The Nebraska football team is just about done with the 2018 season. Despite hopes that there was some small chance they could make a bowl, that seems unlikely. When the smoke clears on the first season of Scott Frost's career as a head coach here, the record is going to look quite similar to the last season of Mike Riley's career here. There is a rather big difference between the two eras that might not be readily apparent to those on the outside. The future is looking bright.

Not only have the Cornhuskers been working to close the season out on a winning note (would have gone 5-1 in their last six if they win Friday), but the talent coming into the program seems quite a bit better.

The even better news is that the talent coming into the program from Nebraska is getting better. That was shown a bit in a couple of Nebraska football targets' performances in their teams' State Title games.

Xavier Watts shows why Nebraska football wants him

In the Class A State Championship game, Omaha Burke capped off an undefeated season thanks in no small part to wide receiver Xavier Watts. Burke had to stage a comeback in order to beat Grand Island, 24-20. It's a safe bet that had Xavier Watts not done what he did, that comeback would not have happened. Watts grabbed 11 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

Watts scored the first of his two touchdowns from 62-yards out that brought his team from down 14-3 to down 14-10.

Minutes later, Watts caught his second touchdown to give Burke the lead 17-14. He showed that it's no wonder the Nebraska football team wants him. The 2020 prospect, who is considered the number three player in the state for that class, has seven offers and hasn't committed yet. When teammate and 2019 commit Chris Hickman was asked whether he was going to try and peer recruit Watts to the Cornhuskers, he just reiterated that he hopes he comes.

Garrett Nelson shows the certain future

While the Huskers are still trying to convince Watts to commit to playing in Lincoln, one kid 100 percent certain to sign with Nebraska had himself a good game in his State Title appearance as well. Garrett Nelson, a linebacker who projects to be a rush end in college, is the third-ranked player in Nebraska in the 2019 class according to 247 Sports.

Nelson's team, Scottsbluff, lost in the championship game but it wasn't from a lack of trying from the future Nebraska football star. Nelson record eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. After that sack, Garrett Nelson pleased the Husker coaches who were watching the game take place in Memorial stadium by "throwing the bones" after the play.
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