruiting, Nebraska has been one of the best at procuring talent over the last ten years. Their average recruiting class rank over that period was 7.1, the 4th highest of any program.

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Did that result in success? While the Huskers' average placing didn't match their #4 recruiting average, they weren't that far off; they averaged a 10.8 NCAA finish, good for the 8th best over that period.

What significantly caused the discrepancy between the two have been the attrition from transfers Pat Downey, Destin McCauley, and Tyler Caldwell factored in heavily but never made in impact in the Husker line-up.

That, and most of the other attrition has subsided the last few years and it sets up Nebraska's line-up as one of the best in the country.

As you can see in Nomad's depth chart breakdown, Nebraska has very few holes and area of needs. The only 'must haves' are in the middle where they must fill 149 and replace 157 where four-year starter Tyler Berger has been an all-star for the Huskers.

We'll go through each section of the line-up to see what the state of the union is in Lincoln, and examining the recruits that are linked to Nebraska, or that would make sense for them.

Lightweights

The Nebraska lightweights experienced two losses last year, but they are still a solid group. Gone are Kris Williams (125) and J. Renteria (133/141).

Landing Alex Thomsen in the Class of 2018 was a big plus. Better yet was that they landed two-time AA and former NCAA finalist Zeke Moisey for his final year, allowing Thomsen to develop.

Although there are no blue-chippers at 133, the staff is currently really happy about what they have on the roster at the weight, including Jevon Parrish and Christian Miller. They also believe Thomsen could eventually go there.

At 141, Chad Red AA'd as a Freshman. He has the weight on lock for the next three years.

There is the possibility that Red could end up as a 149 in his upperclassmen years, so perhaps they target a 141, or stretch one of their current 141's up.

Overall, Nebraska doesn't have an immediate need within the lightweights. From the outside looking in, it seems they could use an elite 133 as an upgrade. But they seem happy with what they got, especially if Thomsen is the long-term answer. The Top 100 lightweights associated with Nebraska at this time are Kyle Burwick (125/133) who burst on to the scene this summer, and Cleveland Belton (133/141), who recently put the Huskers in his Top 5.

Middleweights

The focus of Husker recruiting this year is clearly in the middle where they must replace NCAA qualifier Colton McCrystal, and next year, one of the best 157's in the country in Tyler Berger.

While they clearly have questions here, it's tricky. Do they already have the answers or do they need to continue searching for future starters?

For one, while CJ Red may be a career 141, it's possible he could move up. And one of the Huskers' prize 2018 recruits was Brock Hardy, who is on a 2-year Mormon mission.

While Hardy wrestled 145 and 152 in high school, the staff isn't ruling him out as low as 141. Whatever the case, certainly one piece of their middleweight puzzle is in place.

McCrystal's graduation spells an immediate question at 149. The most obvious option is Collin Purrinton who's had a solid couple seasons. But in June, a new potential difference-maker emerged in Zemua Baptista, who beat NCAA 3rd Matt Kolodzik. It could be just a one-off, freestyle result. But he was just a freshman and it shows some upside.

In addition to Hardy, one of their other elite recruits was Peyton Robb, who flipped late after the South Dakota St. coaching change. And the Husker staff is glowing about him. He'll redshirt this year and then undoubtedly take over for Berger. The question becomes just how long he maintains 157. There is the possibility that after a few seasons he moves up and replaces Isaiah White, who has two more years remaining at 165.

Complicated, right?

Here's what we know - for the weights 149 through 165, the Huskers long-term plan involves Hardy and Robb. They need one, and perhaps two, reinforcements. Expect a strong push by the Huskers for Ridge Lovett and Kevon Davenport this year. Should they miss on one, they probably don't stress, see how their inventory grows and progresses, and reevaluates for 2020.

Upperweights

Via both blue-chip and mid-tier recruits, the Huskers have what might be the best group of young upperweights in the country.

Isaiah White will man 165. He had a very solid year in which he was sound defensively but a bit conservative on offense. His NCAA's included three straight OT matches - one win over Richie Lewis, one lost to Champ Vincenzo Joseph in the quarters, and a loss to Jon Jay Chavez in the blood round. He's clearly in the AA picture.

At 174, freshman Mike Labriola will take over for Beau Breske, who will provide very good depth. 84 gives you Taylor Venz, who was 4th in the country as a freshmen. Eric Schultz is back at 197 where he was 2-2 at NCAA's in his freshman campaign.

For many years, 285 has been in flux for the Huskers. There have been annual questions about who would start. The last few years have resulted in the Jensen brothers who have given solid service. But Austin Emerson, who committed to Nebraska after originally choosing EMU, seems to be the man of the future. He had an excellent Fargo.

There is also still the chance they land #1-Greg Kerkvliet as well. Nebraska is listed as one of his final four.

Summation

The Huskers are set for the foreseeable future down low, but adding Burwick would be a plus.

Though there are several combinations possible, the Huskers have Brock Hardy and probably a couple years of Peyton Robb in the middle. Expect them to focus the bulk of their recruiting efforts on Ridge Lovett and Kevon Davenport, both elite 2019 Big Boarders.

The back half of the lineup is entirely set. Although Kerkvliet is still a possibility, the Husker have Emerson on campus and are happy with what he's showing.