National signing day has come and gone, which means we can begin to fully evaluate the recruiting haul each team collected. This week on the Big Ten blog, we’re looking at which player or position group has the potential to make an instant impact for each conference team in 2017.
Up next: Nebraska
Player: WR Tyjon Lindsey
The Cornhusker coaching staff’s ties out West continue to pay big dividends as it heads toward its third season in Nebraska. This year, Mike Riley & Co. signed three players from the Pacific time zone who could all play in 2017.
California prospects Elijah Blades (defensive back) and Keyshawn Johnson Jr. (wide receiver) are both potential freshman standouts, but they fall behind Tyjon Lindsey on this list. Lindsey, also a receiver, was ranked as the top player in Nevada this season despite ending his season early due to an injury.
The short and speedy receiver committed to Ohio State in August but switched to Nebraska midway through January. Pulling Lindsey – ESPN’s No. 78 prospect in the 2017 class – away from the Buckeyes was considered a major recruiting trail coup for Nebraska. He, Johnson and fellow receiver Jaevon McQuitty all have a chance to get on the field as freshmen. Johnson and McQuitty both enrolled early and will have the spring semester to learn the playbook, but Lindsey’s skill and the possibility that he could return kicks or punts should help him make up for a little bit of lost time.
“These guys have a chance,” Riley told the Omaha World Herald, referring to his new trio of receivers. “Two of them are here right now -- that’ll be able to go through spring ball, which will help them a lot -- and then the other one is a simply terrific player.”
