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it's not a recruiting or talent issue with the Huskers when wondering if they can be a top program in the Big Ten West

can Nerbaska ever get back to a national top 5 power such as the 90's?  Probably not.  Would take  a coach and a few other factors as it did in the 90s.

the Vols might have a better shot at a top 5 season or two, but it's improbable for most programs

Ohio St recruits nationally

as does Bama

not for the bulk of the roster, but to pluck the top 4 and 5 stars

lots of kids on that list playing in the NFL that weren't top recruits or even attended P5 programs

it's a great list, but doesn't represent recruiting ability

It looks like that list is based on current year recruits. I prefer this list of the HS location of active NFL players.  It is a bit dated but I couldn't quickly find an update and I don't think it changes that much anyway. The top-10:

• 194 Florida
• 192 Texas
• 170 California
• 134 Georgia
• 71 Ohio
• 60 Alabama
• 60 Pennsylvania
• 59 Louisiana
• 59 North Carolina
• 57 New Jersey

If you look at the teams that were undisputed helmets 25 years ago but have been generally down lately the three that come to mind are Michigan, Tennessee, and Nebraska. I think it is NOT coincidental that all three have relatively weak in-state talent.

This is true.  Tennessee used to make it's money recruiting Georgia, the Carolina's, and Virginia, along with plucking some high rated guys nationally.

Tennessee's fall coincides with the rise of Clemson, USCe under Spurrier, and Georgia finally hiring competent coaches, starting with Mark Richt.

It's a fairly easy picture to paint.

Tennessee, for a long while, had the highest recruiting budget in the country to offset the lack on in state talent, not sure if it remains that way today.  Fortunately, with Nashville's growth, the in state talent is getting better every year, but obviously still not on par with the big boy producers, and likely never will be.

one fo the biggest differences for the Huskers from the good old daze is that regional programs in the Midwest are doing better and getting more recruits that were easy picks for the Huskers.

The Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Gophers, ND Bison, K-state Wildcats, Mizzou and even Kansas have been able to recruit better on the average than back in the 70's, 80's, and 90's

even taking some recruits out of the state of Nebraska

one fo the biggest differences for the Huskers from the good old daze is that regional programs in the Midwest are doing better and getting more recruits that were easy picks for the Huskers.

The Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Gophers, ND Bison, K-state Wildcats, Mizzou and even Kansas have been able to recruit better on the average than back in the 70's, 80's, and 90's

even taking some recruits out of the state of Nebraska

I think the underlying reason for this is the common factor that has made things tricky for all three of the schools I listed above (UNL, UTK, and M). That factor is the proliferation of televised games.

My impression is that in the earlier period teams like the Cornhuskers, Volunteers, and Wolverines were on TV a lot more than schools like Iowa, Minnesota  North Dakota, Kansas, etc. Thus, I think that back then a kid from say Missouri might be a recruiting battle between three Helmets (UNL, UTK, M), but now maybe he stays home and goes to Mizzou.

who can forget the absolute beat down Nebraska threw on an undefeated UF Spurrier team.....maybe the worst beat down Spurrier ever took.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-UNP-2YswY