{"id":47811,"date":"2023-02-01T17:00:28","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T22:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=47811"},"modified":"2023-02-01T12:03:52","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T17:03:52","slug":"nebraska-2023-signing-day-a-class-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2023\/02\/01\/nebraska-2023-signing-day-a-class-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska 2023 Signing Day Class In Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When newly hired Nebraska head coach\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Matt Rhule\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">took over\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Scott Frost<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8216;s regime in November of 2022, the Cornhuskers recruiting class was ranked 60th nationally and last in the Big Ten. Five months later, they are the 23rd-ranked class in the nation. \u00a0As well as a transfer portal ranking of 19th. This jump in class rankings was due to the staff addressing key missing pieces. But perhaps the most impressive thing that Nebraska has done is to be able to recruit the transfer portal effectively. This was demonstrated when the Cornhuskers plucked impact transfers from the SEC to create competition and depth on both sides of the ball.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Now that Nebraska&#8217;s recruiting class is in place, here are the top players from each position group that the Cornhuskers have landed in both the early signing period as well as National Signing Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nebraska 2023 Signing Day Class In Review<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">QB- Jeff Sims<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the lone transfer quarterback signee in Nebraska&#8217;s 2023 recruiting class, Sims looks to be an immediate contributor to win the starting job next season alongside\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/casey-thompson-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Casey Thompson<\/span><\/strong><\/a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Last season at Georgia Tech, he threw for 1,115 yards, five touchdowns along with three interceptions. On the other hand, Thompson was just as capable for the Cornhuskers passing for 17 touchdowns and ten interceptions last season. Sims also joins backup junior quarterback\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chubba Purdy<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Logan Smothers<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0in the mix for playing time at the position this fall.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"und\" dir=\"ltr\">GBR\ud83c\udf3d <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GiveEmGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GiveEmGame<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NZZcnF7iq7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/NZZcnF7iq7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Sims (@JeffSims_10) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JeffSims_10\/status\/1604606966642401281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 18, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">RB- Kwinten Ives<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As a top running back in the state of New Jersey and top 35 in the country. Ives&#8217; high school career saw him rush for 3,005 yards and 49 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons. However, for all his accolades in high school don&#8217;t expect Ives&#8217; path to start for the Cornhuskers to be easy. He has stiff competition inside newly hired offensive coordinator\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Marcus Satterfield<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8216;s room. Starting running back\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/anthony-grant-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Anthony Grant<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0led the team throughout the season with 915 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Backup running back\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/ajay-allen-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ajay Allen<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0had a strong showing as well with 190 yards and two touchdowns last season.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WR- Malachi Coleman<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As a highly touted 4-star wide receiver out of Lincoln East High School, signee\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Malachi Coleman<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is undoubtedly one of the top recruits in the country. Coleman came into his own his junior season of high school. \u00a0Where he caught 17 passes for 561 yards averaging 33 yards per reception. The Nebraska native also added to his recruiting stock at the annual Polynesian Bowl, where he caught two touchdowns. With the departure of Second-Team All-Big Ten wide receiver\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/trey-palmer-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Trey Palmer\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to the NFL Draft, he looks to compete for playing time alongside others with experience in senior\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/isaiah-garcia-castaneda-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Isaiah-Garcia Castaneda<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, junior\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Xavier Betts<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and former Virginia wide receiver\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Billy Kemp IV<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">DL- Princewill Umanmielen<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the younger brother of current Florida defensive lineman\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Princely Umanmielen<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, 4-star defensive end\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Princewill Umanmielen<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0recorded 130 tackles along with 21 sacks over his junior and senior seasons at Manor High School in Texas. Because of these distinctions, he was highly regarded as a top 300 prospect in the 2023 cycle by the likes of\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">ESPN,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">247 Sports,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rivals<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On3.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0He joins a bevy of highly regarded talent from the transfer portal. \u00a0Although what is most important is his pairing with a productive starter and future mentor in\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ty Robinson. \u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Robinson <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">produced a total of 24 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one pass breakup to end last season for the Cornhuskers.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">100% COMMITTED <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GBR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GBR<\/a> \ud83c\udf3d\ud83d\udd34\u2620\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/y6Y39FgxY7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/y6Y39FgxY7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Princewill Umanmielen (@hoodiiewill) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hoodiiewill\/status\/1604916348714455040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 19, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TE- Arik Gilbert<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Throughout his eight games at LSU,\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/arik-gilbert-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Arik Gilbert<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team. While blossoming into a star tight end when he caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns. He then transferred to Georgia and was less productive. \u00a0However, he was able to catch two passes for 16 yards against Vanderbilt. With the departure of leading tight end\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Travis Vokolek<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Gilbert looks to be an immediate contributor to back up redshirt freshman\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Thomas Fidone<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0along with sophomores\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/nate-boerkircher-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nate Boerkircher<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">AJ Rollins<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">OL- Gunnar Gottula<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As a starting offensive lineman for the Lincoln Southeast Knights, 3-star signee\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Gunnar Gottula<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> put together a standout season. He amassed an All-Nebraska selection along with a second-team All-Nebraska pick as a junior. The offensive line competition is wide-open. \u00a0It is no secret the unit struggled mightily last season under offensive line coach\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Donovan Raiola<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Gottula is most likely a developmental project as he hopes to learn alongside experienced members of the O-Line. Namely, right tackle\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bryce Benhart<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, left guard\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ethan Piper<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, left tackle\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Teddy Prochazka,<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and German-born left guard\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/nouredin-nouili-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nouredin Nouili<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">LB- Eric Fields<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hard-hitting 3-star Oklahoma linebacker signee\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Eric Fields<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0flashed in both of his junior and senior seasons. \u00a0Fields had a total of 270 tackles at Ardmore High School. Fields also recorded 180 tackles in 10 games, while adding two sacks, and a pair of fumbles. Look for him to contribute under new defensive coordinator\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tony White.<\/span><\/strong> Especially,\u00a0<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">with established players such as juniors\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jimari-butler-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jimari Butler<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nick Heinrich<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"tl\" dir=\"ltr\">AGTG <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/COMMITTED?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#COMMITTED<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GBR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GBR<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Omeezi_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Omeezi_<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CoachMattRhule?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@CoachMattRhule<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CoachKennedy7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@CoachKennedy7<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5SRmYUj4ys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/5SRmYUj4ys<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Eric (@EricFields24) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EricFields24\/status\/1605645667321450501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 21, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CB- Dwight Bootle II<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the younger brother of former Nebraska cornerback\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dicaprio Bootle<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Nebraska signee\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dwight Bootle<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8216;s senior season at Miami&#8217;s Palmetto High School, he recorded 32 solo tackles. \u00a0In fact, in his junior season at Killian High School, he had 67 tackles and 22 pass breakups. He joins Florida transfer <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Corey Collier Jr<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0along with seniors\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/quinton-newsome-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Quinton Newsome<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and junior\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Braxton Clark<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0under defensive back coach\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Evan Cooper<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">S- Rahmir Stewart<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As one of Philadelphia&#8217;s top safety prospects, signee\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rahmir Stewart<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0was a standout for Imhotep High School. As a junior, he recorded 12 tackles and three interceptions. Additionally, in his senior season, he doubled his production when he finished with 31 tackles and three interceptions. He joins junior safety\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Myles Farmer\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">who was an All-Big Ten Selection with 73 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1431729208\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1431729208?et=5UMadINjQn9hnBU5pD_00g&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=2ylLb4z7O4RUv96GEtK1LwENVPrreq16Jz1Jdz9GbPk=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When newly hired Nebraska head coach\u00a0Matt Rhule\u00a0took over\u00a0Scott Frost&#8216;s regime in November of 2022, the Cornhuskers recruiting class was ranked 60th nationally and last in the Big Ten. Five months later, they are the 23rd-ranked class in the nation. \u00a0As well as a transfer portal ranking of 19th. This jump in class rankings was due [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4440,"featured_media":47831,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"National Signing Day ","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"800","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,2,7316],"tags":[9775,7983,9776,9496,9778,9777,9495,8000,351,511],"class_list":["post-47811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bigten","category-featured","category-recruiting","tag-2023-national-signing-day","tag-big-ten-football","tag-billy-kemp-iv","tag-chubba-purdy","tag-donovan-raiola","tag-gunnar-gottula","tag-logan-smothers","tag-marcus-satterfield","tag-matt-rhule","tag-nebraska-cornhuskers"],"modified_by":"Tony Siracusa, CFB Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4440"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47811"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47811\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}