NEBRASKA RECRUITING SUMMARY FOR 2005

The new Nebraska coaching staff finally got a full year under it's belt, and what a year it was in recruiting. The offers flew early and often. The coaches identified numerous blue chip prospects early and continued the pace through December. With the normal graduation and several defections, the scholarship totals were opened up and the largest class in recent memory was taken--probably the Huskers largest class since the 85 total scholarship limit was set in the mid 90s. There were a lot of holes to fill and depth to build and even with 31 signees (29 after two likely greyshirts to count to next year's total), not all those holes were filled. On the offensive side, skill players were needed at every position and this was accomplished at quarterback, running back and receiver. The offensive line needed to be rebuilt but I feel this was only moderately addressed and is one area that will need to be hit hard again in this year's class.

On defense, holes were everywhere also. The defensive line was built mostly on junior college prospects and they should be able to step in immediately and produce. However the high school players fell a little short in numbers and again this will have to be addressed this upcoming year. The linebackers were nicely stocked, blending evenly between high schoolers and junior college players. The defensive backfield also needed numbers and assuming some switches are made from receiver to the backfield, the numbers should turn out fair. Once again this will be a big target in 2006, especially at safety. 

For once the collective talent of this group was in the top 10 in the nation, ranging from number 1 in one service to a "low" of number 10 in another service---with the team ranking falling around the middle of the top 10 in the rest of the major services. Another major difference from past years was hitting the junior college ranks hard. Over one-third of the players are from this talent pool, although the coaches didn't have a lot of choice in this matter. All in all, the coaches showed a renewed energy and confidence in recruiting, pulling out all the stops from writing volumes of hand written letters, getting a large amount of good prospects in for the spring game and summer camps and accentuating the game day atmosphere. All this in addition to not stepping off the gas pedal until the end of the year.

Here is a breakdown on grading of this recruiting season:

Quarterbacks--- (A+)

Comments: The Huskers needed to upgrade the talent here to a vast degree. They signed Beck, one of the nations top quarterbacks early, and then completed the spot with one of the top junior college players in the nation in Zac Taylor. Taylor should be able to step into the thick of things right away and challenge for the starter in September. This will take the pressure off of Beck coming in right away and thrown into the fire. A small deduction was made in the grade here as two top high school prospects were really needed. But part of the process of securing Beck was not to recruit any other high schoolers after his verbal.

Harrison Beck-- Beck was the number one target for the Huskers at quarterback and they obtained his verbal early on, and stopped recruiting other quarterbacks as a result. Beck has all the physical talent one needs at his position. Strong arm, experience with a passing offense, and though he isn't a dual threat type of quarterback, he does have decent foot speed when flushed from the pocket. The question is how fast can he pick up the offense. I look for Beck to come in and give a good shot at starting, but.....

Zac Taylor-- With Zac Taylor on board, the Huskers picked up a junior college quarterback with lots of experience in the passing game. Zac doesn't have the physical specs that Beck does, but he has maturity and experience. Taylor and Beck will battle from day one for the starting spot. I look for Taylor's experience to win out in the end, but Beck might push for the starter later in the season depending on how he picks up the offense.

Running backs--- (A+)

Comments: The coaches scored big here getting one of the top 2 or 3 running backs in the nation in Marlon Lucky. They then went out and secured Jackson in October. Jackson could be a top flight running back also, but is talented enough to move to safety, and in fact may be needed more there. They then topped the unit off, getting Glenn in late November to compliment Lucky and possibly fill the big back--WCO fullback role.

Marlon Lucky-- Lucky showed good break away speed and can run inside or outside. He has pretty good vision and has good enough hands to be considered a good receiver out of the backfield. Though he likely won't over take Ross as the starter, Marlon looks good enough to see playing time as a freshman.

Leon Jackson-- Leon is placed here as he may very well get a first look here, although depth on the team suggests he may be moved to safety. Jackson displays as much athleticism as Lucky, both in speed and vision. He may not have quite the ability as Lucky at running inside though. At safety he may be a little raw, and may need a year to learn the position, but again the Huskers have a glaring need at the safety spot.

Cody Glenn--  Glenn didn't face the same type of heavy recruiting that the other two running backs went through, but he still is very talented. A completely different back than Jackson and Lucky, Cody's forte is power running. He is very tough inside and is strong enough to punish tacklers and drag them. Though he has decent speed, enough to break past the first and second lines of defense, he will not break long runs all the way very often. He may be used as a situational player his first year if the team needs it. Otherwise look for him to redshirt.

Receivers/Tight Ends--- (A)

Comments: Wide receiver was another spot that needed a hugh upgrade. In 2004 Nebraska had a fairly decent corp of receivers, but they were still built more for the power offense of old. This year they went out and obtained a much bigger bodied receiver type, with a nice blend of size, Brooks and Hunter, and also speed, Hardy, that can stretch the field vertically. A playmaking tight end was really needed and they fell a little short here in not getting a high school player (hence the minor deduction of the grade. Tomerlin has the physical tools to excel here, but he played defensive end in junior college, and he may still end up there in the end but he is needed to develop at tight end. Harvey has some physical tools but will likely need a few years to develop.

Chris Brooks-- Chris is a big receiver with good speed and will cause match up problems with smaller defenders. His film showed that he can catch and run in traffic. His main problem will be getting stronger and bigger at Nebraska. A self admitted non worker in the weight room, Chris will have to up his off field intensity. Look for him to redshirt to gain that strength.

Frantz Hardy--  Hardy displayed very good speed and should be able to stretch the field vertically. He makes good adjustments to the ball and has good hands. Toughness may be a question and didn't show a lot of running after catch skills. Most likely should see plenty of playing time if not starting.

Broderick Hunter-- Did not qualify. Placed in junior college.

Wallace Franklin-- Did not qualify. Placed in junior college.

Tyrell Spain-- Did not qualify. Enrollment delayed one season to allow qualification. Spain is a big bodied athlete and could play either receiver or safety, where the Huskers obviously need more players. He has good speed and route running abilities. Should be able to contribute his first year in 2006, assuming he eventually qualifies.

Justin Tomerlin--  Played mostly defensive end in junior college and may end up there at Nebraska, but Justin is very athletic and could be player at tight end that keeps the defense honest. Good athleticism and speed for his size. If he adjusts to division one football he could see playing time with the lack of depth here.

David Harvey--  A bit of a project, but showed good athleticism in summer camp and the coaches know exactly what he can bring to the table. Another player that could switch to defensive end, but depth chart says he sticks here. Likely a redshirt for 2005.

Offensive Lineman--- (B)

Comments: The offensive line needed some serious talent and numbers for this year. The coaches did secure two top lineman in Rodney Picou and Craig Roark. They also secured two junior college players but both are still raw and may not even contribute their first year. The Huskers also signed a fifth lineman in Jacob Hickman, but he is likely slated for a greyshirt and redshirt years before developing. The team really needed either two more high school lineman or at least one junior college player with the ability to step right in and provide depth in 2005. If Zach Potter eventually moves here and shines, this grade could be upgraded in the future.

Craig Roark--  Roark showed good aggressiveness at run blocking but will need some work with pass protection. Will likely redshirt a year to develop a bit more physically and then should be an anchor  years at guard or center by 2006 or 2007.

Rodney Picou-- Picou already has the size for a college tackle but may need a year to gain strength. He is pretty athletic for his size. Showed good ability to pull and to reach the second line defenders. Likely a redshirt.

Jordan Picou-- Good looking junior college player with four years to play three. Showed balanced ability with both run and pass blocking, though could still use a bit more developement with pass protection. Could play in 2005, but could use a redshirt if enough depth is built on the line.

Brock Pasteur-- Good size and strength to move up to division one play from junior college. Could play in 2005, but much like Jordan Picou, could use a year of developement if depth is okay.

Jacob Hickman-- Good looking project that will gray shirt in 2005. Will also probably need a redshirt for 2006 to gain more weight and strength. Good athleticism and should get serious look at guard or center in 2007.

Defensive Lineman--- (B-)

Comments: Nebraska needed a big influx of talent and numbers here and to some degree succeeded. But they appear to only have obtained one end in Barry Turner, as I think Potter will end up on the offensive side, as mentioned above. They did get two fine junior college tackles who should step in and at least provide depth if not challenge for the starting position. We really needed to get one more high school tackle, and one other end, be it high school or junior college. Both end and tackle will need to be focused on again this year, especially tackle.

Barry Turner-- Prototype speed rusher here. Barry has outstanding speed for his size and the first part of his career will likely be as a pass rushing specialist, until he can gain some size for an every down player. It would be nice if Barry could redshirt, but his special talent may allow him to see the field this season.

Zach Potter-- Zach is a player who could play several positions depending on how quickly he gets bigger. In addition to defensive end, he could play at tight end. With some additional pounds added on (which is likely), he could move to defensive or offensive tackle. He affords the coaches a great deal of flexibility. Athletic for his size, with some addition of strength he should be a good one. Look for him to redshirt and be ready in 2006.

Ndamukong Suh-- Suh was a highly recruited tackle out of the Northwest and should have a stellar career at Nebraska. Yet another player who has the ability to switch to the offensive line, and indeed he showed some of that talent in a late season all star game. Also Suh has not been playing organized football that long so he will need some seasoning. I look for him to redshirt unless the combo of Cryer and Dagunduro come up short.

Barry Cryer-- One of two junior college tackles added this year, Cryer should at the very least add depth and push for the starter position. He is a bit of a smaller tackle and may be used predominantly in passing situations where his speed and athleticism can be utilized.

Ola Dagundero-- Ola is a larger tackle but still has decent speed for his size. Ola has better chance than Cryer to be used in most situations, and again he should at the very least add depth, if not start. Cryer and Dag should give the coaches a nice four man rotation at tackle--combined with Smith and Adams. 

Linebackers--- (A)

Comments: Same song, different verse here as both talent and depth needed addressed here. The Husker scored two very nice junior college players who are all but penciled in the starting lineup. They also got a top linebacker prospect in Dillard who will certainly play and could end up starting before this season is done. Covey has good physical tools, but may need a year or two to develop. Only problem I see here is not getting a top high school outside linebacker. Jeff Souder was also picked up but he will greyshirt and be counted on next year's class.

Phillip Dillard-- One of the top middle linebackers in the nation, Phillip is blessed with good speed and the knack of making plays sideline to sideline, as he showed in an all star game. The Huskers have little depth right now and Dillard should at the very least press for time in the rotation, if not in fact be starting by some time in the season. 

Steve Octavien-- Octo's film shows all the signs of a big play making linebacker, much like Demorrio Williams, only bigger. He could play either strong or weak side linebacker. If Bradley continues his developement look for Octo to compliment Bradley on the weak side. Could also be a terror on special teams such as blocking kicks.

Dontrell Moore-- Another fine junior college acquisition, Moore will probably start out at weak side linebacker, but could also be used as a pash rushing specialist on the outside. With decent depth at the outside spots, Moore most likely will be a backup, but should see plenty of playing time. 

Nick Covey-- Covey is a fast, athletic outside linebacker with very good speed and instincts. A redshirt year will help Nick gain strength and a bit of size. I don't expect him to crack the depth chart at linebacker, but he probably could perform well on special teams---otherwise look for a redshirt.

Defensive Backs--- (B-)

Comments: Nebraska, once again hmmm, needed numbers here and to some degree failed, although a lot will depend on offensive players that have the ability to move here. With what is on paper right now, the Huskers did secure possibly the top junior college athlete in Bowman. He is all but penciled in as a starter. They also got another junior college cornerback in Wilson, who should be able to at least proved some depth this year. Robert Rands is the only high schooler in this class and is likely more of a situational backer in addition to special teams talent. The Huskers failed to get a safety out of this group and some switching of existing players on the team is underway to shore up this group. As it stands now, this was probably the biggest failure of the recruiting year but I had to pick a middle ground for now of B-, since players like Spain and Franklin may well move to this unit. This could pull the grade to above a B- but that remains to be seen. 

Zach Bowman-- Bowman fills a big need in a big athletic cornerback that can step right in and add depth or even start. Being a junior college recruit, Zach already will have faced some good competition and has great speed and size to combat bigger receivers that are becoming a common occurrence. Zach might even be able to come in at receiver in special situations if the coaches so desire. 

Robert Rands-- Rands is a great athlete but might be too small to be an every down cornerback. His speed and jumping ability can make up for some size, but he will still likely face a great majority of receivers who have size and strength advantages over him. He will also be looked at as a punt returner. He will need to redshirt and gain strength and hopefully grow a bit more in height. May be on a track scholarship his first year as he is an excellent long jumper.

Bryan Wilson-- Another big junior college cornerback, Wilson, though not quite as athletic as Bowman, has good speed and aggressiveness. Look for him to get some playing time. Though not likely to start he will add depth and may come in pass packages. 

Kicker/Punter--- (A+)

Comments: The Huskers needed to find a top kicker due to graduation and inconsistency, and they scored big here perhaps getting the top place kicker in the nation in Congdon. Enough said!

Jordan Congdon--  Congdon has a strong and accurate leg and has received quite a bit of specialized training from various camps in California. 40-50 yard field goals will be an option again with the offense. Look for Congdon to get a serious look as the place kicker if Dyches doesn't show improvement. 

In summary....I give this class an overall grade of A-. The major deficiencies appear to be on the offensive line, where not enough high schoolers were taken to begin building the long process at that spot. Defensive back was also lacking in numbers, although once again, switches from offense to defense may alleviate this somewhat. The junior college mix may also have been a little high at linebacker and tackle, although there is no doubt we needed several players who could step right in and contribute. Both lines will need to be strongly addressed again this year, along with the defensive backfield and younger talent at linebacker.