Every week, the Husker Locker staff sits down and is presented a number of questions addressing various aspects of Nebraska Cornhuskers sports.
This week:
- What was your reaction to Andrus Peat selecting Stanford over Nebraska?
James: Shock. Disbelief. Disappointment. Anger. Probably all seven stages of grief. I mean, this kid was a lock or so we thought. If I look at it objectively, he may have made the right decision, better coaching staff (offensively), better position coach, better recent history of getting offensive linemen in the draft.
The family factor and early playing time (can you say four-year starter?) should’ve given Nebraska a good shot here. Really unfortunate for the Huskers, this was the crown jewel of the class, and his absence is notable.
Erin: Honestly, I wasn’t that surprised. It reminded me a lot of defensive end Owa Odighizuwa a couple years ago when he picked UCLA. I guess I’ve been in a “hope for the best but prepare for the worst” mentality with recruiting for awhile. Peat would have been a huge grab, but he somehow was persuaded to pick Stanford. I still don’t get how that happened with the family ties at Nebraska.
It really is a new day in college football though when a big, bruising offensive lineman picks to play for Stanford over Nebraska.
Greg: Obviously I, like many fans across Husker Nation, was disappointed. He would’ve been an excellent addition and probably could have been a kid to see significant time right away. However, it was his decision, and we never “had” him, so it’s not like we “lost” him. Hopefully that makes sense.
Brandon: Shock and awe. Between the live chat we were doing and my Twitter feed last Wednesday, things switched between jubilation and severe skepticism in an instant. For about two seconds of this entire recruiting cycle, I felt that Peat was going elsewhere…then he pulled out a Stanford hat.
- What grade would you give Nebraska’s 2012 recruiting class?
James: C. only signing 17 players is rough. Not having a back-up plan for Peat to fill up the offensive line slots doesn’t help, either. A couple questionable offers. The 14-15 solid guys though look good. When adding the walk-ons, it’s probably a C-plus/B-minus in terms of talent infusion.
Peat is worth half a letter grade himself. Looking forward to 2013, the Huskers are going to have depth issues at some spots, requiring JUCOs or surprise players stepping up. Not where you want to be going into year six, next season.
Erin: C. It wasn’t anything special. Nebraska got another Cotton and a few four-star recruits. It’s not a bad class, but there’s also only 17 of them. It was a bit of a “meh” class for me.
Greg: I give it a B. Peat would’ve made this an A- to A class, but Nebraska still has a ton of talent coming to Lincoln next fall (or already on campus – I see you, Mo Seisay). I’m very excited to get these young men into the program because I think that while some can contribute right away, others can (and will) be contributing down the road.
Brandon: A C-minus. Not because of the individual recruits, as there are some awesome prospects in this class, but rather that over the course of what should’ve been a year-plus, Nebraska was only able to fill 17 out 18 available spots.
Taking it a step further, there were no back-up plans at for a second quarterback (Devin Fuller), offensive tackle (Peat), linebacker (Quanzell Lambert), defensive back (Brandon Beaver and Devian Shelton) or safety (Jordan Diggs). Whether this class was the result of poor organization, apathy or both, it’s an amazingly disappointing effort considering the resources available.
- Who will have the best career out of all of Nebraska’s 2012 recruits?
James: I’m torn between Zaire Anderson having a great linebacking career, Jordan Westerkamp at wide receiver for four seasons. I also have a good feeling about Tommy Armstrong. From the walk-on class, I really, really like King Frazier. And Ryker Fyfe is a killer pick-up for a walk-on and could surprise folks.
Erin: Mohammed Seisay. I just feel like the kid is going to do big things for Nebraska and quickly and make an impact. He may not be the next Lavonte David, Alfonzo Dennard, or whomever he is being compared to this week, but he’ll be a hell of a corner for Nebraska. Mark my word.
If not Seisay, I’d throw Tommy Armstrong on the list too.
Greg: There are possibilities on both sides of the ball. I’m excited for guys like Westerkamp, Armstrong, Valentine, Cross, Afalava, Seisay and many others because I think they could all be stand-outs. I’m not yet ready to put the mark of “best career” (and the potential pressure that goes with it) on any of these kids.
Brandon: I’m tempted to say Tommy Armstrong, but knowing Pelini’s penchant for turning JUCO linebackers into studs, I’ll go with Zaire Anderson. He’s a big boy, agile and can pack a punch. He’s just the guy that a thin corps needs in a physical conference like the Big Ten.
From the walk-ons, I love what I see from quarterback Ryker Fyfe and fullback Andy Janovich.
- What’s your overall feeling towards Husker baseball with the season just around the corner?
James: The Big Ten is the worst division one college baseball conference in terms of RPI. Nebraska should have an easy time competing for the conference title immediately. I’m heading out to Phoenix for the Huskers first series, and am excited to see them play.
My biggest complaint about the Anderson years was the team attitude and body language. If Erstad can get these guys to compete, play with fire, and try to make every opportunity count, the team should improve. Combine that with weakened competition, and I like the Huskers’ chances to win the Big Ten. Hopefully they do, because a tournament bid may not come easily otherwise.
Erin: It’s going to be a season of growing pains. I’ll talk more about it in my season preview, but fans need to just be patient. It’s been several years since Nebraska saw the field at the College World Series, and it might be a few more. Patience is important for this team.
Greg: Husker baseball is in a unique situation because they go into a conference that isn’t a perennial power on the diamond. Michigan State and Illinois tied for a conference title last year with identical 15-9 league records.
Are you telling me that Nebraska can’t do better? I know they can. Darin Erstad brings a renewed excitement with him that, as baseball fans and as Husker fans, we should all embrace. Look for Husker baseball to do very well this year.
Brandon: I’m incredibly psyched for it. During Mike Anderson’s last season, many fans expected poor performance and that’s just what they got. I love Erstad’s attitude, he has an amazing staff and he’s got the entire roster believing that they can be in Omaha later this year. It’s a clean slate and I’m one of the many excited to see what Erstad can do with it.
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Brandon: @huskerlocker
Brian: @btbowling
Erin: @helloerinmarie
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