Steven M. Sipple, Parker Gabriel and Chris Basnett send you into the weekend with a lengthy hoops conversation, including Thursday afternoon’s loss to Wisconsin.
National Signing Day No. 2 has arrived and, though it will not be nearly as busy as the December date for Nebraska, there are a couple of key developments that involve the Huskers.
The February signing date has largely taken a backseat since the December period first became part of the equation in 2017. Now, with the explosion in college football transfers, much of Nebraska’s recruiting work for the 2022 class was completed by mid-January for a class that already includes 26 new scholarship players — 13 high school, 10 Division I transfers and three junior college transfers.
The Huskers could potentially add two more players on Wednesday, one who’s been on the radar for weeks and a possible surprise addition.
The former is four-star running back Ajay Allen. The Monroe, Louisiana, native took an official visit to Nebraska in January and then had coach Scott Frost, running backs coach Bryan Applewhite and wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph in for a home visit shortly after that.
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The Neville High standout has a strong relationship with Applewhite, who spent two seasons at TCU before being hired by Frost in January. Allen, listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, was previously verbally committed to play for the Horned Frogs and Applewhite.
As a senior, Allen rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 34 touchdowns for Neville. In the process, he became one of the best running backs in the country to remain available through the early signing period. He is considered a four-star prospect by 247Sports and On3 and a three-star by Rivals. On3 considers him the No. 5 back in the country and the No. 108 player overall.
Allen also took an official visit to Mississippi State in December before deciding to extend his recruitment to the later signing date. He is expected to announce his college decision Wednesday.
Nebraska already has two running backs in the 2022 class in three-star Emmett Johnson (Minneapolis), who announced his commitment on the early signing date, and junior college offensive player of the year Anthony Grant (New Mexico Military Academy), who joined the program in January as a midyear enrollee.
Then there’s the late addition to the scene for the Huskers: four-star wide receiver Janiran Bonner (Ellenwood, Georgia). The Cedar Grove High standout has been verbally committed to Georgia Tech since April but, like Allen, did not sign in December. The Journal Star confirmed Tuesday that Nebraska got Bonner in quietly for an official visit before the dead period arrived Sunday.
Both Rivals and 247Sports earlier Tuesday reported that Nebraska is in the mix for the 6-2, 190-pound receiver’s signature.
Bonner said via Twitter that he is announcing his decision at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
He is a four-star by both 247Sports and Rivals, and a three-star according to On3.
According to MaxPreps, Bonner caught 50 passes for 816 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games for Cedar Grove this fall.
If the Huskers reel in Bonner, he would be the third high school receiver in the class, joining mid-year enrollee Victor Jones Jr. (Orlando) and summer enrollee Decoldest Crawford (Shreveport, Louisiana). The Huskers have also landed a couple of transfer receivers in juniors Trey Palmer (LSU) and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda (New Mexico State).
Keeping up with the transfer portal. Here’s who the Huskers have coming to Lincoln
Casey Thompson, QB
Previous school: Texas
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Thompson is the most notable transfer Nebraska has added so far because of the position he plays. He started 10 games for the Longhorns last year and led the Big 12 in touchdown passes with 24. He’ll be considered the favorite to win NU’s starting quarterback job under new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. He’ll be on campus for this semester.
Chubba Purdy, QB
Previous school: Florida State
Remaining eligibility: Four years
Of note:
Purdy started one game in 2020 and appeared in three overall, completing 27-of-53 passes for 219 yards, a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He appeared just once in 2021 — Purdy completed all five of his passes for 98 yards and two scores.
Trey Palmer, WR/Returner
Previous school: LSU
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Palmer was a blue-chip recruit out of high school and saw his role steadily grow over his three years in Baton Rouge. Now, he’ll rejoin Mickey Joseph in Lincoln. Palmer can really run — he was timed at 10.42 in the 100 meters and 21.11 seconds in the 200 — and he’s also a dangerous return man. He profiles well in the spot vacated by Samori Toure and will be on campus this semester.
Hunter Anthony, OL
Previous school: Oklahoma State
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: The Oklahoma native entered 2020 as OSU’s starting right tackle, but an injury cost him most of the season. Then he served as a backup this fall. In Lincoln, the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder will be a candidate both at right tackle and at either guard spot. He’s on campus this semester.
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, WR
Previous school: New Mexico State
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Garcia-Castaneda had a productive season at NMSU, catching 37 passes for 578 yards and four touchdowns. He was coveted as soon as he hit the transfer portal, but NU visited him in California and got him on campus for a visit in December. At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Garcia-Castaneda is a candidate for any spot in the Husker receiver rotation under Mickey Joseph.
Clark Grell
Brian Buschini, P
Previous school: Montana
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Buschini was named the FCS punter of the year after averaging better than 47 yards per punt and more than 44 net yards per attempt. He was considered perhaps the best punter available on the transfer market this winter and will be counted on right away in Lincoln. He’s on campus this semester.
Timmy Bleekrode, K
Previous school: Furman
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Bleekrode immediately becomes the favorite to handle place-kicking duties after he was recruited from Furman by new special teams coordinator Bill Busch. The Atlanta native made 15-of-18 field goals in 2021 with a long of 51 yards and is 21-of-25 over the past two seasons.
Kevin Williams, OL
Previous school: Northern Colorado
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Williams, an Omaha North graduate, is a multi-year starter at the FCS level and began the 2021 season as the Bears’ starting left tackle. He’s got positional versatility and could be a candidate at tackle or guard for the Huskers in 2022. In a young room overall, he adds a veteran presence.
Tommy Hill, DB
Previous school: Arizona State
Remaining eligibility: Three years plus a redshirt
Of note: Nebraska loved Hill out of high school in Orlando in the 2021 class, but he ended up at ASU and earned playing time right away. The Huskers jumped on him as soon as he entered the portal, and now he’ll compete for playing time in a secondary that must replace three starters. He’s on campus this semester.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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