The Ups and Downs on the Husker Recruiting Trail
10 comments so far
December 3, 2008 by
Anyone who has followed college football recruiting for very long has likely figured out that it is very fluid. A lot can change - for good or bad - in a week or even a day. So, you try not to get too high or too low on any one piece of news until they sign on the dotted line in February. With this perspective, it is a little bit easier to absorb a recruiting week like the Huskers have had this week, with a couple pieces of good news to go along with a little bit of bad.
First, the Good News...
Nebraska secured verbal commitments from two recruits this week. The first came immediately following the Colorado game. Defensive end prospect Kevin Young was visiting that week, and was overwhelmed by the atmosphere. He pulled the trigger and chose NU, at least verbally. He switched from his previous choice - his home state Kansas Jayhawks. And, regular readers know how much I love beating other conference schools for players. It's almost like getting two players. One for you, and one not for them.
Young appears to be a very nice prospect too. He has the frame for a defensive end. At 6'4'' and just 230 pounds, he's got plenty of room to fill out in to the position. He's one of the most highly regarded players from the state of Kansas, and ranks 31st nationally among defensive ends according two the public scouting services. Young had offers from several Big 12 schools as well as schools in the PAC 10, which is a good sign. He should not be pressed to play early at Nebraska, considering how many defensive ends are currently on the roster. That makes him a very likely candidate for a redshirt season.
The other commitment came yesterday. This time it was from wide receiver prospect Brandon Kinnie from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. At 6'3'' and 215 pounds Kinnie appears to have the physical tools to help Nebraska right away. He also claims some pretty “amazing� 40-yard dash times (4.37?). But, I don’t buy in to any of those until I see a player actually run in pads. It's good to see the Husker reach for immediate help at this spot, considering that the Huskers two most productive receivers are both graduating this year. Fortunately, he also reportedly has three years to play at Nebraska, so his potential impact is a bit longer than the typical 2 years from a Junior College player. Again, Kansas was the team NU primarily beat out for the player's services. Though, Kinnie reports having an offer from Arkansas as well.
Now, the Not-So-Good News
Recruiting does not always go smoothly. There are bumps along the way. Nebraska may be encountering one with defensive end prospect Emerson Evans. There are lots of rumblings about Evans not being able to qualify academically. It's not entirely out of the question that he could be a Husker. But, it is not looking nearly as likely as a month ago. While you never want to lose a prospect, this is the kind of thing all fans have to be prepared for. With academics, de-commitments (the door swings both ways, you know) and even players running afoul of the law, the make up of a class can change pretty significantly in a very short period of time.
Status Check
Nebraska's class is rounding in to shape. Depending on Evens' status, the Huskers have 18 or 19 commitments in a class that will include around 23 players. It could be one or two less, or they might "over sign" and push it to 25. It's ranked in the low 30s nationally by the two major scouting services, for those of you who care to score at home. There are still some needs to address. I would not be surprised at all to see the Huskers continue to target a defensive lineman, a running back and another defensive back in this class. And, remember, nothing is final until signing day in February.
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tom Dec 03 08
We've had similar discussions on this site before, but I think this point bears repeating: Star Rankings and National Class Rankings are mostly worthless. They don't correlate to effective players. We overvalued them when Bill Callahan was here. We learned that a coaching staff has to be able to identify and evaluate players that will be best for their system. We learned in this article that 5 stars does not equal immediate impact player. You have to be able to see for yourselves how good some of these players are, and with the internet the way it is, it makes it much easier to find video/stats/etc on even the players in the smallest markets.
darren Dec 03 08
I would stop short of using a word like "worthless", Tom.
There is some correlation between the rankings for both players and classes. 2-star rated players or lower are less likely to make your starting lineup. And an evaluation of class rankings year over year will reveal that many of the teams that are ranked high in recruiting also produce well on the field. Are they perfect? No, far from it. But they are not a terrible bellweather.
My big caveot is that the rankings are just ONE measure of a player's potential or a class's success. Too often many fans put too much emphasis on them. They are easy for fans to gravitate too.
I've written on this topic many times. Also consider other factors like - production on the field, other schools recruiting the player, and the level of competition faced in HS, and the team needs. Then, factor in size and sprint times...
Talent matters to winning. But, Talent alone doesn't make wins. There are many ways to evaluate talent. I ask our readers to consider that "matrix" of thoughts when looking at NU's class or its players. There is no simple lever to pull.
Those services and their rankings are not "worthless". They just have to be qualified.
Bill in Iowa Dec 03 08
I would like to see OT Jon Lechner (6-5 310 Creighton Prep H.S. NE) committ to this class. I would also like to see us pick up a High School receiver for the future (although I am very happy with Kinnie, he only has 3 years). And I would really like to see a big name running back committ, such as the likes of Jarvis Giles.
According to ESPN: Under Armour All-American running back Jarvis Giles plans to announce his final college decision next week, possibly Tuesday. He is down to Nebraska, South Carolina and Tennessee, ESPN's JC Shurburtt reports. Giles was a Vols' commit for most of the process before decommitting following Phillip Fulmer's departure. Giles visited the Gamecocks and Cornhuskers officially in November. All three coaching staffs have in-home visits this week. New Vols head coach Lane Kiffin is expected to get the final shot.
Bill in Iowa Dec 03 08
Ohh...one more person on my wish list, Phillip Dillards brother, Gabe Lynn (safety).
ESPN says: Holding more than 30 scholarship offers (June 2008, GatorCountry.com). 2007: Recorded 52 tackles and five interceptions. Also returned four kicks for scores. Reportedly runs a 4.4 40-yard dash... 34-inch vertical. Brother, Phillip Dillard, plays for Nebraska
Dwayne Dec 03 08
Nabbing Lynn, a DT like the dude from either Utah or Arizona, and a very decent WR from the high school ranks would solidify this class in my opinion.
Brink Dec 03 08
Lynn is not considering Nebraska anymore. Lechner, I believe, committed to Ohio the other day.
tom Dec 03 08
Darren, you're right, sometimes I use hyperbole for journalistic affect and it comes off a little crazy. My big concern is that rivals and scouts are both money making ventures that don't necessarily worry about being the most effective recruiting resource. As long as you have a coaching staff that can look and see with their own eyes, then you've got nothing to worry about. Relying on hype is a dangerous way to end up with a bunch of busts. I'm hoping that our off season analysis of Husker recruits will be a valuable tool to our readers to see who we think is the cream of the crop.
James Moore Dec 04 08
Momentum is building here. The tradition, facilities, tremendous support, and what I like to call in general "The Machine" is waiting to be fed. There's just no way that an objective observer (fan, parent, prospective recruit) can look at this program and NOT acknowledge the week-in-week-out improvement. What I have mentioned before, and truly appreciate the most, is the growth in character. Coach Pelini can make men out of a group with collective shattered psyches. As a parent how could you not be reassured that if you send your son to play at Nebraska that he will emerge as a man when his time is finished in Lincoln? An individual who learned how to rise on his own intensity and merits. An individual who learned how to contribute to a team. An individual who contributed to one of the most honest and hallowed athletic institutions in The United States. Oh yeah, the degree and academic reputation does not hurt either. . .
It's been remarkable to watch the coaching staff turning last year's weakness into our strength (the defensive line). Even better is the "Plug and Play" concept so well articulated by Renny recently. After all Koehler, May, Thorrell were unheard of, but were able to be coached well enough, prepared to execute, and contribute as first year players. Imagine Chris Williams, LaTravis Washington, Will Compton, Sean Fisher, and others with additional coaching. and time to learn the defensive system. If Coach Pelini can squeeze contributions out of Koehler, Thorrell and May, just imagine what a more reputable prospect might be able to accomplish. . .
We're undoubtedly swinging upward. The extra month of practice, and a bowl win would make us a 9-4 team in the toughest conference in the nation. From 5-7 to 9-4. Imagine what two more years of coaching, additional recruits, and more time for offense and defense systems to settle in. It just comes down to time, and getting some more good material to feed the machine. . .
Bill in Iowa Dec 05 08
Too bad for us that Lechner decided to play for Solich, but I wish him the best. I really hate seeing the best Nebraska linemen playing out of state. Last year it was Robinson and this year it's Lechner. Oh well, at NU they would definately have to redshirt and sit a year or two, before they got their shot to start.
Sam The Man Dec 16 08
Congtraulations on the oral commitment of Rex Burkhead from Plano, Texas. I've watched this young man play four years of varsity 5A High School. I will not embarrass him or his family by "bragging" on Rex. He is the best Football Player I've seen play at Plano Sr. High School in the 30+ years I have been watching this program. That being said....He is an EVEN BETTER PERSON. I wasn't an Husker Fan until Burkhead commited...Save this post for future reference...This kid is special and will give his all and as a work ethic that is a "throw back" to yesteryear. Enjoy the kid play....I miss his talent and his "humble" way he carries himself.