Sterup’s Commitment Continues Husker Recruiting Momentum
Hastings St. Cecilia offensive lineman Zach Sterup has committed to be a part of the Nebraska recruiting class of 2011. Sterup's pledge to NU is a significant one, considering the other offers he had to consider. The commitment comes on the heels of two other recent verbal commitments from prospects for NU, and continues the Huskers' 2011 recruiting momentum.
One Big Prospect
The first thing you notice about Sterup is his size. At 6'9'' and 270 pounds, he towers over the competition he faces in high school. He could easily weigh more than 300 pounds and carry the weight well. Sterup is also accustomed to winning. While not facing the highest level of competition in Class C-1 (Nebraska's third smallest classification) he did win state championships in both football and basketball. He is rated as a 4-star prospect (and the state's top rated player) by Rivals.com and as a 3-star prospect by Scout.com.
Nebraska was not the only school seeking Sterup's services. He drew offers from more than a dozen programs including UCLA, Notre Dame, Kansas, Kansas State as well as Nebraska's future Big Ten rivals Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. He also has the academic chops to have no problems getting qualified and to do well in the college classroom.
Momentum Continues
Sterup becomes the 12th member of the 2011 NU recruiting class so far. He is the fifth offensive lineman in the class, joining Dylan Admire, Ryan Klachko, Tyler Moore and Ryne Reeves. Sterup is the third in-state player recruited by NU so far, joining Reeves and running back Daniel Davie.
Nebraska has significant momentum for their 2011 recruiting class. Sterup is the third player to verbally commit to Nebraska in less than a week. The Husker class is nearly half full at 12 members so far, which is significantly ahead of NU's pace in other years. It also keeps pace or out-strips the progress made by comparable programs so far for 2011.
Of the 12 prospects pledged to NU so far, seven are rated as 4-star prospects. Excluding Texas, which sort of recruits at a level all its own, Nebraska is keeping up with the country's top programs. For comparison sake, in the Big 12, Oklahoma has 16 pledged so far (nine 4-star rated), Missouri has 10, and Texas A&M has 7. In the SEC, Alabama has 14, Georgia has 12, and Florida has 8.
In NU's future conference, the Big Ten, Ohio State has already garnered 15 commitments. Beyond that, NU is working at a much faster pace than schools like Michigan (5), Iowa (4), Wisconsin (4) and Penn State (1). Of course, much is sure to change in the unstable world of football recruiting. But, with Sterup becoming NU's 12th commit to the 2011 class, it is fair to say that Nebraska is off to a very fast start.
6/23/2010
Wow!! That’s 5 OL’s!!! All of which are great recruits. 2 great quarterbacks and 5 great offensive lineman? It blows my mind that we are getting such early commitments on the offensive side of the ball. That’s a positive sign. It could mean that recruits have faith that the Offense is turning around. I just hope that we continue to get some more commitments stacking up the defensive side as well. Good job recruiting staff!! Keep up the good work.
Go Big Red!!!!
6/23/2010
All we need now is you #2!!!! You know who I’m talking about. Go Big Red!
6/23/2010
C-1 is actually Nebraska’s fourth smallest classification.
6/23/2010
Chris, I’m sure he meant that C-1 is the 3rd biggest classification. It goes A-B-C1-C2-D1-D2-D6 (6 man), so class C-1 is actually the 5th smallest class.
6/23/2010
This kid is going to be a very good left tackle in college. He has great feet as I came home this spring I got to watch him in Basketball. He showed a quickness in the hands and feet that will serve him well. And when I played C-1 FB I played with against 8 OL/DL Division 1 FB players and one NFL DL it may be the 3rd largest or 4th smallest level it produces some of the best talent due to the coaching. Battle Creek, Adams Central, Columbus Scotus, Norfork Catholic, St. Celilia, Cozad, St Pual and allot of other schools have excellent coaches and they produce walk-ons and D-2 guys every year with the one in 4-5 year scolly guy.
Ankeny, IA
6/23/2010
He has the size, the brains, and the work ethic. Then there’s the hometown, burning desire to be a Husker. Imagine how this kid will look after a couple years under Cotton and Dobson. My goodness!
6/23/2010
My apologies for that error, Chris. I was trying to factor in 8-man football (played in class D-2). But, even in that regard, my statement was an error.
One quick other note on Sterup… here are some names from the recent past to consider - Trevor Robinson (ND), Seth Olsen (Iowa). The point? NU can’t afford to let D1-scholorship worthy linemen get out of the state. Locking up a player like Sterup is a very positive sign for NU.
Ankeny, IA
6/23/2010
Very positive indeed. I tend to assume those from Nebraska who are offered, will always jump at the chance to be a Husker. But when a kid who goes to St. Cecilia gets a call from Notre Dame, you know he (and his parents) will listen. Sterup had many very good options. I think he’ll find he made the right decision.
6/23/2010
Great class so far, but we still need a stellar RB. Aaron Green (and any other possible RB commit) should be salivating with the 5 huge linemen that could be in front blocking for him.
California
6/23/2010
Hey Darren…
Chalk one up for the 402.
6/24/2010
Indeed, Billy K. Indeed. You know I will always rep H-town first, cous.
Myself, I always will be biased toward AC more than STC. And you still have that eye of the Tiger. But it is good to see Adams County represented in red.
San Diego, Ca.
6/24/2010
Been getting some “specimens,” lately!
Nebraska goes conference upgrade and gets rewarded with big Bubba and even bigger Sterup. I’ll believe the quoted speed on Bubba, when I see him break up field. Looks like a real good prospect, at the least.
There were mentions of the big’n Sterup, a while back. I don’t remember for sure if Nebraska was waiting to offer, which I think was the case. Oh, just checked, that was the case- http://www.hastingstribune.com/huskers2009/nu34.php
Maybe seeing all his offers, speeded up Pelini’s evaluations.
6/24/2010
How in the world can a state with only 1.8 million people have 6!!! different HS athletic classes?
6/25/2010
i,m curious to know if he is related to the sterups who played in osceola back inthe 60’s. i knew a harry sterup that lived in columbus and schuyler back in the 60,s as well.
6/25/2010
I can’t even comprehend this guy’s size at his age. This is very physical. I see over the past two season the culture that Pelini and his staff are cultivating, and it reminds me of years ago when other teams scheduled, played, and took a couple weeks to “heal” after game day. It appears we’re heading in that general direction again. When these physical stats are paired with great coaching and the mentality of toughness that the entire staff brings, God help those on the other side of the ball.
6/25/2010
Hate to put a pin in your recruiting bubble but unless you have at least 4 more years (yes 4 more) then you can not compete with the big boys. Bo won’t be around by then because we all expect his big mouth to get him in some real trouble in the next year or two. Want to compete…then get a close look at UT’s last 2 classes and the star power there? Mack Brown would call a press conference and say “man we just did not do a good job this year” while you guys praise your coach…how the mighty have fallen…and you won’t get up with this class either.
6/25/2010
with all this offensive talent, lets hope they can recruit a real offensive coordinator and get rid of Watson
6/26/2010
Boz,
Paper tiger is all I have to say about that. Mack is part of the formula when it comes to recruiting, but in my humble opinion, falls extremely short in championship results. How long has he been there? How many titles? How many blue chippers? Something doesn’t add up in my mind. And indeed, truly much of it boils down to contending, but if at the end of the day you’ve only got one tile to show for it after tenure, something has to be questioned. Texas is soft. OU and NU will beat you this season as you take a back seat to a second tier bowl. Enjoy your blue chips at the Sun Bowl. They work well with poblanos.
6/27/2010
Jeff Smith,
This sounds corny, but the reason a state with 1.8 million people can have 6 classes is love of the game of football. It’s Nebraska, we love football and we all have the desire for our kids, our schools, and/or ourselves to do great in football.
Oh and by the way, Boz, I hate Texas.
7/25/2010
jack: I am the son of Harry Sterup and played football in Osceola in the late 40’s. Graduated in ‘50. Zach is the grandson of Don Sterup, who is a my cousin. We are proud to have the Sterup name associated with the Big Red.