2005 Nebraska Football Recruiting Review
:: Player Profiles, Analysis, Rankings, Press ::

::Analysis Courtesy of DaveH, Eric the Red & Blackshirt from HuskerBoard.com, a Husker Message Board::

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:: Husker Football Class of 2005 :: Class of 2004 :: Class of 2003 ::
Total: 31 High-School(19) JUCO(12) (Breakdown)
Offense(17): QB(2) RB(3) WR(4) TE(2) OL(5) Defense(13): DL(5) LB(4) DB(4) K(1)
Team Rankings/Avg Player : Rivals: 3.33 / Scout: 3.23
Signing-Day Press: Huskers.com, LJS, LJS 2 , LJS 3 , LJS 4 , LJS 5 , LJS 6 , OWH, OWH 2, OWH 3, OWH 4, DN, DN 2, DN 3, USA, Tenn, NSP, STL, Wash, Cali, Cali 2, Texas, CBS Sports, TNT, CFN
Other Big-12 Football Recruiting Classes:
Player Breakdown (click names for capsules)
Name
Pos
Town/School
Height
Weight
Board Discussion
Player Press
Rivals Rank / Star
Scout Rank / Star
Quarterbacks (top)
Harrison Beck
QB

Clearwater, Fla. / Countryside

6-2

210

LJS 1, LJS 2, LJS 3, OWH, SPT 1 , SPT 2, TOC

3

14

Zac Taylor

QB

Norman, Okla. / Butler County (Kan.) CC

6-2

210

LJS 1, LJS 2, LJS 3, DN, OWH,

JC

JC

Running Backs (top)
Cody Glenn
RB

Rusk, Texas / Rusk

6-0

230

OWH, LJS, TP

28

34

Marlon Lucky

RB

North Hollywood, Calif. / North Hollywood

6-0

210

LJS, OWH 1, OWH 2

2

7

Leon Jackson

RB / DB

Pasco, Wash. / Pasco

6-2

210

LJS 1, LJS 2, ST

4

12

Wide-Receivers (top)
Wallace Franklin

WR

Beaumont, Texas / Ozen

6-2

170

OWH, CT

61

NR

Chris Brooks
WR
St. Louis, Mo. / Hazelwood East

6-2

195

OWH, LJS, STL

15

23

Frantz Hardy

WR

Miami, Fla. / Butler County (Kan.) CC

6-0

170

LJS, OWH

9

JC

Tyrell Spain

WR

San Diego, Calif. / San Diego Mesa (Calif.) College

6-3

190

LJS

JC

JC

Tight-Ends (top)
Justin Tomerlin

TE

San Clemente, Calif. / Butler County (Kan.) CC

6-6

265

LJS, OWH

JC

JC

Zach Potter TE/DE

Omaha, Neb. / Creighton Prep

6-7

265

Pre-Sign Chatter / Post-Sign Chatter
LJS, OWH

6

23

Offensive Line (top)
Brock Pasteur

OL

Orlando, Fla. /
Mesabi Range (Minn.) CC

6-6

300
OWH, LJS

JC

JC

Jordan Picou

OL

Rialto, Calif. / Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) CC

6-2

320

LJS

JC

JC

Jacob Hickman

OL

Bakersfield, Calif. / Centennial

6-3

270

LJS, OWH

27

46

Craig Roark

OL

Ada, Okla. / Ada

6-2

290
OWH, LJS

13

40

Rodney Picou
OL
Moreno Valley, Calif. / Canyon Springs

6-4

300

OWH, LJS

8

39

Kicker (top)
Jordan Congdon

PK

San Diego, Calif. /Saint Augustine
5-11

185

SOS, OWH

1

NR

Defensive Line (top)
Barry Cryer

DL

Marrero, La. / Dodge City (Kan.) CC

6-2

270

LJS, OWH 1, OWH 2

JC

JC

Ola Dagunduro

DL

Inglewood, Calif. / Compton CC

6-2

300

LJS, OWH

JC

JC

Ndamukong Suh

DL

Portland, Ore. / Grant

6-4

300

OWH, LJS, OL

6

6

Barry Turner

DE

Antioch, Tenn. / Brentwood Academy

6-3

248

OWH

13

27

David Harvey

DE/TE

La Plata, Md. / McDonough

6-3

235

LJS, OWH

NR

NR

Linebackers (top)
Nick Covey

LB

Glendale, Ariz. / Mountain Ridge

6-2

225

LJS, OWH

33

NR

Phillip Dillard

LB

Tulsa, Okla. / Jenks

6-2

245

OWH, LJS, NOK

4

33

Dontrell Moore

LB

Thibodaux / Coffeyville (Kan.) CC

6-2

225

OWH, LJS

JC

JC

Jeff Souder

LB

Bellevue, Neb. / Bellevue West

6-0

205

OWH, LJS

NR

NR

Steve Octavien

LB

Naples, Fla. / William Rainey Harper (Ill.) College

6-0

230

LJS, OWH

JC

JC

Defensive Backs (top)
Zackary Bowman
DB

Anchorage, Alaska / New Mexico Military Institute

6-2
185
OWH, LJS

2

JC

Robert Rands

CB/WR

Bellevue, Neb. / Bellevue East
5-7
160
LJS

NR

NR

Bryan Wilson
CB
Granada Hills, Calif. / Pierce College

6-2

190

LJS / OWH

JC

JC

NOTES: A player's position ranking is likely to be higher on Rivals.com than Scout.com -- because players are split up among 19 positions on Rivals and only 12 on Scout. i.e. Rivals ranks offensive guards, tackles and centers separately, while Scout lumps them all together.

Player rankings updated as of Jan. 16, 2005.

The Class Breakdown: Total: 31 Freshmen: 19 Junior College Transfers: 12 (top)

By State:
California (9): Congdon, Spain (San Diego); Dagunduro (Inglewood); Hickman (Bakersfield); Lucky (North Hollywood); Jordan Picou (Rialto); Rodney Picou (Moreno Valley); Tomerlin (San Clemente); Wilson (Granada Hills)
Florida (4): Octavien (Naples); Beck (Clearwater); Hardy (Miami); Pasteur (Orlando)
Nebraska (3): Potter (Omaha); Rands, Souder (Bellevue)
Oklahoma (3): Taylor (Norman); Dillard (Tulsa); Roark (Ada)
Texas (3): Franklin (Beaumont); Glenn (Rusk); Hunter (Humble)
Louisiana (2): Cryer (Marrero); Moore (Thibodaux)
Alaska (1): Bowman (Anchorage)
Missouri (1): Brooks (St. Louis)
Arizona (1): Covey (Mountain Ridge)
Maryland (1): Harvey (La Plata)
Washington (1): Jackson (Pasco)
Oregon (1): Suh (Portland)
Tennessee (1): Turner (Antioch)

By Position (First Position Listed):
Offense (18): Beck (QB); Brooks (WR); Franklin (WR); Glenn (RB); Hardy (WR); Hickman (OL); Hunter (WR); Jackson (RB); Lucky (RB); Pasteur (OL); J. Picou (OL); R. Picou (OL); Potter (TE/DE); Rands (WR/CB); Roark (OL); Spain (WR); Taylor (QB); Tomerlin (TE)
Defense (12): Bowman (DB); Covey (LB); Cryer (DL); Dagunduro (DL); Dillard (LB); Harvey (DE/TE); Moore (LB); Octavien (LB); Souder (DB); Suh (DL); Turner (DE); Wilson (CB)
Kicker (1): Congdon

Running back Marlon Lucky, of North Hollywood, Calif., could be the centerpiece of Nebraska's recruiting class. Source: OWH


 

QB
:: Harrison Beck :: (top)
6-2, 210, 4.67-4.70 Clearwater, Fla. (Countryside HS) Rivals Rank: 3 Post-Sign Chatter

Highlights: As a senior, Beck connected on 65 percent of his pass attempts for 1,695 yards and 11 touchdowns, helping Coach John Davis’ team to a second straight district championship. Beck also posted outstanding numbers as a sophomore and junior, throwing for approximately 900 and 2,300 yards, respectively, in his first two seasons as a starter. Beck connected on better than 70 percent of his passes as a junior and threw for 21 touchdowns, while leading his team to the third round of the state playoffs. He passed for 10 scores as a sophomore.

Quotes: "It's been the place for me since the beginning," said Beck, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound dropback thrower from Clearwater, Fla. "It just feels right. So right. I'm going there to win - conference championships and national championships."

Picked NU over: Over 20 including Miami, Fla., Fla. St., Mich., Ole Miss, N.C. St.

Press: LJS 1, LJS 2, LJS 3, OWH, SPT 1 , SPT 2, TOC

Interesting Facts: Eats, drinks, sleeps, football. Consistently said he was 100% committed to the Huskers since June 2004, but took an occasional visit to (in his words) “catch me a good football game.”

Video Analysis: Coming Soon

Callahan's words: Coming Soon

Assessing the talent: Everything Callahan and Norvell look for in a QB. He’s got the strong, cocky attitude to go along with the rocket arm. He’s excitable and a true leader. He can throw the bomb (over 60 yards at the QB Academy) and thread the rock in between defenders on a sit route over the middle. Is currently the only QB Nebraska is targeting. Many other schools, including the ones listed above are still actively recruiting Beck. He has consistently said he is 100% committed to the Huskers, but may take a visit or two, to in his words “catch me a good football game.”

QB
:: Zac Taylor :: (top)
6-2, 210, 4.8, Norman, Okla. (Butler County (Kan.) Rivals Rank: JC Message Board Chatter
Picture Source: UNL

Highlights: Taylor passed for nearly 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns this fall and earned second-team NJCAA All-America honors. His leadership helped the Grizzlies to the NJCAA championship game, where they lost the championship game to Pearl River (Miss.) JC. Taylor who is a three-star prospect in Rivals.com’s rankings, is listed as the No. 55 overall JUCO prospect according to SuperPrep Magazine, and the No. 2 junior-college quarterback according to College Football News..

Interesting Facts: Taylor began his collegiate career at Wake Forest. After redshirting in 2002, Taylor served as the Demon Deacons backup quarterback in 2003. He played in three games and completed the only pass he attempted. Taylor is a native of Norman, Okla., and passed for 1,950 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior at Norman High, where he was coached by Butch Peters. Taylor earned first-team all-district and all-conference honors in high school, where he was coached by Butch Peters. Taylor set 12 school records at Norman High, including career passing yards and career touchdowns

Quotes: ...perhaps Coach Bill Callahan will thank a youngster in the stands of Saturday's Nebraska-Creighton game, a rather nosy kid who approached Zac Taylor and asked if he was the quarterback he'd read about in the paper. "It was kind of neat," Taylor said. "It made me realize how big of a deal football is to these Nebraska fans." -- "My dad loves it," Taylor said. "It's always been a respected rivalry. It's just weird being on the opposite end of the spectrum."

Picked NU over: Troy St., North Texas, Memphis, Nebraska, Marshall

Press: LJS 1, LJS 2, DN, OWH

RB
:: Cody Glenn :: (top)
6-0, 230, 4.61, Rusk, Texas (Rusk HS) Rivals Rank: 28 Message Board Chatter
Picture Source: Rivals.com

Highlights: Glenn was a star running back for Coach Wayne Mahaffey at Rusk High School for four seasons, rushing for 6,353 yards and 87 touchdowns in his four-year career, both school records. Glenn’s rushing total is the eighth-highest total in Texas Class 3A history and the 27th-most in state history, regardless of class. He capped his prep career by rushing for 1,828 yards on 238 carries and scoring 28 touchdowns as a senior. He also caught 10 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown out of the Rusk backfield and helped his team to a 7-3 record and a berth in the Class 3A playoffs. Glenn’s effort as a senior earned him second-team Class 3A all-state honors, and all-district honors for the fourth consecutive season. Glenn topped the 2,000-yard barrier as a junior, rushing for 2,006 yards and 27 touchdowns on 278 carries. His performance earned him third-team all-state honors in his class. He was an honorable-mention all-state pick as a sophomore when he racked up 1,866 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground

Interesting Facts: Rusk finished 7-4 in 2004, tied with nearby Palestine High School for the district title. That's the same Palestine High that produced running back Adrian Peterson, the freshman sensation at Oklahoma who ranked as the nation's top recruit a year ago. "There are a lot of comparisons between the two, and I think they're valid," Mahaffey said. "The only difference probably is that Peterson is straight-out faster. But Cody has not played behind as good an offensive line, and he's shown great feet, great power and acceleration."

Quotes: "I know the fans are real crazy, and that's going to be a plus for me," he said. "It's awesome. Fans were saying my name when I was just up there on a visit, so I know it's going to be crazy once I get up there."

Picked NU over: 10 others including: Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Arizona, Baylor, BYU

Press: OWH, LJS, TP

Assessing the talent: Stocky build. Rushed for close to 2,000 yards this year in high school. He’s a physical north – south runner who’s not afraid to mix it up.

 
RUSK FOOTBALLERS: Rusk High School's Cody Glenn (Nebraska) and Brad Guidry (Blinn College) sign scholarships Wednesday. (Staff Photo By Shane Stark) Source: Tyler Paper
RB
:: Marlon Lucky :: (top)
6-0, 210, 4.44-4.51, North Hollywood, Calif. (North Hollywood HS) Rivals Rank: 2 Message Board Chatter
Picture Source: Rivals.com
Highlights: As a senior, Lucky rushed for 2,036 yards and 40 touchdowns on 222 carries, culminating a prep career in which he rushed for 4,881 yards and 81 touchdowns in the three seasons. Lucky is also a strong receiver out of the backfield, as he caught 23 passes for 443 yards and six touchdowns as a senior.
Interesting Facts: Lucky’s performance as a senior earned him selection as the Most Valuable Player in his league and first-team CalHi Sports all-state honors. As a junior, Lucky had 1,778 yards and 28 touchdowns, while also catching a pair of touchdown passes. Lucky was an all-league, all-city and all-area selection as a junior, and also received first-team underclassmen all-state honors. A second-team All-America selection by USA Today, Lucky is one of seven Nebraska signees who played in the U.S. Army All-American game in January. Lucky ran for a touchdown in the second half of the West squad’s 35-3 victory in the contest. Every recruiting service in the country ranks Lucky among its top running backs and near the top of its list of overall 2005 prospects. Tom Lemming ranks Lucky as the nation’s No. 4 running back and the eighth-best player on his list of Top 100 players. Rivals.com ranks Lucky as the No. 2 running back in the country, the second-best overall prospect in California and the No. 13 overall player in the class of 2005. SuperPrep Magazine also lists Lucky as the No. 2 running back prospect in the country and the 15th-best player in the country, along with the No. 2 player in the state. The 6-0, 200-pounder, is a member of Scout.com’s All-West Region team and is listed as the No. 31 overall prospect in the country by the publication, while NFLDraftBlitz.com lists him as the fifth-best prospect in the country and the No.3 Impact Freshman for 2005. Lucky was a standout at the Nike Training Camp in San Diego last summer, ranking in the top 10 at the camp in the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, bench press and vertical leap. Lucky lived in Dallas through seventh grade, then moved to the Los Angeles area where he lives with his uncle and a guardian in North Hollywood.
Quotes: "I did it," Lucky said, "because I think I can make a huge impact. I want to be a part of them getting better. I want to be there when we get back to where Nebraska was in the past." Lucky visited Lincoln for the Huskers' Oct. 16 win over Baylor. He said he was overwhelmed by the game atmosphere and marveled at how hundreds of fans recognized him at Memorial Stadium, several times even chanting his name. Though certain to come to Nebraska facing enormous expectations, Lucky said he won't try to be the next Adrian Peterson - Oklahoma's star running back who was the nation's top recruit a year ago. "I just want to be me," he said. "That's good enough. Nebraska has a bunch of good guys right now. With some help, that offense is going to really work."
Picked NU over: Fla., LSU, Miss. St., Oreg. St., San Diego St., USC, Wash. 
Press: LJS, OWH 1, OWH 2, MSNBC
Why Nebraska? Took only one official visit - to NU. Was sold on the complete package immediately. Fell in love with the smaller city enivironment and the opporutinity to help rebuild a football powerhouse.
Video Analysis: Watching this kid on film is really not fair to the other kids on the field. He could basically just run by anyone on the field. When he does get into traffic, he is pretty shifty. Shows good balance after getting hit in the legs and the ability to shed some tacklers. Callahan pretty much hit it on the head when he said he is an all around back.
Assessing the talent: Barry Sanders-esque natural talent. Has the complete package. Low to the ground, powerful, and fast. Can catch the ball (14 rec. 219 yards 2 TD’s last year) and run (over 1,700 last year). Lucky is perhaps the most versatile back from this season's crop. He is a great threat to score every time he touches the ball. Very elusive, similar to Cory Ross in some facets, but more powerful ala Ahman Green.
RB
:: Leon Jackson :: (top)
6-2, 210, 4.4, Pasco, Wash. (Pasco HS) Rivals Rank: 4 Message Board Chatter
Picture Source: Rivals.com
Highlights: Jackson starred at both running back and defensive back for Coach Steve Graff, helping the team to a state semifinal appearance in 2004. Jackson racked up huge numbers during his senior season, rushing for 1,745 yards and 23 touchdowns on 127 carries. He also caught five passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. He capped his senior season with 189 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the state semifinal loss. Jackson’s performance as a senior earned him first-team all-state honors by both the Seattle Times and the Associated Press. Jackson had similar numbers as a junior, rushing for 1,806 yards and 32 touchdowns on 212 carries, with another two scores among his nine receptions. Jackson’s efforts as a junior helped Pasco High to the Class 3A state title and he earned second-team all-state and Big 9 Co-Offensive Player-of-the-Year honors in the process. In his career, Jackson racked up 4,929 yards and averaged a remarkable 10.7 yards per carry. Jackson was a USA Today Preseason Super 25 player and was one of seven Husker recruits who played in the U.S. Army All-American game in January.
Interesting Facts: Jackson’s blazing speed has helped him to honors on the track, as he captured the Class 3A state title in the 100 meters as both a freshman and sophomore, including a 10.74 clocking as a sophomore. He has nine total letters, earning four in football, three in basketball and two in track. Jackson is also involved in the community, helping serve elementary school lunches and working with the Grid Kids football league. Jackson only made an official visit to Nebraska, but chose the Huskers after also receiving offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State and California. Jackson is the son of Leon Jackson Sr., and Deborah Wright and was born on June 1, 1986.
Quotes: "They respected that I wanted to play running back and recruited me as a running back," Jackson told his hometown newspaper, the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick, Wash. "That was the biggest thing. -- "Coach Callahan said I had the potential to play next year as a true freshman." -- “I want be one of the I-backs,” he said. “I plan on earning my spot. … I’m going to prove to the coaches that I’m their running back. It’s a personal thing. I want that position and I’m going to show the coaches. “I believe I can hold my own,” he said. “It’s time to show coaches what I’ve got and how hard I’ve been working.”
Picked NU over: Over 10 including Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, and Washington State.
Press: DN, NN, LJS , ST, OWH
Why Nebraska? Only took one official visit - to NU. Was sold on the complete package immediately. Fell in love with the smaller city enivironment and the opporutinity to help rebuild a football powerhouse.
Video Analysis: Coming Soon
Assessing the talent: Great upside to this guy. Perfect frame to add muscle. That’s not to say he isn’t all ready. Tall, with great quickness and speed. Is being recruited as a defensive back and running back. Won all kinds of track championships last year in Washington.
WR
:: Frantz Hardy :: (top)
WR, 6-0, 170, 4.3-4.4 Miami, Fla. (Butler County (Kan.) CC/Booker T. Washington HS) Rivals Rank: 9 Message Board Chatter
Picture Source: Rivals.com
Highlights: Frantz Hardy is one of three players to join the Nebraska program from Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan. Hardy, who will have three seasons of eligibility at Nebraska, starred for Coach Troy Morrell in 2004, helping Butler County to the NJCAA championship game. Hardy led the 11-1 Grizzlies with 34 receptions for 820 yards and five touchdowns last fall. His performance earned him second-team junior college All-America honors. Hardy redshirted during his first season on the Butler County Community College campus. Hardy is regarded as one of the top junior college receiver prospects. He is listed as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, who ranks him as the nation’s No. 9 overall JUCO prospect, and third among wide receivers. SuperPrep lists Hardy as the No. 16 overall junior college player in the nation. College Football News lists Hardy as the No. 7 junior college receiver in the country and the 24th-best JUCO prospect overall. Hardy originally hails from Miami, Fla., where he attended Booker T. Washington High School. As a prep player, Hardy caught 42 passes for 710 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. He is the son of Frank and Marie Carmelle Hardy and was born on Jan. 6, 1985. Hardy chose Nebraska after also visiting Auburn, Kansas and South Florida.

Quotes: ......And yes, Hardy said, having Taylor already in a Husker uniform factored into his decision. "A little bit," said Hardy, a 6-foot, 170-pound wide receiver.

Taylor signed with Nebraska in December and is enrolled in classes in Lincoln. He will participate in spring football. "He knows if he throws it, I'm gonna catch it," said Hardy, who plans to graduate in May and move to Lincoln for the summer. "He knows wherever he puts the ball, I'm gonna get it."

"I just like to catch the ball and do whatever I can to get in the end zone," Hardy said. "I like to run away from people. I don't like anyone to touch me too much."

Picked NU over: Auburn, Kansas, Kansas State and South Florida.
Press: LJS , OWH
Why Nebraska? "I liked the people, the school and the community." "I had a gut feeling," he said, "and I went with it."
Video Analysis: Coming Soon
Assessing the talent: He's quick, has soft hands. Zac Taylor's main target in his JUCO. Remember, he, Tomerlin and Taylor all combined to win a JUCO national title. It should be a nice offensive trio in Lincoln. He's a 3 to play 3 guy.

MORE COMING SOON

Barry Turner: ''When I visited Nebraska back in (October), and as soon as I stepped out of the car I was signing autographs for fans all the way to the stadium.'' ''But UT did a good job. It was like 51% to 49% for Nebraska. I feel like I'm a person of good judgment, and there's really nothing UT could have done to impress me more.''

 

 

 

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This Husker Recruiting information was compiled from multiple sources, including: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, The Daily Nebraskan, TheOmahaChannel.com, HuskerBoard.com

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