Today's Husker News

Looking Ahead:  Big Ten Recruiting 2013

With signing day about a year away, it seems a wee bit early to be eyeing recruiting rankings. Or is it? After all, schools (Nebraska included) are already extending scholarship offers and accepting commitments. What do we see so far? 

Thursday, February 9th 2012

Big Ten Recruiting Roundup:  Defense

We saw a lot of parity around the Big Ten when we looked at quarterback and tight end.  We saw some have and have-nots at the other skill positions but the real difference seemed to be the offensive line class assembled by Michigan and Ohio State.  Now we look at the defensive tackles, ends, linebackers, and defensive backs along with the “athletes” and kickers to complete our look at conference recruiting. 

Wednesday, February 8th 2012

Suh: Loved and Hated

Nebraskans love Ndamukong Suh. We thank him for being a genuine star, for contributing to our community, and for even helping to reshape the course of Husker football. Adults and children alike wear his jersey - and not just his Husker jersey, his Detroit Lions jersey - here in the Cornhusker state. But, the fact is, Ndamukong Suh is not well liked by most folks right now. 

A Brief History of Husker Recruiting: 1990-99

If you missed part one of this series (Recruiting: The 80s!) you might want to start there. That post has a full description of the methodology and reasoning behind this series. If you didn't miss it then you'll know that, as a valued commentor pointed out, this isn't really a brief history. In fact, this post is very long. 

Big Ten Recruiting Roundup:  Offense

By now, frequent visitors to this site have gotten to know Nebraska’s 2012 recruiting class very well.  But how does it compare to other conference schools?  Sure, you might have seen recruiting rankings that compare NU’s collection of talent to the other Big Ten programs as a whole.  But what do we learn when we get under the hood? 

Tuesday, February 7th 2012

Big Ten Reverses Course on Plus One

Led by comments from Northwestern's AD and Big Ten Administrators Council member Jim Phillips, it seems the conference is listening to fans and open to a four team playoff.  In the proposal apparently discussed by the Big Ten, the top four teams would be removed from the BCS pool with "semifinal" games played at the home of the higher seed.  The Championship game could then be bid out.  Commissioner Jim Delany would not comment on specifics, waiting to receive feedback from member institutions.  Delany did say that they are trying to do the right thing for fans without adversely affecting the positives of the current college football landscape. 

Monday, February 6th 2012

A Brief History of Husker Recruiting: 1980-89

Recruiting is an inexact science. We all know that. But of the many frustrating things wrapped up in recruiting and its coverage, the most frustrating thing for me has always been the lack of a historical record through which we could compare today's best guesses by analysts to the best guesses by analysts of the past. 

Friday, February 3rd 2012

Legends and Leaders Division Names to Continue

The Big Ten reassessed the division names, Leaders and Legends, and ESPN got a first look at the results.  A survey of 516 fans indicated that 57% felt positively towards the names and the acceptance of the names increased as the season wore on.  There was initially backlash after the new divisions were named when Nebraska joined the conference, with the same complaints still in existence.  Fans feel that the names are confusing and cannot remember which division to which teams are members (Nebraska is in the Legends division, for those who cannot remember). 

Walk-on highlights

If you've got some time to kill, here's a video with highlights from each of Nebraska's 2012 walk-ons:

 

Recruiting Round Table Wrap Up

The BRN writing staff offers their overall impressions of the 2012 class

Now that the initial excitement of Signing Day 2012 has ended and most of the over-reactions (both good and bad) have been expressed, it seems like the right time to revisit the Huskers' results with fresh eyes. Thankfully, here at BRN we have a variety of contributors and perspectives. So, a round table discussion seemed in order. Here are our thoughts on the class. Take time to share your ideas in the comments if you like.  

Thursday, February 2nd 2012

Players Added on Signing Day Shouldn’t Be Overshadowed by Those That Weren’t

Former Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan was quoted after the decommitment of Josh Freeman (who instead went to Kansas State), "It’s been my experience that guys you have to continue to work on, and have a high-maintenance (manner) about themselves — a lot of those guys struggle throughout their careers. Guys who know where they want to go and have an exactness about their decision, those are usually the guys who pan out. There’s no confusion. There’s no clutter in their minds.”  Freeman has gone on to an NFL career, and even was a Pro-Bowl alternate.  Still, he went 0-3 against Nebraska. 

Moves, Departures Make News Among Arrivals

National signing day borders on a celebration, with news of new arrivals filling the newspaper and Internet discussion boards. But, yesterday wasn't entirely about the new arrivals. There were roster moves and departures announced that merit being considered as well. Their impact on the Husker roster and 2012 season may be far more immediate than the contribution of many incoming recruits. 

Jared Crick: NFL lab rat

Jared Crick: NFL lab rat

Jared Crick undergoes testing at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) lab at Super Bowl XLVI. Crick is one of several potential rookies testing with GSSI to learn how to best fuel their bodies as they prepare for the NFL Draft.

Wednesday, February 1st 2012

Pelini reflects on recruiting

On the 25th anniversary of his own signing day, Bo Pelini remembered what it was like for him when he signed to play at Ohio State.

I tell you one thing, in my house there was going to be no grabbing of a hat. I signed and my parents grabbed me and said 'get your butt to school.' That's the way it happened there. That's the way it should be.

This is pure speculation here, but I'm guessing Pelini did not announce via suspenders either. 

Active Signing Day for Huskers

This year's National Signing Day looks to be the most intriguing and active day the Huskers have had in Bo Pelini's tenure so far.  With at least 5 big time prospects holding press conferences throughout the morning and early afternoon, fans of Husker recruiting will have plenty to keep them busy in order to be up to date with each decision.   

Tuesday, January 31st 2012

Quarterbacks in Recruit Class Set for Huskers

The Huskers have a strong commitment from dual threat quarterback Tommy Armstrong of Texas.  Walk on prospect Ryker Fyfe will add a positive dynamic to the depth chart and push for playing time with a pro-style approach.  Although it was a surprise that Devin Fuller ended up committing to UCLA after Rutgers coach Greg Schiano decided to jump to the NFL, it was not necessarily a surprise that he did not pick Nebraska.  It would have been interesting to see a top 50 type of player compete for QB playing time for the Huskers, but Fuller may have seen the log jam at the position and decided Bo Pelini would have wanted his talent on the defensive side of the ball. 

Friday, January 27th 2012

Cross Adds Depth at Running Back

Nebraska may have had to alter its recruiting strategy late in the game when Lester Ward and Collins Okafor announced their intent to leave Nebraska after four years with degrees (and kudos to them for earning those degrees).  They added a big back to their recruiting class yesterday in three-star running back prospect Imani Cross from Georgia.