So, Texas high school running back Cody Glenn says he'll play football for Nebraska.

That gives the Huskers three running backs orally committed to their 2005 recruiting class. That includes heralded California prep star Marlon Lucky, perhaps the signature name, the marquee player of the entire group.

Uh, does Glenn have any idea what he's up against?

"My response to that would be," Wayne Mahassey said, "does Marlon Lucky know what he's up against?"

Perhaps that's the biggest compliment Mahassey, the head football coach at Rusk High School in Rusk, Texas, could give Glenn.

"Cody is an exceptional football player," Mahassey said. "I don't think he's afraid of any type of challenge, in terms of playing time. It's going to be very difficult to beat him out. Marlon Lucky, or anybody."

Glenn said he's heard of Lucky and knows of his commitment but hasn't seen him and knows little about his future competition. He didn't seem fazed about the potential challenge.

"It's a good challenge, and I like to be challenged," said Glenn, who gave NU his oral commitment Tuesday. "It just makes me work harder."

For the record, many recruiting gurus consider Lucky one of the top high school backs in the nation. By comparison, TheInsiders.com recruiting Web site ranks Glenn No. 33 on its list of running backs and gives him a three-star rating on a five-star system.

"It's going to be a tremendous combination," Mahassey said. "That's a deal for Nebraska that's going to be hard to beat. They're going to have a good one-two punch that could be the best in the nation."

The 6-foot, 226-pound Glenn carried 238 times for 1,828 yards and 28 touchdowns his senior season for Rusk, which finished 7-3 and lost in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.  He also caught 10 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown.

For his career, Glenn ran for 6,353 yards and scored 86 rushing touchdowns, both school records. He's the No. 8 all-time rusher in Texas Class 3A history, and No. 27 all-time in all classes.

Mahassey said Glenn played halfback in a shotgun offense the past four years and is a perfect fit for Nebraska's West Coast offense.

"He can catch the ball well, and he is a runner who is capable of running inside or outside," Mahassey said. "He's a big, powerful kid with good speed. They're looking for the big back who can pound, and that's definitely something Cody can do. He's one that can pound people, carry the ball over and over and wear people down."

Glenn also had offers from Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Arizona, Baylor and TCU. He made his official visit to Lincoln for the Nebraska-Colorado game, and took Mahassey with him.

"It just felt right for me. I felt like I was at home," Glenn said. "The fans call out your name. You're just a recruit, and they call out your name and stuff." 

Nebraska also has an oral commitment from Washington high school running back Leon Jackson, and the Huskers return all of their running backs from the 2004 team, including starter Cory Ross and backups Brandon Jackson, David Horne and Tierre Green.

Glenn, who said he was recruited by NU receivers coach Turner Gill, said he spoke with Gill and running backs coach Randy Jordan on Tuesday. He said he expects an in-home visit from Jordan and Nebraska coach Bill Callahan sometime next week.

Nebraska has 20 known oral commitments for its 2005 recruiting class.

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.