Running back Castille committed to Nebraska
BY MITCH SHERMAN
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - Nebraska has firmed up oral commitments from two football recruits, bringing its pledge total to 20 with still more than eight weeks left until signing day.
Running back Quentin Castille of La Porte, Texas, who accepted an NU offer in September, said he has dropped Louisville from consideration. Castille, a top prospect who rushed for more than 1,800 yards as a senior, became interested in the Cardinals after a recent visit to the Big East Conference school.
In addition, safety LaTravis Washington of Bradenton, Fla., has achieved the necessary college-entrance exam score to sign with Nebraska on Feb. 7, according to rivals.com. Washington had long favored the Huskers, despite scholarship offers from Ohio State and Auburn.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Castille scored 22 touchdowns in Texas' highly competitive 5A classification as a senior. His loyalty to the Huskers waned after NU took commitments from running backs Roy Helu of Danville, Calif., and Marcus Mendoza of Houston.
But a visit from Nebraska coach Bill Callahan and running backs coach Randy Jordan late last week secured Castille.
"Talking to Coach Callahan, he told me I'm like the best high school player he's ever seen," Castille said. "Coach Jordan told me I'm the best high school running back he's ever seen."
Castille said the NU coaches assured him they have no intention to play him at fullback, and that Helu and Mendoza are not considered every-down college backs.
"I'm going to Nebraska," he said. "That's my final decision. That's everything."
He delivered a similar message to the Louisville coaches.
Their reaction?
"Not so good," Castille said.
Washington, a 6-3, 210-pound prep quarterback at Bradenton's Bayshore High and the cousin of ex-NU cornerback Fabian Washington, had considered himself a Nebraska recruit for several weeks.
The Huskers, though, were not taking his commitment until Washington moved closer to qualifying academically. His latest test results reportedly did just that.
"I'm going to sign with Nebraska on national signing day," he told rivals.com.
Washington is the third player from Florida, and Castille is one of seven from Texas in the Huskers' 2007 recruiting class.
NU hosted seven official visitors Friday through Sunday in Lincoln, though none were known to have immediately committed. Approximately five spots remain open in this class, with several more visitors scheduled for next weekend.