Jaylen Lloyd highlights alarming trend in Nebraska football WR retention issues

Nebraska football’s loss of Jaylen Lloyd is bad enough on its face. But his loss is also the latest symptom in what has become an epidemic for the Huskers when it comes to recruiting. And an epidemic when it comes to wide receiver recruiting especially.

As Twitter user Stewamanji pointed out, Lloyd’s departure just ahead of his third season in Lincoln is becoming the norm. And that norm is pointing to an inability for NU to both keep and develop pass catchers.

As the social media statistician posted, “If Lloyd departs, he will become the 24th WR recruited out of HS to leave NEB before the start of his 4th year in Lincoln since 2016.” That number is only part of the problem for the Nebraska football program but it’s plenty jarring all on its own.

Nebraska football wide receiver recruitment is a problem

The user also brought up that the last wide receiver to stay for a 4th season was JD Spielman. Spielman was one of the best receivers to play for the Huskers over the last decade plus but there’s also something to take from that. Even Spielman didn’t finish his career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He went to TCU, where his career ended with a whimper.

At the time, people told themselves that his poor career finish was justification for him leaving, but his production really does stand out. Stewanji continued showing the problem by saying “The 32 HS WR recruits since JD have combined for 9 career receiving TDs.”

Nine touchdowns in the last eight years. It’s hard to know exactly what’s going on with this group. However, that bunch includes Malachi Coleman who walked out the door before Lloyd.

The Nebraska football program has a problem. Here’s hoping guys like Cortez Mills and Jacory Barney can reverse whatever this curse is. But it’s clear an issue to keep an eye on.