Huskers get more commitments
Nebraska has moved into the top 10 of the national football recruiting rankings thanks largely to a late defensive push.
The Huskers received oral pledges Wednesday from two defenders — tackle Shukree Barfield of Garden City (Kan.) Community College and safety/outside linebacker Larry Asante from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College — as the list of commitments for NU’s 2007 recruiting class swelled to 26.
“I’m trying to win a championship,” Barfield said. “Out of the schools (I considered), I feel Nebraska has the best chance. Plus, Nebraska has one of the best head coaches in college football, if not the best.”
Nine of Nebraska’s last 10 oral commitments — and 16 overall — came from defensive players. The Huskers have received eight oral commitments overall since Saturday. As many as four more players might be added to the class, which moved up to No. 7 nationally in Scout.com’s team rankings and No. 9 in Rivals.com’s.
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Barfield, a native of Camden, N.J., became the third defensive tackle to pledge to Nebraska since Sunday. Barfield, rated as a three-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, turned down scholarship offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Rutgers and South Florida.
Both Barfield and Asante said they signed national letters of intent Wednesday, which marked the first day of the mid-term juco signing period. Both players plan to enroll at Nebraska in January and be ready for spring practice.
Barfield expects to compete for immediate playing time on defense, as the Huskers lose both of their starting interior linemen to graduation.
“I don’t want anybody to give me anything,” Barfield said. “I want to earn it.”
Barfield has two seasons of playing eligibility remaining, while Asante has three. The 6-1, 205-pound Asante narrowed his final list to Nebraska, Clemson and Kansas State. He also received offers from Arkansas, Iowa State, Mississippi, Texas A&M and Virginia.
A native of Alexandria, Va., Asante is rated as a four-star prospect by both major services. During his visit to Nebraska in November — the weekend of the Huskers’ Big 12 North-clinching victory over Colorado — he said he “could just picture myself going there for college.” He said he enjoyed being around several current NU players, mentioning Brandon Jackson, Barry Turner and Tierre Green.
Asante said he plans to play safety at Nebraska.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
The Huskers received oral pledges Wednesday from two defenders — tackle Shukree Barfield of Garden City (Kan.) Community College and safety/outside linebacker Larry Asante from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College — as the list of commitments for NU’s 2007 recruiting class swelled to 26.
“I’m trying to win a championship,” Barfield said. “Out of the schools (I considered), I feel Nebraska has the best chance. Plus, Nebraska has one of the best head coaches in college football, if not the best.”
Nine of Nebraska’s last 10 oral commitments — and 16 overall — came from defensive players. The Huskers have received eight oral commitments overall since Saturday. As many as four more players might be added to the class, which moved up to No. 7 nationally in Scout.com’s team rankings and No. 9 in Rivals.com’s.
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Barfield, a native of Camden, N.J., became the third defensive tackle to pledge to Nebraska since Sunday. Barfield, rated as a three-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, turned down scholarship offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Rutgers and South Florida.
Both Barfield and Asante said they signed national letters of intent Wednesday, which marked the first day of the mid-term juco signing period. Both players plan to enroll at Nebraska in January and be ready for spring practice.
Barfield expects to compete for immediate playing time on defense, as the Huskers lose both of their starting interior linemen to graduation.
“I don’t want anybody to give me anything,” Barfield said. “I want to earn it.”
Barfield has two seasons of playing eligibility remaining, while Asante has three. The 6-1, 205-pound Asante narrowed his final list to Nebraska, Clemson and Kansas State. He also received offers from Arkansas, Iowa State, Mississippi, Texas A&M and Virginia.
A native of Alexandria, Va., Asante is rated as a four-star prospect by both major services. During his visit to Nebraska in November — the weekend of the Huskers’ Big 12 North-clinching victory over Colorado — he said he “could just picture myself going there for college.” He said he enjoyed being around several current NU players, mentioning Brandon Jackson, Barry Turner and Tierre Green.
Asante said he plans to play safety at Nebraska.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.