Steven M. Sipple: QB recruit progressing nicely
Friday, Oct 24, 2008 - 12:41:39 am CDT
As weeks pass without Nebraska’s backup quarterbacks seeing any sort of game action, thoughts drift toward the Houston area, where Husker quarterback recruit Cody Green is enjoying a stellar senior season.
Mind you, I’m avoiding bold predictions about Green enjoying future stardom at Nebraska. We’ve been burned enough by recruiting hyperbole in these parts, especially as it pertains to quarterbacks. So, no outlandish proclamations suggesting Green is anything except a nice high school player putting up impressive numbers.
Very impressive numbers.
Nebraska football recruit Cody Green.(photo courtesy HuskersIllustrated.com)
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Nebraska football recruit Cody Green.(photo courtesy HuskersIllustrated.com)
In leading Dayton (Texas) High School to a 5-1 record, Green has completed 66 percent of his passes (111-for-169) for 1,413 yards and 15 touchdowns, with two interceptions. He has rushed 61 times for 518 yards (8.5 per carry) and 12 scores.
Green verbally committed to Nebraska in early July and is set to arrive on campus in late December or early January in time for spring practice.
“He’s on board,” said 13-year Dayton High head coach Jerry Stewart. “We just told him to buy some big ol’ coats. He’s going to freeze his butt off up there. But he’s going to be fine. You’re really going to like that kid up there. He’s for real. He’s going to study the game and he’s got a strong arm.”
Green evidently has strong legs, too.
“We’ve got a good offensive line, but he’s 6-4 and 220,” Stewart said. “So, once defenders get to him, they’re not really sure they want to be there.”
Green presumably will compete for Nebraska’s starting job in 2009. Current Husker starter Joe Ganz is a senior, and his top backups — redshirt freshman Patrick Witt and sophomore Zac Lee — have appeared in two games and one game this season, respectively, and none in the last four weeks.
Meanwhile, Green is rolling up big numbers despite being somewhat slowed by an ankle injury that limited him to two games last season.
“He might not be quite 100 percent yet, but when he is, he’ll be really shifty,” Stewart said. “He’ll be 100 percent next year when y’all get him.”
Nebraska stands by its decision to stick with one quarterback for the class of 2009.
“We’ve got our guy, and we’re doing everything we can to hang on to him,” said Husker recruiting coordinator Ted Gilmore.
That shouldn’t be a problem, Stewart said, although other teams continue to recruit Green.
“Any team worth anything is going to try to change his mind, but he’s going to Nebraska — he’s excited to get up there,” Stewart said.