Braylon Heard Pledges to Nebraska

8 comments so far December 20, 2009 by Darren K. Carlson

This weekend, running back Braylon Heard became the newest prospective member of the Nebraska 2010 recruiting class. The Youngstown, Ohio product switched his verbal commitment from West Virginia when he chose Nebraska. Heard's choice to join the Huskers has implications for Coach Bo Pelini's team on the field as well as in the way it is perceived nationally in recruiting circles.

The Player
Braylon Heard can really play. His production as a high school player alone is enough to turn heads. This year, he rushed for 1,973 yards and 24 scores for Cardinal Mooney High School. At 5'10'' and 180 pounds and reporting a 4.45 40-yard dash time, he brings excellent speed to the Huskers and still has room to grow.

The national recruiting services rank Heard highly. Scout.com considers him a 3-star prospect, while Rivals.com list him as a 4-star and among their top 100 players nationwide. Rivals ranks him the seventh best back in the country.

If those stats or ratings don't trip your trigger, then maybe you are more of a visual learner. Here are some of Heard's highlights from this year.

The Competition
Playing for Cardinal Mooney, Heard is a star among stars. The Cardinals just put the wraps on a state title and an undefeated season. Playing in games against very good high school competition and in front of more than 5,000 fans also says a lot about a players make up. With Heard, Nebraska is likely getting a young man who knows how to work and how to win.

The final measure of a player's worth might be a matter of who the Huskers were competing with to get his pledge. Heard switched from West Virginia and also turned down offers from Penn State, Pitt, Cincinnati, and other schools in his area. When you consider the players that dot the rosters of those schools, it helps Heard's value as a prospect increase.

Geography Matters
Heard's commitment to NU also sends a unique message to Nebraska's expanded recruiting base under Coach Pelini. In recruiting, there is no doubt that geography matters. Nebraska has to control the area in its immediate vicinity. And everyone in the Big 12 has to recruit the state of Texas. After that, each coach has areas in which they can excel.

Bill Callahan had a great deal of success recruiting in the west, most notably California and Arizona. Under Pelini, Husker fans have seen an increase in effort and energy directed toward Louisiana and Ohio. The Louisiana connection stems from Pelini's time at LSU. And his emphasis in Ohio is obviously tied to his origins in the Buckeye state and the home-grown credibility that comes with it. So Heard joins Tim Marlowe as the second player from Pelini's former high school (Cardinal Mooney) to become a Husker.

What's Next?
Heard becomes the seventeenth member of the Husker's 2010 class. In a year when Nebraska is not expected to have a huge number of recruits, spaces in the class appear to be filling up. Nebraska is likely looking to add just another few players before this recruiting cycle comes to an end in February.

The highest on their list of remaining targets include finding another offensive play maker, particularly at wide receiver. This is due to the defections of other previously committed wide outs. The Huskers also remain in the mix for two defensive standouts - safety Corey Cooper and defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa.

All commitments are non-binding until the players sign their letters of intent in February. So, there are many things that can still happen. But, Nebraska no doubt received a positive jolt of energy with Braylon Heard pledging to become a Husker.

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