NUnabs Oklahoma star

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BYSTEVEN M. sIPPLE

In Oklahoma, the town of Ada was known for years as Tackletown USA because of the slew of top offensive and defensive tackles who graduated from Ada High.

These days, folks in Ada (population 15,691) are buzzing about an offensive guard, 6-foot-2, 280-pound Craig Roark, who on Tuesday orally committed to accept Nebraska's football scholarship offer.

"He's strong and very physical and highly mobile," Ada High offensive line coach John Higbee said. "He understands his role. He understands the game. You tell him something once, and you're not going to have to tell him again.

"Just ask your offensive line coach up there - you don't want dum-dums on the offensive line."

Nebraska coaches evidently respect Roark's intelligence and athletic prowess.

"They told me they're not recruiting another interior lineman - they said I'm the one they wanted," Roark said Tuesday.

Roark becomes the third high school player known to have pledged to join Nebraska's 2005 recruiting class. The Huskers received earlier commitments from quarterbackHarrison Beck of Clearwater, Fla., and linebacker Nick Covey of Glendale, Ariz.

Nebraska won't recruit anymore guards or centers for 2005, Roark said.

In selecting the Huskers, Roark turned down scholarship offers from 20 other schools, including Arizona, Kansas State, Louisiana State, Missouri and Ohio State.

Jeremy Crabtree, national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com, projects Roark as a potential all-conference player.

"He's got a good low center of gravity and can drive block with the best of the best," Crabtree said.

Nebraska coaches have sent 123 handwritten letters to Roark since February, Roark said. Husker defensive line coach John Blake played a lead role in Roark's recruitment.

Nebraska's winning tradition, passionate fans and reputation for producing quality offensive linemen also helped lure Roark.

"There's a family atmosphere (in Lincoln),"Roark said. "It really felt comfortable for me."

Roark hopes his stay at Nebraska becomes a family affair of sorts. His younger brother, Ada High junior-to-be Chad Roark, already is drawing Division I recruiting interest.

"I think Craig's little brother has a chance to be even better," Higbee said.

That's saying something, considering Craig Roark bench presses 360 pounds, runs a 4.92-second 40-yard dash and has recorded a 29-inch vertical leap.

In 2003, Roark helped lead Ada High, a perennial power, to a 7-5 record and into the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state playoffs. Class 4A is the state's third-largest classification.

"We've won 19 state championships, and this year we'll get No. 20, and I'll get a big old championship ring on my finger," Roark said. "Hopefully, I'll get a few more championship rings while I'm at Nebraska."

Roark hopes to play right away for the Huskers. At right guard - Roark's preferred position - NU's spring depth chart listed two seniors, Jake Andersen and Nick Povendo.

"They want me to learn center, too, for when Richie leaves," said Roark, referring to junior-to-be Richie Incognito.

"I've talked to Richie several times, and my dad talks to his dad through e-mail," Roark said.

The Incognitos also were a factor in Nebraska landing Covey.

Neither Oklahoma nor Oklahoma State offered Roark a scholarship.

"I really wasn't interested in Oklahoma State, to be honest with you,"Roark said. "Oklahoma, it needed tackles. They're returning a bunch of inside guys. It wasn't a good situation for me.

"Even if Oklahoma would've offered me, it wouldn't have mattered - Nebraska is where my heart led me."

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.