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NU builds foundation for strong recruiting


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By STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 - 12:08:54 am CDT

 

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College football recruiting by nature is a forward-thinking enterprise, as coaches and recruiting analysts try to project players’ performances into the future.

 

But let’s take a moment to look back at Nebraska’s class of 2005, which drew a No. 5 national ranking from Rivals.com and was heralded by some as the starting point for the Husker program’s resurgence.

 

Since its assembly, Nebraska’s 31-player class of 2005 has been defined largely by significant attrition: All told, 11 players have left the program before their eligibility expired, most notably touted quarterback Harrison Beck, who transferred to North Carolina State.

 

Nebraska followed its 2005 group with back-to-back solid recruiting classes — the 2006 class was ranked No. 20 by Rivals.com, the 2007 group No. 13.

 

In the spirit of forward thinking, Nebraska’s class of 2008 appears set to become the most talented and functional group of prospects that Bill Callahan has assembled since becoming the Huskers’ head coach on Jan. 9 of 2004, according to Rivals.com recruiting guru Jeremy Crabtree.

 

“I think this class pound for pound — once signing date hits — will be his best class,” Crabtree said.

 

Crabtree sees star power in Nebraska’s 2008 class, noting high-profile players such as five-star quarterback Blaine Gabbert and five-star offensive lineman Baker Steinkuhler of Lincoln.

 

In addition, there are four four-star players among the 20 prospects known to have given NU verbal pledges: linebacker Will Compton, running back Jonas Gray and offensive linemen Bryce Givens and Dan Hoch.

 

“The class has heavily recruited kids at a number of different positions,” Crabtree said. “And it’s not just a bunch of good players; it’s great prospects that had a pick of many schools. They’re guys who could have gone and played anywhere in the country. They’re guys who have plenty of potential to be all-conference or All-American or future NFL draft picks.”

 

Among Callahan’s four completed recruiting classes at Nebraska, Crabtree said Nebraska’s class of 2007 probably ranks as the best, at least in terms of meeting needs. Indeed, of 25 players in the 2007 group, it appears that no fewer than 10 are set to make immediate contributions, led by safety Larry Asante, running back Quentin Castille, place-kicker Adi Kunalic, cornerback Armando Murillo and defensive linemen Shukree Barfield and Kevin Dixon.

 

“I thought the 2007 class, pound for pound, met needs better than the 2005 class,” Crabtree said.

 

He noted the 2005 class “did have some freakish athletes.” Cornerback Zack Bowman, linebacker Steve Octavien and nose tackle Ndamukong Suh come to mind. In addition, quarterback Zac Taylor played well enough last season to be named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

 

However, “If you look deeper into this 2008 class, it’s going to be better, not only from a star-power standpoint but also from the standpoint of meeting needs,” Crabtree said.

 

For instance, Nebraska loaded up at linebacker, a position that will be hit hard by attrition following this season. The Huskers will lose four seniors — Bo Ruud, Corey McKeon, Lance Brandenburgh and Steve Octavien. Among the 2008 pledges, four are from linebackers.

 

Leading that list is Shaun Mohler, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound player from Orange Coast (Calif.) Community College. He is easily one of the top 50 junior college players in the nation, Crabtree said.

 

“He’s a big, strong, strapping and fast kid,” Crabtree said. “You look at him and say, ‘Holy cow.’ He’s the kind of guy you want to run off the bus first. He just looks the part.”

 

Some fans and pundits might overlook Nebraska three-star linebacker recruit Doug Rippy, a 6-2, 220-pounder from McKinley High in Columbus, Ohio.

 

“A lot of Big Ten teams are going to wish they would’ve offered him a scholarship,” Crabtree said. “He’s a hard-working kid who makes a lot of plays. (But) at 6-foot-2, he is a little smaller than some of the prototypical Big Ten linebackers they like in that region, so I can see why maybe Ohio State and Michigan passed on him.”

 

Gabbert, a 6-4, 225-pound standout from suburban St. Louis, is the bell cow of Nebraska’s 2008 class. He is ranked as the nation’s No 2 pro-style quarterback by Rivals.com behind E.J. Manuel of Virginia Beach, Va.

 

“There’s been buzz about Blaine for more than two years now,” Crabtree said. “He’s a guy that everyone knew had the potential to be really special. Nebraska really sold him on the fact that he could go there and compete for a national championship and run a pro-style offense and be more suited to play in the NFL someday.

 

“It also didn’t hurt that he has all those offensive linemen in the class.”

 

Of course, the trick is to keep everyone in the class committed until signing day in February. For instance, teams will continue to try to hound Gabbert into de-committing from Nebraska.

 

“He probably won’t pay much attention to that,” Crabtree said. “He’s about as through (with the recruiting process) as through can be at this point. He’s been quoted as saying he’s not going to pull a Josh Freeman.

 

“In fact, he’s actively recruiting for Nebraska. Even though the coaches aren’t able to send text-messages now (per recent NCAA legislation), that doesn’t stop committed kids from texting and calling other kids on their own.”

 

Indeed, Gabbert is actively pursuing a verbal pledge from heralded linebacker prospect Kenny Demens of Detroit.

 

“Blaine’s doing everything he can to make his team better,” Crabtree said.

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