Nebraska ranks 1st in underrated NFL talent

N

Nexus

All-American
Behind ESPN pay wall, but here's snippet:

T-1. Nebraska Cornhuskers

2011-12 combine invitees: 13

Former ESPNU 150 recruits: 0

Yes, the Cornhuskers are known for their "feed-'em-and-lift-'em" recruits who remain in Lincoln for four, if not five, years. But players like CB Prince Amukamara and RB Roy Helu are testaments to Nebraska's recruiting acumen. Amukamara transitioned from a 6-foot, 185-pound, three-star running back into the No. 19 overall pick in 2011, and he just won a Super Bowl as a member of the New York Giants' secondary. Helu was a fourth-round pick after coming out of high school as a 5-foot-11, 180-pound running back. This year, Nebraska's pipeline has produced two-star DT Jared Crick and three-star CB Alfonzo Dennard, who each put on 20 pounds as Huskers.

LINK
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Nebraska certainly does not have elite talent, but we put a lot of kids into the NFL and the numbers bear this out. I think Nebraska often gets overlooked as an NFL ticket type of school because we don't have 3 to 4 kids taken in the first round like Miami, North Carolina, Alabama, USC, etc have had. Further, I like the way Bo recruits: He tells kids that if they come to Nebraska, do what the coaches ask, on and off the field, that if they truly have NFL potential it'll take care of itself. NFL scouts are pretty thorough and if a kid has talent, regardless of where he plays, they'll usually find him.

 
1. Nebraska

2. Boise State

3. Iowa Hawkeyes

4. Wisconsin

5. Ohio State

6. Georgia

7. LSU

8. North Carolina

9. Miami

10. Alabama

11. South Carolina

12. USC

13. Clemson

 
Even beyond this I think Bo has a ton of respect in the NFL for developing defensive talent.

Being able to say I played for Bo Pelini has got to hold a lot of weight when these guys interview with NFL scouts.

 
This article needs to be carried when the coaches are out recruiting. Post it some where it catches the kids eyes, when they go on line to check out the school. I didn't know we were ranked that high. I sure many other Husker fans don't, and sure the kids we are recruiting don't.

Nice job by our coaching staff. :thumbs :thumbs

GBR!!!

 
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NU used to be known for developing unknown and under talented kids. Back in the day, a kid came to NU (walk ons), worked hard in the weight room, played on the scout team, had a red shirt year, and did not see the field until his junior year, then moved into a starting or significant role during their senior season. And, in a lot of instances, was named to the first or second All Conference team. Not so much anymore. When NU experienced the unfortunate circumstance called Steve Peterson, who fired Frank Solich, the concept of player development went out the door. Bill Callahan went the Juco route and things have not turned around in a significant manner in the "development" department. Until we get that mentality back, the "player development" mode, we will remain mediocre. Depth is a key factor in any program. Unless you have players waiting in the wings who can actually play at a highly "developed" level, the program will not move forward.

 
Goal-line said:
NU used to be known for developing unknown and under talented kids. Back in the day, a kid came to NU (walk ons), worked hard in the weight room, played on the scout team, had a red shirt year, and did not see the field until his junior year, then moved into a starting or significant role during their senior season. And, in a lot of instances, was named to the first or second All Conference team. Not so much anymore. When NU experienced the unfortunate circumstance called Steve Peterson, who fired Frank Solich, the concept of player development went out the door. Bill Callahan went the Juco route and things have not turned around in a significant manner in the "development" department. Until we get that mentality back, the "player development" mode, we will remain mediocre. Depth is a key factor in any program. Unless you have players waiting in the wings who can actually play at a highly "developed" level, the program will not move forward.
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Please explain to me how ranking 1st is mediocre?

Things are different, some people need to stop living in the 90s. Kids are huge now days, 240 lbs and running 4.5 40s kids are ready to play early. O lineman that are 6'7" 300 out of high school was almost unheard of in the 90s. Weight training and nutrition is night and day ahead of where they were back then. Kids are working out and eating better earlier, even before high school. The technology and training these kids have these days is insane and we are starting to see freshman play early at alot of programs, not just here. Although i will agree our depth as been an issue the last few years, but it seems we are slowly getting it back.

 
Goal-line said:
NU used to be known for developing unknown and under talented kids. Back in the day, a kid came to NU (walk ons), worked hard in the weight room, played on the scout team, had a red shirt year, and did not see the field until his junior year, then moved into a starting or significant role during their senior season. And, in a lot of instances, was named to the first or second All Conference team. Not so much anymore. When NU experienced the unfortunate circumstance called Steve Peterson, who fired Frank Solich, the concept of player development went out the door. Bill Callahan went the Juco route and things have not turned around in a significant manner in the "development" department. Until we get that mentality back, the "player development" mode, we will remain mediocre. Depth is a key factor in any program. Unless you have players waiting in the wings who can actually play at a highly "developed" level, the program will not move forward.
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Bingo.......(except for the mediocre part)

 
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Goal-line said:
NU used to be known for developing unknown and under talented kids. Back in the day, a kid came to NU (walk ons), worked hard in the weight room, played on the scout team, had a red shirt year, and did not see the field until his junior year, then moved into a starting or significant role during their senior season. And, in a lot of instances, was named to the first or second All Conference team. Not so much anymore. When NU experienced the unfortunate circumstance called Steve Peterson, who fired Frank Solich, the concept of player development went out the door. Bill Callahan went the Juco route and things have not turned around in a significant manner in the "development" department. Until we get that mentality back, the "player development" mode, we will remain mediocre. Depth is a key factor in any program. Unless you have players waiting in the wings who can actually play at a highly "developed" level, the program will not move forward.
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Your first sentence is factually flawed. Nebraska is still known for developing kids who are under the radar and sending them to the NFL, hence the #1 ranking in the linked article. As for your comments about the former AD and coaching staff it's in the past and it's time to move forward. I do agree though that Nebraska is now at the stage where development of depth is starting to take root. We'll probably have to sit through at least 2-3 more 9 and 3 or potentially worse seasons though before we break through.

 
A ray of hope for those recruiting classes that may not be filled with 4 or 5 star kids.

 
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