With the most recently addition to Nebraska’s recruiting class of 2008 being Omaha Nebraska Gross Catholic Fullback C.J. Zimmerer and a recent offer to Creighton Prep Offensive Lineman Jon Lechner, a number of recruitniks including myself have been wondering why Nebraska has been offering so many local kids scholarships instead of walk-on opportunities or at least waited later in the year.

 Talk of T.O. having some say in the process has been bandied about, however as much as I  have questioned  Osborne’s methods as of late, I think I can actually see the method behind  this madness.  I’ve  personally used a rule of thumb that Nebraska produces about one to five  Division 1-A caliber athletes yearly.  If Pelini and his staff believe these guys to be amongst  that list, great, no  problem.  The issue is expanding beyond the borders of the Cornhusker  State and that  appears to be what is happening now.

 Names like Denton, Texas’ Yahshua Williams (Safety), Tampa, Florida’s Jarvis Giles (Running    Back), Cincinnati, Ohio’s Pat Muldoon and Jenks, Oklahoma’s Gabe Lynn are only four    prospects that are beginning to surface as legitimate potential Cornhuskers.  Honestly, this  news couldn’t have come at a better time.  There were a few positive impact players in the  Solich recruiting years such as Demorrio Williams, Fabian Washington and Dane Todd, but the  ratio of contributing players to "busts" was far too high.  These classes were not necessarily  littered with Nebraska kids on scholarship, but rather athletes with skills not appropriate for  this level of play.

The crop from Nebraska so far has shown potential and flashes, but nothing that makes my eyes pop.  With time, a redshirt year and working with S&C head man James Dobson, this could change, but with guys like the aforementioned four 2008 recruits, there is a chance for immediate impact.  Tim Beck and Shawn Watson both have tremendous connections in the Texas region, Marvin Sanders has a charm about him with defensive backs that may work wonders with Lynn and any other secondary members he goes after and finally Ron Brown brings a unique perspective in his extraordinarily kind personality that is truly one of a kind.  This is before mentioning the staff’s connections in Big 10 country specifically Ohio, of course.

While much of the current class is corn-fed, the remainder should be of the out-of-state nature or at least I hope it is.  If we begin seeing classes that pass that five Nebraska player threshold barring an absolutely insane amount of players being in that mold (hey, it could happen), color me worried.  The good news is that it’s only May.  There’s a long time until February and camps are coming up soon.

I’ve often been told I should’ve considered medical school.  I certainly have the penmanship for it and of course there’s the old saying that the money wasn’t there.  The reason, however, is that I’ve always been a fan of just what makes people tick and while human beings are sometimes very illogical creatures (cue Spock references), sometimes they are extremely predictable.

As Mike or "Jax" as I like to call him whether he likes it or not pointed out, Bo Pelini visited Columbus, Ohio recently.  Some old stomping grounds not only as the home of Pelini but as a member of THE Ohio State University.  Pelini spoke about a few things such as Frank Solich down the road and no I’m not making the easy jokes today, he took a few veiled swipes at the Callahan administration which is all in good fun I’m sure but the reason I’m speaking with you today isn’t about any of that.  It’s about doors.  No, we’re not waxing poetic about Jim Morrison, though feel free to in the comment section.

So what do doors have to do with Nebraska football?  As you may remember Steve Pederson had some installed on the end of the new tunnel that leads the Cornhuskers to the field featuring some of Nebraska’s earliest all-stars.  These would be opened by Nebraska military servicepersons and send a red horde onto the field causing much joy and revelry.  Honestly I thought they were kinda cool, could take ‘em or leave ‘em really, but I liked the nod to the military boys and thought it was a nice gesture for them to be a part of that tradition.

Problem is according to Bo, Tom doesn’t like ‘em.  Well, fact of the matter is what Tom says goes much like the flowing Missouri River and before the Western Michigan game no doubt they will be gone.  Is this not comical to anyone else?  Does anyone not see the irony in this act?  Tom Osborne has ordered the removal of doors featuring guys like Ed Weir because Steve Pederson, a man who helped organize and recruit through one of the most dominating eras in college football history I might add, put them up.  Wrap your mind around that for a second.

Of course now that this is happening, folks start talking about removing everything Pederson introduced be it the "Power of Red" slogan or the block "N".  Here’s the thing: The old Husker logo, you know, the one with the script across it?  It looks idiotic and juvenile.  It looks mid-90s because it was and still is mid-90s.  The current "N" is crisp, clean, minimalist in natural and honestly something that I figured Nebraska fans can at least give Pederson credit for introducing.  I also enjoy the "Power of Red" slogan because quite honestly that is a nod to the fans not to mention the signs above each and every entryway on Memorial Stadium’s gates.  When you’re talking about taking away homage to yourself just because you don’t like the guy who put it there...wow there’s some money to be made in therapy these days.

In the end though, sure, take the doors.  Take down the "N", take the slogan, move the students back so people can see, do it your way Tom.  Just make sure you don’t announce anything like this because after all, we wouldn’t be hearing from you much again as you stated.  Unfortunately actions speak much louder than words and for a gentleman who forgot more about football AND psychology than I know, I find it almost silly that the reasoning behind all this is so obvious.  I feel the worst for Bo though.  He’s the mouthpiece and even I have to wonder if he’s not shaking his head after an appearance once in a while.

It’s been my amateur opinion that in the game of college football recruiting that barring a massively successful season commitments following a spring game are unlikely until summer camps begin.  Shawn Bodtmann and Thaddeus Randle decided to prove me and several others wrong.  Let’s see what we have with the two newest additions to the 2008-2009 Cornhusker Class.

Name: Shawn Bodtmann Projected position: Linebacker
Height: 6’0" Weight: 205 pounds

As a junior for West Scranton High School, Bodtmann played both sides of the football.  As a running back he displayed a quick burst out of the backfield followed by an immediate trust in his line.  This allowed him to crank things into full gear and speed towards the end zone ready to batter and bruise anyone who got in his way.  Speed and power: two things you look for in a linebacker.  

He has vision and uses it well to watch a quarterback’s eyes.  I’ve seen several highly ranked prospects struggle significantly with that so +1 for Shawn.  He clearly has no regard for his physical well-being or at least that’s what film would indicate.  That’s a negative as he needs to both allow himself to grow and put on added muscle mass before bringing that mentality to the Big XII.  Is Bodtmann quick, slippery and hard-hitting?  Absolutely and I’m anxious to see what he’ll do during his senior season, however no doubt the Nebraska coaching staff is equally as excited to see what teammate and highly rated offensive tackle Eric Shrive does.

Name: Thaddeus Randle Projected position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’1" Weight: 255 pounds

We’ll address this up front: Don’t think for a second that Randle hasn’t been measured for the potential of growth.  I’d wager an inch or two is still left in his frame and Glenn Dorsey didn’t seem to have much trouble at 6’2".  I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.  Randle definitely has the "run stuffer" portion of his resume down.  My chief complaint is that he locks up with his man far too much and dances with him in the event he can nab a tackle.  Another year of camps and work will ideally change that up.

What most intrigues me about "Thad" is his frame.  He’s got the tools to play defensive tackle.  I’m not going to argue that.  He has the frame, however, not to be Dorsey but be Dorsey-esque and I think that’s what Pelini saw in this young man.  I do have concerns about Texas A&M with Tim Cassidy on their staff.  Tim knows a thing or two about how to play this chess match and it’s going to be interesting to see if Pelini & Co. can keep Mr. Randle around.  For any worrywarts, look at it this way: At one point David Whitmore was considered by some (myself included) as the least likely to sign with Nebraska.  I was wrong.  Don’t let me down, Thad.

Once again I sit at a chair next to the Big 12 Roundtable.  Matt from The Crimson and Cream Machine challenged us to speak of spring and what hope may or may not spring eternal.  Blankman sayeth:

1. Who are some of the new faces that emerged in the spring who could be serious playmakers for your team this fall?

A good question.  I think that Nebraska’s offensive linemen as a whole stepped up large in the spring and made some great strides.  I also think that Lance Thorell stepped up, but he could be this year’s Garth Glissman (also known as the guy we don’t hear about after the Spring Game).  I loved what I saw out of WR Curenski Gilleylen.

2. What is your biggest concern following the spring?

The defensive front seven.  Injuries and departures not to mention flat out inexperience plagues this bunch.  Not to say they will be an entire liability, but they do need to step up.  If Ndamukong Suh can come back and regain his former glory, that will help immensely along with the addition of incoming linebacker Will Compton who looks to vie for immediate playing time at MIKE.

3.  Any major changes (philosophy, coaching or personnel) that you are concerned or worried about?

Yeah, Barney Cotton.  This guy’s got about as much between the ears as Mr. Potato Head except I think I’d trust Mr. Potato Head more with my offensive line.

4.  Looking over the 2008 which home and away game will be the most difficult?

Home: Missouri
Away: Oklahoma with Texas Tech a close second

5.  Time for your way too early predictions (Yes, you can change them in August). Rank how you see your division finishing up next season.

1. Missouri

2. Nebraska

3. Colorado

4. Kansas

5. Kansas State

6. Iowa State

Turns out that Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook ain’t that big of a fan when it comes to recruiting sites.  Said Zook via the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald,

"We're turning the recruiting over to the so-called recruiting gurus," Zook said.

"Now, all of a sudden, just like you've got basketball coaches complaining that it's turning over to the AAU coaches, now we're turning it over to these guys that can call them.  Well, you know what a lot of them are saying. They're selling their school to these kids, and we're not able to talk to them. To me, we're losing this thing, in my opinion."

Continue reading this post »

Hey there Husker fans,

It's been a while, I know, but one half of MidWest Coast Bias has found a new spot to roost and that spot is here within the Corn Nation.  John may be joining me at one point but let me just say that it's great to be able to converse with you all again.

Where have I been?  Oh, just wandering aimlessly around the Internet.  Kind of like one of those trips to Europe kids take after college or so I'm told.  I recently met up with Corn Blight who has just as much the mouth of a sailor as I do, so don't let him tell you any different.  With that said, with this very proud yet brief post, if you don't know who I am and even if you do, the menu to be served is slightly different.  What can you expect of Blankman 2K8 besides an even deeper dynasty mode?

Blasphemy.  I apologize, Husker Mike, I really do, but as much as I appreciate a nice fluff piece when I have a hankering for cotton candy, I stopped believing in the Tooth Fairy a long time ago.  Combine the need to feel my cynicism and paranoia with the tinfoil I purchase in bulk at Sam's Club.  You do the math.

Recruiting analysis.  Yep, I still talk about recruiting just about as much as I talk about football in and of itself.  If you're a fan of the subject, you just got yourself one more reason to visit Corn Nation (aside from the fact that we're soon posting co-ed flag football scores imaginary or not).  If you're not...well, that's unfortunate

I just like that little so I'm using it again.  Really, I may sound all doom and gloom lately, but quality commentary has to come from the heart and quite frankly?  I respect the fans of Nebraska far too much to dumb things down and make everything flowery when it isn't.  I'm an optimist not an idiot despite what many think.  I get a sense of fun from the fans again and honestly, it does us all good.  Happy to be here, Corn Nation and for better or for worst, I'm here to stay.