Mike Schaefer chimes in:
http://nebraska.247sports.com/Bolt/How-I-rank-them-2018-class-52993448
Here’s how I would order them based on need, potential and my own opinion of their ability:
11.
Masry Mapieu — Unfortunately, someone has to be last and while I think Mapieu has a ton of ability and upside, he’s also the furthest away from contributing at this time. The belief in recruiting is that the coaching staff is always looking to find someone better. Mapieu has talent, but he’ll need to show it early and often.
10.
Will Farniok — Nebraska added this younger brother of current Husker
Matt Farniok in April. At center, Will could carve out a nice role and could really pay pretty big dividends with strong interior play. However, there’s no shortage of players in front of him, including
Michael Decker and possibly
John Raridon if he gets moved back to the spot.
9.
Eric Fuller — Toyed with moving him one spot further down the list. Fuller is gifted athletically, there’s little question about that. It remains to be seen what position he’ll play in college and where if he ultimately remains part of the class.
8.
Manuel Allen — This isn’t a knock on Allen, he’s a good receiver and one the Huskers are going to get a lot out of, but he’s not quite as athletically gifted as the one that will go ahead of him on this list. Allen could flourish early like
Stanley Morgan, who isn’t the fastest either, but he’ll need to come in mature and ready to contribute.
7.
Barret Pickering — I’ve said all along that getting a scholarship kicker makes a ton of sense and now the Huskers have one of the best in the country. Pickering will replace
Drew Brown from day one and if all goes right, the debates that raged this spring will be put to bed early.
6.
Tate Wildeman — The first of two big sleepers for me in this class. Wildeman is one of my favorites. A potential multiyear starter and he’s an absolute perfect fit for a 3-4 defensive end based on what
Bob Diaco has recruited in the past. Wildeman is big, strong, has a terrific motor and has been overlooked. Could end up being one of the biggest steals in the class.
5.
Mario Goodrich — Outstanding athlete, could end up on offensive side of ball, but more likely the Huskers build him into either a cornerback or a safety. Goodrich has the sort of athleticism that
Monte Harrison had, which is to say, he’s usually the best player on the field. There’s a ton of upside here. Could easily move up the list.
4. Cameron Brown — The second of my sleepers. Brown is athletically gifted in ways most Nebraska receivers haven’t been in the past. He’s got track speed and combines it with a 40-inch vertical. Brown is raw, he’ll have to learn the position, but he’s got
Keith Williams for that. Expecting a big season out of this Christian Brothers College product.
3.
Cameron Jurgens — Still one of my favorites from a potential standpoint. Don’t grade Jurgens on his high school production — he’s often asked to do more than he will in Lincoln and teams can just focus on him most of the time. Instead, Jurgens will get an opportunity to come to Nebraska, learn how to play tight end and use his athleticism and power to wear down the second level of defenses.
2. Chase Williams — Perhaps a bit of a surprise, but several different analysts have told me over the past few weeks that this guy is the real deal. Williams is a lot like Brown and Goodrich, in that he’s a tremendous athlete. However, based on his play in recent camps, he seems to have really grown as a cornerback and could challenge No. 1 on this list at The Opening in July.
1.
Brendan Radley-Hiles — The king stay the king. Bookie, as he’s known by the fans, is Nebraska’s top commit for a variety of reasons. He’s got terrific football IQ, he’s gifted on the field, he’s physical in a way most players never get to, he can help in every phase of the game and he’s got a motor that never stops, even when off the field.