Husker Mike Apr 27 07

Interesting numbers that will probably surprise people. Historical numbers take some analysis; the NFL draft was cut down to 7 rounds in recent years, though due to expansion, there are more players selected in each round. Nowadays, there are far fewer players drafted than in the 80's and early 90's. Also, while you list the coach who last coached them, that's not necessarily the guy who recruited them to Lincoln.

Tyler Apr 27 07

The subject matter of Colin Cowherd's show today and much of talk radio this weekend is how despite obvious physical advantages, many coaches want to draft B Quinn before J Russell, because "he operated for four years at a school that ran a pro-style offense."

We've already seen some recruits mention that the reason they're coming to NU is because of our NFL coach who runs an NFL system. Some of the wacky systems that have been run in the past in college, though fun, prove to pigeonhole the athletes who then have a difficult time transitioning to the NFL. TFrazier, best ever, and a no-show in the NFL is a prime example. Add Crouch to that, Frost to the that, J Lord to that. All didn't work as their original position.

All that to say, in a few years, if the Big Red give BC time and BC proves himself as a coach (it goes both ways), we may be thanking our lucky stars that BC came in and implemented a pro-style system, that though difficult and taking a few years, transformed NU into a school where top recruits want to come. Get a great QB, then WR, RB and TE want to come work with them to improve their draft day prospects. There is a major trickle down effect with the recruits.

Interested in your thoughts......

Husker Mike Apr 27 07

I've argued with some folks that there was a drop-off in talent on offense, and an emphasis on defensive recruiting. Certainly when you've look at the NFL draft results, the Solich years has had as much defensive talent as ever.

Offensively, what I've noticed is the dearth of o-line prospects, and that actually dates back to the middle 90's under Tom Osborne, since the drop-off in o-line going to the NFL started in the days of the Pipeline. Whether this should be tagged to Milt Tenopir or to the strength and conditioning program, I'm not sure. But it definitely precedes Solich's rise to head coach.

Gregory Apr 29 07

Husker Mike

From the offensive side, it goes back to "prototypes".
Aaron Taylor, Outland trophy winner in '97, was hardly an NFL prototype guard. To Nebraska, he was about as good as it gets.
As Milt Tenipor said of his o-line, during a coaches clinic in April '95, "they're short, but quick- with good feet". Yes they were!

Now, come the "prototypes"!

owen Apr 30 07

Here's a draft stat that amazes me.

In the '72 NFL draft K State had more guys taken than the back-to-back NCAA champion Huskers.

Amazing.