Huskers Get a New Pledge. You're My Boy, Blue!
The Nebraska Cornhusker's picked up their newest pledge yesterday. And it wasn't an old Navy veteran with a replacement hip. It was Anthony Blue, a cornerback out of Texas who gave his verbal commitment to the Huskers. Blue's verbal to NU offers some good signs for the current class of recruits. Though, there are a couple of factors some critics may want addressed. I'll confront those first, because...you're my boy, Blue! (That's not as fun to write as it is to say, by the way)
What About His Height?
Some have concerns about Blue being a corner at 5'10'' tall. Those people are wrong. Here's why. First, 5'10'' isn't too short to play the position. It's very common. Most players with the athleticism to cut and jump like a corner simply aren't that rangy or long limbed. That's why a guy like Zackery Bowman is the exception and not the rule. Let me drop a few more names on you - Baron Miles, Ralph Brown, DeJuan Groce, and Courtney Grixby. Those guys are all well under 6' tall, and did pretty well at NU.
Next, don't forget - this kid can still grow. Before you roll your eyes, remember he's only 16-17 years old. Like a lot of people (myself included), he could easily grow another inch or two between now and age 19. Callahan and company scout these players so extensively that I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they think this kid might actually have room to grow.
Who Did NU Beat for His Services?
I always look at who NU was competing against for a player as one sign of the kind of player he might be. Granted, NU wasn't up against BCS-bowl caliber teams for Blue's committment. But, it wasn't like NU was up against MAC or Big Sky teams, either. He had offers from the Big 10 (Wisconsin and Purdue), San Diego State has turned up their recruiting significantly with Chuck Long at the helm, and Baylor has some recruiting mojo going of their own right now. Don't believe me? Read this story about the Bears. Anytime we beat a conference school for a kid, I like it.
So, What's to Like?
For starters, Mr. Blue is from Texas. It's clear that the staff has every intent of executing their plan to get bigger in to Texas for players. With Blue and QB PatrickWitt, now half of the eight-person class plays HS ball in Texas. This is a very good sign, as recruiting success can often hinge on strong relationships with HS coaches. We're getting players and planting seeds.
Next, he's a corner (though he could play a little safety too). NU has now gone out and addressed one of the "need" positions in this class right away by signing two corners. Both of them (Blue and West) are HS players, which gives NU fans even more reason to believe we're into recruiting for the LONG haul, and not just patching holes with JC players.
Finally...I think this kid can play a little bit. He has good measurables, especially his speed. A 4.5 second 40-yard dash is one thing, but a 21.4 second 200 meter time is another. You can't fudge the numbers on a track. The kid can really move! He's had some nice production in HS, and I firmly believe that our coaches scout talent very hard. The offer has real merit when it comes from BC and staff. It is also good to hear that he is a leader and captain of his HS team heading in to his senior year. It sounds like he has a good attitude, which is a major "intangible".
I really hope the kid is a star, or at least a contributor, if for no other reason than to hear thousands of people scream "You're my boy, Blue!" when he makes a play.
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