Big game means top recruiting
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Top-ranked USC has been a juggernaut on the football field largely because the Trojans have been a juggernaut on the recruiting trail.
Blue-chippers back up five-star players who battle for playing time with Parade All-Americans.
Try putting a chink in that armor.
The NU athletic department is encouraging Husker fans to do two things Saturday that they usually do on game days - turn out in large numbers and wear red. This time, fans are asked to be at Memorial Stadium nearly 12 hours before kickoff.
That’s because ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be broadcast live from Lincoln starting at 9 a.m.
Seating for fans will be in the West Stadium and gates will open at 7:30 a.m. The first shots from the stadium will air on the 8 a.m. “SportsCenter.”
Soda and water will be available for purchase during the “GameDay” show, and fans will be asked to clear the stands immediately after the show’s 11 a.m. conclusion.
“USC is still in the position,” said Jeremy Crabtree, national recruiting editor for Rivals.com, “where they can pick and choose guys they want.”
Would a prime-time victory against the nation’s No. 1 team make any difference?
Maybe, if Nebraska — which hosts the mighty Trojans on Saturday night — was in a true, head-to-head recruiting battle with USC.
Nebraska recruiting coordinator Ted Gilmore said that’s not really the case.
“I don’t think we look at it that way,” Gilmore said. “Heck, they’re in a great position. Right in their backyard, they have a lot of talent.
“We don’t look at it like that, and I seriously doubt if they do.”
Consider this: Of the nine recruits making Nebraska official visits this weekend, none has an official USC scholarship offer.
In fact, nobody on Nebraska’s current roster received an official USC offer.
Marlon Lucky garnered some interest, after he’d committed to Nebraska. The Trojans wanted Carl Nicks to consider a grayshirt. Maurice Purify eagerly awaited a USC offer that never came.
Conversely, more than 50 players who committed to USC between 2004 and 2007 had offers from Nebraska.
Crabtree said he wasn’t surprised by that number, because Nebraska is aggressive with its scholarship offers.
“It just shows you,” Crabtree said, “the level that USC is at at this point.”
Head-to-head recruiting battles or no, this figures to be a key recruiting weekend for Nebraska. Among uncommitted players visiting Lincoln are Devonte Christopher (safety, Las Vegas), Adrian Bushell (wide receiver, Desoto, Texas), Raveon Samuel (wide receiver, Las Vegas), Cameron Meredith (defensive end, Santa Ana, Calif.), Marc Anthony (cornerback, Chandler, Ariz.) and Dion Jordan (tight end, Chandler, Ariz.).
Running back Jonas Gray, defensive end Josh Williams and offensive lineman Bryce Givens are also making official visits. They’re among 21 players already committed to Nebraska.
Other committed players visiting unofficially include quarterback Blaine Gabbert, linebacker Will Compton, running back Collins Okafor and wide receiver D.J. Woods.
“Looking at the quality of kids coming in this weekend, it doesn’t get much better than that,” Crabtree said. “It’s kind of a who’s-who of high-profile guys. Not just committed kids, but some key uncommitted kids who are left on the board for Nebraska.”
Like Elkhorn lineman Trevor Robinson, who’s narrowed his list to Nebraska, Notre Dame and Michigan. He’s visiting unofficially.
The unofficial list may also include the highly-touted Brown brothers — Arthur and Bryce — of Wichita, Kan.
Arthur Brown, a linebacker from Wichita East, is the nation’s No. 1 linebacker recruit, according to Scout.com, and has Nebraska and USC among his list of 16 schools. His brother, Bryce, is a junior who figures to be one of the top recruits in 2009.
Others in the 2009 class — Nathan Scheelhaase (athlete, Kansas City, Mo.), Gabe Lynn (safety, Jenks, Okla.) and Fritz Rock (wide receiver, Plymouth, Minn.) are expected to make unofficial visits.
Scheelhaase and Lynn, the brother of Nebraska linebacker Phillip Dillard, have Nebraska offers.
Gilmore said “every weekend is big” in regards to recruiting, following Bill Callahan’s lead of downplaying Saturday night’s game.
But Crabtree said a victory over the nation’s No. 1 team, on a national stage, could open some new doors for Nebraska — even if it’s not to the same players USC seeks.
“If you’re able to go out there and play athlete to athlete with USC, it means you’ve got some horses,” Crabtree said. “That’s one thing that kids like. Kids want to play with other great players. There’s no question about that.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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