Marshall Faulk
I believe I read something, probably posted on this site, saying that he wanted to come to NU but Tommy O was recruiting him as a CB. That's probably the only time we ever lost a guy we wanted to San Diego St.
Haloti Ngata
#2 overall player in the class of 2002, pulled a Kuli by committing to, and subsequently decommitting from, NU and then BYU to sign with Oregon. Saw an ESPN feature on him before he was drafted in the 1st round saying that he wanted to come to Nebraska but his parents made him de-commit because apparently Lincoln is too far away from Utah.
Reggie Smith
5-star safety (#2 safety overall) Would have been, along with Lucky, the crown jewel of our 2005 recruiting class. Came down to signing day between Nebraska and Oklahoma, with early word that he wanted to sign with NU apparently trumped by pressure to sign with his in-state Sooners. Left school after this season and is a projected late 1st round/early 2nd round pick per www.nfldraftcounddown.com.
Rocky Hinds
Hasn't really amounted to too much, so I don't know if he counts quite the same as the others, but at the time (signing day 2004) losing him hurt. Four star quarterback with size (6'4, 215), speed (clocked at 4.47 in the 40, 10.47 in the 100), and a big arm chose USC over NU on signing day only to have the obvious happen and sit on the bench behind Matt Leinart, leading to a transfer to UNLV. I still think 2004 would have turned out better for Nebraska had this athlete been at least an option behind Dailey.
Allan Evridge
Bear with me on this one. Not a star by any stretch, but next year this quarterback from Papillon will be given the chance to start for his second major program (Wisconsin) after beginning his career at Kansas State following a de-commit to NU, a fact that I think holds some weight. Probably would not have worked out at all in Callahan's offense, but then again neither did poor Joe Dailey.
Ashlee Palmer
Four star Junior College safety from the class of 2006 who would've stepped in nicely for the departed Daniel Bullocks. Signed a Letter of Intent to NU at the early Junior College signing period, then faxed one to Washington in February. Apparently failed a class at his JC (Compton), which was on the quarter system, making it impossible for him to transfer to NU for spring practice like he had planned, as NU offers classes on a semester basis. The fact that Washington also is on the quarter system, coupled with his mother's liking for Ty Willingham, precipitated his commitment to the Huskies. Essentially, NU didn't know he de-committed until Washington announced that he had signed a Letter of Intent to play for them. Never actually played for Washington, and last year was the leading tackler for Ole Miss as a linebacker, with 89.