Well here we are 2 days after LSU's impressive win in the BCS championship game and Bo Pelini's last game as the LSU defensive coordinator. Now Bo is ready to devote 100% of his time and effort into reviving the Cornhuskers, and bringing us back into contention for the Big 12 Conference and eventually the National picture. I am going to start off discussing the recruiting situation. So far, since the firing of Bill Callahan, the 2008 recruiting class has suffered a pretty big hit with 10 of the previously verbal committed 24 players backing out of their commitment to Nebraska.

I have long be a believer that how a College's recruiting class "ranks" in the National scheme of things bears little impact on how that school's team will be the following next few years. Let's face it; these "recruiting pundits" have absolutely no idea on what kind of player this high school senior will be in college. It is really no different in trying to determine how college seniors and declared juniors will do in the NFL. If they did, Tom Brady would not have been a 6^th round draft choice, or Ryan Leaf the number 1 pick would they? So to sit here in January or February and say that USC or LSU, or Texas had the best recruiting class this year, is no different than looking out the window and determining if it is going to rain or not. Trying to determine how a 17-18 year-old will mature and develop in 2-3 years is no more exact than predicting the rain. Sure you can say that just because that senior was an "all-state" at running back that he stands a better than average change of being a good/great college player, but for every Bo Jackson you are able to sign, you have a Maurice Clarett or Thunder Collins, a player with tons of potential, but for whatever reason, it never develops into a contributor or lives up to their expectation.

For years, most of Dr. Tom's coaching career, he never had what was considered to be one of the top 10 recruiting classes, but yet for his entire 25 year coaching career, his team was always in the top 25 each and every week for that entire time, which is the current NCAA record for most consecutive being in the top 25. What was the reason for this? Well for one Osborne was able to recruit players that not only fit his system, but also developed both physically and emotionally into top students as well as athletics. Do this a couple of times and it is considered luck, do it over a 25 year career and it is evident that you knew what you were doing, or who you were recruiting. The one thing that I always disliked with Bill Callahan was the extent that he went to, in pointing out how "highly ranked" his recruiting classes were. Well, yea okay, so Scout.com and Rivals.com had your recruiting class ranked in the top 10, but as I pointed out, how did that translate onto the football field? Let's see, his just completed season, turned in an "impressive" 5-7 record and a new coach for the 2008 season, yes sir that top ranked class certainly came through for you didn't it? It isn't just with Nebraska either, From that February 2005 top 10 signing rankings there was also Texas A & M, Iowa, Michigan, Florida State and Tennessee, none of whom finished this past season ranked in the top 10 and only Michigan and Tennessee got a top 25 ranking so 6 of those top 10 teams experienced a disappointment when you compare their recruiting class to their finish, not exactly a good percentage is it.

The little I have heard from Bo Pelini regarding the rankings of recruiting class, specifically this year's Husker class that he is inheriting/completing is that you will need to back in a couple of years. Now there is little doubt that a couple of recruits who have de-committed will have an impact. Trevor Robinson from Elkhorn Nebraska a typical "corn-fed" 6'5" 300 pounder who has verbally committed to Notre Dame is one that may hurt, but by the time February 6, 2008 rolls around Pelini will have his allotment of players signed. Other players who have de-committed at this time include Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Michigan running back Jonas Gray and defensive end Simi Kuli, a junior-college recruit from California.

One of the Nebraska traditions that Pelini has reinstated is the recommitment of the in-state "walk-on" program. To show the difference in philosophy between Callahan and Pelini, within 30 minutes of announcing Pelini as the new Nebraska head coach, both Pelini and Osborne were on the phone to Micah Kreikemeier, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior at Class C-2 West Point Central Catholic High School (2^nd lowest classification in Nebraska 11-man football) to offer a scholarship, the very first one in the Pelini era. The Kreikemejer family has ties to Nebraska football in that his dad was also a walk-on for Osborne in the early 80's. The walk-on program was the "heart and soul" of Big Red football during the Osborne era and it was vastly missing over the past 4 years, I for one am glad it is back as it was a source of pride among Husker-faithful and gave every single boy who played high school football that glimmer of hope, that maybe, even I can play ball for the Big Red. Bo Pelini when asked about the walk-on program responded "One of the unique aspects of this job and the university is everything it means to the whole state," Pelini said. "So the more young men, and the more people, and the more towns you get involved and have represented on your football team and in your program around your state (that) is going to keep building strength." When asked, what would be the one thing you will tell recruits, Pelini responded "That you have the opportunity to come and play for the most special university in the country," he responded without hesitation. "We want to challenge them and ask them if they want to come be part of something special, because that's what we're looking to create here." So that is about all I can put into this article without starting to repeat myself. GBR! Bugeater ---- OUT!

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JT said:

	what are some recruits that anyone sees that might come to nebraska?
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January 10, 2008
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Bugeatersteve said:

The two biggest "names" right now are quarterback Kody Spano from Stephensville Texas rated as the #7 "Dual-threat" QB by Rivals and Baker Steinkuhler Offensive Line, rated as #5 and #2 by Rivals and Scout. But as my article states, just what exactly does that rating really signify, how good a high school player they currently are, nothing more, it doesn't mean that they will even make the team in college.

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January 11, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

Bug- Your attitude towards recruiting in a way is unique to Husker fans. Tom Osbourne instilled consistency and player development. Finding the right combo of walk-ons and lower rated guys falls in line with what you are saying. I think one reason you could throw rankings out the window for Nebraska is the offensive system they ran. Give me 10 huge lineman and a few big, fast skill guys who can block and you've got a team. Along with the black shirt D that's all you needed to compete every year. I'm not sure what Pelini plans on doing but if he's smart he follows Osbournes footsteps (with some tweaks). Either way, recruiting rankings can be foolish. Along with rankings, I like to look at size, strength and attitude. For example, if Nebraska offers an "at risk" prospect at WR (who is highly rated) it tells me they are probably desperate for speed on the outside. JUCO players can tell you alot in that regard too. Perhaps those are not the best examples but recruiting can be very telling to the future of a program, with or without star ratings. Tom Brady may have been a 6th round draft choice but he was still among the top QB prospects coming out of HS. I definitely like the fact that they are after a dual threat QB and O-lineman first. Finally, Husker football can go back to doing what they do best

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January 11, 2008
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Jake Smith said:

Lets not get out of hand, While i do agree that the recruiting services such as rivals and scout get it wrong sometimes, they also can be dead on. For example the #1 rated player one year was some guy from Palenstine Texas named Adrian Peterson. I think his career in college will only be outdone by his pro career, oh by the way he is the NFL offensive rookie of the year. Also 5 star recruits such as Reggie Bush, Tedd Ginn Jr, just to name a few had very impressive careers justwatch not all of them, but more than not of the players that have decommitted will have great college careers and be playing on Sundays. Nebraska's class is in shambles however i beleive that Pelini can bring in some impact players and at least have an adequate class. I do think that this class will hurt us in the future. There is no doubt that we needed to find a change with Callahan, but we may have to go through some more growing pains before things get better. There is a ton of talent on the 2008 ball club. Some of the impact players will be, Ricky Thenarse by far are most athletic defensive player and it is beyond me why he didnt see the field when callahan was coach. Also i think that Anthonly Blue is posied to make an impact at oppisite corner of Armando Murillo. There is also athleticism with Major Culbert, Larry Asante, and Anthony West. These players will find homes in Pelinis System and the d-will be better can get much worse. The offensive side of the ball also has alot of talent, none bigger than Marlon Lucky at runningback. I have questions at quarterback and reciever. Im not completely sold on Joe Ganz! The recievers are young, and athletic, but untested and underyutilized so we will just have to take a wait and see approach with this group. To get back to the beginning of this post you will see callahans recruting classes were above average in rankings and for good reasons. he brought in some great players he just couldnt coach them. Every position except for runningback is thin and that is why this class is so important,Not to mention it can set a tone for next years class even these decomittments are going to have an effect. We only have one possible DT and this time in Baker Steinkuler and that might be are biggest need for the immediate future. I dont know why we are not targeting more prospects at this position. Also remember some of the recruting classes of the early 90's they turned out ok. If the services were as big back then Nebraska would had have alot of 5 star players who did develop and TOP 5 classes.

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January 12, 2008 | url
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Jake Smith said:

Why waste a scholarship on an in state player that will probably never see the field! i Just dont understand it with the new scholarship rules. Also if the kid from west point ever contributes signifigantly we are in big trouble. I think it is great however for the kids in small town Nebraska to get such a chance and am glad for them when they get these offers. I think alot of these kids would end up walking on or coming to NU down the road if they really wanted to be part of the BIG RED. I know that the financial situation plays a huge part in these young mens decisions, but go ahead and walk on develp and contribute and their will be a scholarship there for you plus and education at one of the best public colleges in the US. I could be completely wrong about this being a waste of a scholarship, but i just dont know if this was a good move at this time.

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January 12, 2008 | url
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Bugeatersteve said:

I believe that the scholarship offer to Kreikemeier was more "symbolic" than anything else, it was a statement by Osborne and Pelini that Hey guys we're sorry for what happened the past 4 years and we are welcoming you back with open arms. They signed a great coach/recruiter in Tim Beck from Kansas, who is VERY Strong in recruiting here in Texas. Hey Jake I welcome another fellow "Bugeater" here on Deathrattle. Nice to get another "fresh" view of the Big Red.

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January 13, 2008
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Jake Smith said:

	Hey bugeater are you from Texas? If so who other than Chris Whaley as top juniors in the state of Texas might be interested in NU this next recruiting cycle. Also i see Iowa State got Athlete Darius Darks i think he is from Texas! What postion does he project to play??? Looks like with his attributes he could be a good linebacker for the cyclones but i really dont know that much about him.
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January 27, 2008 | url
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Bugeatersteve said:

Jake, I lived my first 15 years in Nebraska, have lived in the Houston area now for 36 years. A big plus for the Huskers was the signing of former Kansas assistant coach Tim Beck who was a Hgh School coach here in Texas. Beck just got commitments from a set of twins from Garland Texas Courtney and Steven Osborne (no relation to Dr. Tom). Steven is a 6' 4" receiver while brother Courtney is an "athletie" at 6' 2", who is being projectd as a defensive back. I was very excited about signing Beck because of his good, deep ties in the Central/Northern part of Texas. He will be a great asset to the staff.

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January 28, 2008
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