Take two: Huskers' Cali connection, Strong's statement, Sony Michel

Take Two is back this week tackling a handful of issues around the college football landscape.

Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and a local expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites.

Storyline: Four-star receiver Keyshawn Johnson Jr. committed to Nebraska this week and it’s an important pickup since he’s a talented prospect – and also crucial because he might wield some influence over other Calabasas, Calif., stars.

Two of Nebraska’s top targets, especially in the state of California, are five-star cornerback Darnay Holmes (who has visited Lincoln five times) and four-star quarterback Tristan Gebbia, who’s been to Nebraska on three occasions.

Both play with Johnson and both are serious about the Huskers. With Nebraska’s success last recruiting cycle in California and now getting Johnson, could some Calabasas teammates follow to Lincoln as well?

First take: “I definitely can see Keyshawn Sr. and Keyshawn Jr. having success in creating a Calabasas pipeline of sorts to Nebraska. Relationships, trust and familiarity are the foundation of the recruiting process and the Huskers have that in spades with the star players at the school. Keyshawn Johnson Sr.’s 25-year-plus relationship with Huskers head coach Mike Riley is what originally allowed NU to get its foot in the door which they took advantage of by signing safety Marquel Dismuke last year. The commitment of Keyshawn Jr. now gives Nebraska another person in its corner as they try to land his classmates, five-star corner Darnay Holmes and Rivals100 quarterback Tristan Gebbia.

“Holmes has visited Lincoln five times, Gebbia has visited three times and they are both close with the Johnsons, whom will undoubtedly be in their ears to continue playing together in college. It’s a scenario that certainly has some appeal to Holmes and Gebbia and one that could very well come to fruition.” – Nate Clouse, HuskerOnline.com

Second take: “He can convince some of the mid-level guys. I don’t think Darnay is going to Nebraska. As we get later into the recruiting year with top Calfornia kids, usually they stay West. It’s not often for kids to go cross-country or leave the state and when they do they go to the Notre Dames, Michigans and Ohio States of the world. His dad is an influential person and that can help get Nebraska visitors. I’ve always said this about Nebraska: It’s got one of the top five fan bases in the country and one of the top five game atmospheres in the country. If you get kids on campus there for the spring game or a regular-season game you have a really good shot of bringing them back as commitments.” - Farrell

Storyline: In an address to the faculty council at Texas, third-year coach Charlie Strong made some eye-opening comments, maybe in an attempt to energize the fan base or maybe because he realizes if things don’t turn quickly he could be out of a job.

According to reports, Strong said once his rebuilding plan takes hold and the program turns that Texas will “steamroll everyone.”

Cue eye roll, or cue Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury who had an interesting take on Strong’s comments.

“He said that?” Kingsbury asked reporters when questioned about it after spring practice. “It’s not April Fools' yet, is it? He just cut it loose. Yeah, I didn’t see that. I would not make those statements but, hey, to each his own.”

Strong might be running out of time so if this rebuilding plan is ever going to take hold, it has to be soon – or he might be the one steamrolled.

First take: "On one hand, those are pretty brash claims from a coach coming off a 5-7 season and a coach who has won just 11 games in his first two years in Austin. On the other hand, the struggles on the field haven't seemed to impact Texas' recruiting efforts much at all, so it's very possible that Strong and his staff could really see things begin to take off in terms of stockpiling talent if they can begin stringing together wins in 2016.

"I do like Strong's optimism and I agree with him that Texas will rise up the ranks quickly if they can build some momentum on the field, but it has to start this year. If the Longhorns struggle again in 2016, Strong will feel a lot of pressure and it could end up being another head coach who leads the turnaround. This year is key." – Jason Suchomel, Orangebloods.com

Second take: “I don’t think he’s in the position to say they’re going to steamroll opponents. I don’t think the recruiting is at that level right now where I’ve seen enough consistency for him to say that. I don’t know if he’ll be given enough time. If they go 5-7 this year I think he’s gone.” - Farrell

Storyline: New Georgia coach Kirby Smart said he would like to use a “platoon” system at running back with Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, who’s returning from injury.

This could be the breakout year for Michel, a former five-star running back from Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage who shined last season in Chubb’s absence and will really look to become a top-level back in the SEC.

A freshman quarterback in Jacob Eason could be starting for the Bulldogs and Chubb cannot be expected to carry a full load. That leaves Michel, the dynamic, talented running back who had a great season a year ago and will look to back up that five-star ranking in the SEC East.

Can he do it?

First take: “No question. Sony proved that last year, rushing 219 times for 1,161 yards, most of that coming after taking over for Nick. Sony had the reputation for being a slasher/speed guy, but while that's true he's currently a muscular 215-218 pounds at last check and has developed into a more-than-capable inside runner. Throw in the fact that he's also an excellent receiver (26 catches for 270 yards and three touchdowns), Michel is one of the more all-around backs in the conference.” – Anthony Dasher, UGASports.com

Second take: “This is definitely the chance for Sony Michel to show how talented he is. We saw a little bit last season but we didn’t see the full array of talents Michel has. If he stays healthy he could be as good as Todd Gurley, better than Chubb as far as a guy who’s big, who can run and has everything the NFL is looking for. They need Chubb. Chubb is their inspiration right now, their leader and for him to return at 100 percent with Michel would make things a whole lot easier for Eason and for Kirby Smart in his first year.” - Farrell