NU making splash with early commits

[Nexus]

LINCOLN — As spring football wraps up nationally, not much has changed in the world of early recruiting.

 

A look around shows that Texas has collected 19 pledges for its class of 2011. Ohio State has nine, as do Oklahoma and Florida.

 

Here's a change, though: Nebraska is back in the game.

 

The Huskers are again competing for elite talent, having pushed their total of oral commitments to six with defensive tackle Kevin Williams' pledge following the Red-White game. The Huskers hosted about 70 recruits for the spring game, capitalizing on the momentum that built with a blowout bowl victory over Arizona and Ndamukong Suh's selection as the Outland and Lombardi winner and the No. 2 pick last week in the NFL draft.

 

"All the positive energy that's coming from the program, I think it's something that was naturally a big, big part of this whole process," said Danny Edelman, the coach of NU quarterback recruit Jamal Turner of Arlington, Texas. "But it's not just that. In Jamal's case, he's always been intrigued by Nebraska football — the history and tradition.

 

"It goes hand in hand."

 

According to Edelman, Turner was "overwhelmed" with his visit to Lincoln for the spring game.

 

"It was phenomenal," the coach said, "something he continues to talk about."

 

The spring game served as another step in building momentum through the offseason. Turner interacted with prospective future teammates while in Lincoln.

 

"In this age, kids are so well connected," Edelman said. "They read about each other on the Internet. They watch video. I think at Nebraska with Jamal's class, there's a real sense of team building going on right now."

 

In addition to Williams, of Holland, Ohio, and Turner, the Huskers' 2011 class features a quartet of offensive linemen — Dylan Admire of Overland Park, Kan., Ryan Klachko of Springfield, Ill., Tyler Moore of Clearwater, Fla., and Ryne Reeves of Crete, Neb.

 

"The excitement of last season helped spark a lot of interest," said analyst Jeremy Crabtree of rivals.com. "It's very clear that offensive line was going to be a priority. They wanted to get a quarterback, so they've gone out and done a great job of addressing those needs quickly with quality players."

 

Crabtree's service ranks Moore and Turner on its early watch list, which features 250 players nationally. Both are potential top-100 prospects. The others on Nebraska's commitment list also impress Crabtree.

 

"We've had some interesting debates internally about Reeves," Crabtree said. "Sometimes interior guys don't excite you as much as a guy like Tyler Moore, but there's a lot to like about him.

 

"I think they got a nice steal in Klachko, a tremendous prospect. His upside is through the roof. Admire needs to gain weight, but he has a nasty streak. It's a good, good start with that group on the offensive line."

 

Early commitments are nothing new nationally, but Crabtree said it's never happened quite like this.

 

"It's still getting earlier and earlier each year," he said. "There's more opportunities to find out about kids. Kids are more aggressive about sending out film earlier. The whole process has been expedited."

 

A sign of the times: Even schools like Florida and Alabama, with coaching staffs that traditionally have waited to evaluate high school seniors, are taking early pledges. Florida has four commitments, and the Crimson Tide, reigning national champions, have 11.

 

Regionally, Missouri has collected seven early pledges and Kansas State five.

 

"We all know Bill Snyder used to never worry about recruiting until the month of December," Crabtree said. "That's not the case any more."

 

Nebraska, meanwhile, doesn't appear finished recruiting quarterbacks despite the commitment from Turner, who plans to enroll next January before signing a letter of intent. The visitors for the Red-White game included Brett Hundley of Chandler, Ariz., another highly rated QB.

 

No problem for Turner, his coach said. In fact, according to Edelman, Turner invites the competition.

 

"He would actually encourage it," Edelman said. "It's not made a difference to him whatsoever. We know there are a couple of other kids in the process. Jamal understands there's going to be a high level of competition."

 

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[Husker_x]

The early commits are nice because they build their own momentum. Kids who are giving us looks on offense now see that we have an entire O-line and a QB primed and ready to go. Helps make that decision a little easier.