The Nebraska football team comes into signing day knowing they are going to have to wait on the official decision on several different athletes to find out just how good their 2017 class is really going to be. Such is the case when Mike Riley and company are constantly going after the best of the best from all around the country.
Afternoon announcement
Over the course of this recruiting cycle, there have been a number of schools that the Nebraska football team has gone toe to toe with for several different players. Perhaps it's because Mike Riley understands the recruiting area, or maybe simply because he believes the West Coast is a pipeline he can plunder, his staff has spent a ton of time in the back yard of the Pac 12.
In order to get the services of California athlete Greg Johnson, Nebraska and USC are squaring off and both are waiting and hoping the football player picks them. Johnson might be the longest of long shots for the Huskers, as it appears he's only been leaning even more towards the Trojans over the last month. 247 Sports' has rolled out their crystal ball and have said he's a 95 percent lock to be staying in Pac 12 territory.
Why he might come here
If Nebraska has a secret weapon when it comes to getting Johnson to leave the left coast and come to the corn coast, it's newly minted defensive backs coach Donte Williams. Back when Williams was still a member of the Arizona Wildcats, Johnson was a commit to that school and Williams was his lead recruiter.
Most people believe it was the new coach's ability to bring in talent like that, which got the Huskers' attention.
While it's hard to say whether or not the two have a connection strong enough that the state's 12th ranked player and nation's top ranked athlete would come all the way to Nebraska, it is the reason the Huskers are still being considered at this late date.
Make no mistake, NU getting this player would be quite the coup but his late announcement time might be a help as well. If Riley can really establish "Calibraska" on signing day, it might get enough momentum rolling to steal one or two from USC.
