While the doubters will suggest recruiting rankings are meaningless, the facts say otherwise, per Paul Meyerberg of USA Today Sports.
Each of the last 11 national champs have signed a top-5 class (per Rivals) within two years of their NC. Surprise! Recruiting = winning.
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) February 1, 2017
This dates back to the 2005 Texas Longhorns with Vince Young running the show at quarterback.
Two-plus years ago Mike Riley left Oregon State for Nebraska at the tail end of the recruiting cycle — December of 2014. At the time the Huskers, led by Bo Pelini and his staff, were in the middle of a decent class. The year before, Nebraska ranked No. 39 in the country, per ESPN, which was a fall from their No. 23 spot the year before.
Riley finished strong that first winter and has kept the momentum moving in the right direction, achieving the highest ESPN ranking (No. 21) since they finished No. 17 in 2011.
In addition, the Cornhuskers just missed out on three other top recruits that had Big Red in their final three.
Riley and staff landed a four-star quarterback in Tristan Gebbia and wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, Jr., both from Calabasas High School (Calif.). Johnson enrolled last month.
On signing day, four-star Pasadena cornerback Elijah Blades capped off Riley's 2017 class in grand fashion. Nebraska has 10 four-star signees for 2017 after five a year ago, highlighted by Elk Grove, California athlete Lamar Jackson, who is listed as a defensive back but has skills to suggest he could carry the ball.
Another year trending in the same direction and Riley will produce the program's first Top 15 class in 15 years. The Huskers finished 9-4 in 2016, tied for the fewest losses by the school since they went 10-3 in 2003. The last time Nebraska lost two or fewer games was 2001. Last time Big Red ended the year with one or fewer losses? 1999, two years after Tom Osborne retired and left Frank Solich a full cupboard.
Riley is doing his own grocery shopping and if history repeats itself, the Huskers may find themselves a national threat once again.
