Gifford Begins Class of 2014
Apologies for the tardiness on this one. We wrote a story on Tuesday that failed to publish. By now, you may have heard that Nebraska received it's first verbal commitment for the recruiting class of 2014 from Lincoln Southeast safety Luke Gifford. The 6'3" 195 lbs. Gifford could play safety, linebacker, or tight end at Nebraska. He'll play quarterback, in addition to safety for the Knights this year.
Gifford had offers from Toledo and Ohio so far. He's got a teammate in D.J. Foster who is widely sought after as a guard. Foster's older brother Trey is a walk-on at tight end at NU who will be coming off of his redshirt year this season.
With only 15 graduating seniors on scholarship, the Huskers may be set to sign a smallish class though there are bound to be some players depart the team between now and February 2014. Among class needs in particular are defensive back, wide receiver, offensive line, running back, linebacker, tight end, and quarterback. So Gifford could directly address a need at safety, linebacker, or tight end and if he can help lure Foster that would help the offensive line. If a particularly bad rash of injuries hit the quarterbacks then conceivably Gifford could step in there too. Stranger things have happened. Maryland had to move a linebacker to quarterback just this past season.
Gifford is mostly unrated so far, but 247Sports gave him 3 stars. He probably won't be the star of the class on signing day, but he's also probably not likely to decommit along the way. Over time he could more than prove his value to the team. One down, many more to go.
3/14/2013
I’m not sure the I’d call recruiting a QB a “need” at this point, considering that we have a RsFr and a TrFr in the system as we speak, as well as a few notable young walk-on types (Fyfe).
That said, it is ALWAYS good to try to get a QB every year in order to make sure you have depth at that position. Attrition and injury is a fact of life.
3/14/2013
Good size and good speed. Just remember, 2 of our three Heisman Trophy winners came from inside the State of Nebraska!
3/15/2013
Always good to lock up a deserving instate kid.. Welcome aboard !
3/18/2013
I hope we get the DJ Foster kid. I hear he’s special. A 4 star I believe. Our O line needs him, we all know of our woes on both lines, although I will say that when DiNardo from BTN was here last week he said our O line has a good chance at being the best in the B1G this season…welcome news. I don’t realize 2 of our 3 Heisman winners were in-state.