Football: NU pulls offer for BodtmannBY MITCH SHERMAN
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN — Nebraska has pulled its scholarship offer to linebacker Shawn Bodtmann in the final days before the signing period opens for football. Bodtmann had been committed to NU since April.
He learned the Huskers were no longer interested last week, according to Mike DeAntona, his coach at West Scranton (Pa.) High School.
Commitments are non-binding until Wednesday, widely known as national signing day.
"When he committed to Nebraska, the type of people we are, we commit," DeAntona said. "We stopped his recruiting. He had other options then, but now we are in a tough spot. This is very disappointing, and to me it's unethical, particularly to do it to a kid who's been committed that long."
Nebraska coaches are prohibited under NCAA rules from commenting on prospects until signing day.
Bodtmann, after a senior-season injury, lost weight and struggled to match his level of play from a year earlier. In addition, the Huskers face a numbers crunch to accommodate a sizeable class of newcomers and deserving walk-ons like place-kicker Alex Henery after losing only 16 seniors on scholarships.
NU coaches have worked extensively to help find Bodtmann a scholarship elsewhere — so far, without success.
"That and a couple dimes will get you a cup of coffee," DeAntona said.
"I always respected Nebraska and what they stood for. But obviously, there's a big question mark in my mind now, and there should be in other peoples' minds, too."
DeAntona said Bodtmann did nothing to lose Nebraska's trust.
"He's an all-star player with a 1,050 SAT, a 3.7 GPA, and he's never in trouble," the coach said.
His departure leaves the Huskers with 20 known pledges.
