Well, I'm back in the saddle again. So let me figure out where I left off. Oh yea I remember now, it was our spring game back in April, WOW has it really been that long. So now where to begin; well how about on the recruiting trail, which is where most teams future lies so I will begin there.

So far Bo Pelini has been able to get verbal commitments from 5 players that include 2 offensive and 3 defensive players. The offensive players are both in the backfield one running back and a fullback. The running back is Dontrayevous Robinson, who is a 6'1" 215 pound and runs a 4.5 40. As a junior Robinson gained more than 900 yards rushing and had 18 touchdowns for Dallas area Euless Trinity. Robinson helped lead Euless Trinity to the class 5A state championship going 15-1 last season. The second backfield recruiting member is also 6'1" 215 pounds (What is this some sort of new running back size standard?) and hails from within the state of Nebraska. The newly signed fullback is C.J. Zimmerer from Omaha, who will conjure up memories of Tom Rathman, Cory Schlesinger and the Makovickas brothers from what I am told. Zimmerer is also a standout linebacker, but the Huskers want him as a fullback.

Also from the great state of Texas is Thaddeus Randle a 6'1" 255 pound defensive tackle from Houston area Galena Park North Shore another Texas 5A powerhouse. Randle has been a starter on North Shore's defense since his sophomore season and his coach Bobby Reid (former Oklahoma State quarterback) uses terms such as relentless and attacking and "an excellent technician" when describing the play of Randle. With 3 recruits from Texas for 2009 already committed, Pelini is a third of the way towards the number of recruits from his first class from Texas. "We have to be able to recruit Texas to be able to have success in recruiting" says Pelini.

Shawn Bodtman 6 feet 205 pound linebacker from Scranton Pennsylvania is a straight a student who runs a 4.6 40 and bench pressed 225 pounds 12 times. Bodtman was blown away by the Huskers support as he attended the spring game. "The stadium was filled for basically a practice, the fans are incredible and the coaches are great" Bodtman said. Bodtman also plays running back and gained over 1,400 yards rushing last season, but the Huskers want him for their WILL backer position.

The final recruit so far is Cole Pensick, who is the son of Dan Pensick a 3-time letterman (1977-79) at defensive tackle. Cole is a 6'2" 255 pound defensive lineman and the huskers are looking for Cole to play either the D-line or maybe center. Cole by the way was the Huskers very first verbal 2009 commitment.

Among other happenings in Lincoln this summer is the annual quarterback camp that attracted more than 90 soon-to-be senior quarterbacks from across the country including such blue chippers as Ted Landers from Gardena California, Bryce Petty from Midlothia Texas and Cody Green from Dayton Texas and Ron Kellogg Jr. (whose dad, Ron Kellogg Sr. was a two-time All-Big Eight basketball player from Kansas' 1986 Final Four team). At the end of the camp Kellogg surprised all by being name the MVP of the camp over his more celebrated counterparts. Kellogg will be a senior at Omaha Westside and had not received any scholarship offers, but had planned to visit Northwest Missouri State this summer. One of the top quarterback prospects is Cody Green, another Texas kid who is from my area here in Texas, Dayton to be exact, which is about 40 miles east of Houston. Green is coming off of torn ligaments in his right ankle, and is one of those specimens who make coaches drool. He is 6' 4" 220 pound and runs a 4.6 40. He can hit a receiver in stride 60 yards down field. Green has narrowed his choices to the Huskers, Texas A & M and Alabama.

In a final note, some older fans will remember Jack Mildren, who was the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooner in the "game of the century" in 1971 against the Huskers. Well sad note is that Mildren passed away at the age of 58 from stomach cancer. Mildren was also the former lieutenant governor and most recently hosted a sports talk show in Oklahoma City.

Well that's it from me for now. Keep the faith and GBR!

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