@ShortSideOption @N2FL either of you have any insight into what NU's interest level is with Grayson Mann? Is Bray still high on him?
That's a good question. There was clearly strong interest in him before the switch to the 3-4. With several DE's moving to LB'er, the room is a lot fuller right now and the profile of what they're recruiting has changed now too. I've heard Nebraska won't be taking a lot of LB'ers in this class and might completely skip an ILB altogether. Mann is only around 6-1 and despite playing a lot of DE at the HS level - which is appealing for OLB's now in this system - he might not fit the profile they are looking for. They are probably going to start looking at kids who are 6-3 and taller. Most of their offers seem to be trending towards guys in that range, and most of the kids who are 6-1, 6-2, that they have offered, are consensus four-star guys who have higher ceilings and are maybe more athletic.
Last November, I would have banked on Mann being a part of the 2018 class at some point, now I am not so sure. With only a couple spots to fill (if that), they might try and aim for the fences, sort of like they did in 2017 with their DBs. They might swing for guys like Dorian Hardy, Devin O'Rourke, Ronnie Perkins, Adrian Jackson, Christopher Oats and Reggie Hughes (and a few guys who will get offers down the line) and run the risk of Mann ending up elsewhere. It happened to several DB's who were 2nd tier guys last season. IMPO its a good strategy with the LB'ers this year, just like I agreed with doing the same at DB. If they end up with just one LB and he is the equivalent of Elijah Blades, the staff can be very satisfied with that.
Also, Nebraska is still the leader for Miami's James Head, who at 6-5, 210-215 is a much better fit in the new defense. This is a kid who Nebraska is going to need to debate whether to try and full-court press to get him in this class or watch him go elsewhere. Mississippi State is his No.2 and they are going after him pretty hard. He also has an offer from South Carolina and home town Miami is starting to sniff around.