Huskers Land Second Offensive Lineman for 2010 Class
12 comments so far
April 20, 2009 by
With somewhere between 30 and 100 high school visitors (depending on who you ask) for the Red-White Spring Game, you would hope NU would make some strides toward filling their 2010 class. The Huskers did indeed land a verbal commitment, from offensive line prospect Mike Moudy. Moudy’s size, background and list of offers imply that he is one to get excited about. And, if history is any indicator, many of the other Spring visitors that NU hosted are more likely to become members of the 2010 class.
The Prospect
Moudy certainly fits the mold of NU’s more recent offensive line recruits. He stands at 6’7’’ and goes about 290 lbs. From the looks of him, he is not a doughy 290 either. There should be plenty of space for him to be well over the 300 pound mark and be fit enough to play.
Moudy comes out of Castle Rock Douglas County high school in Colorado. They have a good football tradition, which is encouraging. This fits NU’s profile under Pelini of recruiting kids from successful situations and programs. It’s always gratifying to pull players out of Colorado, away from a Big 12 North division foe. Also, consider the list of other schools that had extended Moudy some early offers. It included Kansas and Kansas State from the Big 12.
Moudy also had offers from Stanford and Northwestern. This implies to me that academics and qualifying should not be an issue. The offer from Wyoming is curious, because Moudy’s high school coach has ties there, so too does Ted Gillmore who recruited Moudy.
Key Year for Offensive Linemen
Moudy is the third member of the Husker class for 2010 so far. He joins fellow offensive lineman Andrew Rodriquez and defensive back Anterio Sloan. The fact that NU is targeting (and landing) offensive linemen early should come as no surprise.
My colleague Steve has documented how a situation he calls “offensive line Hell” can develop. It happened to NU under Coach Solich (for a number of reasons) and has the potential to hit NU again because of the defections in the 2008 transitional class. To prevent that, NU really does need to ink at least four and likely five offensive linemen, as well as bring in a couple of walk-ons. To say Moudy’s commitment to NU is good news to BRN would be an understatement. Two big guys down, three more to go.
More to Come?
So, Moudy is the first of the Spring visitors to commit to NU. I fully expect more to follow, some as early as this summer. To put it very simply, many of the players NU invited players to the Spring game already had a pretty strong Husker lean in their thinking. They want to bring in the kids that want them first.
Many of the eventual 2009 class members were Spring game attendees, including headliners like Rex Burkhead. Getting this early (and very positive) impression goes a long way toward making emotional en roads with an young man and his family. It’s hard for kids to get their first impressions, their first offer (their first love?) out of their head.
Now, I just hope at least three more of those fellas are offensive lineman like Moudy.
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HuskerFan4Life Apr 20 09
Darren,
Why do you suppose Moudy was not offered by the University of Colorado???
cvldfg Apr 20 09
HuskerFan,
For the same reasons that coach Hawking won't be there after this year.
1) Moudy is too tall for his short QB. HA HA
2) Moudy doesn't fit his offence.
3) Coach Hawking SUCKS!!!
4) Moudy is obviously too smart and sees the writing on the wall regarding the cu program.
Dywane Apr 20 09
What is the second most critical position Pelini and Co need to recruit? Defensive tackle?
darren Apr 20 09
Dwayne, just based on the "economy" for D-tackles (that body type is in short supply and in high demand), yes, I'd say D-tackle is always near the top of the priority list.
Then, you have to say quarterback. They will take one every year, sometimes two.
To the other folks - I don't know why CU hasn't offered. NU has done pretty well in the state of CO in the past. Also, few schools and communities value offensive linemen the way NU does. They are a celebrity here, and I think that attracts players.
JBLING22 Apr 20 09
According to Scout.com Colorado has only offered 3 offensive lineman... (AT least thats how many they list) Two of which are already 315 pounds... Either they are moving to a straight westcoast offense, or they can't develop size in their athletic department...?? lol ...
But if you look at what they have now, it is mainly underclassmen at the line positions..( THanks to a couple of UNL Decommits) Therefore they are probably trying to get just one or two high rated guys and thats it.. They have a pretty bottom heavy o-line group.. The sad thing about that for NU is most already have experience... IF experience wins games, CU could be dangerous in the next few years..
HuskerFan4Life Apr 20 09
Thanks for the insight to my previous post. I like the direction NU is going in with their recruiting. I believe you have to start inside out when recruiting, load up on the big ugly's up front and build your team around the lines.
Does anybody know if George Uko attended the Nebraska spring game???
Bill in Iowa Apr 20 09
It's a great start for recruiting to have 2 quality o-line recruits already committed by April! I agree, I think the o-line is the key position to get in this recruiting class. It's encouraging to hear that Caputo (a walkon) is probably going to be starting or get significant pt. That always goes a long way to pick up some more quality OL walk-ons. You know the walk-on program is back when we see them on the field stealing starting positions from scholie athletes.
tom Apr 21 09
I now have a better understanding of what type of lineman the Huskers are looking for. Here's my anecdote of a story. I was in Lincoln this weekend, but didn't go to the spring game (long story). Anyway, I was walking by the stadium around 9 am and saw Brent Qvale walking towards the stadium with his family. I'm about 5'10", 215lbs. He's listed at 6'7", 335 lbs. He probably had as much fat on his body as me. Well, maybe not quite, but I felt dwarfed walking by him. He looked 7' tall and like he could crush my head like a grape. That's what Nebraska is looking for. Athletic, muscular giants.
Bill in Iowa Apr 21 09
Wow! That's imposing, but I have walked the halls of the stadium and seen NU Volleyball players that dwarfed my 6'2" frame. :) The Pelini athletic philosophy seems to be trim, slim, and fast on your feet at every position. I mean, look at Suh, he's a 300lb-er, but runs like a LB and is all muscle.
huskered Apr 22 09
Not sure what to think about the writer's theory about us being "excited" to get this guy.
He picked us over Kansas and Kansas State.
Is that now a moral victory for Nebraska, to out recruit Kansas ansd K-State, and football powers Northwest and Stanford? My how the mighty have fallen.
Jason Apr 23 09
Huskered,
Any time we beat a division opponent head to head on a recruit, it's a win in my eyes.
We get the guy. A team that we play every year doesn't.
And Stanford and Northwestern are known for their academics which implies the guy is a good student.
Where's the down side here?
darren Apr 23 09
Huskered - I'm with Jason on this one, even though I see your point about the other offers not coming from "powerhouse" programs. A few other things to keep in mind.
1 - Beating other B12N schools for players always matters. It's like winning twice.
2 - These are the early list of schools offering him. Other places may not be as "in" on him yet. Consider Thad Randle of last years class...no other offers when he picked NU - ended up as a Texas Class 5A All-State selection.
3 - Stanford and Northwestern offers tell me he is bright. Also, Northwestern has been to bowls pretty regularly in the last 10 year. (I can't believe I just wrote that...) And Stanford is getting better under Coach Harbaugh. They are certainly recruiting more aggressively.