Huskers add two D-line recruits
Lorenzo Jones and Barry Cryer possess an acute awareness of Nebraska's lack of depth in the interior defensive line.
It's a large part of the reason they made verbal commitments this weekend to accept Husker scholarship offers.
Jones, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound resident of McKinney, Texas, said Saturday that Nebraska defensive line coach John Blake made it clear that immediate playing time is a possibility.
"Coach Blake said that if I come in and do my thing, that I won't redshirt," Jones said. "He's not promising me I'll start, but he said that if I worked hard, I'd have a chance."
The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Cryer, who played this season at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, said Nebraska coaches told him he'll get a chance to contribute immediately in their nickel package in obvious passing situations.
Cryer, a native of Marrero, La., will enroll for classes in January and participate in spring practice, he said.
"I'll be fighting for a starting spot," he said.
Jones and Cryer become the 18th and 19th players known to have given verbal pledges to join Nebraska's class of 2005.
In addition, Steve Octavien, a 6-1, 230-pound linebacker from William Rainey Harper (Ill.) College, is expected to join the class, according to Jones. Octavien couldn't be reached for comment Saturday.
Octavien, Jones and Cryer were among about 10 recruits on hand Friday for Nebraska's 26-20 loss to Colorado.
Despite the loss, Jones said, he was encouraged by all phases of his Lincoln visit.
"I know what Nebraska's trying to do," Jones said. "It's their first year of running the West Coast offense. The coaches haven't had time to get in there and get the players they need."
Jones said he appreciated Blake's down-to-earth recruiting approach. He said he felt more comfortable at Nebraska than he did during unofficial visits to Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, all of which offerered Jones a scholarship, he said.
"It was just the atmosphere, man," Jones said of Lincoln. "I enjoyed the players. They seemed hungry, and they never stopped fighting (against Colorado). The coaches are rebuilding the program, and I liked everything about it."
Cryer, meanwhile, turned down offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Toledo, Louisville and Rutgers, among others.
"Y'all have real fans there," Cryer said. "Everything about Nebraska is like family."
Cryer this season recorded 56 tackles and eight sacks for 3-8 Dodge City.
"I'd classify him as an athletic defensive lineman," said Todd Middleton, Dodge City's defensive line coach. "He can run and get off blocks. He's very active. He understands the game and is a student of the game. He'd be in my office every day watching film.
"He's a rare, rare treat to have."
Nebraska's depth in the interior was an issue all season as the Huskers failed to generate a consistent push up the middle.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
It's a large part of the reason they made verbal commitments this weekend to accept Husker scholarship offers.
Jones, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound resident of McKinney, Texas, said Saturday that Nebraska defensive line coach John Blake made it clear that immediate playing time is a possibility.
"Coach Blake said that if I come in and do my thing, that I won't redshirt," Jones said. "He's not promising me I'll start, but he said that if I worked hard, I'd have a chance."
The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Cryer, who played this season at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, said Nebraska coaches told him he'll get a chance to contribute immediately in their nickel package in obvious passing situations.
Cryer, a native of Marrero, La., will enroll for classes in January and participate in spring practice, he said.
"I'll be fighting for a starting spot," he said.
Jones and Cryer become the 18th and 19th players known to have given verbal pledges to join Nebraska's class of 2005.
In addition, Steve Octavien, a 6-1, 230-pound linebacker from William Rainey Harper (Ill.) College, is expected to join the class, according to Jones. Octavien couldn't be reached for comment Saturday.
Octavien, Jones and Cryer were among about 10 recruits on hand Friday for Nebraska's 26-20 loss to Colorado.
Despite the loss, Jones said, he was encouraged by all phases of his Lincoln visit.
"I know what Nebraska's trying to do," Jones said. "It's their first year of running the West Coast offense. The coaches haven't had time to get in there and get the players they need."
Jones said he appreciated Blake's down-to-earth recruiting approach. He said he felt more comfortable at Nebraska than he did during unofficial visits to Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, all of which offerered Jones a scholarship, he said.
"It was just the atmosphere, man," Jones said of Lincoln. "I enjoyed the players. They seemed hungry, and they never stopped fighting (against Colorado). The coaches are rebuilding the program, and I liked everything about it."
Cryer, meanwhile, turned down offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Toledo, Louisville and Rutgers, among others.
"Y'all have real fans there," Cryer said. "Everything about Nebraska is like family."
Cryer this season recorded 56 tackles and eight sacks for 3-8 Dodge City.
"I'd classify him as an athletic defensive lineman," said Todd Middleton, Dodge City's defensive line coach. "He can run and get off blocks. He's very active. He understands the game and is a student of the game. He'd be in my office every day watching film.
"He's a rare, rare treat to have."
Nebraska's depth in the interior was an issue all season as the Huskers failed to generate a consistent push up the middle.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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