Nebraska football received a commitment from former Montana linebacker Vince Genatone on Monday. This was reported by multiple media outlets.
Genatone recorded one tackle and redshirted in his first season at the University of Montana. He played on both defense and special teams
Nebraska football seems to be hoping to unlock his potential, especially considering his high school resume. He was named the 2022 Omaha World-Herald Nebraska Male Athlete of the Year. He was also a part of the Super-State First-Team. He collected 136 tackles as a senior for North Platte and was also able to make an impact on offense. He carried the ball for 911 yards and 13 touchdowns.
It’s also interesting to note that he was a dual-sport athlete. He won a Class A wrestling title as a 195-pound junior, per his Montana athletics bio. This is of note due to the fact that Nebraska seems to really like recruiting wrestlers. Nash Hutmacher is an example of this, and the 2025 class includes Tyson Terry. Nebraska football is placing a premium on dual-sport athlete over the past couple years.
Genatone was also a track star. He was third in the state in the 100 m run in 2022.
What can he bring to Nebraska Football?
Nebraska football is getting a raw athlete in Genatone. He obviously didn’t play a ton at Montana. Even still, the potential is there. Speed is one of the biggest aspects of his game, and he is able to use in a variety of ways. He came off the edge in high school, and served as a pass rusher. He was also able to use his speed for strong pursuit angles and disruption out of the backfield.
Although he didn’t get a ton of playing time at Montana, it’s easy to see why Nebraska football recruited him. He could fit well in Tony White’s defense based off of his ability to pursue and his abilities off the edge. The special-teams component is interesting as well. Nebraska could utilize him in that way too.
This isn’t necessarily a headline-making commitment. Nebraska football will have to work with him in order for him to reach his full potential. Even still, it was worth it for the program to take a flyer on him, especially when this coaching staff has a proven track record of developing players.
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