Huskers land another 'strong' recruit
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Add Ola Dagunduro to the list of junior college players who expect to make an immediate impact for the Nebraska football team in 2005.
A defensive lineman from Compton (Calif.) Community College, Dagunduro said Thursday he has signed a national letter of intent and plans to enroll at Nebraska in January and be ready for spring practice.
Husker defensive line coach John Blake played the lead role in Dagunduro's recruitment.
"Coach Blake told me I can come in and take over a starting job, and that's what I'm looking to do," said the 6-foot-2, 315-pound Dagunduro, who committed to Nebraska having never visited the campus.
Dagunduro, a four-star recruit in Rivals.com's five-star rating system, turned down scholarship offers from Colorado, Colorado State, San Diego State, Marshall and UCLA, among others. He'll have three years to play two at Nebraska.
"If he gets there and really works hard, I think he can make an immediate impact," said Compton head coach Angelo Jackson. "If he plays that nose tackle position, he can handle most centers. I mean, he's strong."
Nebraska, in finishing 5-6 in 2004, failed to generate a consistent pass rush. The Huskers return three veteran players in the interior line in seniors-to-be Le Kevin Smith and Titus Adams and junior-to-be Brandon Teamer. The Huskers' 2004 recruiting class had no interior defensive linemen.
Dagunduro, meanwhile, this past season led Compton (4-6) with 70-plus tackles while making four sacks and forcing two fumbles.
"You're getting a great one," Jackson said. "He's a good kid and a hard-working kid. He loves the weight room. A defensive lineman leading the team in tackles is a great feat."
Jackson said he wasn't surprised that Dagunduro committed to Nebraska without visiting the school. The Huskers had expressed interest in Dagunduro earlier in the season before making a push in recent weeks to land the lineman, Jackson said.
"He always wanted to go to Nebraska," Jackson said.
Said Dagunduro, "I know Nebraska has a great program and good tradition. And Coach Blake has taught in the NFL, so I know he'll get me right — he'll get me ready for the next level."
Blake was a defensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys from 1993-95, helping lead the team to Super Bowl wins in 1993 and 1995.
Dagunduro played for Inglewood High School near Los Angeles. He said he went to junior college because his core grades in high school "were really messed up."
Four other junior college players have signed letters of intent and said they plan to arrive at Nebraska in January: defensive tackle Barry Cryer, quarterback Zac Taylor and linebackers Dontrell Moore and Steve Octavien.
"I'm really excited," Dagunduro said.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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