So where else is it going to be? Where has Bo set our program apart? What's unique about Nebraska?
I've said this before - Nebraska in the 80s/90s was a distinct program that had an identity - a unique and innovative way of doing things. From the psychology aspect, to the roster, to the facilities, to the offense. We were different. Today, we are much like any other program. We copy others, and then fail to execute on it. Our facilities don't stand out.
But what you have to realize is that Nebraska set the standard in TO's days for what a great strength and conditioning program looks like. He also ran practices in a unique and efficient way. Today, everyone else in the nation has advanced and caught up in the strength and conditioning area. Nebraska still has some of the best facilities in the nation, and there has continually been commitment to keeping it that way. Not only in football but other sports as well.
To me, where Bo's team stands out as different than other programs/coaches is the family atmosphere. That's the thing that so many of the recruits and their parents comment on when they speak with Bo or his assistants. They continually say that he is a down-to-earth guy, he tells every recruit that they won't have any promises, but they have an opportunity to play early if they earn it.
The reason that we aren't necessarily blowing recruiting out of the water is because this is Nebraska. When you talk to people in the south, west, or east, they view Nebraska as a big corn field with a university in the middle. That's partly true, but a lot of big city kids refuse to even consider us because of that perception. Or they say it's too cold here. It's just difficult to make a splash in recruiting at Nebraska, whether you choose to believe it or not. With that said, I am more than pleased with last year's class already, and most of those kids haven't seen the field yet. And I have a feeling that this year's class will be the best one Bo has had since he has been here.
Sorry, but the bolded part is total bs. It's hard to recruit here because Bo is choosing not to recruit during the seasons just like Frank did. It got Frank fired and it will eventually get Bo fired. You get the kids to change their mind by getting them here during the season and showing them that there is more here than a "big corn field." A good example was last year Bo only used 25 of the 55 official visits he was allowed, there is no excuse for that. And unless Bo starts to take recruiting seriously year round, he and the program will not be any better than they are now and that is a second tier B1G program.
This years class is nothing special and if Bo doesn't have a big finish, then it will be a poor class with all of the spots remaining and with all of the strikeouts he's had since the embarrassment in Indy. We all know that Bo is not a dumb man and can coach, but if you don't get the players here to compete at this level, then it doesn't matter how good your schemes are, the better athletes will win. Nebraska fans need to get over the "feelgood" stories of the walk on program because walk on's don't win championships.
We have a great recruiting forum here with great player by player breakdowns. You drastically need to read it. Here are some half truths and inaccuracies I will point out off the top of my head.
2) There are several examples of assistant coaches and even our head football coach taking time away from the team to go recruiting during the year. The driveby recruiting follower doesn't understand it because he sees no commitments.
3) I'll leave the second tier Big Ten comment alone and make it strictly about recruiting.
4) Again the driveby recruiting fan calls Russell, Hooks, and Sandland strikeouts. Our coaches did everything in their power to get those three to campus. Had Marrow stayed, I would say that Sandland would have been ours. Being close to home and playing a ton of games close to mom who has been in bad health since his senior year of HS won out with Russell. Coach Joseph made one hell of an effort to get Hooks here. Absolutely amazing effort. Again, location won out.
My thoughts on the 08 and 09 recruiting class are well documented. Those happen to be the players that are playing currently. I like what we have brought in since '10 and really like some of the talented kids we have on our commitment list this year.
I'm not going to get into a stars argument, but why don't you peal back the layers on some of the prospects. You will learn a ton more about why they are rated where they are. For example, Jared Afalava is a kid who could have played for any school he chose to if his grades weren't where they were and I mean it. That is just one of many.