Maryland end says he'll join NU in 2005

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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL

David Harvey figured he'd given a solid performance at Nebraska's high school football camp last month.

But a scholarship offer from new Husker coach BillCallahan was the last thing on his mind.

"I know I'm capable of being a pretty good Division I player, and I thought they'd be impressed," Harvey said, "but I didn't think they'd offer me."

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound defensive end and tight end from Pomfret, Md., didn't need long to think things over. Friday, he accepted Callahan's offer, becoming the fourth known player to orally commit to Nebraska's 2005 recruiting class.

"I liked what I saw," said Harvey, who will be a senior at McDonough High School. "I liked all the coaches, and my situation, coming in with a new coach and new offense ... I think things are changing there, and I'd like to be a part of that."

Harvey seems intrigued about playing tight end in Callahan's West Coast offense but said he'd play defensive end if asked. He said he wasn't recruited specifically for either position, although he said he did spend extra time working with Nebraska defensive line coach John Blake during camp.

Harvey played defensive end last season at Sumter HighSchool in Sumter, S.C., and recorded about 20 tackles, including three sacks. His team finished 13-1, losing in the state championship game, but Harvey left the school 10 games into the season. His mother, Julia Harvey Moore, works for the FBI and relocated. His father, David Thomas, is a state patrolman.

Harvey, who wears a size-17 shoe, did play basketball last season for McDonough High, averaging 10 points and 13 rebounds while helping his team advance to the state semifinals.

Maryland, Clemson, Marshall and Syracuse showed interest in Harvey, and he attended Maryland's camp. But Nebraska was the first and only school to offer a scholarship.

Nebraska assistant coach Phil Elmassian recruited Harvey. Elmassian was visiting A.J. Wallace at McDonough, and invited both Wallace and Harvey to NU's camp. Wallace, who plays running back, receiver and cornerback, is regarded as a hot prospect for the 2006 recruiting class.

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@;journalstar.com.