Deiontae Watts commit: What does it mean for Nebraska?

Nebraska picked up commit No. 15 from three-star defensive tackle Deiontae Watts on Sunday. What does this commitment mean for the Huskers?

Here is some early commitment analysis on Watts' commit for the Big Red.

1. Winning big games matters. Saturday's game with Oregon was nationally televised on ABC and Memorial Stadium was packed with over 90,000 fans who were really into the game. Most longtime Husker game day observers thought it was the loudest the stadium had been since the games with Missouri in 2010 or Colorado in 2008. Several of Nebraska's visiting recruits were tweeting about how "lit" the atmosphere was. It really was the best case scenario for NU with what they had to show the assembled group of visitors.

2. Defensive line coach John Parrella has been a great hire. As soon as he was on the job in Lincoln, Coach Parrella said that he was in the search for some big-time "war daddies" to bring quality depth to future Nebraska defensive lines and to help rejuvenate the program. After having struggled in getting many, if any, defensive line recruits to visit last cycle under Hank Hughes, Parrella has already landed commitments from two defensive ends and two interior defensive linemen, and it's still only September.

3. Nebraska is still relevant in the Big 12 footprint. When Nebraska left the Big 12 conference for the more stable situation in the Big Ten, it was an open question whether or not NU's brand name would still remain relevant in their old recruiting stomping grounds. That question seems to have been answered in the affirmative. With the addition of Watts, the Cornhusker staff now has two pledges each from the states of Texas and Oklahoma. And they are likely not through recruiting yet in those states for this class.

4. The Huskers will likely be taking three defensive tackle signees in this Class of 2017. Deontre Thomas was the first defensive tackle commitment to this class in late April, and now Deiontae Watts became the second in mid September. Nebraska is still in very good shape with several other DT prospects as well. Damion Daniels already officially visited Lincoln for the Fresno State game; five-star Tyler Shelvin has stated repeatedly he intends to to take an official to NU; and Ben Hutch will be taking his official to Nebraska later in the year.

5. Though he is rated a 5.7 three-star, Watts has an offer list worthy of a four-star recruit. With confirmed scholarship offers from the likes of USC, UCLA, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Ole Miss and numerous other Power Five conference schools, Watts was a highly coveted recruit. His high school film also backs up that he is a playmaker at a highly important position in any recruiting class, and one at which it is always difficult to land difference-makers.

6. This could be the start of a cascade effect for this Husker 2017 football recruiting class. Nebraska had not garnered a new verbal commitment since the season started, but with Saturday's crucial win you could see several other of NU's remaining top targets think seriously about coming aboard as well before this class fills up. In reality, there is only a spot or two left at each of the positions in this class and it will be first come, first served. There is no doubt that the Cornhuskers have as much momentum in their program now as at any time in the past decade.

9/18 - Deiontae Watts - DT - 6-3, 305 - Plano, TX - 3 stars

8/27 - Reese Leitao - TE - 6-4, 236 - Jenks, Okla. - 3 Stars

8/8 - Guy Thomas - DE - 6-3, 205 - Miami, FL - 4 Stars

7/31 - Ben Miles - FB - 6-1, 215 - Baton Rouge,LA - 3 Stars

6/29 - Robert Porcher - DE - 6-3, 250 - Orlando, FL - 2 Stars

6/17 - Broc Bando - OL - 6-4, 280 - Lincoln, NE - 3 Stars

5/15 - Matt Sichterman - OL - 6-5, 270 - King Mills, OH - 3 Stars

4/30 - Deontre Thomas - DT - 6-2, 260 - Mustang, OK - 3 Stars

4/21 - Avery Roberts - LB - 6-1, 215 - Wilmington, DE - 4 Stars

4/16 - Brenden Jaimes - OL - 6-6, 260 - Austin, TX - 3 Stars

4/15 - Austin Allen - TE - 6-8, 230 - Aurora, NE - 3 Stars

4/5 - Tristan Gebbia - QB - 6-3, 180 - Calabasas, CA - 4 Stars

3/23 - Keyshawn Johnson Jr. - WR - 6-1, 195 - Calabasas, CA - 4 Stars

3/12 - Javeon McQuitty - WR - 6-2, 190 - Columbia, MO - 4 Stars

3/10 - Willie Hampton - LB - 6-2, 220 - Plantation, FL - 3 Stars

1 - Quarterback

1 - Running back/fullback

2 - Wide receiver

2 - Tight end

3 - Offensive linemen

2 - Defensive tackle

2 - Defensive end

2 - Linebacker

0 - Safety

0 - Cornerback

0 - Special teams

3 - Florida

2 - Nebraska (OL Broc Bando counts towards Nebraska)

2 - California

2 - Oklahoma

2 - Texas

1 - Delaware

1 - Louisiana

1 - Missouri

1 - Ohio