Nebraska...not feeling Frosty anymore

[entropy]

You forget how great his burst was...

[ame]http://youtu.be/nUFkFozrZEM[/ame]

[entropy]

Yup, glad to have another great basketball facility in the B10. Maryland's is terrific too, just need Rutgers to move in to the Prudential Center instead of that shack they play in. ;)

Hopefully, you get a chance to experience the new arena... or Memorial Stadium. You'd have a good time

[entropy]

Sipple from the Lincoln Journal Star:
=====

Monte Harrison is clearly Nebraska's top recruiting target at wide receiver for the class of 2014.

A multi-sport star at Lee's Summit (Mo.) West High School, Harrison might even be the Huskers' top recruiting priority, period, according to insiders.

Don't look now, but Nebraska faces increasingly stout competition in Harrison's recruitment. Oregon and Ohio State are close to making scholarship offers to the 6-foot-2, 195-pound speedster, Royce Boehm, head coach at Lee's Summit West, told me Friday.

"I'll tell you what, I still think Nebraska's in the lead," Boehm said. "He talks a lot about Nebraska. He likes the facilities. He likes the way he's been treated. But it could all change. You know as well as I do that Ohio State and Oregon are prestigious schools."

If you're a Nebraska fan, this is a recruiting race to watch closely. The Huskers have devoted ample energy toward Harrison, a player in a key recruiting area (Kansas City) for them. Now, here comes Urban Meyer. And here comes Oregon, one of the hottest brands in college sports. Missouri and Kansas State are all over Harrison, and Notre Dame recently joined the fray.

Florida arrives in Lee's Summit this week, Boehm said.

At the risk of oversimplification, you might say Harrison's final decision — which he may announce before summer is over, according to HuskersOnline.com — will give you some idea of the strength of Nebraska's brand, which some feel is fading.

"Nebraska hasn't necessarily had the seasons that Ohio State and Oregon and those kind of programs have had recently," said Brian Perroni, Midlands recruiting analyst for 247Sports.com. "But Nebraska, with its not-too-distant history, has a lot of cachet in my region."

His region is Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

"Nebraska still is seen as a big offer when kids get it," Perroni said. "I'm not putting down the Kansas States of the world, or even Missouri. But when a kid gets a Nebraska offer, it's a bigger deal."

Harrison wants to play both football and baseball in college (Nebraska is on board with that, Boehm said). His football stock escalated significantly earlier this month when he was named offensive skill player MVP in a Rivals Series skills camp in suburban St. Louis.

Perroni likes Nebraska's chances in the battle.

"Nebraska's in really good position because it's let Monte know how important he is," he said. "If I had to guess today, I'd have to put Nebraska as the favorite."

With much work remaining.

* Many major college football coaches howled in disapproval in January when the NCAA, in the name of deregulation, was set to enact new recruiting rules, including one that allowed coaches to have unlimited contact with recruits.

By March, the unlimited-contact rule was among those shelved. Not dead, mind you. Just shelved.

Meanwhile, Division I men's basketball coaches proceed with the unlimited-contact rule. In fact, it is widely supported by basketball coaches, including Nebraska's Tim Miles.

Miles told me last week he appreciates the open access because it allows coaches to better develop relationships with players.

Granted, he said, it's inevitable that some coaches will abuse the system. Some will go over the top. As for Nebraska, it uses what seems to be a sensible approach.

"We ask our recruits, 'How often do you want us to reach out to you? How do you want us to do it?'" Miles said.

Seems simple enough.

Of course, football coaches don't want to hear about what's working in basketball. Basketball signing classes have a handful of players; football classes typically have 20 to 30.

As far as the NCAA goes, chief Mark Emmert has maintained that it's "crazy" and "insane" that NCAA compliance officials must continue monitoring text messages and phone calls from football coaches.

In other words, the issue isn't going away, folks, not as long as Emmert seeks ways to streamline the unwieldy rule book. Stay tuned.

Three quick strikes and I'm out:

* The state of Texas is loaded with talented prep defensive backs, said Perroni, based in Houston.

Freakishly loaded.

"There are 20 to 25 guys who are four stars and a few five stars," he said. "No one's ever seen anything like it."

Nebraska has offered scholarships to no fewer than 16 defensive backs in Texas. Don't hold your breath on any of the very best ones heading to NU. Most of the elite DBs will stay in the southern region, Perroni said.

* Quarterback Zack Darlington of Apopka, Fla., told BigRedReport.com he has two campus visits scheduled in June — Nebraska and Ohio State. Darlington appears to be NU's top target at the position.

* Assistant coach Chris Kiffin and Ole Miss are at it again. The Rebels rolled out a consensus top-10 class last year and again are knocking on the door of the top 10. Kiffin, younger brother of Lane Kiffin and son of Husker legend Monte Kiffin, was last year's National Recruiter of the Year, as named by Scout/FOXSportsNext.

[entropy]

forever a husker...

[ame]http://youtu.be/3nr1y-SvZSg[/ame]

[entropy]

http://www.gojacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=64626&SPID=7153&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=15000&ATCLID=205371020&Q_SEASON=2012

new husker walkon DT

[entropy]

this is sad...

Trading card of 7-year-old Nebraska spring game star, Jack Hoffman, fetches $6,100 on ebay for charity, but the bidder won’t pay

The Jack Hoffman promotional rookie card that was auctioned off to help benefit pediatric cancer research is still waiting to be claimed.

Upper Deck made a handful of promotional card for the 7-year-old cancer patient, who infamously scored a touchdown during Nebraska’s spring game, in an effort to raise money for Hoffman’s charity, The Team Jack Foundation. Hoffman signed four of them (three in silver and one in gold) and auctioned one of the silver signed cards on ebay.

The auction received a lot of attention and the final bid was $6,100.

Only the man who supposedly made the bid has no plans to pay up, according to Beckett.com.

Prep 2 Pro Sports owner Mike Schnoor, who is selling the cards on behalf of the Hoffman family, said efforts to contact several other bidders also have failed.

So what should have been a continuation of the heartwarming story that had touched the nation this spring has actually turned sour.

“It’s a pretty sore subject around here,” Schnoor told Beckett Media. “The guy who ended up winning said a guy logged into his account and bid on it as a joke. It goes from a great story to kind of sobering.”

Schnoor told Beckett.com he was thinking of other ways to auction the card, including relisting it as a “Buy It Now” or auctioning it off locally.

It’s just unfortunate that it’s come to this. Hopefully, Hoffman and his family won’t be too disheartened by the uncouth tactics of a few people. Hoffman’s 69-yard run in front of 60,000 people watching Nebraska's spring game remains one of the most inspirational stories of the year.

[entropy]

11 hours ago • By BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON
(0) Comments

When the subject comes to the Husker 2013 recruiting class, Randy Gregory's name is often among the first to come up. He's been considered one of the headliners of the class by many, believed to be a critical piece for a D-line that definitely needs pieces.

A four-star defensive end prospect from the JUCO ranks, Gregory is the kind of player Husker fans are hoping can make a difference in a hurry.

But before that possibility, he has to clear a couple final hurdles to get here.

Gregory has been pushing to make sure he has all his academic needs met to be on campus by June, finishing up a couple online classes.

"After those two classes I should be good to go," Gregory told Bryan Munson of BigRedReport.com on Monday night. "I might get held up a little bit because of my transcripts and the admissions department having to OK the classes. It's a long process according to the admittance people."

Gregory has been at his parents' home in Michigan since December, when he left Arizona Western Community College to take his final classes closer to his family.

Everything seems to be pointing in the right direction, he said, but noted that it is possible he could miss the summer session because of that small window to get admitted after his last class finishes.

That last class ends June 3. Just a week later comes the deadline date for when Gregory would need to be enrolled at UNL, making him eligible to participate in summer workouts.

"There is a chance that I won't be there for the summer classes and conditioning," Gregory told the recruiting website. "If I miss making it to Lincoln by June 10th then I won't be reporting to Lincoln until August."

As for his health? (Remember, Gregory has been rehabbing from a nasty, nasty injury -- a broken fibula.) He told Munson the leg feels back to full strength and that he's up to 255 pounds.

Good news there. Husker fans should be hoping Gregory hears some good news in early June too. Gregory has shown great patience to get to this point. Read the linked story above to see that. No doubt he could outlast another two months of waiting.

But the more time he has to get settled into the program this summer, the better you'd figure his chances to try to make that quick impact come the fall.

[entropy]

7 hours ago • By Steven M. Sipple
(0) Comments

David Humm is prideful. A bit ornery, too.

He told Jerry Murtaugh he didn't want his help.

"He said, 'Murtaugh, I don't need your help, I don't need your pity,'" Murtaugh said Sunday, recalling a conversation from 18 months ago.

"I let him rant and rave," Murtaugh said. "I think he went on for about 10 minutes. I didn't argue."

Murtaugh, an All-America linebacker at Nebraska in 1970, waited patiently. He then reminded the former Husker quarterback of all the times they talked about their strong bond -- formed over decades -- the kind of bond that becomes a brotherhood.

Murtaugh's voice oozes passion and energy when he speaks of the fraternity of former Nebraska football players, and Husker athletes in general. Murtaugh and Humm talk like brothers. It can be a rough, blunt discussion.

So, Murtaugh kept pressing the issue: The Husker family wanted to help Humm. The 61-year-old Humm wanted nothing of it. Finally, Murtaugh asked him: If we're so close -- you know, brothers and all -- then why in the hell won't you let your family of ex-Huskers help you?

Humm fell silent for about 30 seconds. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1988 at age 35, the Las Vegas resident requires 24-hour care.

"Dave said, 'All right, I'll allow it if you use me to help others, if that means making commercials or getting in front of a camera, whatever. I need to help others worse off than me,'" Murtaugh recalled.

That statement alone provides a window into Humm's character.

Murtaugh was thrilled. His nonprofit organization, the Husker Greats Foundation, had its first recipient. With Humm on board, Murtaugh hopes others in need will put aside their pride -- as difficult as that may be -- and accept the generosity.

The foundation is only 11 months old. Murtaugh created it to help former Husker athletes -- men and women who lettered -- with medical and/or emergency needs.

"I told Dave, 'This is one thing we want you not to worry about -- your bills. They're covered,'" Murtaugh said. "He said it was the biggest blessing in his life."

John Melton, the former Nebraska assistant coach who recruited Humm, says Humm's health is such that he endures in 24 hours more than many of us go through in 24 years. Humm lost use of his legs 16 years ago.

Folks remember Humm as an outstanding passing quarterback. He's one of the best players ever to come out of Las Vegas, recruited by several high-profile programs. His final choices were Nebraska and Alabama.

"It would change from week to week," Melton said Monday. "His dad was on our side. That helped a great deal."

Humm led Nebraska to victories against Notre Dame in the 1972 Orange Bowl, Texas in the 1973 Cotton Bowl and Florida in the 1974 Sugar Bowl. His 5,035 career passing yards stood as the school record until Zac Taylor topped him in 2006.

In the NFL, Humm was a backup to Ken Stabler when the Oakland Raiders won Super Bowl XI and played behind Jim Plunkett when the Raiders captured Super Bowl XVIII. Humm spent his pro career as a backup.

He worked for years as an analyst for Raider games on radio. The late Al Davis, Mr. Raider himself, told Humm he had a job for life.

"Al Davis was a great man," Murtaugh said. "But doctors told Dave that by the end of the year -- this year -- his vocal cords are going to shut down."

The NFL, thanks in large part to the urging of an ex-Husker great who didn't want his name used, wrote the Husker Greats Foundation a check for $11,000 to help Humm.

Several former Raiders have stepped up. Plunkett, Stabler, Fred Biletnikoff and Bill Romanowski are among those who have made donations and offered support. A slew of ex-Raiders and ex-Huskers will be on hand for a benefit golf outing June 17 in Las Vegas.

Murtaugh, hoping for a huge turnout, encourages the public to attend. Go to huskergreatsfoundation.org for details.

Murtaugh is convinced Humm's situation can prod the NFL to do more to help former players who have suffered head trauma and other ailments.

Humm would be pleased if that occurs, obviously. Remember his directive to Murtaugh -- Humm was adamant about helping others worse off than himself. Amazing.

And kudos to Murtaugh. What a huge heart. He regards the Husker Greats Foundation as the Husker family's foundation -- not his foundation. He takes no credit. He's stern about that. Even stubborn.

Humm would understand.

[entropy]

LJS

You've heard a lot of talk about the 500-mile radius for Husker recruiting.

The 50-mile radius is becoming interesting enough.

And, oh yeah, Papillion-La Vista's Kenzo Cotton is starting to build a strong case as the most interesting recruiting story in the state.

That's saying something considering there's Lincoln Southeast's D.J. Foster and all his options, Gretna's Mick Stoltenberg and his Steve Warren endorsement, and Millard West's Harrison Phillips, who apparently received 115 letters from Duke ... in one day.

(Coming on a little strong, aren't you Duke?)

Back to Cotton, who was visited by Oregon coach Scott Frost yesterday. And according to Cotton's Twitter account, he received an offer from Nebraska's new Big Ten rival Wisconsin today.

As I wrote on Saturday, when Cotton dominated the state track week, he's a pretty fascinating prospect in the fact he's obviously a freak athlete but still a raw football player.

The ceiling of potential is high, but since it hasn't been all put on film yet, some coaches might want to see a little more.

Nebraska hasn't yet offered him but will get a closer look at the speedster (wide receiver or defensive back) during summer camps.

I'll say this: It's not an easy prospect evaluation, particularly when Nebraska has, probably at most, 20 spots when this class is all said and done. And 20 might be generous.

But the fact new Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen is dipping his toes into the state for a recruit sure adds a little spice to the storyline, doesn't it?

[Wild Hoss]

Its difficult to fathom that, given all the bums this staff has given scholarships to, they haven't offered a 10.4 100-meter kid from Papillion. Doubly so when Bill Synder- who has forgotten more about talent evaluation than this staff will ever know- already offered him a ride.

Now that I've typed it out, its really not all that surprising after all.

[entropy]

I have no idea if he can play football or not.. i didn't know snyder offered him.. has he?

not all speed guys can play the game.. with 19 scholarships this year, I'd wait until camp to decide...

[Wild Hoss]

Synder has offered. As has Oregon and Wisconsin.

As to whether he can play football or not, that label applies to a lot of guys we've offered, very few of which possess these kinds of measurables.

That's an example why we are where we are compared to those programs IMO. They know what they're doing...we do not.

[entropy]

he has a chance to show UNL want he has at camp...

[Wild Hoss]

He also has a chance to tell us we missed the boat.

Cripes, and his dad is a former player to boot. 58 of Barney Cotton's kids on scholarship, fucking up left and right, and a kid who likely to finish his prep career as the fastest athlete in state history has an offer form Bill Synder before us. Ridiculous.

[WM Wolverine]

KSU is able to sign 30+ kids a year it seems with all their JUCO's so they can more easily offer a kid like that before Nebraska can.