Nebraska Football: Michigan offers key in-state recruit Xavier Watts

Nebraska football should be the favorite to land top in-state recruit Xavier Betts from the 2020 class, however, plenty of competition awaits.

The Nebraska football team suffered a setback against Michigan football on the field last fall and now, the Wolverines are gunning for the Huskers on the recruiting trail too.

That’s because, on Tuesday, Michigan offered one of the top in-state prospects in Nebraska, Xavier Watts, a three-star wide receiver and a prospect that is absolutely essential for the Huskers 2020 class.

Big Ten offers are nothing new for Watts, who has already been offered by Iowa, Minnesota, Iowa State, but getting an offer from Michigan is another thing entirely. Nebraska football had to be the leader before that, not only because he is from the state of Nebraska, but also because of the Huskers high-powered offense and the chance to play under Scott Frost.

The offer from Michigan could make the recruitment more of a battle though. And when you get down to it, it’s hard to blame the Wolverines for wanting the 6-foot-1 wideout that is ranked as the 131st wide receiver nationally according to the 247 sports composite rankings, as well as the No. 2 wide receiver prospect from the state of Nebraska.

The 2020 class is loaded at wide receiver and both the Huskers and Wolverines are trying to stock up at the position. Michigan has been offering receivers left and right it seems since the arrival of new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. At the same time, the Huskers have also made wide receiver a focus and with a three-star pass catcher in their backyard, they can’t afford to miss.

Frost did a great job locking down the state in the last recruiting cycle as the Huskers landed each of the top five prospects in the state. In 2020, Nebraska football should have a good chance to do that again, unless the Huskers allow Watts to get away.

That would be a tough pill for the coaching staff and the fans to swallow. So we will see what happens. It’s too early for crystal balls with Watts yet, but you have to think the in-state advantage has to mean something for the Huskers.