Best Class in Ten Years?
With all of the focus on who the new assistant coaching hires will be, what people may not realize is that Nebraska may have just signed its best class in ten years. The only competition might be the class of 2005 and the class of 2007 - both much larger classes that outrank the 2011 class purely on volume.
The 2005 class had 31 members. While there were some definite home runs, there was a lot of fairly clear misses. David Harvey seemed like a reach at tight end and never really played any meaningful snaps in his career. Brock Pasteur and Jordan Picou were two-star junior college offensive linemen. It wasn't that hard to foresee that they might not pan out. Robert Rands and Jeff Souder seemed like in-state reaches. Neither panned out. And two-star junior college cornerback Brian Wilson also didn't seem like the envy of other recruiting coordinators. There were not unforeseeable academic casualties as well, including Wallace Franklin and Broderick Hunter. Matt Slauson was a nice addition but didn't come until well after signing day. When stripped of the wasted scholarship offers, the class doesn't seem near as lustrous as it was hyped.
The 2007 class didn't seem to have that many question marks, but still it's the sheer size of it (27 players) that pushed it above the current class in the rankings. Drop any seven players from the class and it would sink behind the most recently signed class.
The 2011 class is the best class of offensive linemen seen at NU in a decade. It's also got a nice pair of defensive tackles that could really key the defenses of tomorrow. These are arguably the most critical pieces of any team. The class has got the explosiveness of running back Aaron Green and quarterback/athlete Jamal Turner. There are some nice chess pieces for the defense with standout junior college safety Daimion Stafford, linebacker David Santos, and Alfonzo Dennard clone Charles Jackson. Joseph Carter should compete immediately at defensive end and kicker Mauro Bondi could potentially replace the greatness of Alex Henery or at least give the edge on kickoffs of an Adi Kunalic. While Bubba Starling seems headed to the baseball diamond, he's a blue chip football prospect should he choose college.
Even the less heralded players have upside. Beatrice product Daniel Davie has tremendous track speed. Wideout Taariq Allen was coveted by Wisconsin. Running back Ameer Abdullah could be an immediate contributor at running back and Auburn wanted him.
This class looks like the foundation of some outstanding teams down the road. The apparent holes (defensive end, defensive back, receiver) were addressed in a big way last year so they weren't screaming needs. Don't let the uncertainty about the assistant coaches mute your enthusiasm. This looks like a special class.
2/7/2011
Thank you for this article. It’s been rough reading all the negativity coming from Husker Nation. We won 10 games in the Big 12 with a freshman QB and had a big lead in Dallas for a shot to go to the Fiesta Bowl! Great 3rd year in my mind from Pelini.
I’m so stoked for this upcoming season. I think it’s NU’s breakout season. The schedule is tough, but favors us early. The two games I think are Ohio St. and Wisconsin. Even with 2 losses, I think it’s going to be tough keeping NU out of the BCS this year with their strength of schedule.
2/7/2011
Dan—good comments. I’ll go one step further—a 1-loss Nebraska, based on SoS, could very well get in over an undefeated BCS-buster or an undefeated team from the Big XII-II or Big East. Oklahoma looks like they’ll have an easy layup of a schedule next fall, the lack of a title game or quality opponent could hurt them.
I do think we may have problems with Ohio State early on, as we won’t have 2011 film on the ‘suspended five’, and prior film can only tell you so much. All other opponents are beatable with our defense and a modicum of offense.
2/7/2011
While I don’t disagree, you are also applying hindsight to the 2007 and 2005 classes. No judgment can be made until you know how the 2011 class pans out. What if, for example, you have 5 or 6 players from this class completely flop?
I agree that on a player-by-player basis it seems very strong. But only time will tell as to whether or not this is truly a great class or not, just as only time could tell us how good the 2005 or 2007 classes were.
2/7/2011
After watching NET TV’s Big Red Wrap Up recruiting special, the player I want to see is Ryan Klachko (probably misspelled), the offensive lineman from Indiana. Appears to have more drive and motor than anyone I’ve ever seen. Heck, he talks faster than I drive.
2/7/2011
Steve, I think it’s okay to take the question mark out of the headline. In my opinion, this is the best Husker class in 10 years.
Two reasons: 1) as you said, this class is very strong along the line. That means everything. The Huskers got better along both lines of scrimmage with this class.
2) They address team needs. They hit their targets at key places. Needed 2 RBs - got ‘em. Needed two DTs - got ‘em.
Yes, there is exciting “top end” talent in the bunch (Aaron Green looks fantastic). But, top to bottom this is as solid a group as I’ve seen NU recruit in a long time.
2/7/2011
I think this is a very strong class but to me the biggest factor is I will take this group of coaches, especially on the defensive side of the ball, ability to develop players over 2005 and 2007. We have already seen some guys from that previous era finally flourish in the NFL under better coaching and look what Bo has done with some of Callahan’s players. I look forward to letting them mold some very athletic “clay”
2/7/2011
The absence of a stretch the field wide out is the fault of this class. With out the true speed at that position we lack an ability to win the big games. We will suffer again when the need comes to get the ball down the field on critical plays. Arguably this class has speed, but lacks that true proven wide out…. Also heard through the grapevine that Ron Brown was leaving the U.
2/7/2011
The walk-ons seperate this class from the others. Depth, depth, depth!
Smithfield NE
2/8/2011
I believe we got our gamebreaking wideouts last year in guys like Kenny Bell and others. We will be fine!! Bo and staff can recruit
2/8/2011
Other than Bell,,, if he actually works out, we are pretty thin. And that is proven,,no true threats. And do not tell me Kinnie is the guy because he is not the guy either. That is a given.
Smithfield NE
2/8/2011
No one seems to be able to cover Kyler Reed. I hope they try to get him 8-10 balls a game
scottsdale az
2/8/2011
Blah blah blah…. This is all speculation and a waste of virtual ink!
2/8/2011
Kenny Bell is the future at WR. Amukamara and Dennard had fits covering him in practice. Enough said.
scottsdale az
2/8/2011
jjdoozer,
Finally something that worth posting good job!
2/8/2011
jjdoozer, thank you for posting this. Carl Pelini noticed Kenny Bell’s speed. That seems enough for me to say we have a legit deep threat.
I think they have the guys that they want. Nebraska will never be WR University. We just need solid guys…not superstars. Kinnie, Reed, Cotton, Bell, Baptiste, and Allen will be good enough and maybe a surprise. Just because they are unknowns doesn’t mean that it’s a weakness. Let’s just see how they look coming out of spring ball before we start making assumptions. Some have size and some have speed. The question is if they run good routes, have soft hands, and can block. Without seeing any of them, it’s tough to throw out opinions. We have good coaches that know what they want and demand a lot. My guess is we’ll be pleasantly surprised with a few of these guys.
GBR!!!
scottsdale az
2/8/2011
Dan,
I agree only post on proven facts not speculation. The fact that Ak and Dennard had fits covering Kenny Bell in practice, to me, is a good solid indicator.
2/8/2011
The problem is just that… They were running some one else’s offense when they were covering him. What will he do in an offense that is not only boring but incapable of sustaining a season of consistency. Throw in the fact that they are unable to block any one long enough for our ineficient quarterbacks to throw them the ball. Looks to be a long season on the offensive side of the ball this year. Blah blah that all you want.
scottsdale az
2/8/2011
The “so called” Devil no that is not all I want… I want the triple option attack with big fast mean offensive line with guards that can pull, a couple dual threat QB’s with the ability to call audibles and pitch the ball, a couple FB’s who can break a fullback dive for 50 yards or more, and Big fast TE’s who can block and catch play action passes from 25 yards out for TD’s! I want the old offense that ran and ran and ran and when the opposing defense was sucking wind Nebraska ran some more. That is how you wear down a team and hang 60 or more on them.
2/9/2011
Recruiting blah blah blah. The only news that excites me is that apparently Wats is on his way out (although I’m not celebrating until the fat lady sings). Regardless of the talent, if he is still calling the plays, then expect to barely be bowl eligible next year.
scottsdale az
2/9/2011
nO on3,
I agree 10000000000% (feel free to add more 0 to this %). How about we go a little further and replace Wats and Barney “Cotton Ball” Cotton.
2/9/2011
b rhad e lee
Word is that Cotton will be getting help from John Garrison. Why do we need 2 coaches for the O-line? Why not just get rid of Cotton?
Maybe this is just the transitional phase ending with Garrsion coaching the O-line and Barney sitting at home cleaning his ears.