There are a lot of talented prospects that Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule will be hosting this weekend in Memorial Stadium, but the most significant one is former Wake Forest wide receiver Jahmal Banks. Banks has two more years of eligibility left, and the Cornhuskers have made him a top target. Wide receivers coach Garrett McGuire is willing to recruit Banks over other prestigious programs, so let’s examine why he would choose to play in Lincoln.
Jahmal Banks’ Success at Another Power Five Program
Banks has been a key component of Wake Forest’s offensive scheme for the past two seasons under coordinator Warren Ruggerio. In 2022, as a sophomore, he burst onto the scene with 43 receptions for 636 yards and nine touchdowns, earning him an honorable mention spot on the All-ACC roster. However, he wasn’t done yet; in 2023, the junior solidified his position as one of the Demon Deacons’ top options, totaling 59 receptions for 653 yards and four touchdowns. It’s a respectable option, and his presence would lend legitimacy to what McGuire and Marcus Satterfield have planned for the offense in 2024. But how can they convince him to be a part of NU’s comeback?
An Emerging Young Core
When Banks visits the Nebraska Cornhuskers this weekend, Rhule and the other coaching staff will have their best weapon if Banks stays loyal to them. Since former head coach Mickey Joseph brought wide receiver Trey Palmer from LSU, this hasn’t been evident in the program. And as everyone knows, the program had a revelation as a result of this choice. He was able to collect 71 catches for 1,043 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his eleven offensive starts. Because of this, he was able to tie the record for most receptions in program history and rank second overall in NU’s history. Furthermore, in 2023,
With Malachi Coleman and Jaylen Lloyd, this pattern began to continue. The true freshman lived up to their reputation as the two greatest players in Nebraska for the 2023 recruiting class, as they combined for 12 catches and four touchdowns. Furthermore, there are good grounds for the youthful core to improve. The quarterbacks are nearly all experienced starters, and Dylan Raiola, a five-star prospect, stands out as a compelling choice. Consequently, Banks ought to blend seamlessly into NU’s updated offensive scheme.
Double Trouble?
The Cornhuskers program should be thrilled about Texas wide receiver Isaiah Neyor if they believed that Banks was a significant player. With 248 yards as a rookie in 2020, he rose to prominence as one of the team’s top receivers. And with offensive coordinator Tim Polasek in 2021, he really started to shine. In the end, he caught 44 passes for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, certain worries persist. He was deep down the Longhorns’ depth chart at Texas under head coach Steve Sarkisian. He was only able to generate one reception for 14 yards as a result. Although this development may not sit well with NU’s coaching staff, there is still hope that he can return to form. However, it will require NU’s starting quarterback to get the ball as equally to him as it does to its young receivers core. If the team does that, there is a chance that he could become dangerous in the new Big Ten era. That is if he doesn’t find a more attractive destination first.
Starting A Chain Reaction
The Nebraska Cornhuskers haven’t been in the college football Top 25 in eight years. To find out when Rutgers and Maryland were first confirmed as 2014 Big Ten Conference members, you would have to travel back to 2016. However, the road to relevance in 2024 will suddenly be considerably more difficult. This season, the conference welcomes two elite opponents: the Oregon Ducks, who include former Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and the Washington Huskies.Long-term competitiveness is not something that Nebraska supporters can hope for from these programs. However, there’s a smart method for them to get going. All they need to do is get Banks and Dante Dowdell’s pledges. If that’s the case, they’ll have more depth come autumn to contend for something more than just a bowl game.
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