California RB commits

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE/Lincoln Journal Star

Roy Helu Jr. liked Lincoln. He liked Nebraska's West Coast offense.

And he especially appreciated the way Husker football coaches and officials treated him during his recruiting visit earlier this month.

So, Helu, a running back at San Ramon Valley High in Danville, Calif., decided to give Nebraska coaches an oral commitment to accept their scholarship offer, his father confirmed Friday.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Helu becomes the 11th player to pledge to Nebraska's class of 2007. Helu has drawn a three-star rating (on a scale of five) from both Scout.com and Rivals.com.

"He made the decision looking mainly at football and academics," said Roy Helu Sr., who along with his wife accompanied Roy Jr. on his recruiting trip to Lincoln for Nebraska's season-opening win against Louisiana Tech.

"We think Nebraska fits his style," the father said. "I liked everything I saw (in Lincoln)."

Helu Jr. turned down scholarship offers from Oregon, Brigham Young and California.

Nebraska offensive line coach Dennis Wagner played the lead role in Helu's recruitment.

Last season, as a junior, Helu rushed for 1,526 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging more than 8 yards per carry. He also had 30 receptions for 500 yards and four more TDs. He reportedly has run the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds and recorded a 30-inch vertical leap.

Sam Keller, the former Arizona State quarterback who in August transferred to Nebraska, graduated from San Ramon Valley High in 2003.

News of Helu's oral commitment comes as at least eight 2007 prospects arrive on the NU campus this weekend for official visits.