NU adds two to class of 2008
Josh Williams feels the Nebraska and Oklahoma State football programs both are on the verge of breakthroughs on the national scene.
The Huskers, however, received his nod over the Cowboys.
Williams, a defensive end from Denton, Texas, gave Nebraska coaches his verbal commitment Saturday to join the Huskers’ class of 2008.
“I was blown away by everything,” Williams said after an unofficial visit to NU’s campus. “The atmosphere is great in Lincoln, and I feel Nebraska’s going to do some big things in the near future.”
The Huskers also received a verbal pledge Saturday from D.J. Woods, a wide receiver from Strongsville, Ohio, who also visited campus over the weekend.
Both players are rated with three stars by Scout.com and Rivals.com.
“Overall, it was just a great feeling for me,” Woods said.
The two weekend commitments bring the number of known verbal pledges in Nebraska’s 2008 recruiting class to 18. The class is expected to feature as many as 25-27 players.
In selecting Nebraska, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Williams turned down scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Missouri, Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Arkansas, Arizona, San Diego State, Rice and Southern Methodist, among others.
Playing rush end for Ryan High in Denton, Williams last season recorded 68 tackles, including 22 for losses and six sacks. The Raiders finished with a 7-4 record.
“I love to get to the quarterback and I’m relentless,” said Williams, who reportedly runs a 4.8-second 40-yard dash.
Nebraska assistants Ted Gilmore and Buddy Wyatt played lead roles in Williams’ recruitment.
Meanwhile, Husker assistant Joe Rudolph played the primary role in landing Woods. The 6-foot, 170-pound Woods turned down offers from Auburn, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and West Virginia. He received nearly 20 offers in all.
“Everything at Nebraska is top of the line,” said Woods, who reportedly runs the 40-yard dash in :04.35. As a junior last season, Woods caught 35 passes for 750 yards and eight touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns as Strongsville High finished with a 6-4 record.
He said Husker coaches told him he will have a good chance of immediate playing time. Among Nebraska’s top wideouts this coming season, three are seniors — Terrence Nunn, Maurice Purify and Frantz Hardy.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
The Huskers, however, received his nod over the Cowboys.
Williams, a defensive end from Denton, Texas, gave Nebraska coaches his verbal commitment Saturday to join the Huskers’ class of 2008.
“I was blown away by everything,” Williams said after an unofficial visit to NU’s campus. “The atmosphere is great in Lincoln, and I feel Nebraska’s going to do some big things in the near future.”
The Huskers also received a verbal pledge Saturday from D.J. Woods, a wide receiver from Strongsville, Ohio, who also visited campus over the weekend.
Both players are rated with three stars by Scout.com and Rivals.com.
“Overall, it was just a great feeling for me,” Woods said.
The two weekend commitments bring the number of known verbal pledges in Nebraska’s 2008 recruiting class to 18. The class is expected to feature as many as 25-27 players.
In selecting Nebraska, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Williams turned down scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Missouri, Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Arkansas, Arizona, San Diego State, Rice and Southern Methodist, among others.
Playing rush end for Ryan High in Denton, Williams last season recorded 68 tackles, including 22 for losses and six sacks. The Raiders finished with a 7-4 record.
“I love to get to the quarterback and I’m relentless,” said Williams, who reportedly runs a 4.8-second 40-yard dash.
Nebraska assistants Ted Gilmore and Buddy Wyatt played lead roles in Williams’ recruitment.
Meanwhile, Husker assistant Joe Rudolph played the primary role in landing Woods. The 6-foot, 170-pound Woods turned down offers from Auburn, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and West Virginia. He received nearly 20 offers in all.
“Everything at Nebraska is top of the line,” said Woods, who reportedly runs the 40-yard dash in :04.35. As a junior last season, Woods caught 35 passes for 750 yards and eight touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns as Strongsville High finished with a 6-4 record.
He said Husker coaches told him he will have a good chance of immediate playing time. Among Nebraska’s top wideouts this coming season, three are seniors — Terrence Nunn, Maurice Purify and Frantz Hardy.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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