The Latest Recruiting Developments
Situations changing for three of NU's top prospects
Earlier this week, I outlined how things might look for the stretch run of Nebraska's 2012 recruiting class. Three names are the ones that most fans and recruiting zealots seem to be watching closely - Andrus Peat, Devin Fuller and Alonzo Moore. This week, there have been meaningful changes in the recruitment of all three.
The competition to attract Andrus Peat is one of the most heavily-followed in the country, for good reason. He's a special prospect. Nebraska coaches made their final pitch to Peat this week. It looks like it will boil down to NU vs. Stanford, as Peat cancelled his visit to Florida State.
Many have assumed that since Nebraska has his brother (Todd Peat, Jr.) on the roster already and his cousin (Avery Moss) in the fold for the 2012 class, that Peat will sign with NU as well. But, it appears that Nebraska may be hedging its bets. They signed offensive lineman Corey Whitaker already. And, they gave the full court press to 4-star rated offensive lineman Evan Goodman out of Florida. Goodman has just renewed his pledge to Arizona State. But, do the actions of the Husker coaches appear to be those of men who are confident they are going to get Andrus Peat on February 1? Maybe they are trying to press their advantage, confident they will get Peat and those other players. If so, bully for them. But to me it is a clear reminder that the Peat sweepstakes is still very much ongoing until the fax machine hums on national signing day.
There are developments in the recruitment of NJ quarterback/athlete Devin Fuller as well. There are no shortage of schools interested in Fuller. But, after narrowing it to a list of finalists, it appears Fuller's options boil down to Nebraska and his home-state Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Here's the twist this week. It appears that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano is leaving the school to go coach the Tampa Bay Bucs in the NFL. If true, the timing couldn't be worse for Rutgers and better for NU. Since recruiting often depends on relationships, the departure of a coach can create turnover for an incomplete recruiting class. There is a chance Fuller could end up some place else entirely. As I said, there is no shortage of demand. But, the changes at Rutgers have to help Nebraska's chances with Fuller.
Louisiana athlete Alonzo Moore also raised some eyebrows this week when he said he will visit Louisiana Tech. Moore has offers from many schools, but he has said that the choice comes down to Nebraska and Mississippi State. He's also said that he informed the coaching staffs of those schools of his choice, but was holding his public announcement until signing day. So, why the last-minute visit to La Tech? It's curious. But, it may boil down to youthful enthusiasm and home town or state loyalty. First, any kid with a chance to take five free recruiting visits probably would or should take advantage of them. It's a good experience. Next, Moore likely feels loyal to Tech, which is his most local school and who likely knew about him first. Again, relationships matter. (You never forget your first, do ya?) Is Tech a viable threat to Nebraska or MSU? Not really. But, it merits watching and discussion.
Following and writing about recruiting progress is like trying to pick up some water with one hand. You'll likely come away with something, but most of it will slip between your fingers. With all fluid situations, you kind of have to wait until the levy breaks and you can see where things flow. Husker fans just need to continue to hope that Peat, Fuller and Moore will flow to Lincoln.
1/26/2012
I’m also wondering if the Rutgers situation could impact Quanzell Lambert.
1/26/2012
Lambert, Peat and Fuller all commit. Yeah baby!
1/26/2012
Lambert, Peat, Fuller, and Alonzo Moore ALL commit to Nebraska! That would be awesome…I’d take back everything I said earlier about this coaching staffs recruiting prowess. Almost.
By the way…why in the world would anyone want to go to Rutgers if they could go to a place like Nebraska? If they’re that good and have an eye on the NFL for their future, you’d want to go to a place that you’d get the most exposure. i could see going to a school having more exposure, like the decommit that went to LSU…he was from there #1, and LSU is playing for National Championships. I can totally understand that. But now with the departure of the Rutgers head coach especially, it really does bode well for nebrtaska getting at least Fuller. Stanford scares me with Peat, although him cancelling his trip to Florida State is good. If we land a couple, or few, or even 4 of the top guys we are recruiting, it will go a LONG way to boost of classes overall quality. We still wouldn’t be ranked very high nationally because of fewer recruits, but quality over quantity. Alabama has 27 so far. Many will be cut loose I’m sure after it’s all said and done.
1/26/2012
PE
I think you would be surprised on the amount of the old Big East players in the NFL .. Rutgers currently has 21 players in the NFL , NU does have them beat at 29 but they still have some pretty big names up there. ( Ray Rice, and the MCCortneys). New Jersey produces a lot of talent , and thats part of the reason Rutgers gets so many NFL bound players, because they want to play for the local team.. If NU had that kind of talent base to pick from , our recruiting classes would be awesome based solely on local talent..
And for some reason they’ve had a lot DB’s go into the NFL , which would be Fullers fall back position if he dosnt play QB ..
I do agree with you that this has to help NU, regardless if its enought or not.. And I too think Peat might be a Stanford lean.. He said he would let the coaching staffs know last week, and then we started pushing again for Goodman.. But going after Goodman could simply be becasue of some attrition from current players , who knows..
But heres to hoping we see Fuller and Armstrong battling it out for the QB Position.. !!
Go Skers
1/26/2012
Fuller is being pursued hard by RichRod at Arizona… wouldn’t be surprised to see him go there. Here in Louisiana word is that Moore is going to Miss State.
1/26/2012
The coaching staff must already know at least one of these guys is off the board, hopefully not Peat as they are trying to go back to some of the guys they recruited on earlier..
1/26/2012
Devin Fuller could be special.
1/26/2012
Buroque wont be visiting this weekend by the looks of things.. Thats because we just got the commitment from Imani Cross ( RB) out of Georgia.. Its nice to see a big back commit ..
1/27/2012
I FORGOT TO SAY IT BUT WELCOME TO N , IMANI !!
1/27/2012
I talked to someone close to Moore today while he was at my job said its Nebraska the only way he doesn’t go there is if he gets a offer from LSU anytime before he signs his letter with Nebraska.
1/27/2012
Only reason he would go to LSU is been his dream since he was a kid but Les homo Miles won’t offer him
1/27/2012
Twaauto22…did not know that. Who would have thought? Still think NU would be a better logical choice for Fuller, but there is a lot that goes into it for these kids. Relationships. Local instate school and all that. Can’t blame them.
Just read an article about GA recruiting. After the big 3 states for talent (Fl, Texas and Cal.,) GA is 4th. With all the talent they produce you’d think they would have national Championship teams all the time, but no. And a little state out in the middle of nowhere (NU) with no real advantages like that, have been a better team overall throughout the years. We must have been doing something right all these years.
Lets hope the football this year is awesome. We’ve got the talent. If we can just get our lines, both offensive and defensive, good enough to dominate, there will be a LOT better football around here.
I’m becoming a believer that games are won or lost in the trenches. That’s why I’m hoping hard that Peat comes here.
GBR!
1/27/2012
These recruits aren’t going to make us better for the most for for at least a year or two. I am excited about them though. We had a very young team this year and were in a new conference. When suh was a sophmore no one knew he would blow up, same with amukamura and dennard, players develop. Who knows, a fair share of youngsters got a lot of playing time this year and have a lot of time to look at film, practice, and get better. We might not see a fair amount of these recruits play next season but I thinnk we will see a much more well rounded team next year. I mean heckck, ourleading reciever was a freshman surrounded by sophmores and other freshman and our whole dfensive backfield were first year starters. The sky is the limit right now!
1/27/2012
Husker Matt
Hopefully we can get to the point were only a few freshman are playing.. thats the goal of a well rounded team..
2/13/2012
The Huskers have the traidtion, facilities, great game-day atmosphere, but the head coach is the question mark in a blue chip’s mind. Ask Jamal Turner.
2/13/2012
What do you know about jamal Turner? Has he said he isn’t happy? What are your sources?