Steve Sipple: It's a big day, even without Smith
So, Reggie Smith chose Oklahoma. Congratulations to the Sooners, whose 2005 recruiting class already was ranked No. 2 by Rivals.com, even before Smith's commitment.
Smith, of Edmond, Okla., is the nation's fifth-rated cornerback, according to Rivals.com. I'm guessing the pressure to remain in-state was enormous for Smith.
Plus, the chance to play for the Sooners would be enticing for any great athlete.
It's a tough loss for Nebraska in that it takes some of the steam out of National Signing Day.
Nevertheless, Husker coaches assembled a top-grade class, Smith or no Smith. The Husker coaches went after the best athletes in the nation.
Led by assistants John Blake (who landed eight players) and Bill Busch (seven), NU didn't back down against the likes of OU, Southern Cal, Louisiana State, Miami and Florida State.
Head coach Bill Callahan used a bold recruiting approach, one that required energy and perseverence. It paid off handsomely.
Callahan was effective in using game days to showcase his program. There's nothing like a game day at Nebraska, Callahan says. Why not use it as a recruiting centerpiece?
Doing so meant bringing players to campus during the months of September and October. Even if a player verbally pledged to accept a Nebraska scholarship, the Husker coaches, in many cases, had to continue to recruit the player right up until the last couple of weeks.
As late as last week, Callahan expressed concern that all the commitments would stick.
The fact that a player the caliber of Reggie Smith had Nebraska among his final three is a good sign for the Huskers, especially when you consider the other finalists were Oklahoma and Southern Cal.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Smith would've likely had an immediate impact in a Nebraska secondary that endured significant attrition.
Cornerback Fabian Washington and free safety Josh Bullocks bolted for the NFL.
Cornerbacks Kellen Huston and Lornell McPherson completed their eligibility. Those are big holes to fill.
Smith said he was well aware of Nebraska's situation in the secondary. He said he took note of Bullocks' and Washington's decisions to skip their senior seasons. It seemed those decisions might ultimately help lure Smith to Lincoln.
Smith felt comfortable with Nebraska's coaching staff. Clearly, the Huskers were in his thoughts to the end.
It'll be interesting to see how Smith pans out as a player. I'll follow him with interest in part because he's one of the more mature, thoughtful and well-spoken high school athletes I've met. Talking to Smith reminded me of talking to Turner Gill during his playing days.
The Sooners got a good one. But the Husker Nation need not hang its head.
Smith, of Edmond, Okla., is the nation's fifth-rated cornerback, according to Rivals.com. I'm guessing the pressure to remain in-state was enormous for Smith.
Plus, the chance to play for the Sooners would be enticing for any great athlete.
It's a tough loss for Nebraska in that it takes some of the steam out of National Signing Day.
Nevertheless, Husker coaches assembled a top-grade class, Smith or no Smith. The Husker coaches went after the best athletes in the nation.
Led by assistants John Blake (who landed eight players) and Bill Busch (seven), NU didn't back down against the likes of OU, Southern Cal, Louisiana State, Miami and Florida State.
Head coach Bill Callahan used a bold recruiting approach, one that required energy and perseverence. It paid off handsomely.
Callahan was effective in using game days to showcase his program. There's nothing like a game day at Nebraska, Callahan says. Why not use it as a recruiting centerpiece?
Doing so meant bringing players to campus during the months of September and October. Even if a player verbally pledged to accept a Nebraska scholarship, the Husker coaches, in many cases, had to continue to recruit the player right up until the last couple of weeks.
As late as last week, Callahan expressed concern that all the commitments would stick.
The fact that a player the caliber of Reggie Smith had Nebraska among his final three is a good sign for the Huskers, especially when you consider the other finalists were Oklahoma and Southern Cal.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Smith would've likely had an immediate impact in a Nebraska secondary that endured significant attrition.
Cornerback Fabian Washington and free safety Josh Bullocks bolted for the NFL.
Cornerbacks Kellen Huston and Lornell McPherson completed their eligibility. Those are big holes to fill.
Smith said he was well aware of Nebraska's situation in the secondary. He said he took note of Bullocks' and Washington's decisions to skip their senior seasons. It seemed those decisions might ultimately help lure Smith to Lincoln.
Smith felt comfortable with Nebraska's coaching staff. Clearly, the Huskers were in his thoughts to the end.
It'll be interesting to see how Smith pans out as a player. I'll follow him with interest in part because he's one of the more mature, thoughtful and well-spoken high school athletes I've met. Talking to Smith reminded me of talking to Turner Gill during his playing days.
The Sooners got a good one. But the Husker Nation need not hang its head.
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