Huskers Add Three Wideout Commits
19 comments so far
January 27, 2008 by
The Huskers netted three commits this weekend from wide receivers Antonio Bell, and Courtney and Steven Osborne.
Bell is rated a three-star prospect by Scout.com and reportedly had offers from Tennessee, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
The Osborne brothers of Garland Texas each netted three-star ratings from Rivals.com. Steven is listed at 6’4� which makes him a big target. Courtney is listed as a 6’2� “athlete� that could contribute on either side of the ball.
With these commitments, the new Husker coaching staff has effectively caught up offensively, with as many as a dozen recruits (out of twenty-one) able to contribute offensively. All that’s left in terms of filling holes might be a fullback or kicker (if the coaches deem those spots worthy of a scholarship), and additional defensive backs or lineman.
The Huskers no longer appear to have any screaming needs that haven’t been addressed. If no additional players were added, the Huskers would still appear to be in good shape. That’s a big positive for a staff that had only a fraction of the normal recruiting period to pull the class together.
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huskerfan4life Jan 27 08
Who do we have coming back at Defensive Tackle? I would think that Nebraska's D-line needs at least one more tackle, and am wandering if we would still take Simi Kuli and make him a tackle? According to scout.com he still has interest in NU and has not committed to anybody yet.
Greg Morrow Jan 27 08
I like the symmetry of the class. Especially at linebacker, but the athletic size is pretty much spread out. Not everybody is going to play at the positions listed.
I-back will be a priority going into the spring and summer, though. Quarterback too, really. Callahan redshirted about 10 scholarship guys (to his credit) from his '07 class which will probably prove to be his best recruiting class.
Only 2 JC's in this class, with a "we'll see" regarding Ricky Henry. I think this class is so much better than Callahan's '04 class. Callahan did a good a job with that class, though, since he had about a month to hire staff and recruit. There's still seven guys in that class who should letter, or better.
Apart from Okafor, not alot of top end speed. That will obviously have to be addressed with the next class.
huskerdman Jan 27 08
listen guys! ok i see we added wideouts, but they are being recruited by no big name schools. That means they are nobody's. They are just going to take up space. Nebraska is the biggest name college recruiting these guys. Just because we added recievers today doesn't mean anything. These guys are ranked over 200 in the country! lets not get too excided guys! I hope i am dead wrong though!
TX HUSKER Jan 27 08
HUSKEREDMAN, HOW MANY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ARE THERE OUT THERE PLAYING FOOTBALL IN THE UNITED STATES AND DO YOU THINK THEY CAN ALL BE PROPERLY EVALUATED NO. SO WAKE UP AND GET ON BOARD.
GO BIG RED !!!!!
Grant Jan 28 08
huskerdman,
...not true. As stated in the article, Bell was heavily recruited to Tennessee, Georgia, FL, etc. Their classes filled up quick, at which point those schools dropped off. The taller of the Osborne brothers was heavily recruited, but since he and his brother want to attend the same school, the number of places willing to offer both a scholarship was limited. In terms of getting excited...I'm excited the staff was able to round out the class as good overall. They did so on a limited time table, with a much different approach than what we've experienced in the last 4 years. I do agree, however, not to get too excited in general. Won't know how good any given recruiting class is until 2-4 years after they enroll.
Darren Jan 28 08
It is good to see NU adding quality players, especially this late in the recruiting cycle.
What's astounding to me is that many of these late additions are the work of Tim Beck, who has been on the staff all of 5 minutes.
If he has these kinds of relationships with the HS coaches and folks in Texas, I think that is the new NU pipeline for talent.
Bill in Iowa Jan 28 08
This is huge news! Grant...you are exactly right, these guys are players who have slipped through the collective cracks of the SEC. They have good size and good speed. At this late in the game, we can consider Husker nation fortunate to land these players. I would love to see us land at least one more huge DT and another RB...but this class is shaping up quite nicely considering we were in utter chaos only 1 month ago.
Steve Jan 28 08
huskerdman,
Grant already made the point about Bell, that he was courted by both the team that stomped the Big 12 Champion a few weeks ago and a Tennessee team that won its division of the SEC (over Georgia).
The Osborne's were offered by Kansas and considering what KU did to our beloved Husker team a few months back, I'm happy to see NU steal kids from them.
No, they didn't pry these guys from USC. But given how little time was left in the recruiting season, seeing scholarships go to kids who appear worthy of them is something to be happy about. I don't see a Jordan Adams or Marque McCray in the bunch.
OU7times Jan 28 08
Steve, wouldn't it have been easier to say "West Virginia"? Are you bitter about something, maybe?
Steve Jan 28 08
OU7,
(Once again), it's not about you or OU. He questioned the worthiness of these players and I simply wanted to emphasize how good West Virginia and Tennessee are, that's why I highlighted their achievements this past season to punctuate the fact that Bell was indeed recruited by some good schools.
OU7times Jan 28 08
Just asked a fair question. Help yourself to read into it what you want. It's your show.
OU7times Jan 28 08
Steve, please don't take this personal but sometimes, when you feel like you are having to say something "once again", it might be an interpretation issue with the receiver (me). I just mention this because of SOME of our past "conversations". Thanks for taking time to explain your viewpoint to me.
Bill in Iowa Jan 28 08
Steve, your comments as well as others here on the board prove the point. Huskerdman made some pretty strong statements that cannot be supported: "...they are being recruited by no big name schools. That means they are nobody's. They are just going to take up space." Besides, I can name three players I know personally who were only recruited by either Iowa, Northern Iowa, Iowa State, and Nebraska (or all four) who are have played (or still play) pro ball. Were they nobody's? I wish people would stop buying into the hype (or lack thereof) over recruits. Every recuiting class is going to have surprises and disapointments, we will never be sure of how good a player is going to be until they strap it on and hit the field.
Steve Jan 28 08
OU7,
I'm not sure if you're asking to rehash our comment history or not. Understand my motivation here is for our comments to become a forum for discussion (ideally about the topics addressed in the articles, but logically likely to wander elsewhere). What I don't want to see it become is all venom, whether that's school versus school, or Husker fan versus Husker fan. When I see us veering into that territory, I'll try to "steer the ship" back in the right direction as best I can (if others don't beat me to it).
If you feel unfairly singled out, I'm sorry but I think upon reflection you can see where you've done things to attract that kind of attention.
Calling me "bitter" for defending a recruit seemed to me like an invitation to argue about something having nothing to with Nebraska's recent recruits. I didn't want to see things go that way. And the "Once again" had to do with a recent thread where you attacked a frequent commenter completely unprovoked (on that thread anyway).
We can discuss and disagree about things, that's healthy. But if we're going out of our way to find things to argue about, then that's not conversation that's antagonism.
OU7times Jan 28 08
Yes, objectivity and sticking up for one's self can "provoke" some people. I think on one recent post a person found out that you don't provoke the tiger or you stand the chance of getting "eaten" alive. Deja Vu, don't you think?
Steve Jan 28 08
Maybe? I'm not really sure exactly what you're talking about now.
...in recruiting news three-star wide receiver Brodrick Smith of Kansas will announce in less than an hour from now his choice (NU, KSU, Illinois, AZ, and MN on his list). Also, three-star wideout Khiry Cooper was also reportedly unimpressed with his Arkansas visit which was thought to be NU's main rival for his services.
Husker fan in Denver Jan 29 08
man you guys take yourselves too seriously sometimes!
I've been a reader/non-contributor for a long time and must say - don't let OU & Husker Nation fans read this and think there's some riff! Lets get to football! Geez I'm the Democrat here afterall and you guys are seriously arguing over mucho nada :)
Much respect to Nebraska and who we consider our #1 rival: Oklahoma. Lets admit that our recent coaching choice was influenced in no small part by the defensive minded Youngstown, OH native coaching our old rivals down in Norman.
Except, we may have gotten the better one...God willing!
GBR 08!!!
Bill in Iowa Jan 29 08
If you haven't listened to this link on Lincoln Journal Star concerning recruiting news, it is worth your time. Kyle Munson addresses the fact that the Huskers greatest recruiting need at this point is at Wide Reciever and he analyzes the abilities of Antonio Bell, and Courtney and Steven Osborne. Keep in mind, this interview was done before they commmitted:
http://www.journalstar.com/media/view/?mid=M479a765c2a7d7
Steve Jan 29 08
Bill,
Thanks for the link. That's exciting stuff.
Husker Fan in Denver,
Guilty as charged. Clearly I haven't been drinking enough!