For prospects looking to play as a member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, or any program, there is typically a natural desire to want to play for the school of your home state. But when deeper ties allow for a closer connection with a program, it’s easy to see why a highly sought after recruit would choose to travel across to a neighboring state, to play their college football. When a neighboring school is able to beat out a top homegrown talent from a nearby football power, that’s usually a good indication of the recruiting efforts of the staff.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Recruiting Missouri Top Player
Coaches make it clear how important it is to keep elite talent in-state. So when Nebraska Cornhuskers commit, Keelan Smith, was announced as the MaxPreps Missouri Player Of The Year, shortly after earning a state championship, his news only added to the recent wave of success that has crashed on the ears of fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Matt Rhule is receiving a talented player that fits the mold of who he is trying to build the Nebraska Cornhuskers program around. With sights set on the NFL, he knows the work and preparation that it takes to get to that level. Of course insight has come from his father, Neil Smith, himself once an NFL player and Nebraska defensive lineman. Keelan’s desire is self driven, and during his recruiting process, discovering his college of choice from a list of potential schools, the close knit culture of Rhule made the most sense to him.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Relationship With Keelan
After the coaching changes that occurred before Rhule took over, Keelan did not know where exactly he would stand in the plans of the new regime. After his commitment earlier this year, Keelan shared how much it meant to him when the Nebraska staff reached out:
It was just a huge relief when I got that first text from them asking me to come up for a visit. It was a weight off of my shoulders then, and is a weight off my shoulders now getting that commitment out of the way.
At first not knowing if the new staff would continue to express interest in his playing ability, a large peace of mind came for him when he could officially call a place that he feels comfortable at home.
Nebraska Cornhuskers High School Profile
His accolades come with the needed resume to back him up. As a sophomore, Keelan averaged a little over 20 yards per reception. A a junior he upped his production to 850 yards, and 11 touchdowns. En route to the state championship, he improved even more as a senior, posting 1016 yards and 14 touchdowns.
There are a number of factors that make him an exciting prospect for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He has an athletic build of a tight end at 6’3, while also possessing the route running capabilities of a receiver. Aspects that are encouraging to see at this stage of his development are his ability to change pace, and willingness to work through contact, while securing the football.
Watching him play, he is a willing blocker with a huge motor. In a Nebraska Cornhuskers offense that will often look to control the tempo with the run game, it’s easy to see his value in both facets of the offense.
In a crowded tight end room for the upcoming season, that will include the likes of Thomas Fidone and Carter Nelson, he will look to compete for significant playing time in his first year. While injuries are the last aspect that anyone wishes for, if Keelan is not able to win consistent playing time at first, he is definitely someone that would be able to step in and produce if his name were called upon at any point during the season.