Coveting Carnes: Why NU Needs a QB Recruit
15 comments so far
January 28, 2010 by
Nebraska's recruiting class has three big prospects on the board. Though, to listen to most of the fan base, you would think two were a much higher priority than the third. And, while the idea of Nebraska signing defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa and safety Corey Cooper is very exciting to fans for good reason, I am here to tell you why the third remaining prospect - quarterback Brion Carnes is arguably the most important of the group.
The QB Imperative
Nebraska's need for Carnes in this class stems primarily from one tried and true football fact - quarterbacks are important. They steer the team. They control the offense. With the exception of the occasional direct snap to a specialty player, they take the snap on every offensive play for your team.
They are also often the centerpiece of most every recruiting class. You basically need a quarterback in every class because one injury, suspension or unforeseen circumstance at that spot and a team's season can go "poof". Nebraska went from fairly deep to scary thin in the blink of an eye when they had a quarterback transfer and another get hurt prior to the 2009 season.
Nebraska could also use a little bit more help on the offensive side of the ball. Are "Owa" and Cooper great players worthy of the drool-fest that some fans are conducting? Yeah, pretty much. Both of them have the potential to be great, great players. But, last I checked, Nebraska was more stocked in the defensive positions in this class than they were among offensive skill players. So, Carnes' value is also a matter of the supply and demand in this particular class.
For all of these reasons, fans should be glad that Nebraska is in the running for a scholarship quarterback. Yes, I am happy that Bronson Marsh picked NU (I think I made that clear), but there is a good chance he could end up as a safety before it is all said and done. And, Carnes is a more intriguing prospect in the eyes of many. So, let's consider the player himself...maybe by comparing and contrasting him to another one-time NU quarterback commit.
Compare/Contrast
If Nebraska happens to sign Carnes in this class, the comparisons to Tyler Gabbert will inevitably come because Gabbert pledged his services to NU at one point. So, let's just be overt about it and compare the two side by side. If you thought Gabbert was a good prospect for Nebraska, I think you will be hard pressed to argue against Carnes' potential.
Gabbert is 6'0'' and 190 pounds. Carnes measures '6'1' and 185 pounds. Both are rated as "four star" prospects by the various recruit rating services. Let's look at their production. Last season, Gabbert threw for 965 yards and eight touchdowns against four interceptions. He rushed for 228 yards and two scores. Carnes threw for 2245 yards with 24 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He also rushed for 441 yards and 12 touchdowns.
To be fair to Gabbert, his senior season was truncated some. As a junior, he went for 1,850 passing yards and 18 touchdowns through the air. Carnes counters with a four year starting history and a 39-12 record over his prep a career. And, Carnes did so in highly competitive 5-A football in Florida, playing for Manatee High.
Gabbert was offered more scholarships by schools than Carnes was, which is saying something. Nebraska is trying to beat out South Florida and Western Kentucky for Carnes. Though you could argue that Carnes committing to USF very early in the process cooled his offers significantly. Had he been more open and available, he might have been the object of significantly more attention.
Geography and Karma
The last reason to consider Carnes an important potential part of the 2010 class is a bit less concrete. It is important for Nebraska to be able to get some kids out of the state of Florida. Of course, Nebraska has had good success with Manatee prospects in the past, including LaTravis Washington, Fabian Washington, and the legendary Tommie Frazier.
Carnes is in fact Frazier's cousin. Gabbert, on the other hand, is Missouri quarterback Tyler Gabbert's little brother. And, that alone makes the karmic value of Carnes filling a slot vacated by Gabbert highly significant. After all, wouldn't fans rather NU recruit the relatives of the person famous for being "this guy" rather than those who are famous for being "this guy."
Did you enjoy this article?
Get Husker news by email
Follow us on Twitter
Related Stories: Recruiting
Post a comment
Greg Morrow Jan 28 10
Let's close the deal, baby!
If they don't nab him, they've got to go all out, for the next class.
As they continue to redesign the offense and the QB's role, competition from a new guy is a must, to help fire motivation in Green and Martinez, looking to '11.
A genuinely fast kid, with adequate passing ability will do that.
As the position evolves, obviously "prototypes" will be different.
What might scare off Carnes is the fact that Green would just be a class up and Martinez will be a redshirt frosh. If he redshirts, he'd be a junior once Green left.
If that's an issue for him, then it's off to W. Kentucky, S. Florida or, wherever
darren Jan 28 10
UPDATE: More proof that NU desires a QB for this class - Cody Fajardo from California is visiting NU this weekend. He is currently pledged to San Jose State.
It sort of drives home the importance of getting a QB in every class, but does not make me covet Carnes any less.
nick Jan 28 10
I agree 100% with the article. Also, don't know if it's true, but the rumor is Fajardo canceled his visit to NU saying something along the lines of "they're pretty close to signing that 'other' guy." Carnes? possibly? Who is said to have canceled his visit to Western Kentucky this weekend.
FWIW Bo was down in Florida yesterday, maybe he stopped in to see Brion.
JBLING22 Jan 28 10
1. Bo did visit Carnes.. 2. Farjado did cancel visit stating the above.. 3. Mr. Marsh was giving a grayshirt instead of a scholarship..4. Carnes did cancel that WEstern Kentucky visit (that I believe a family friend coaches for ). What do all these mean?? CARNES = NEBRASKA .. Well at least hopefully
JBLING22 Jan 28 10
Turners N!!! Well at least we have next years qb!! Raise a glass and hope we bring in Carnes too!!!
James Moore Jan 28 10
Jbling got it first and there is quite a long ways to go but if this Turner pledge sticks then we just picked up one heck of a dynamic QB and perhaps the first big play, every down homerun threat of the Pelini era. . .
Tony Jan 28 10
Well I for one am looking forward to any new QB recruit after last season. I do not discount the current starter Lee, he has been hurt for a while, yet the Huskers should have a better back up. Cody still needs work or maybe a position change? I don't know.
I do like anything that forces more competition for that starting QB spot it is good for the team.
Watson philosophy seems to be just watching film and evaluating.
HuskerExtra.com
http://www.huskerextra.com/articles/2010/01/28/football/doc4b5f8b4fe0228017489948.txt
"Exhibit A: In Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson’s initial video evaluation of a quarterback prospect, Watson doesn’t even want to know the player’s name, let alone his star ranking or reputation among recruiting analysts." Reach Steven M, HuskerExtra.com
“I just want to evaluate what I see on film, and nothing else,” Watson said. “We keep our own lists of prospects. I always try to work at least one year in advance. Like in our elite quarterback camp, my No. 1 objective is to get all the top sophomores in here. Because it exposes them to us, to our university, me to them and them to me. So that’s objective No. 1." Watson
I think are we going to look well in the QB position no matter what in the future.
stew Jan 29 10
I appreciate your compare/contrast between Carnes & Gabbert. More than the HS numbers & the karma, the style of each guy is a huge focal point. Gabbert is a gun-slinger who will pass the ball 40+ times per game. Carnes is also a great passer, but he's much less of a gun-slinger type. Both are accurate and good decision-makers as evidenced by their TD/INT ratios, and both can run the rock. So, essentially the only difference is the gun-slinger style, and looking at what Watson wants for a QB to accomplish in his system, Carnes appears to be better fit for the job.
Chiefs son Jan 29 10
I look at pedigree as well as numbers. Even though he may not be close to Tommie, a good pedigree and proficiency at the QB position from another member of the Frazier family would be a win-win. The numbers he put up are not bad either!
Grant Jan 29 10
Guess I'll be the first one to disagree...to an extent. While I do believe in the theory of one QB per class, NU is in a position to where that isn't nescessarily the case for 2010. Scholarships are limited for this class, and NU already has Lee, Washington, Spano, Gree, and Martinez on scholarship plus R. Kellog. That's 5 scholarship QB's that account for every grade Fr-Sr. My personal opinion doesn't much matter, but I would think the only reason to take a QB this year, is if that QB has talents that can't be over looked or delayed. From a knee jerk reaction, it would appear Carnes has those talents, but at the end of next week, NU isn't going to be behind the 8 ball if they don't sign a QB, especially if they can keep Turner on Board until this time next year. Just a thought.
Just an Opinion Jan 29 10
Well, Spano's got knee history, you've seen Lee and Green, Washington obviously has not impressed the coaches more than Lee and Green, so IMO those 4 don't even count as real competition, and Lee anyway won't be around after next year. I expect some postion changes (maybe move Washington back to defense?). Martinez we haven't seen yet. In a nutshell, keep recruiting.
Grant Jan 29 10
JAO...fair enough. And yes, I think continued recruitment is nescessary. My point was simply that a limited number of schollies in '10 coupled w/ 5 existing scholarshiped QB's to me makes that position NOT #1 on the list IMHO. Not only that, but what's the likelihood a QB plays significant minutes in 2010? To not count 4 of the 5 as competetion is probably a little over-simplified. I have no doubts there is competetion come this spring.
JBLING22 Jan 30 10
I dont know if you guys heard yet but USF pulled their scholarhip offer to carnes.. Meaning his choice will come down to NU and Western Kentucky most likely
JBLING22 Jan 31 10
Its apparently being reported that Carnes is a Hilltopper , choosing WKU over the Huskers,Georgia,Clemson and others...
MJ Jan 31 10
He signed with W. Kentucky. Real smart. Guess we won't be hearing about him any longer as he disappears into Sun-Belt obscurity.