Texas CB Gives Soft Commit
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April 16, 2007 by
David Whitmore, a cornerback prospect out of Port Arthur Texas, gave an early and by some reports “soft� commitment to join Nebraska’s 2008 recruiting class. At 6’2� he has the kind of size you look for in a Big 12 cornerback. Past experience has shown “soft� commitments can indeed be very hard to count on, but nevertheless his interest in Nebraska keeps the early recruiting momentum going for the Huskers.
With Cortney Grixby, Zack Bowman, and Andre Jones all set to graduate following the 2007 season, there will likely be ample opportunity for members of the class of 2008 to earn early playing time. In addition, safety Tierre Green will also graduate. Despite a number of options for the future, the spread offenses that have become so prevalent in college football demand teams have more than just two or three cornerbacks that can play. Most believe Nebraska’s lack of depth at the position in 2006 was a major factor in the Huskers losing five games.
Armando Murillo would appear to be the leading contender to start in 2008 and Corey Young would also seem likely to see playing time. Rickey Thenarse has played cornerback in the past, and with Larry Asante eligible through 2008, it’s not impossible he could return to that position. Major Culbert, when not a running back, has been a safety (and might be best suited to safety) but it’s conceivable he could wind up at corner as well. The same can be said about Anthony West and incoming recruit LaTravis Washington. Other cornerback options set to arrive in the fall include Shawn Sullivan and Anthony Blue, “athletes� Prince Amukamara and Eric Hagg, and likely offensive talents Roy Helu (listed at running back), Curenski Gilleylen and Niles Paul (both listed as wide receivers).
So certainly the cupboard isn’t completely bare in the defensive backfield for Nebraska, but any additional cornerback prospects should allow more players to occupy other positions whether that’s safety, running back, or wide receiver. As early as Whitmore’s commitment comes, Nebraska hardly needs to be discouraged by any lack of certainty on his part. He’d be great to have, but fortunately the Huskers didn’t come into this recruiting season in dire need either. Personally, I’ll be sweating the Huskers ability hold the “Fab Four� offensive line commitments over the next 10 months a lot more than any cornerback. They say the best position to look for a job is when you have one, and the best position to recruit is probably when you’ve got talent. The bounty of past recruiting classes is now paying dividends and so the rich (i.e. Nebraska) can now get richer.
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darren Apr 16 07
This is the very definition of momentum. Nice to see NU off to a hot start.
It will be tough to keep this kid away from LSU. He lives on the TX/LA border and is a big LSU fan. When they offer him, NU will have to have a lot of relationship collatoral built up.
I wish there was an "early signing period" for college football. NU would clean up in that situation.
Gregory Apr 16 07
Part of the difficulty with "verbals", is the age of the kids. A portion are 17, I suppose alot are 18, even before the fall semester. They should have to luxury to think about it, change their minds, even up to the last minute, like David Ross did.
In contract law (I think) verbals can be binding. (When I raised my right hand to inlist, it was sure binding!)
There really isn't anything binding, about these verbals, and I'm okay with that. The closest parallel I can think of is- "sweethearts" wearing a going steady ring. Probably how the "playas" look at it too. During the process, it benefits Nebraska too, since Callahan has rescinded offers, for grades and behavior.
Callahan, I'm sure, (along with Gilmore) is refining the process of keeping 'em feeling loved and wanted, while we wait these 10 months for the "hard" commit.