If Nebraska football is hoping to land either Michael Lockhart and Dylan Jordan, the Huskers will have to stave off heavy competition for both players.
There is no doubt that the early signing period has changed things in recruiting and as Nebraska football has found out, in the case of some players, it can actually be to their advantage.
The reality is that most teams are now signing the majority of their commits on the very first day possible. It makes sense because then it is a done deal. No flipping, no wavering, no nothing.
However, it also resets the recruiting market after the early signing period and now some guys that have chosen to delay their decision until February, are seeing even more teams compete for them.
One reason is the lack of overall talent available at this point and another is that teams can reassess what they need. When it comes to Nebraska football, it’s clear the Huskers believe they need pass rushers.
Just look at the guys Nebraska has focused on since last Wednesday. One of their first offers went to Eugene Asante, an outside linebacker and edge rusher. He is also the former brother of former Husker standout Larry Asante, who was drafted and played in the NFL.
K-State comes in with an offer now on @thedylanjordan_. Nebraska offered the Pittsburg native first. https://t.co/DsYNPhq9n0
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) December 28, 2018
After extending an offer to Asante, another late-rising prospect, Nebraska football targeted two others who have generated some buzz recently starting with former UAB commit Michael Lockhart.
Lockhart committed to UAB back in October yet he went back on the pledge Dec. 20 and soon received offers from Colorado (Dec. 23) and Nebraska (Dec. 23). Both the Huskers and Buffs were hoping to get an in with Lockhart, however, since then, the offers have been flying in as teams such as TCU, Iowa, North Carolina, Kansas, Virginia and Mississippi State are just some of the schools that have offered him. Others are sure to follow.
When it comes to another Nebraska football target, Dylan Jordan, there has also been a flurry offers. In addition to the Huskers extending an offer, Jordan also got offers from Kansas State, Utah State, Utah, Minnesota and Baylor.
After picking up an offer from Nebraska two days ago, Dylan Jordan of Pittsburg (6'3" 215 OLB - 2019) picks up Kansas State offer today. The Wildcats had been closing in on him for a while. Jordan now has three FBS offers (Nebraska, Kansas State, Utah State). Blowing up.
— Sports in Kansas (@sportsinkansas) December 28, 2018
The good news for Nebraska is that Jordan also put the Huskers among this top three teams Friday, meaning they should have a good shot to land him. For what it’s worth when it comes to Asante, Jordan and Lockhart, none have any crystal ball predictions.
All three guys plan to make some visits in January and once that happens, we should have a better idea which way they are leaning. As of now, the only thing we know is that if Nebraska football wants to add Asante, Lockhart or Jordan — it will have its hands full and it looks like, that’s just the reality of post-early-signing day recruiting.