Nebraska Still in the Running for No. 9 TE Prospect in the Country

Nebraska Football has another tight end prospect in mind.

As it stands, Nebraska has seven commits in their 2021 recruiting class, with a majority of them coming from the offensive line and linebacker spots.  Let’s not forget the most recent commit quarterback Heinrich Haarberg out of Kearney Catholic.

Haarberg had to be smiling Sunday when he saw the Cornhuskers are still in the running for 2021 Grandview High School (TX) standout Dametrious Crownover after he released his top 11 list. He is a two-way player who plays both defensive end and tight end. Currently, he is rated the No. 9 tight end prospect in the country according to 247Sports.

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If Haarberg had it his way, Crownover would line up on the offensive side of the ball if he were to commit to the Big Red.

The Cornhuskers are up against some stiff competition for Crownover’s services as he has LSU, Ohio State, Auburn, Texas A&M, and Oregon, among others, to round out his top 11. On the bright side, according to Mike Schaefer of Husker247 Sports   “Crownover planned to visit Nebraska this spring and has built a pretty good relationship with the Huskers.”

Relationship building is crucial to landing any recruit. However, Scott Frost and his staff have done wonders on the recruiting trail by placing a premium on getting to know prospects as people first and athletes second. There is one domino that could prove to be a challenge in the Huskers’ pursuit of Crownover. He could have a  desire to play with his brother, who plays running back for Texas A&M, according to Schaefer.

The measurables Crownover possesses make him a quarterback’s dream as a potential receiving target.  He stands 6’6″ and weighs 235 lbs.

Big tight ends are not unfamiliar territory under the Frost regime as they have three young tall tight ends currently on the roster, with Austin Allen being the tallest at 6’8″. Crownover would provide yet another long and lengthy weapon to an offense that will always need them.

When you turn his film on, you see right away why he is highly coveted. His height makes him a bonafide red zone nightmare for those matched up with him one-on-one in the secondary. He has excellent hands which are display when he goes up to make a play for the ball. No other play proves his dominance more than a 13-yard touchdown reception he had in a game against East Chambers High School.

On the play, he jumped over the top of a safety to erase a potential pass break up and reigned the ball in for six points. His motor is uncanny on both sides of the ball, but his relentlessness on the defensive side of the ball translates well to the offensive side of things, especially when he is asked to assist as a blocker in the run game.

One particular highlight had me hitting the rewind button three or four times. The play shows him destroy a linebacker in pursuit of the quarterback and drive him into the locker room, in many ways similar to how Michael Oher in the movie, “The Blind Side,” sent that defensive lineman to the bus. He is without question a guy coaches won’t have to harp on about playing until the whistle blows. What isn’t there to love about that?

Although he has several unforgettable highlights, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Many will become transfixed by his physical makeup. He could benefit from adding some muscle to his long frame. His height may have proven to be the x-factor during his high school career, where he virtually towers over as well as out muscles the opposition.

However, Division I ball is a whole different setting. He will need more than his height to prove his worth. He is by no means a finished product as he has more film to show on the defensive side of the ball than at the tight end position.  With the limited number of clips from that spot, I also thought his route running could use work as well. Matching up against elite-level talent in the secondary at the college level is no easy task. Still, if he can acquire the tools necessary to become a more disciplined and crisp route runner, the sky is the limit for this kid.

Overall, I can’t wait to see this guy progress over his senior season and watch his upward trajectory. Hopefully he ends up wearing the scarlet and cream.