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We offer our reactions as Nebraska football added two new commitments to its 2023 class on Tuesday, plus Matt Rhule has reportedly finalized his coaching staff.
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Hey folks, welcome back to the Husker Big Red YouTube channel. I'm Chris Peterson of
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Husker Big Red dot com and joining me as always is Danny Gillette of the great cornholio.org
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And today we're going to talk about some new 2023 commitments for the Huskers. Matt rule
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filling out his coaching staff and then we'll touch on the Nebraska basketball team, you
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know, kind of getting dominated by Michigan State last night. But we will start with two
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commitments from Cameron Leonard and Ethan Nation. They are now two of the top five
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you know, signees that are already signed with Nebraska, you know, in this 2023 class
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Cameron Leonard is a four star recruit, ranked 308th in the 24 seven sports composite rankings
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Ethan Nation is a number 463. So Danny, what are your reactions to these commitments for
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you know, Nebraska? We had heard about their names floating around for quite a while, right
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And I read that Nation, I believe it was had been committed since December. And this is
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all formality, but it's good to see the names in writing. Good to see the names finally
1:00
in the fold, the top 25 class in the composite rankings. And it's just more talent, more
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talent for a class that ranked 60th just a couple weeks ago. So, you know, this is a
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really, really solid class. And it was really awesome to see the words Nebraska and the
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Nebraska hat at the All-American game yesterday. You know, it's really just awesome to see
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us kind of make a recruiting impact on a national stage. It was kind of interesting to see some
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names that we recruited also play well at the game. I saw a little bit of Avery Johnson
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the quarterback that I believe Mark Whipple offered, and he committed to Kansas State
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But it was kind of interesting to see, you know, all these names and the game itself
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is always fun. You got the best of the best playing and we got two of the best in the
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game to Nebraska. So I really can't complain. It was a great birthday present. The basketball
1:59
team, however, did not deliver me a birthday present, but we'll get into that later
2:02
Yeah, they definitely dropped the ball again and happy birthday to happy labor. Twenty-eight
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I feel 65, but you know, it is what it is. But yeah, I mean, it's, you know, two good
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pickups. I mean, it seemed like, you know, once Cameron Leonard took that visit back to Nebraska and was reoffered, you know, it seemed like he was going to commit there
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But you know, it's a nice pickup. You know, he doesn't have the length of, you know, some
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edges. He's not 6'4 or 6'5, but, you know, he can rush the passer. And we've seen a lot
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of guys that are 6'2 or whatever that have had success in that way. So, you know, I'm
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excited about that. And I think it shows, you know, you look at they've had him, you
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know, Prince, well, you mammalian Maverick, Noonan, Kiwallin, you know, Dylan Rogers
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So they've added a lot of, you know, edge rushers of like five of them. So, I mean
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that's definitely, you know, a position they were focused on. And I think hopefully that'll be a strength going forward. And then eat the nation. I feel like is that, you know
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he had over 50 offers coming out of high school and, you know, played really well this week
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in the, you know, the practice, you know, the game is one thing, but the practice is
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almost where you see more of it. And he, you know, was guarding some of the best receivers
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in the country and did a really good job. I think people undervalued him because of
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his height. He's not, you know, he's listed at 5'11". I think he's probably a little bit
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under 5'11", but you know, that, you know, it seems a lot of teams like the quarterbacks
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to be, they have certain measurables, you know, 5'11 and a half or whatever. And, you
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know, that's not, I don't think that necessarily means he's not going to be a great player
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And I think a lot of schools are going to have missed on him because, you know, they
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passed on him because of the height. He clearly can cover, you know, he's got, you know
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20 pass breakups, 12 interceptions during his high school career. So he can get his
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hands on the football. And I think those are skills that generally, you know, translate
3:47
He's got the speed, you know, obviously he's going to have to get bigger. I mean, he's
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only 170 pounds and that's, you know, causes some concern with tackling and stuff like
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that. But yeah, I mean, it's when you, when you add two guys that are basically among
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your top five in terms of commitments on one day, it's a, it's a good day on the recruiting trail
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You know, I was watching some of Ethan Nathan's tape last night and he reminded me a lot of
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Cam Taylor Britt, just his tenacity and the way he goes after the football, as well as
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his ability to cover, you know, Cam Taylor Britt was very good at, you know, being that
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versatile player, being a physical player and, you know, having tremendous athleticism
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and nation definitely has that. He has the speed, he has the athleticism. And like I've
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said before, he's the perfect fit to, you know, three, three, five defense due to his
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quick instincts and his athleticism. So, you know, I mean, if he can turn out even half
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as good as Cam Taylor Britt did, you know, I'll be very happy. And I think there's a
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good chance he may even be better, but you know, I think it's a great pickup for Nebraska
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And like we've also mentioned before, I believe he was one of the, you know, last visitors
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for one of the big visit weekends. They asked him to come on, I don't know, I think it was
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a Thursday and then he was in Lincoln that Saturday. So good on the staff for, you know
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seeing him and acting quickly. And, you know, he, like you said, he had a solid offer sheet
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So this was definitely a big pickup. Yep. And, you know, I feel like if he was a little bit taller, obviously, or whatever
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you know, there would have been more teams interested in him, but there's also just not as many scholarship, you know, openings at the end of the year. So, you know, that kind
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of played in Nebraska's favor, I think with Cameron Leonard too. And I came down to like
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basically them and, you know, Maryland and I don't know, Michigan state might've been
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pushing in there as well. But, you know, yeah, he's, I think especially both of those guys
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wouldn't, wouldn't shock me if they, you know, contributed next year because they're at two
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positions. I mean, you look at, you know, guys that are five, 10 or five 11, I mean
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there's a lot of quick slot type players and, you know, college football. And so, you know
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you could need, you use a cornerback there in Nebraska. They've got a couple, I've got
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their starters set at cornerback. But after that, I think it's a, you know, there's definitely
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some snaps to be had next season. You know, I'm not really sure if Tommy Hill's going
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to stay on the offensive side of the football or not. Maybe he'll transfer. I'm not sure
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but you know, there's definitely, you know, some area for improvement in the secondary
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and it wouldn't shock me at all if Ethan nation was, you know, competing for some playing
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time as a third or fourth cornerback next year. And you could say that about a lot of the 2023 class. You know, I think there's a lot
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of guys in this class that can, you know, come in and compete. Eric Fields is one that
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comes to mind, you know, I love him, but he, he's a impact playmaker at the linebacker
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position. Then you have, you know, a guy like Riley van Poppel on the defensive line and
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you know, nothing, nothing about the defensive line unit from last year makes me say that
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okay, a freshman can't come in and make an impact. They have to sit and watch. I mean
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you know, there is, there is room for improvement on the defensive line and I think Riley van
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Poppel can bring it. So I think what you see with this 20, 23 classes, a lot of players
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that can come in and play right away as long as they show the effort and you know, that
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they've learned the playbook and are ready to go. Cause I think this year it's going to be all about being ready to go. And you know, cause
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I think this is a, like I said before, a good schedule that Nebraska shouldn't miss out
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on. Yeah. And you know, they, they're definitely are going to need pass rushers. I feel like
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you know, there's a, you know, Gunnarsson and Butler are kind of the, but there's really
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no, no proven pass rusher on the entire roster. I mean, so hopefully they'll, you know, look
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at the transfer portal at that position too, but it would be nice to have, you know, some
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of these guys come in and contribute right away. I mean, that's asking a lot, especially
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you know, pass rushers, but you know, Prince, well, Uma Malian definitely seems like a guy
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that could and Cameron Leonard too you know, potentially Maverick union. Sometimes Nebraska
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players do get a little undervalued and under ranked just because, you know, the competition
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that they're playing again, kind of limits their ceiling. And if you, you know, read up on how 24 seven puts together its rankings, I mean, part of it is based on location and
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the historic, you know, numbers of recruits that come out of certain parts
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So you're not going to see historically very many four stars out of Nebraska. That's just
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the way that it works because historically there's never been that many, you know? And
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so it's, it's just kind of hard to judge that, but I think that Maverick noon and is, is
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a four star caliber player. I really do. And you know, I mean, Garrett Nelson was kind
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of the same way. I can't remember if he was a four star, but he wasn't like a high ranking four star, but I'm out of Scott's bluff, I believe. And you know, I think that, you know
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Maverick noon is a guy like that who can, you know, come in and make a, you know, some early contributions. But yeah, it's interesting with this class
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Now it's up to a 23, you know, signees and I'm interested to see if there's any more
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that come up in this late signing period. I don't really think so outside of maybe if
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they find a quarterback that they like. Yeah. And you know, I think maybe I would say the
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next movement or the next player pickup would be after spring ball once more spring ball
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attrition, you know, happens. I don't think it's going to be a major impact player, but
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just something to kind of tie up loose end, so to speak. So I'll be interested to see
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what happens there. I mean, I think they could use maybe one more offensive lineman as well
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but you know, overall I'm very happy with the way this class has come together and so
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much for the theory that Matt rule can recruit because he and his staff have done an incredible
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job over the last three weeks or so. Yeah. And I, yeah, I think that month or so, excuse
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me, not three weeks. I still think, yeah, there could be some more additions via the
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transfer portal. You know, Nebraska needs a tight end. And they've talked to, I think
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one out of North Texas that might be coming in for a visit. I definitely think they could
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use some help on the offensive line and you know, potentially wide receiver and also
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you know, edge. They definitely need, they definitely need to add an edge or two before
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the season. I mean, I just don't, I don't think this is a great group to go into the
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season with you. You lost your top three pass rushers. I just think you need somebody with
10:02
experience that's proven that they've got sacks at the FPS level before. Cause basically
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I don't know if they even have, I don't know if, if Gunnarsson and Butler have even had
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a sack in their career, they might have, but you know, the, the number of career sacks
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coming back for the rest is pretty low. So you know, the transfer portal windows open
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for like two more weeks and then it's open for two weeks after a spring ball. So I would
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I would think between now and then there would be some additions. So we'll see what happens, but
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in terms of this 2023 class, you know, that may be looking at a quarterback
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but outside of that, there's not a ton of players left on the board. There's a couple
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of linebackers that I think that they're going to be committing to Maryland, like Michael Harris
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I'm trying to think of their names, but they're twins and they, they were committed to UCF. And
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if they, you know, if they don't wind up going to Maryland, maybe Nebraska could make a push there
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But most for the most part, I think the 2023 classes pretty much signed, sealed and delivered
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at this point. Yeah. And you know, now we start the other 2024 class, not to rush things, but
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you know, I'm excited about what they can do with the 2024 class, just because of the work
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that they've done in a short period of time with the 2023 class. And so, you know, I think they
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could probably button up some loose edges. I mean, I'm thinking maybe, maybe Malik Hornsby possibly
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I know his father posted a picture in some sort of Facebook group with him and with him in a
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Nebraska uniform as a fan edit. So maybe his father knows something that we don't, but
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overall, I'm very happy with how this has turned out. I think this class has a lot of balance to
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it. I think, you know, this class has a lot of diamonds in the rough and, you know, it may not
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look pretty or whatever to some, but I'm very happy with the job that has been done. And
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obviously the results will speak for itself on the field come the season. But overall
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compared to where we were just a month ago, it's been a great turnaround by Matt Ruhle and the
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coaching staff. And I'm excited to see a lot of these players, you know, hopefully make an impact
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because honestly, I was looking at the 2020 class the other day and just the amount of names that
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just never panned out was absolutely crazy. Henry Gray, Turner Corcoran was the highest
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rated player in the class. And so if we can have these players stick and, you know, develop and
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you know, pan out, that would be a big step in the right direction in comparison to previous staffs
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Um, yeah, it definitely would be, um, you know, some other news to, you know, talk about Matt
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Ruhle's staff has reportedly finalized, you know, the Huskers haven't announced it quite yet, but
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um, Rob Dvoracek who, you know, played under Matt Ruhle and has been a defensive assistant
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you know, last year, this, this current season under the Carolina Panthers is going to be hired
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as the linebackers coach. Nothing really new there. Um, you know, he also has worked at
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you know, Lehigh with defensive ends and linebackers in the 2019, 2020 seasons
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Um, and he spent two years at Baylor as a quality control assistant under Phil Snow. So he
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understands kind of, uh, you know, what Ruhle wants played for him. Um, he's done a couple
13:14
of different things. So there's that, you know, move. And then we finally have a wide receivers
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coach. You know, some, we thought maybe Joe Daly from the Panthers, but it's actually going to be
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somebody else from the Panthers, Garrett McGuire. Um, you know, who is the son of Texas tech head
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coach, Joey McGuire, who was on Matt Ruhle's staff at Baylor. You know, he was basically
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you know, the Bob wager hire of that staff. And, uh, you know, Garrett McGuire is a young guy
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but, uh, you know, he's been in the NFL these past couple of years. Um, he is going to
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he's a backup quarterback for Ruhle at Baylor and now he's going to coach receivers here at
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Nebraska. So Danny, what do you think about, you know, these two moves, I guess, let's start with Dvorakic. Well, I think it's a good move because, you know, he gives you experience, um, on the
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defensive side of the football. He's somebody that Ruhle is familiar with and, you know, somebody
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where he can be on the same, um, you know, page as Ruhle, that type of staff cohesion. And, um
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you know, I think, um, Tony White to me is the, you know, the big domino on the defensive side of
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the football. And, you know, I'll be curious to see how Dvorakic and White work together. Um
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you know, I think there's a chance where Dvorakic could really kind of stand out on this staff
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because it would be, you know, that the three, three, five defense has a chance to really
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you know, highlight the coaching staff's competency. Um, and so I'm excited for him to
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come to Nebraska just because I think that it's good to have another set of eyes and he can
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possibly add his own little wrinkles into the defense with personnel and how he evaluates
14:55
Yeah, I think, you know, I like that he's coached, you know, defensive ends before too. I mean
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they need somebody that can actually coach, you know, pass rushers outside of probably Terrence Knighton. So maybe that's another part of it where he can help coach outside linebackers
15:07
Um, I know Tony White has coached linebackers before. Um, but you know, yeah, it's, it's a
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solid move. I mean, I don't think it's like the dream hire that you've known at linebacker. I
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mean, that would have been Jeff Collins or, you know, somebody like that, but you know, it's
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somebody that's familiar with rule and, um, you know, same with Garrett McGuire. I don't think
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that, you know, if, if that stuff didn't happen with Mickey Joseph, I don't think that that he
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would have been hired, you know? So, I mean, um, but I, I don't really understand everybody
15:32
freaking out about it. You know, I don't really care that he's young and, uh, you know, he he's
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been around football his entire life. His dad, you know, is obviously a head coach at, um, Texas
15:42
tech. He played quarterback a lot of times, you know, you see a lot of guys that play quarterback go to wide receivers coach. Um, you know, that, so I, I think it's a good move to get a smart guy
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on there. I'm sure he's going to recruit really well. He's out of the, you know, just out of the NFL. Um, and I think he's going to be able to obviously relate to these kids. So I don't really
15:59
understand what everybody's freaking out about with a Garrett McGuire. It's ridiculous. It's
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ridiculous. We haven't even played, you know, one game and people are already freaking out about
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Garrett McGuire. Was he, was he Nebraska's first choice? Probably not, but our first choice gotten
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to, you know, some issues, you know, and I don't, and I don't think Garrett McGuire, you know, he's
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he's young. Yeah. But on the other side of the coin, we've had coaches with experience
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in Mario Verduzco and Mark Whipple, and they've been awful. They were awful. So
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I really don't understand the Garrett McGuire, um, you know, kind of, uh, you know, un, uneasiness
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I think he could be a very bright, young mind in football. And I know people were worried about
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you know, how that would impact Nebraska on the recruiting trail. And
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you know, I, I don't think it will, I don't think it will that much. Um, I think
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you know, McGuire is somebody who these, you know, guys can relate to with him being a bit younger
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And I really think that, you know, we could be looking at a rising star in the coaching ranks. I
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I, I really do. I'm not, I'm not going to say that he's, you know, going to be the next best
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wide receiver coach in the nation, but I do think there is a smart football mind in McGuire
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I remember, uh, reading the, the, the national scouting director for on three, I forget his name
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but he said that McGuire was an incredibly smart football mind. And so I really don't understand
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you know, freaking out over Garrett McGuire. I, I, I think it's stupid, honestly. And there's
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only quite honestly, there's only so much money to go around too. I can imagine that the staff
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pool is probably getting a little bit thinner at this point in terms of financials. Yeah. I mean
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I would think so. And it's just, you know, yeah, it, uh, you know, Mickey wasn't obviously not an
17:55
option and there's no, you know, there wasn't a lot of, uh, you know, I don't know that people would have been that excited about Joe Daley either. So, I mean, he's got, you know, connections
18:02
to Texas. He's going to help Nebraska recruit Texas. And look, I think there's a reason that
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Matt rule took him to the Panthers. So I, you know, I, I like this move. I think it's a good
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hire. Um, you know, overall, yeah, these two moves, I'd probably give them, you know, the
18:15
grade of a B or so, because it wasn't, you know, the guy that you wanted to necessarily target
18:20
but that you're not going to get every coach that you want. And, you know, a big part of
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you know, I think why Matt rule is going to be successful as I, I believe he's going to develop
18:28
these assistant coaches. And I mean, if everything works out, you know, these guys are going to be
18:32
moving on to become head coaches elsewhere too, you know, so that that's something we need to see
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these guys, you know, develop. And I think that Matt rule, you know, is prepared to do that
18:40
And that's something that, you know, Scott Frost was incapable of doing. I mean, he couldn't even show up to meetings on time. So, um, yeah, so I, I, I feel confident in the staff and in Matt
18:49
rules ability to, to develop these guys. And yeah, I think that Garrett McGuire has been preparing
18:54
for this for a long time. And I think he's ready. He's coming from the, it's not like he's coming
18:58
from high school. He's, he's been working in the NFL. Um, so I think he's going to do a fine job
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and, um, you know, he he's got experience in this system, you know, so it's not going to be
19:08
different, you know, working with a Satterfield. I mean, they're, they're gonna all have a lot of
19:11
the same terminology. Everybody's going to be on the same page there. So, you know, I think
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it's good that Matt rules got his staff in place and now they can, you know, keep recruiting and
19:20
you know, move forward with spring ball, but yeah, you know, the Malik, uh, Hornsby thing is
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kind of interesting to me because I, I just don't see how that they could all fit in that, uh, you
19:28
know, quarterback room, but we'll see what happens. I mean, there's a definitely going to be
19:33
some more attrition and who knows. I mean, to me, it definitely feels like even though Casey
19:38
Thompson's coming back, he's, it feels like he has an up uphill battle to try to win the starting
19:43
job, you know, over Jeff Sims. That's my read on it. Yeah. And that's how it should be, honestly
19:48
because I remember Adrian Martinez had no competition and he just kind of, at times I'm
19:53
not going to say he didn't try or didn't take it seriously, but you could tell that he put
19:57
he took his foot off the gas a little bit. And so it's good to have healthy competition with
20:02
competent quarterbacks. And, um, you know, I'm really excited to see how the quarterback room
20:07
plays out. Um, like I've said before, I think Jeff Sims fits this offense a little bit better in
20:13
terms of what Matt rule wants to do with the RPOs, but you know, we'll see. Um, we'll also see
20:19
what Casey's recovery is like, maybe things go great. He comes out firing, uh, during, um, you
20:25
know, preseason camp and he gets the job out, right. Maybe, hopefully not. He suffers a setback
20:31
and, you know, he kind of has to take a back seat and heal up and Jeff Sims comes in and who knows
20:37
it's a good problem to have. And I think Casey will, will welcome the competition. And so will
20:42
Jeff Sims. Yeah. And, uh, yeah, we'll, we'll see how everything, you know, kind of shakes out
20:48
but yeah, I think there's going to be a lot of, uh, you know, competition at a few different spots
20:52
So, you know, we'll see how that goes, um, to shift, uh, towards our last kind of topic for
20:57
you know, basketball last night, it was a 74 56 loss for the Huskers on the road against Michigan
21:03
state. Um, you know, it didn't, uh, you know, it started out okay. They were down seven, six after
21:08
the first TV timeout and it was 1613 and about the 11 minute mark. And then, uh, Michigan state
21:14
closed on a 23 to four run to kind of end the first half. And, you know, basically it was over
21:19
from there. So what, what are your reactions from a basketball last night? I'm a little bit confused
21:26
not that they didn't play well, but it didn't look like the team we saw, uh, last Thursday
21:34
It didn't look like the team we saw last Thursday against Iowa. And while I think this team is good
21:39
it definitely has its peaks and valleys. Um, you know, I thought this was a winnable game
21:45
but you know, like you said, on Monday, winning on the road at Michigan state is never easy. So
21:52
I'm, I'm not reading too much into this. This does kind of take away from my high that I had
21:57
Thursday when they beat Iowa. But you know, I think, um, this team is going to have peaks and
22:03
valleys and, um, I'm not too worried yet. If we see more of these games in January and February
22:10
then obviously my panic meter will, will, uh, go up, but this is a tough basketball conference
22:16
It's not, you know, a cupcake league. Uh, you're going to have nights where any team can beat
22:21
anybody look at Nebraska, um, against Purdue, they almost beat Purdue and, um, you know
22:28
no team is safe. There's no guaranteed win. So I'm just hoping that they can pick up a couple
22:33
more wins down the road here and kind of just, um, what's the phrase I want to use stay afloat
22:41
because I don't think that's a reflection of their talent so much as how tough this conference
22:47
is. I mean, it is a really tough conference. I mean, didn't Rutgers, uh, have an upset win
22:52
yesterday as well? Yeah. Rutgers. Uh, well, two days ago they beat Purdue. Yeah. So
22:58
there's no guaranteed win. Every single team is tough and let's just hope Nebraska can continue
23:04
to play, you know, consistently and not stray too far away from their game plan because I does
23:11
think it works. Um, yeah, I think it's, you know, the Saturday they're playing at Minnesota and
23:17
uh, you know, I think that that's basically a game that they, they have to win. There's not very many road games. I think this team's going to be able to win. And if they want to get
23:25
you know, people are talking about the NCAA tournament after the Iowa
23:29
I'm talking about the NIT got to get to 500. So, um, you know, if they don't win that game
23:35
I don't think they're making, they're not going to be 500 team this year. That's just, there's just no way they're there. Cause if they lose that game, they're one in four in the big
23:42
10 and they're going to have to finish nine and 11 to get there. So, I mean, you, you know, um
23:48
and then you've got Illinois coming and then at Purdue, um, Ohio state's at home at Penn state
23:53
home against Northwestern at Maryland at Illinois home against Penn state at Michigan home against
23:59
Wisconsin at Rutgers home against Maryland home against Minnesota. So like really the only
24:04
guarantee the, the easiest win is Minnesota at home. Every other game is, is going to be tough
24:10
Um, Nebraska can beat good teams at home. I'm not saying that, but you've got to win some games on
24:15
the road and this is probably your easiest road game coming up on Saturday. So if you don't win
24:19
that one, I just don't see how this team's going to, you know, finish 500 if they can't go to
24:24
Minnesota and win. So that's, that's basically where I'm at with it. Um, they had chances last
24:29
night. They just, they shot eight at 20 from the free throw line. I mean, Derek Walker was one of
24:33
eight. They were two of 16 from three point range. And basically Michigan state just, they, they
24:38
kicked them, you know, around on the boards and they got stops and got on transition and made a
24:42
bunch of threes. So, I mean, it, it was disappointing, but you know, you have to make shots
24:47
to win games. I mean, you, you're not going to, they shot better in the second half and it was
24:50
they made it more competitive, but you can't come out and shoot 20 some percent on the road against
24:56
Michigan state and expect to be in the game. And then, you know, you miss 12 free throws. I mean
25:00
if you even make eight of those, I mean, if you, you take those 12 misses and you make 75% of them
25:05
which is a pretty average number, then it's the, then it's under a 10 point game. And then you hit
25:09
a couple of threes. I mean that, you know, so, I mean, I don't think that they played terribly
25:13
They just, they could not make any shots. And so hopefully that doesn't translate to a Saturday at
25:18
Minnesota. It seems like we always struggle at the free throw line. You know, it seems like
25:23
the free flow line has been our Achilles heel for years, but yeah, the schedule is not friendly
25:28
You know, and I think that Nebraska is really going to have to come out and put the pedal to
25:36
the metal. There's no room for error now. Not that there was much room for error before, but
25:42
you know, a win on Tuesday would have made things, you know, made things look a little bit nicer, but
25:49
you know, now they're entering the gritty part of their schedule and we'll see what this team
25:55
is made of. I mean, to be honest with you, this stretch last year kind of doomed Nebraska
26:02
basketball a little bit because they just couldn't get anything going consistently
26:06
They got some things going at the end last year, but by then it was way too late. And if that
26:11
happens again, I don't think we see Fred Hoiberg back next fall
26:19
Yeah. I mean, I, I think that Fred will win enough games to come back because I think
26:24
Trevor realizes how, you know, I think that they'll win enough, you know, I think they'll at least win, you know, seven or eight games or so. And I think that improvement will probably
26:32
be enough to keep his job, but they have to go basically to get 500. They have to finish
26:37
nine and 11 in the big 10. So they're going to have to go eight and eight from here on out
26:42
And then they would need to go, you know, they would need to win one game in the, I guess, even if they lost their opening game, they would finish 500 in the tournament. So
26:50
if they go nine and 11 or nine and 11, if they go eight and eight from here on out
26:54
they would be eligible for the NIT. I think that's, you know, one of the, one of the postseason
26:59
tournaments. So that's the goal, but it's not going to be, I mean, I think we have eight home games and eight road games. So, you know, I do think Nebraska can go, can win six or seven of
27:07
these home games, but you got to steal a couple on the road. And so this, this is one that they
27:11
absolutely, absolutely, absolutely need if they, if they're going to, you know, have a shot at the
27:16
postseason and Minnesota is a vulnerable team. It's probably the worst team in the big 10
27:21
So I do feel like it's a good chance for Nebraska to go down there and get a win and bounce back
27:26
And if they can get that, then, you know, they'll have some momentum, you know, as Illinois comes in
27:29
here next Tuesday. Yeah. And, and Illinois is going to be a tough game as well. So, you know
27:36
I think like, like you said, the next game against Minnesota is going to really be a key one. There's
27:43
not a lot of room for error, like I said before, and I just hope that this team can put something
27:49
together because I think honestly, this is one of the more competitive rosters that they've had in
27:54
years and to waste it would be kind of just disappointing. Sounds, sounds familiar. You can
28:00
kind of put that in for football as well, but as far as basketball goes, wasting this roster
28:05
I think would be disappointing, especially since we won't have Riesel or Walker back next year
28:10
And then we kind of have to start from scratch again. Yeah. And, you know, it's just, I think
28:16
Fred's finally understanding what it takes to win in the big 10 and, and the kind of roster that you
28:20
need to develop. So, you know, things are trending up in the right direction. Hopefully they can
28:25
finish strong and, you know, build some momentum and yeah, they're going to have to, you know
28:28
dip into the transfer portal again, you know, which is, you know, a pretty frequent thing
28:33
but I think it also is about recruiting the right type of players to recruit it. You know, like
28:37
Eli Rice is a great example, a guy that, you know, is part of this 2023 class, you know
28:42
is at the IMG Academy right now basically taking it as a prep year. But he's, you know, he's like
28:48
one 29th or something. He's going to come in here and I think he's going to be ready to go
28:52
but he's not a guy that is going to be like headed to the NBA after one year. You know what I mean
28:57
He's going to play at Nebraska, hopefully for three or four years. I mean, hopefully he's good
29:01
enough to start and da da da all that, but those are the kinds of players that you need. You need
29:06
you know, to build your foundation on those guys that are in the, you know, 75 to 150 range
29:10
because I think those, those are gettable players for Nebraska, as long as they're winning. And
29:15
and those are the kinds of guys that you can develop this program, you know, long-term with
29:19
to be, you know, competitive. And then you sprinkle in, you know, the guys in the transfer portal and
29:23
that's how you can, you know, get to the NCAA tournament and do those things. Cause the transfer portal has been a big, big source of talent for Nebraska basketball
29:32
You're talking about Juan Gary, Grisel, I mean, Vandermel, I mean, they they've gotten a lot of
29:38
production out of the transfer portal. So I think, I feel like it's a little bit harder to lean on
29:44
in basketball than it is football in terms of just talent and roster spots and things like that. But
29:51
you know, I do think the transfer portal can be used to a good advantage for basketball. And
29:57
I'm wondering if Fred will go there to find a point guard next year. Yeah. Yeah. Well, most likely, you know, we'll, we'll see there's some guys on the roster, but
30:07
definitely going to be, you know, if Fred, you know, does win enough games to come back. I
30:10
definitely think we'll see, you know, Nebraska hunt for some scholarship players in the portal
30:15
but yeah, we'll, we'll see how that goes and a big game on Saturday for Nebraska. So we'll
30:20
come check back with us on Friday. We'll do a, have a little preview for that Nebraska and
30:25
Minnesota. And so, yeah, we'll wrap up this, this episode here. Make sure you guys are getting
30:30
you know, in the comments section, you know, liking the videos, let us know your thoughts
30:35
on this new coaching staff, on these new commitments and on this Nebraska basketball
30:38
team, you know, what do you think their chances are of advancing, you know, to the post season beyond the big 10 tournament and make sure that you guys hit that subscribe button. We'll have
30:46
you know, some more recruiting updates. I'm sure soon the recruiting dead period is ending here
30:52
So things are reopening for transfers. So there should be some visits in the next couple of weeks
30:56
So, you know, keep, keep in touch with the husker, big red.com and the great door
31:00
corn, Holyo.org for all your Nebraska news. And as always go big red, go big red
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