Nebraska Football: Program continuing efforts to load up 2021 LB group

Nebraska Football  continues to make linebacker a priority

As recruiting continues on, Nebraska football has made the top five for a linebacker from New Jersey. Mikai Gbayor released his top five on Monday, and the Huskers were part of that list.

Gbayor is the 41st overall linebacker in the 2020 class in the 16th overall player in his class from the state of New Jersey per the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is a three-star recruit. In addition to Nebraska, Michigan State, West Virginia, Ole Miss, and Kentucky also made his list.

What could he bring to Nebraska? When I watch his film, I see a linebacker who is patient. Measuring in at six-foot-two, 210 pounds, he waits for the play to develop and reacts. He is particularly effective when it comes to passing plays. He has a knack for being able to intercept the football.

On running plays, he can shed his blocker and that allows for him to make a tackle right away. In terms of pursuit, that is also something he excels at. He is not the fastest, but he is able to get proper angles to make the tackle.

https://twitter.com/MGbayor/status/1270152167295528962

Currently, the Nebraska football 2021 class is absolutely stacked at linebacker. Gbayor would be another great addition. In addition to pursuing him, they have Randolph Kpai, Patrick Payton, Christopher Paul Jr. , and Seth Malcolm. It is important to note that  Malcolm, Peyton, and Kpai  are outside linebackers while Paul is an inside linebacker. Gbayor would definitely add additional talent to the outside linebacker position.

Scott Frost and his coaching staff have made it clear that they are interested in beefing up the linebacker position. This is certainly crucial for the future. When you take a look at the roster right now, Collin Miller and Will Honas are seniors, while Eteva Mauga-Clements is a junior. The linebacker position is chock-full with young talent. Garrett Snodgrass and Nick Heinrich are redshirt freshman, while Keyshawn Greene is a freshman as well. There is a ton of talent at linebacker, but it never hurts to add solid depth.

I’ll be interested to see how this recruitment plays out. If Nebraska football could land another linebacker, that would certainly benefit the program moving forward. I love how they are taking an emphasis in trying to better the defense, as that was really their Achilles’ heel last season. Hopefully, this season will lead to growth and some less frustrating Saturdays defensively.