Nebraska Football Recruiting: Big Weekend Visitors Come With Big Game Versus Sparty

For those of you that drool over recruiting updates, you have probably noticed that I haven't wrote anything about recruiting since Joshua Kalu gave his verbal to the Huskers about a full month ago. Because, quite honestly, there hasn't been much to report to you all.

In that month's time, Nebraska's visit list has had some decent kids on there, but nothing to really get all warm and fuzzy over. Those kids include:

- Nick Gates, OL from Las Vegas (Bishop Gorman). Nebraska has done good work with Gates, as they sent Barney Cotton out to Las Vegas to use his connections to get Gates to visit for the Northwestern game. Even though Nebraska is ideal for Gates, Texas A&M should get his verbal.

- Devante Bond, DE/LB from Rocklin, Cali. Bond really loved his visit, also to the Northwestern game. It's a two horse race between the Huskers and Oklahoma for Bond's verbal. The fact that he hasn't committed to the Sooners yet make Nebraska look better. Bond originally was a Miami signee last year, but didn't have the grades to make it to campus.

- Jaevon Walton, LB from New Orleans (Edna Karr). Walton, a Louisiana Lafayette verbal, isn't going to stick with the Raging Cajuns much longer, as it seems like a 2 horse race between Nebraska and LSU for the flip.

Now, even with the fact that Walton and Bond are favored to verbal to Nebraska, it doesn't really help a class that right now is 49th in the 247 National composite and 48th in the Rivals rankings, while being 8th and 6th in the Big Ten in the respective services.

Bottom line is that, while Nebraska's Offensive recruiting has been fairly top notch for this cycle, it's the Defensive side of the ball that needs some assistance.

However, there is a possibility that this weekend's game versus Michigan State will help out the hurting side of the ball. Here are the folks listed to visit this weekend, which is a very fluid list and could change:

- Joe Keels. DE from Highland CC. Even though Keels is a Wisconsin verbal, Rich Kaczenski has been working hard on getting Keels to visit. However, word lately is that there's a possibility that Keels cancels all remaining visits and re-declares his Badgers love. If Joe does end up in Lincoln this weekend, Nebraska's chances automatically go up.

- Dalvon Stuckey, DT from Defuniak Springs, Florida. Stuckey is a kid that Nebraska could immediately use to replace Thad Randle on the Defensive Line and add even more bodies to a area that could use more boosting. Dalvon is considered a grades risk, however, and a couple of Miami guys I talked to about him worry about him not qualifying. It's unsure what Nebraska could bring to the plate, but getting him qualified and in Lincoln would be a big win.

- Chance Waz, Safety from Pflugerville Texas. The secondary team mate of Husker verbal Trai Mosley is looking to join his teammate in Lincoln. Consequently, the biggest win of getting Waz's verbal is to keep Mosely from flipping, as Trai has gained Baylor and Oklahoma offers. There is no doubt that Waz could help boost a secondary that is going to get hit hard by graduation this spring.

- Raymon Minor, "Athlete" from Richmond Virginia. Nebraska has a punchers chance with Minor, who Nebraska is recruiting as a "H" back. A four star athlete, Virginia Tech looks like the front runner. However, could a big offensive weekend from the Huskers and Tim Beck change his mind? It's possible, but unsure how probable it is.

Along with the athletes listed above, Nebraska is hosting visits from verbal commitments Zack Darlington, Demornay Pierson-El and Mosley. That makes seven visitors this weekend, which is easily the most Nebraska's had in a weekend all year.

While all the targets up top are ideal for the Huskers, the BIGGEST target right now is aimed at Dodge City CC Terrell Clinkscales, who is the number 1 JUCO DT in the land this year. Nebraska got in early with him, but right now it's between the Huskers and Texas Tech for his commit. Clinkscales hasn't visited Lincoln yet, however, so until he can get in Lincoln, it's only a dream so far.

Could this be the weekend that Nebraska starts the winter march to National Signing Day? Possibly, in that a victory could not only set up a B1G Title Game berth, but the future of the Nebraska Defense.