WALK-ONS THREAD

[Blackshirtsguru 179]

2018

Matt Masker - QB - 6-2, 215 - Kearney, NE (Catholic)

Chris Cassidy - FB - 6-1, 210 - Lincoln, NE (Pius X)

Justin Holm - WR - 6-6, 180 - Lincoln, NE (Southwest)

Wyatt Liewar - WR - 6-3, 170 - O'Neill, NE (O'Neill)

Bryson Krull - TE - 6-5, 220 - North Platte, NE (North Platte)

Collin Shefke - OL - 6-5, 275 - Lincoln, NE (Southwest)

A.J. Forbes - OL - 6-3, 275 - Bellevue, NE (West)

Colton Feist - DL - Yutan, NE (Yutan)

Ryan Schommer - DE - 6-5, 235 - Norfolk, NE (Norfolk)

Jake Archer - LB - 6-1, 205 - Omaha, NE (Skutt)

Brody Belt - ATH - 5-10, 175 - Millard, NE (West)

Joey Johnson - ATH - Gretna, NE (Gretna)

Cameron Pieper - LS - 6-4, 220 - Lincoln, NE (Southwest)

 

2017

Dylan Reynolds - WR - Broken Bow, NE (Broken Bow)

Kade Warner - WR - 6-2, 205 - Desert Mountain, AZ (Desert Mountain)

Benjamin Lingenfelter - OL/DL - 6-5, 270 - Washington, IA (Washington)

Trent Hixson - OL/DL - 6-4, 275 - Omaha, NE (Skutt)

Hunter Miller - OL/DL - Stromsburg, NE (Cross County)

Jordan Paup - DE - 6-4, 230 - Central City, NE (Central City)

Cody Liske - LB - 6-0, 200 - Bennington, NE (Bennington)

Ethan Cox - ATH - 5-11, 175 - Blair, NE (Blair)

Cole Frahm - K - 6-4, 205 - Omaha, NE (Burke)

 

2016

Ty Chaffin - WR/TE - 6-4, 200 - Burwell, NE (Burwell)

Creighton Hamik - WR/OLB - 6-3, 208 - Kearney, NE (Kearney Catholic)

Tanner Hass - RB/LB - 6-0, 195 - West Point, NE (Guardian Angles CC)

Branden Hohenstein - TE - 6-4, 205 - Jackson, NE (Bishop Heelan)

Todd Honas - WR - 5-11, 200 - Aurora, NE (Aurora)

Tavlin Hunt - RB/LB - 6-0, 215 - Lincoln, NE (North Star)

Grant Jordan - LB - 6-2, 210 - Omaha, NE (Westside)

Spencer Jordan - LB - 6-2, 220 - Omaha, NE (Westside)
Eli Sullivan - WR/S - 6-2, 190 - Longmont, CO (Longmont)

 

2015
Fyn Anderson - DL - 6-2, 280 - Lincoln, NE (Southeast)
Jared Brugmann - LB - 6-2, 225 - Gretna, NE (Gretna)
Brody Cleveland - LB - 6-2, 210 - Ogallala, NE (Ogallala)
Austin Hemphill - FB - 6-0, 225 - Gretna, NE (Gretna)
Noah Johnson - RB - 6-0, 195 - Sutton, NE (Sutton)
Reid Karel - QB - 6-3, 190 - Seward, NE (Seward)
Wyatt Mazour - ATH - 5'8", 190 - Albion, NE (Boone Central)
Jacob Weinmaster - LB - 6-1, 205 - Loveland, CO (Loveland)
Conor Young - ATH - 6-3, 190 - Cozad, NE (Cozad)

2014
Noah Arneson - DT - 6'3", 300 - Omaha, NE (Gross)
Alex Boryca - LB - 6'2", 220 - Cozad, NE (Cozad)
Cole Conrad - OL - 6'5", 280 - Fremont, NE (Archbishop Bergan)
Ryan Freudenburg - OL - 6'5", 290 - Norfolk, NE (Lutheran High NE)
Nolan Graham - DB - 5'11", 195 - Firth, NE (Norris)
Blake Holtmeier - WR - 6'2", 190 - Kearney, NE (Catholic)
Cameron Jakub - CB - 5'11", 195 - Columbus, NE (Columbus)
Matt Jarzynka - DE - 6'4", 220 - Loup City, NE (Loup City)
Bo Kitrell - FB - 6'1", 210 - Ashland, NE (Ashland-Greenwood)
Creighton Koley - DB - 6'0", 185 - Omaha, NE (Skutt)
Luke McNitt - TE - 6'2", 220 - Kearney, NE (Kearney, UNK)
Nate Meduna - TE - 6'5", 220 - Wahoo, NE (Neumann)
Trent Ortmeier - OT - 6'6", 270 - West Point, NE (Guardian Angels)
Dylan Owen - DE - 6'5", 240 - Somers, NY (Bridgton Academy)
Brady Pelzer - CB - 5'11", 170 - Bellevue, NE (East)
Garrett Poppen - LB - 6'1", 215 - Giltner, NE (Giltner)
Bryce Reimers - TE - 6'5", 205 - Lincoln, NE (East)
Austin Rose - RB - 6'1", 220 - Lincoln, NE (North Star)
Jack Van Almen - LB - 6'1", 215 - Rochester Hills, MI (Stoney Creek)

2013
Logan Rath - DT - Aurora, NE (Aurora) [south Dakota State Transfer]
Alex Balke - WR - Iowa City, IA (Regina)
Christian Bailey - WR - San Clemente, CA (San Clemente)
Jack Fordon - LB - Frankfort, IL (Providence Catholic)
Landon Kubicek - OL - Lincoln, NE (Southeast)
Harrison Jordan - FB - Omaha, NE (Westside)
Desmond Robinson - WR - Lincoln, NE (Southeast)
Spencer Lewis - WR - Papillion, NE (Papillion-La Vista)
Zach Stovall - DB - Bellevue, NE (Bellevue East)
Joel Lopez - TE/DL - Burlington, IL (Central)
Jordan Ackerman - TE/DL - Lincoln, NE (Southeast)
Dustin Glaser - OL - Flower Mound, TX (Flower Mound)
Erik Evans - TE - Waverly, NE (Waverly)
Connor Ketter - TE - Norfolk, NE (Catholic)
Jordan Bellar - P - Norfolk, NE (Catholic)
Grant Schumacher - K - Lincoln, NE (Pius X)
Steven Graeber - DL - Omaha, NE (Millard North)
Chris Weber - LB - Elkhorn, NE (Elkhorn)
Sam Hahn - OL - Tri County, NE (Tri County) [North Dakota State Transfer]
Pat Smith - PK/P - Quincy, IL (Notre Dame) [Western Illinois Transfer]

2012
King Frazier - RB - Lee's Summit, MO (Lee's Summit)
Jordan Nelson - RB - Omaha, NE (Burke)
Carson Collins - FB - Omaha, NE (Burke)
Ross Dzuris - TE - Plattsmouth, NE (Plattsmouth)
Sam Foltz - DB/P - Grand Island, NE (Grand Island)
Dylan Utter - OL - Papillion, NE (Papillion-La Vista)
Brandon Reilly - WR - Lincoln, NE (Southwest)
Cole Chvatal - WR - Wahoo, NE (Bishop Neumann)
Mitch McCann - FB/LB - Omaha, NE (Burke)
Graham Nabity - RB - Elkhorn, NE (Elkhorn)
Garrett Johns - OL - Aurora, NE (Aurora)
Jared Blum - TE/DL - Gretna, NE (Gretna)
Spencer Lindsay - K - Kearney, NE (Kearney)
Ryker Fyfe - QB - Grand Island, NE (Grand Island)
Taylor Hoffman - FB/LB - Oakland, NE (Oakland-Craig)
Andy Janovich - FB - Gretna, NE (Gretna)
Brad Simpson - LB/DB - Ralston, NE (Ralston)
Trey Foster - TE - Lincoln, NE (Southeast)

2011
Tyson Broekemeier - QB - Aurora, NE (Aurora)
Sam Burtch - WR - Elmwood, NE (Elmwood-Murdock)
Jack Gangwish - LB - Wood River, NE (Wood River)
Aaron Hayes - OL - Elkhorn, NE (Elkhorn)
Adam Kucera - OL - Litchfield, NE (Litchfield)
Murat Kuzu - RB - Plano, TX (Plano Sr.)
Anthony Ridder - LB - West Point, NE (Central Catholic)
Eddie Ridder - TE/DL - Elkhorn, NE (Mount Michael)
Will Sailors - OL - Lincoln, NE (Northeast)
Derek Slaughter - LB - Pelham, AL (Pelham)
Richard Wynne, Jr. - RB - Omaha, NE (Creighton Prep)
Scott Criss - OL - Omaha, NE (Creighton Prep) *Wyoming Transfer*

2010
Josh Bart - DB - Aurora, NE (Aurora)
Jason Dann - PK/P - Richardson, TX (Lake Highlands)
Joey Felici - DB - Omaha, NE (Millard South)
Derek Foster - DB - Elm Creek, NE (Elm Creek)
Andy Gdowski - DL - Grand Island, NE (Grand Island)
Keegan Hughes - WR - Roswell, GA (Roswell)
Tyson McGill - FB/LB - Norfolk, NE (Norfolk)
J.C. Moore - DL - Fremont, NE (Fremont)
Mark Pelini - OL - Youngstown, OH (Cardinal Mooney)
Trevor Roach - RB/LB - Elkhorn, NE (Elkhorn)
Dillon Schrodt - WR - Lincoln, NE (North Star)
Zach Taylor - RB - Lincoln, NE (Southeast)
Jeff Uher - DL/OL - Omaha, NE (Creighton Prep)
Yusef Wade - RB/DB - Lincoln, NE (North Star)
Austin Williams - DB - Omaha, NE (Burke)
Tyler Wullenwaber - WR - Utica, NE (Centennial)

2009
Robert Barry - LB - Battle Creek, NE (Battle Creek)
Brandon Chapek - OL - Wahoo, NE (Bishop Neumann)
Tyson Clark - WR - Lincoln, NE (East)
Nick Failla - WR - Omaha, NE (Millard North)
Dwight Jones - OL - Gretna, NE (Gretna)
Colin Kanne - DL - Omaha, NE (Millard West)
Ron Kellogg, Jr. - QB - Omaha, NE (Westside)
Ty Kildow - WR - Omaha, NE (Millard South)
Adam Kuhl - LS - Maple Valley, IA (Maple Valley)
Jake Long - TE - Elkhorn, NE (Elkhorn)
Spencer Long - DL - Elkhorn, NE (Elkhorn)
P.J. Mangieri - LS - Peoria, IL (Dunlap)
Brodrick Nickens - OL - Alliance, NE (Alliance)
Devin Paulsen - LB - Lincoln, NE (Lincoln Christian)
Colby Starkebaum - LB - Sterling, CO (Sterling)
Brett Wells - TE - St. Paul, NE (St. Paul)

2008
Kenny Anderson - DL - Omaha, NE (Millard West)
Damon Bechtold - TE - Omaha, NE (Omaha Westside)
Jase Dean - DB - Bridgeport, NE (Bridgeport)
Taylor Dixon - DB - Wauneta, NE (Wauneta-Palisade)
Justin Jackson - DL - Roca, NE (Norris)
Jordan Mackovica - RB - Ulysses, NE (East Butler)
Matt Manninger - LB - Omaha, NE (Creighton Prep)
Mychael McClure - LB - Wisner, NE (Wisner-Pilger)
Colin McDermott - LB - Omaha, NE (Creighton Prep)
Connor McDermott - DL - Omaha, NE (Creighton Prep)
Sam Meginnis - LB - Lincoln, NE (East)
Josh Molek - DL - Omaha, NE (Skutt)
Brent Moravec - FB/LB - Grand Island, NE (Central Catholic)
David Pillen - FB/LB - Sugar Land, TX (Stephen F. Austin)
Zach Ruiz - QB/ATH - Beatrice, NE (Beatrice)
Steve Spratte - WR - Waukesha, WI (West)
Graham Stoddard - LB - Lincoln, NE (Southwest)
Jeremy Wallace - RB - Omaha, NE (Bryan)

Very impressive that he turned down scholarship offers from UNO, SD, NWMSU, just to become a Husker! He is always dreamed about playing for Nebraska. That's what I am talking about. Husker kids wanting to PLAY FOR NEBRASKA!

[DeathCultArmaggedon 0]

Was just going to post this. Great news.

[HANC 247]

Welcome Justin............ I love this attitude !!!!!!!! Good luck......remember, guys like Jared Tomich were a walk-ons.....you can be All Big 12.........work hard and keep dreamin' big red

[BIGREDIOWAN 2,223]

This is the type of attitude we need all of our players to have!!!! Welcome Justin and dream big.

[husker rob 23]

love that the walk on program will be strong again

[MCAT800 13]

That's great. My favorite kind of player.

 

Return of the walk-ons!!!!

[Eric the Red 530]

Below is a list of walk-ons that have chosen to come to NU

[Husker_Power 84]

Below is a list of walk-ons that have chosen to come to NU

below where?

[melscott62 128]

Below is a list of walk-ons that have chosen to come to NU

 

 

wow, and we thought cally ignored the walk on program

[zoogs 6,674]

By the way, the kid's name seems to have been edited out, it was Justin Jackson, right?

[Blackshirtsguru 179]

By the way, the kid's name seems to have been edited out, it was Justin Jackson, right?

 

 

 

Yes good catch! I fixed it........

[macroboy 560]

Below is a list of walk-ons that have chosen to come to NU

below where?

 

Am I crazy? I don't see it either!!

[admo 1,043]

Below is a list of walk-ons that have chosen to come to NU

Dont forget these guys here either:

[hack 70]

... you people are MEAN.

[T-BONE 0]

Any new walk ons that a hidden gems ?

[melscott62 128]

Any new walk ons that a hidden gems ?

 

 

[zoogs 6,674]

Well, there's these guys:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[huskernation20 54]

Justin Jackson

Defensive tackle

Lincoln (NE) Norris

Ht: 6-foot-3

Wt: 252 lbs

Forty: 5 secs

Bench max: 340 pounds

Squat max: 515 pounds

Vertical: 29 inches

Class: 2008 (High School)

 

 

Decided to utilize the walk on program and is headed to Nebraska. Welcome Justin!

 

 

 

Very impressive that he turned down scholarship offers from UNO, SD, NWMSU, just to become a Husker! He is always dreamed about playing for Nebraska. That's what I am talking about. Husker kids wanting to PLAY FOR NEBRASKA!

 

 

That tackle.....on your avatar.....did that QB die?

[macroboy 560]

Could someone actually put a real list of walk ons in this thread?

[kstatehater 4]

Could someone actually put a real list of walk ons in this thread?

 

Sure, but I don't know how accurate it is.

 

DT Justin Jackson

IB/LB Jeremy Wallace

LB Matt Manninger

DE Keifer Burke

K Brett Maher

 

Add

QB Steve Heiman

[Husker_Power 84]

Steve Heiman QB to walk on

[melscott62 128]

Steve Heiman QB to walk on

 

 

wow that kid is a S away fro being great

[macroboy 560]

Recently, in a radio interview, TO said recruiting won't be where it needs to be until we re-establish a very strong walk-on program.

 

During the TO years how many walk-ons did we have in a recruiting class?

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA 59]

Recently, in a radio interview, TO said recruiting won't be where it needs to be until we re-establish a very strong walk-on program.

 

During the TO years how many walk-ons did we have in a recruiting class?

While the scholarship limits were higher (120 in early 70's) I'd say there were 15 to 25 walkons each class.

[macroboy 560]

Recently, in a radio interview, TO said recruiting won't be where it needs to be until we re-establish a very strong walk-on program.

 

During the TO years how many walk-ons did we have in a recruiting class?

While the scholarship limits were higher (120 in early 70's) I'd say there were 15 to 25 walkons each class.

 

So a full recruiting class with a full walk-on class would be closer to 50 new athletes. Thanks for clarifying.

[macroboy 560]

Add Brian Thorson to the list..I think.

[MadcatNU 0]

Heard a kid by the name of Damon Betchtold will walk on too.

 

I've also heard that Damon Benning was pretty high on this kid a while back - considered him a better prospect than Tim Biere prior to getting hurt (or something along these lines).

[BelieveN 1]

Kenny Anderson a DE out of Millard West will walk on...6'3 225

[huskerfan500 0]

Kenny Anderson a DE out of Millard West will walk on...6'3 225

 

 

I hope Drwal and Meyer walk on also. IMO Drwal could be a great player, against Millard North Fisher along with another guy would double him but Drwal would still make plays. I would keep an eye on Drwal if he chooses to walk on.

[Husker_Power 84]

Below is a list of walk-ons that have chosen to come to NU

Jeremy Wallace 6-1/225lb RB/LB Omaha Bryan link

 

Matt Manninger 6-0/200lb/4.5 LB Omaha Creighton Prep link

 

Steve Heiman 6-3/215lb QB Papillion Lavista (Transfer - UNO) link

 

Jim Ebke 6-1/190lb/4.8 QB Lincoln East (Transfer - South Dakota State) link

 

Matt Donahue 6-2/155lb/4.51 WR Fremont (Transfer - Ohio University) link

 

Brian Thorson 6-4/285lb/5.30 OL Omaha Millard North (previous Buffalo Commit) link

 

Justin Jackson 6-4/250lb/5.0 OL/DL Norris HS, NE link

 

Tyler Legate 5-10/200lb LB Neligh, NE (Transfer - South Dakota) link

 

Colin McDermott 6-2/216lb/4.7 LB Creighton Prep link

 

Conor McDermott 6-2/226lb/4.8 DE Creighton Prep link

 

Keifer Burke 6-2/240lb DE North Platte, NE link

 

Kenny Anderson 6-3/225lb DE Millard West link

 

Jordan Makovicka 5-10/170lb FS/DB Brainard, NE link

 

Brett Maher 6-0/170lb/ K Kearney, NE link

 

Damon Bechtold 6-4/205lb/4.7 TE Omaha Westside link

 

David Pillen 5-11/230lb ATH Sugar Land, TX link

 

Matt Holt 6-1/205lb RB/LB Lee's Summit, MO link

 

Graham Stoddard 6-1/211lb/4.6 LB Lincoln Northeast link

 

Taylor Dixon 5-10/175lb LB Wauneta-Palisade NE link

 

Jase Dean 6-0/180lb FS Bridgeport, NE link

 

Mychael McClure 6-5/210lb LB Wisner, NE link

 

Steve Spratte 5-11/180lb WR Waukesha, WI link

 

Zach Ruiz 6-3/210lb QB/ATH Beatrice, NE link

 

Sam Meginnis 6-2/210lb LB Lincoln East link

 

Josh Molek 6-3/235lb DE Omaha Skutt HS link

 

Brent Moravec 6-0/180lb FB/LB Grand Island, NE link

 

Seung Hoon Choi 6-2/315lb OL Lincoln Christian link

 

Ronnell Grixby 5-9/195lb/4.6 RB Omaha Central link

 

Judd Went 6-2/245lb OT/DE Columbus, NE link

 

Cory Iske 6-4/275lb OL Millard West link

 

**Marcus Smith 6-0/190lb LB Crete, NE (Teammate of current commit John Leverson)

 

**Brandon Brown 5-10/205lb/4.5 RB Lincoln Northeast

 

**Nick Anderson 6-1/185lb/4.5 S Omaha Skutt

 

 

**not doubting you guys, but, on these guys I have not found a link or source on their commitments to walk on.

[Ohio Pete 10]

**Kenny Anderson 6-3/225lb DE Millard West

 

**not doubting you guys, but, on these guys I have not found a link or source on their commitments to walk on.

Now confirmed by OWH (scroll to bottom to see):

 

Millard West star to walk on at NU

 

 

Kenny Anderson, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound defensive end from Millard West, is the latest Nebraska high school senior to declare his intention to walk on at Nebraska.

 

Anderson, an All-Nebraska second-team pick, had 13 sacks and 65 tackles for the Wildcats. Anderson selected the walk-on opportunity over scholarship offers from NCAA Division II schools Northwest Missouri State and Augustana.

 

"When I got the call, I thought, 'I've got to try to do this; it's always been something I wanted to do,'" said Anderson, who plans on studying business. "I was really happy. I didn't think this would end up happening."

 

Anderson welcomed what coach Bo Pelini and his staff offer to the program.

 

"I was just excited (the Huskers) got someone who knew the program and knew Tom Osborne and the tradition. I had seen what Coach Pelini had done with the defense in 2003, and I was very happy.

 

"I know I'll have to work my way up the depth chart, but I'm going to work hard. I just want to do the best that I can."

 

Anderson, a lifelong Husker fan, said his family knew how big the decision was for him as well.

 

"After my sister found out, it was funny because when I saw her in the hallways at school, all she could do was smile. She knew how happy I was."

[BelieveN 1]

unfortunately i dont think drwal will walk on...He goes to my school and sounds like he will go Division AA...he said if nebraska offered a scholarship we would commit but i dont think that will happen...and with meyer hes one of my good friends and im pretty sure he isnt going to walk on either. both drwal and meyer want to play

[hack 70]

some kid named Makovicka decided he wanted to walk-on.

[huskerfan500 0]

unfortunately i dont think drwal will walk on...He goes to my school and sounds like he will go Division AA...he said if nebraska offered a scholarship we would commit but i dont think that will happen...and with meyer hes one of my good friends and im pretty sure he isnt going to walk on either. both drwal and meyer want to play

 

I kind of figured that too, I go to West also and that is what I got from talking to Meyer (he told me he rather stay in high school), but I haven't really ever talked to JD about it

[huskerfan500 0]

Brett Maher, kicker from Kearney decided to walk on over an offer from Ohio,

 

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200...;u_sid=10248829

 

I wish the recuirting sites would rate walk-on classes because I bet we would be the top or very close to it

[huskerfan500 0]

Damon Bechtold will also walk-on, he is a tight-end from west-side. He is the #10 player in the state according to rivals.

 

http://www.huskerlandpreps.rivals.com/barr...p;tid=&mid=

[chamrocck 442]

Go to link and scroll down for list of walk-ons:

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB...;ATCLID=1380508

 

David Pillen (Huskerboard's Own) will walk on!

[huskerholmz 0]

is there a list of who has decided to walk on?

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA 59]

Add Steve Spratte of Waukesha, WI. One of the top offensive players in Wisconsin in 2007 with 1816 yds rushing and 22 TDs and 9 catches for 129 yds. He's 5-11, 180. They're projecting him at WR. Seems to be similar to Swift who was a gifted RB in Minnesota before making the transition to WR at Nebraska.

 

Oh yeah, his Dad Todd played LB for Nebraska in 1981.

[Overland Park Husker 31]

is there a list of who has decided to walk on?

Try here:

 

http://www.huskerboard.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24353

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA 59]

Ronnell Grixby will be walking on as well: link

[BigRedMan 4]

Theres a list at

 

 

 

 

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SP...;ATCLID=1380508

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA 59]

Matt Holt of Lee's Summit, MO also walking on: link

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA 59]

Add Seung Hoon Choi, a 6-2, 315 lineman from Lincoln Christian: link

 

(More than half way down page in article)

[melscott62 128]

Ronnell Grixby will be walking on as well: link

 

 

I am really hoping this kid can turn things around........for football and his life in general. its a great opportunity for him

[T-BONE 0]

who are the best walk ons in this class ?

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA 59]

who are the best walk ons in this class ?

I've seen the following listed as the top five and have no reason to disagree:

David Pillen

Damon Bechtold

Ronnell Grixby

Jordan Makovicka

Jeremy Wallace

[missouri_husker24 4]

who are the best walk ons in this class ?

I've seen the following listed as the top five and have no reason to disagree:

David Pillen

Damon Bechtold

Ronnell Grixby

Jordan Makovicka

Jeremy Wallace

 

You can go ahead and add Matt Holt to that list. I played with him this year, he is year ahead of me. He carried our team on his back to the 4A Missouri state championship, in which we won 35-0 against parkway central.

 

He's got great work ethic, hard nosed hitter, and a great attitude. Outside LB will be a perfect fit for him.

[hack 70]

Add Seung Hoon Choi, a 6-2, 315 lineman from Lincoln Christian: link

 

(More than half way down page in article)

 

new article featuring seung...

 

Lincoln Christian's Choi to walk on at NU

BY BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Feb 22, 2008 - 09:21:47 am CST

 

Maybe he didn’t know English then, but he knew a good time when he saw it.

 

Seung Hoon Choi’s first view of the game came from the window of a car, driving past a field cluttered with teenagers in shoulder pads.

 

“It looked really cool, guys wearing helmets and hitting each other,” Choi says.

 

It looked like a game he should be playing. He was no lightweight, after all. “Kind of a roly-poly fat kid,” recalls Matt Farup.

 

Choi came from Seoul, South Korea. He was a shy type who could barely handle the weights in the Lincoln Christian High School weight room.

 

“Now he’s kind of a celebrity around here,” says Farup, Christian’s football coach. “A big, loveable kid.”

 

Now he’s 6-foot-2 and over 320 pounds, still a project on the football field, but one Nebraska coaches would like to try to mold into something special as an offensive lineman.

 

They asked him to walk on and Choi said yes. To the best anyone knows, he will be the first Korean to be part of the Husker football program.

 

“The strongest kid I’ve ever coached by far,” Farup says.

 

You don’t see many like Choi in any class of high school football, let alone Class C-1.

 

He says he can bench press 400 pounds. His coach says he’s being modest. It’s more like 450.

 

During Choi’s junior year, former Husker defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove walked into the school and spotted him immediately. How could you not? “That’s a good-looking kid,” Cosgrove said.

 

This year, NU receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Ted Gilmore showed up, and then offensive line coach Barney Cotton. The invitation to walk on came soon after.

 

And to think he didn’t start playing football until his sophomore year.

 

The first time Choi tried to put on a helmet, he couldn’t find one that fit. Eventually, Farup had to take the biggest helmet the school had, strip out the padding and put in the lightest pads he could find.

 

“Why are you always taking your helmet off?” Farup would ask.

 

“It hurts,” Choi would answer.

 

Fair enough.

 

Then there was the language barrier. When Farup stuck Choi on the offensive line, he kept the instructions simple.

 

If the play call has an even number, we’re going right. Odd, we’re going left. If the play has a number in the 80s, we’re pass blocking.

 

The English started to come. The shyness started to leave.

 

Choi came to Lincoln for high school because he had an uncle who was a researcher at the university. The academic standards back home are intense and the chances to go to a university are limited. Here was opportunity.

 

Coming from a Christian family, Lincoln Christian became the high school of choice. Each year during school, he’s lived with a different host family.

 

OK, there is still some shyness. Farup’s wife teaches a first-grade class. The coach likes to have a player go into the class on a game day and read to the kids.

 

Choi didn’t want to do it. Farup kept working on him.

 

Finally, the big guy gave in. He read and the kids loved him.

 

There have been a few cultural lessons for everyone along the way. Very quickly, Farup noticed Choi wouldn’t look him in the eyes when they were talking.

 

He wasn’t doing it out of respect. Quite the opposite. In Choi’s culture, the disrespect comes when you look someone in the eyes.

 

He is hard to anger, though it came out one game when an opposing player kept cheap-shotting him. It went on and on and on and finally Choi snapped back: “You better watch it.”

 

Part of Farup was pleased to see this side: Finally, a little aggression.

 

“In C-1 football, I think he held back kind of,” Farup says. “He didn’t go against too many people who were physically his equal. So I’m kind of excited to see what happens when he does.”

 

At Nebraska, finding a helmet his size doesn’t figure to be a problem.

 

Reach Brian Christopherson at bchristopherson@journalstar.com or 473-7439.

 

if this kid gets some speed, he could be an absolute beast on the line.

[Shevin Wiggins' Foot 0]

Is there a more updated list than the one linked to above? It seems like we've added a few more since the first week of the month.