Mandela Tobin's past few weeks have been busy.Â
The class of 2021 defensive lineman from San Diego picked up a Nebraska offer on April 29 and his recruitment has continued to take off, adding more options over the spring.Â
The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder on Friday had a virtual visit of Nebraska's facilities hosted by defensive line coach Tony Tuioti, defensive coordinator Erik Chinander and head coach Scott Frost.Â
Moos said Nebraska's plan for bringing student-athletes back to campus is detailed and thorough enough that the Big Ten requested that it be shared with other schools in the conference.Â
"I was also on there with the director of academics and the director of life skills," said Tobin, who plays for Westview High in Southern California. "Both of them showed how academics and life skills really play out at Nebraska. Then getting the football aspect, it was really nice to see. They showed me a video and a slideshow about what they're all about and it was great to see."Â
"The academics, looking at that, it just looks really good," he added. "Most Academic All-Americans, that's really impressive and that really opened my eyes and my mom's eyes, who was also on the virtual tour."Â
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Virtual tours, of course, are not the way Tobin imagined the first big chunk of his recruitment would play out before the coronavirus pandemic. He said he's still hoping to make it to campuses before he makes a final decision in his recruitment later this year. Currently, the NCAA's ban on in-person recruiting runs through June 30.Â
"It's definitely changed the recruiting process for not just me but everyone else," Tobin said. "It's just a small part of the process, but it does give some insight of what you can do at the school when you're there. I know being there is the ultimate form of experiencing a college, but the (virtual visit) can give you a new perspective on a college, too.Â
"That's one of the biggest attributes along with the weight room and all of that."Â
Tobin also has offers from Kansas, Nevada, Air Force, Colorado State and several others.Â
Tobin has long arms — a 6-foot-9 wingspan, according to his Twitter account — and said his length is the starting point for his game.
"I use them to my advantage against my opponents, separating myself," he said. "I'm kind of like a bruiser as a D-end or tackle. I like to push people around. … I just can do a lot of things with my arms and natural strength as well." Â
Nebraska is almost certainly looking to take multiple defensive line prospects in its 2021 class that so far has seven known verbal pledges: three offensive linemen, three linebackers and a quarterback.Â
Local 2022 prospects keep picking up offers:Â This much was already clear, but Nebraska is going to have a tough fight on its hands for the best in-state prospects in the 2022 class.Â
On Friday, four-star offensive lineman Deshawn Woods (Omaha Central) picked up an offer from defending national champion LSU.Â
I’m blessed to say I have received your 11th offer to thank you
— Deshawn woods (@Deshawnwoods8)
On Thursday, four-star tight end Micah Riley (Bellevue West) landed an offer from Oregon to add to his impressive early collection that also includes Penn State, Michigan, Iowa and many others.
After a call with I am extremely happy to announce I have received a scholarship offer from The University of Oregon! ðŸ¥
— ðŒð¢ðœðšð¡ ð‘ð¢ð¥ðžð² â¸â¸ (@micah_r_d)
Recruiting hasn't slowed down much for four-star linebacker Devon Jackson (Omaha Burke), either, as his most recent offer came late last week from Iowa.Â
All three already have offers from Nebraska.Â
Woods (6-5, 270) is considered the No. 202 overall player in the nation by 247Sports and is a four-star by Rivals, as well. Riley (6-5, 215) is a four-star by Rivals and a three-star by 247Sports. Jackson (6-2, 200) is the No. 25 overall player in the nation according to 247Sports and the top-ranked outside linebacker. Rivals also considers him a four-star.Â
2021 Husker football recruits
2021 Husker football recruits
Name | Position | Hometown (School) | Stars |
---|---|---|---|
Marques Buford | DB | Oakdale, Conn. (St. Thomas More) | *** |
Koby Bretz | DB | Omaha (Westside) | *** |
James Carnie | TE | Norris | *** |
Gabe Ervin | RB | Buford, Ga. | *** |
Thomas Fidone | TE | Council Bluffs, Iowa (Lewis Central) | **** |
Mikai Gbayor | LB | Irvington, New Jersey | *** |
Kamonte Grimes | WR | Naples, Fa. (Palmetto Ridge) | *** |
Heinrich Haarberg | QB | Kearney (Catholic) | *** |
Shawn Hardy II | WR | Kingsland, Ga. (Camden County) | *** |
Wynden Ho'ohuli | OLB | Mililani, Hawaii. | **** |
Randolph Kpai | ILB | Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington) | **** |
Chris Kolarevic | LB | Traverse City, Mich. (Northern Iowa) | |
Henry Lutovsky | OL | Mt. Pleasant, Iowa | *** |
Seth Malcom | ILB | Tabor, Iowa (Fremont-Mills) | *** |
Latrell Neville | WR | Missouri City, Texas (Hightower) | **** |
Teddy Prochazka | OT | Elkhorn (South) | **** |
A.J. Rollins | TE | Creighton Prep | *** |
Markese Stepp | RB | Indianapolis (Cathedral) | |
Samori Toure | WR | Portland (Oregon Westview) | ** |
Jailen Weaver | DE | Antioch, Calif. | *** |
Malik Williams | DB | Buford, Ga. | *** |
Branson Yager | OT | Grantsville, Utah | *** |
The latest updates from the Nebraska football recruiting trail
Campus and in-home visits are on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. But recruiting isn't necessarily slowing down. Here's the latest from the Huskers.Â
Nebraska is in the final group for an offensive lineman it's been recruiting for some time.Â
The NJCAA announced Monday that it will not play football this fall, which could have ripple effects for the Huskers' recruiting efforts.
College football will see no in-person recruiting before the scheduled start of the season — at the earliest.Â
Nebraska added a big piece to its offensive line situation on Wednesday.Â
The former prep wrestling phenom — and current freshman DL — says he doesn't intend to double-dip, though "he would be a stud Division I wrestler."
The Huskers continue their blitz for linebackers — the Iowa native marks the fourth LB in a nine-member class of 2021 group.Â
Husker offensive line commit Teddy Prochazka has been working out at a gym owned by the brother of NU strength coach Zach Duval.
Nebraska lost a recruiting battle to Iowa State over the weekend when three-star wide receiver Jaylin Noel picked the Cyclones over the Husker…