Big Recruiting Weekend as Much About Retention as Acquisition
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January 11, 2008 by
As I write this, Scout.com reports that 11 recruits will make official visits to Nebraska this weekend. This stuff can change hourly so stay tuned. Five of those recruits (or nearly half of the visitors) have already committed to Nebraska and tend to be more highly regarded than the other six prospects. So this weekend is as much about keeping commitments as it is about securing new ones.
Among the visitors will be four-star linebacker prospect and soft commit Will Compton of Missouri. With all of the switches to Missouri, you wonder if he could follow. The Huskers may need to wow him to keep him in the fold. Collins Okafor of Omaha, also a soft commit according to Rivals.com, will also be on his official visit. Okafor is the only running back in the class so far and considering the beating running backs take, you need one or two in every recruiting class.
Other committed players visiting will be Omaha linebacker Sean Fisher, a player offered by Oklahoma, tall Texas cornerback David Whitmore, and recent offensive tackle commit David Grant of Texas.
The new faces include three-star safety prospect Charles Mitchell of Mississippi who holds offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State, three-star defensive tackle Eddie Brown of Texas who has offers from Baylor and SMU, three star wide receiver Brodrick Smith of Kansas who has an offer from Kansas State, Brian Moore a smallish two-star linebacker from Texas who had committed to Tulsa, Lester Ward a tall two-star running back/wide receiver from Texas with offers from UCLA and Missouri (among others) and had committed to Baylor, and defensive end John Youboty a two-star defensive end from Texas with offers from Missouri and Michigan State (among others).
While there’s plenty about the new prospects to like, it’s some of the kids that already committed that will define success this weekend.
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Bill in Iowa Jan 11 08
On Pelini's radio show, he said they are after some guys Cali and staff were not interested in and vica a versa, they were not intrested in some kids Calli and staff were (could explain the many defections of defensive players)...as they do not fit where he envisions the team heading.
I am guessing some of the LB's and even lineman Cali recruited were not fast and/or quick enough for Pelini. Pelini's defenses are known for being fast and flying to the ball...even if somewhat undersized. Could we see some DB recruits move to LB??? I am concerned we haven't recruited enough LB's.
He also said the staff is behind the 8 ball on recruiting, there is alot of work to do. Thats pretty obvious. This weekend will dicatate how much work needs to be done. I don't see anymore DT's and LB's slated to visit...so if we do not land these young men, it's going to hurt. And where are we going to find them...this late in the process?
Bill in Iowa Jan 11 08
Hats off to Steinkuhler getting the stongest player AND the most powerful player award for the Army All-American Bowl. I think we could see him on the DL? Wouldn't it be cool to see the Steinkuhler brothers playing together on the DL??? Might be too soon for Baker to get significant playing time as a true freshmen...but he definately has the goods, and we definately lack the depth. So, you never know?
http://nebraska.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=759451
Steve Jan 11 08
Bill,
Don't get too worried about this weekend. Alonzo Whaley will visit in a couple of weeks (a smallish two-star linebacker prospect). They have four LB commits if you count Reed, Compton along with Fisher and Kreikemeier. You've also got athletes you could move around like LaTravis Washington or Major Culbert.
And linebacker is among the easier positions to address with walk-ons. I believe Scott Shanle, Jamie Burrow, Stewart Bradley and Brian Shaw all walked on and did pretty well.
Josh Jan 11 08
Steve,
Please tell me you weren't serious when you mentioned Scott Shanle and doing pretty well????????
Steve Jan 12 08
Shanle started for a team that won 11 games and played for a national championship. I think he's still playing in the NFL. No he wasn't some huge playmaker, but considering he came basically free (i.e. walked on) I'd consider him a success story.
Dwayne Jan 12 08
It appears that "Smash" Williams a highly touted RB out of Texas just decommitted from TMU and gave a verbal to NU late this morning. His teammate at Dillon, Tim Riggins, a rangy LB prospect is also visiting NU this weekend. Riggins, however, carries some baggage and may be a risk for Pelini due to his drinking issues during the past few months. But if anyone can turn Riggins around, it could be Pelini. Riggins fits the image of Calmus and Lehman of OU a few years ago.