Bellevue West star picks Huskers

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Jeff Souder canceled a trip to the University of Iowa. A Kansas football coach was scheduled to visit Souder today. But the Jayhawks need not bother wasting their time. Souder has verbally committed to Nebraska.

A 6-foot-1, 200-pound multi-position standout at Bellevue West, Souder on Sunday informed Husker coaches of his decision to accept their scholarship offer.

In recruiting terms, Souder accepted a "grey shirt" offer, meaning he'll sit out the first semester in 2005 and enroll in January of 2006.

However, if a member of Nebraska's 2005 recruiting class fails to qualify academically, Souder would be first in line to join the 2005 group.

Bellevue West head coach John Faiman, whose squad finished 10-1 this season, said Souder is among the top five football players he's coached in nearly two decades at West.

"He's probably the best all-around football player I've ever had," Faiman said. "He plays the game hard. He plays the game the way it's supposed to be played."

 Nebraska recruited Souder to play safety or perhaps outside linebacker, Faiman said.

"His forte is he's a good striker," Faiman said.

This season, Souder recorded 111 tackles. He also rushed 203 times for 1,321 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also saw action as a receiver and return man.

Souder has run the 40-yard dash in an electronically timed 4.6 seconds and recorded a 36-inch vertical leap. He's a two-star prospect in Rivals.com's five-star system.

Souder becomes the third Nebraska high school standout to verbally commit to the Huskers this year, joining Zach Potter of Omaha Creighton Prep and Robert Rands of Bellevue East.

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