Life in the Red Group

A few things to go with your morning coffee, or whatever:

* Nebraska defensive ends coach John Papuchis surfaced on a Rivals.com list of the top 10 recruiters in the Big 12.

Writes Rivals:

Papuchis landed five quality prospects in Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota and Missouri for the Huskers. Plus, he had Nebraska in the final group for five-star Owamagbe Odighizuwa. Defensive line was a huge need, and the Huskers are hoping Jay Guy and Chase Rome could play early; both were recruited Papuchis. He basically is responsible for the entire defensive line recruiting class - one of the better defensive line recruiting classes in school history.

* In a Tuesday column, I mention Papuchis as a possible rising star in the business. In 2010, I think we'll see Carl Pelini assume an increasing amount of responsibility in guiding the defense as Bo Pelini focuses more energy on all aspects of the program (including the offense). Carl Pelini, who doubles as defensive line coach, can put more focus on the big picture as Papuchis takes on added responsibility coaching the defensive linemen.

* Nebraska 2010 signee Jermarcus Hardrick, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound OT, is on ESPN blogger Tim Griffin's list of five players who could make a big push this spring for playing time in the fall. Writes Griffin:

The former LSU commitment and transfer from Fort Scott Community College could contend for immediate playing time with a strong spring effort. Nebraska coaches love his size and his tenacity as he already shown well in early conditioning drills.

At No. 3, Nebraska has its highest ranking ever in the sport. How impressive is NU's ascent? The Huskers weren't even ranked until the fourth week of the season.

Voter Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette had Nebraska at No. 2 on his ballot this week. (Click here to check out all the ballots.)

"They are still undefeated and are beating some pretty good teams," Zeise told the AP. "They've played a lot of teams that have been ranked in the top 10 and beat them all. They haven't really had a close game."

UConn is No. 1 again, followed by Stanford, Nebraska and Notre Dame, which dropped a spot despite its two wins last week.

This week's AP poll:

2. Stanford (21-1) 959

3. Nebraska (21-0) 896

4. Notre Dame (21-1) 894

5. Tennessee (20-2) 850

6. Xavier (18-3) 775

7. Ohio State (23-3) 740

8. Duke (18-4) 709

9. West Virginia (21-3) 627

10. Florida State (20-4) 593

11. Baylor (17-5) 537

12. Oklahoma (16-6) 511

14. Texas (16-6) 475

15. Oklahoma State (18-5) 436

16. Georgetown (19-3) 402

17. Kentucky (20-3) 372

18. North Carolina (16-5) 358

19. Georgia (19-5) 323

20. Iowa State (18-4) 210

21. Georgia Tech (19-5) 205

22. Gonzaga (19-4) 118

23. LSU (15-7) 93

24. TCU (17-5) 70

25. St. John's (19-4) 68

One thing I learned from the Super Bowl:

Ex-Husker Carl Nicks appears on his way to becoming one of the NFL's best guards. The 6-foot-5, 345-pounder was a 2008 fifth-round pick who started the final 13 games last season and was regarded as one of the league's best rookie linemen. This season, he locked down the LG position on an excellent line.

Drew Brees was 32-for-39 for 288 yards and two TDs Sunday. In addition to Nicks, the men protecting Brees were Jahri Evans (Bloomsburg), Jonathan Goodwin (Michigan), Jon Stinchcomb (Georgia), Jerman Bushrod (Towson), Zach Strief (Northwestern), Nick Leckey (Kansas State) and Jamar Nesbit (South Carolina).

* * *

Ex-Husker linebacker Scott Shanle, a seven-year NFL veteran, had six tackles in the Super Bowl.

* * *

Here's the Super Bowl box score, courtesy of The Dallas Morning news.

* * *

OK, the obligatory "What was your favorite commercial?" discussion. I'll go with the Audi 2010 Green Car ad, which began with the guy at the grocery store checkout stand getting accosted by a "Green Policeman" after choosing plastic.

"You picked the wrong day to mess with the ecosystem, plastic boy," the green cop growls as he shoves the poor guy's face onto the checkout stand.

You also had to like the human bridge in the Budweiser commercial.

***

How about the Saints' on-side kick to begin the second half?

"It was amazing," Saints center Goodwin said Monday on ESPN radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning. "When we took the field after we recovered the onside kick it was just a whole different feel to the game. It just felt like there was no way we could lose the game. . . . That particular moment changed history for us."

Just a quick follow to Saturday's blog about the voting to determine the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class.

Ex-Husker great Roger Craig didn't make the cut.

This from the Miami Herald:

Everybody knew Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, and Jerry Rice, the NFL's all-time leader in enough categories for his own record-book page, were locks. The rest who made what a few selectors called the toughest finalist cut in years were (inductions will be Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio):

• New Orleans linebacker Rickey Jackson, leader of one of the all-time great linebacking corps during the 1980s, Pahokee High graduate and the first longtime Saint selected to the Hall.

• Washington guard Russ Grimm, a member of ``The Hogs'' offensive line that plowed the Redskins to four Super Bowls and three Super Bowl titles in 10 seasons.

• Defensive tackle John Randle, one of the scariest interior line pass rushers of the 1990s for Minnesota after being undrafted out of Texas A&I.

• Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a brilliant defensive coach for 37 seasons after 62 interceptions in 13 NFL seasons as a player, third-most in NFL history when he retired.

• Denver's Little, the short, bowlegged running back who led the league in rushing in 1971 and made two AFL All-Star Games and three Pro Bowls as the lone weapon on some bad Denver teams.

Lebeau and Little were the Seniors Committee nominees.

``This is Super Bowl 44, I wore No. 44, Dick LeBeau wore No. 44, there are 44 selectors and we have the 44th president,'' said Little, who admitted he doubted he would ever be inducted, especially after he didn't make it last year.

Little obviously had some serious karma on his side.

Others who got skipped over included Andre Reed, Cortez Kennedy, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Dermontti Dawson, Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Shannon Sharpe and coach Don Coryell.

Writes legendary Miami Herald columnist Edwin Pope:

Some of their times still will come. Others will linger in the limbo between plain greatness and Hall-certified greatness. Neither is the worst of places for an NFL player to land.

Here's Pope's column in its entirety.

A quote in Curt McKeever's game story in Sunday's newspaper caught my eye:

"This is a team that has a great chance of getting to the Final Four, Elite Eight, Sweet 16," Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair said of Nebraska after the Huskers defeated the Aggies 71-60 on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.

Saying the roughest part of Nebraska's schedule is over takes on new meaning after watching the Huskers defeat a very physical A&M squad.

Fourth-ranked Nebraska improved to 21-0 and 8-0 in the Big 12. During the first half of the league schedule, the Huskers defeated four Top 25 teams -- Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma State and A&M. The Huskers won road games against Iowa State, Baylor, Texas Tech and Colorado. Very impressive.

Here are Nebraska's final eight Big 12 games, with records and ratings according to CollegeRPI.com:

Feb. 10 -- at Kansas (13-7 overall, 3-4 Big 12, No. 25)

Feb. 13 -- at Missouri (11-10, 1-7, No. 89)

Feb. 17 -- vs. Iowa State (17-4, 5-3, No. 34)

Feb. 20 -- vs. Colorado (12-9, 2-6, No. 92)

Feb. 24 -- at Oklahoma (16-6, 6-3, No. 7)

Feb. 27 -- vs. Missouri

March 3 -- vs. Kansas

March 6 -- at Kansas State (11-10, 3-4, No. 81)

Another big crowd on hand to watch Nebraska take on Texas A&M. Aggies scored first and then Nebraska ripped off 12 straight points.

This thing is really physical. Ags really focused on getting a body on Kelsey Griffin, who's scoreless. Figuring she'll eventually break out, it's a very good thing for the Huskers that they still lead 21-12 midway through the first half.

This thing's on FSN if you have cable.

Here's what respected analyst Phil Steele prognosticates the poll will look like:

1) Alabama

2) Ohio State

3) Boise State

4) Oregon

5) Texas

6) TCU

7) Iowa

8) Florida

9) Nebraska

10) Virginia Tech

A panel of media members will vote today in Miami to determine the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class, selecting from a list of 17 finalists that includes former Husker RB Roger Craig.

A minimum of three inductees and a maximum of seven will be chosen.

Other finalists:

Tim Brown, WR

Cris Carter, WR

Don Coryell, coach

Dermontti Dawson, C

Richard Dent, DE

Russ Grimm, G

Charles Haley, DE

Rickey Jackson, LB

Cortez Kennedy, DT

Dick LeBeau, DB

Floyd Little, RB

John Randle, DT

Andre Reed, WR

Jerry Rice, WR

Shannon Sharpe, TE

Emmitt Smith, FB

Craig, whose last year at Nebraska was 1982, in 1985 became the first NFL running back to gain more than 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. Since then, only one other running back has achieved the same feat (Marshall Faulk in 1999).

Craig also caught a then-record 92 passes in the 1985 campaign. In 1988, Craig set a then-49ers record with 1,502 yards rushing (Garrison Hearst broke the record with 1,570 yards in 1998. Frank Gore holds the current record with 1,695 yards in 2006). The 1988 season was the second time Craig broke the 2,000 combined yardage mark in his career.

Craig finished his eleven NFL seasons with 8,189 rushing yards, 566 receptions for 4,911 receiving yards, and three kickoff returns for 43 yards. Overall, he amassed 13,143 total yards and scored 73 touchdowns (56 rushing and 17 receiving).

He remains the only running back to lead the NFL in receptions for a single season, and the only one ever to record over 100 receiving yards in a Super Bowl.

Does it all make him Hall worthy? We'll see.

Sills is a seventh-grader from Delaware who is part of the, um, 2015 class.

"It's always been my dream to go to USC," Sills told the Los Angeles Times.

This is all fairly amusing to me, but here's his highlights if you're interested.

While on the topic of USC and quarterbacks, if you've never read this Esquire story on Todd Marinovich -- the product of great hype and expectations as a youngster -- it's worth your time.

One thing to consider as you continue to ponder Nebraska's 2010 recruiting class (which I'm doing as we speak):

Even though there's a set position listing for each player, those positions aren't set in stone for everyone by any means.

Let's look at the linemen. Nebraska coaches say they are committed to recruiting the best big men they can find on either side of the ball. So, while Jake Cotton (6-7, 265) will start out on the defensive line, it's possible he could eventually outgrow the position and become an offensive lineman. Same goes for 6-foot-5, 250-pound DE recruit Donovan Vestal, who has a large frame and will likely add weight easily and perhaps quickly.

Someone like Walker Ashburn (6-3, 245) could eventually move from DE to DT. Chase Rome, whom coaches think might be able to contribute immediately, appears versatile enough to play DT or DE.

The position fluidity conversation isn't limited to big men. Corey Cooper, recruited as a four-star safety, is an excellent receiver and would work well as a slot receiver (think Nate Swift).

Both Kenny Bell and Tyler Evans are listed as WRs, but both would be very capable of moving to cornerback.

One other thing to consider about Owa's 11th-hour decision to attend UCLA: Yes, it's a disappointment for Nebraska that it lost him. On the other hand, NU has five defensive linemen in the class, so it isn't as if the Huskers lost a player at a position of need.

If you missed it, here's video (Part 1 and Part 2) of Bo Pelini's Wednesday's press conference.

And if you'd rather just read Bo's takes, here are some of the highlights:

Check out who's atop Rivals.com's final 2010 team recruiting rankings.

Isn't that Lane Kiffin something else?

1. Southern Cal

2. Florida

3. Texas

4. Auburn

5. Alabama

6. Louisiana State

7. Oklahoma

8. UCLA

9. Tennessee

10. Florida State

* * *

"Obviously, it was a great day for the Trojan family," said Kiffin, who was hired as USC's coach less than a month ago. "I'm extremely proud of the work done by our staff and everyone involved. To be here for just a couple weeks and to be able to sign so many of the top-ranked high school players in the country speaks volumes about the past and the future of the USC football program.

"Our goal is not to sign a lot of players just to fill spots on the roster. Our goal is to sign players who can compete at the highest level. We feel the quality of the players we signed is of the highest level."

According to Rivals.com, Kiffin's formula was two-fold. First, he had to keep on board a number of blue-chip recruits who had been a part of Pete Carroll's class. This included five-star prospects Kyle Prater, Robert Woods and Dillon Baxter. Kiffin and his staff were able to keep 11 of the 14 players who had pledged to the Trojans at the time of Carroll's departure.

The new staff then went to work on some other prospects.

Full article here.

Check out UCLA at No. 8. The battle for L.A. should be intense so long as Kiffin and Rick Neuheisel are around.

Any doubt which conference is the strongest? Note five SEC teams in the top 10.

One interesting thing about Wednesday was Bo Pelini's willingness to discuss individual recruits. Not that he got carried away doing it. Not even close. But if you asked him about a specific player, he generally seemed willing to comment.

For instance, he talked about juco offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, who's participating in Nebraska's winter conditioning program.

"He's got a lot to learn, but he's a big, physical, talented football player who we've following for awhile now -- I've been familiar with him for awhile," the Nebraska head coach said. "I think he can have a big impact for us."

Hardrick will be joined at Nebraska by former Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College teammate Lavonte David, a linebacker who also seems capable of immediate playing time.

Nebraska's 2009 recruiting class included another ex-Fort Scott CC player, wideout Brandon Kinnie.

There's a connection at work. Fort Scott head coach Jeff Sims and Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini had offices next to each other for one season (2004) at Minnesota State Mankato, when the team went from 0-11 to 6-5 under head coach Jeff Jamrog.

"Obviously we trust coach Sims and his staff and what they say about the young men," Bo Pelini said. "We get some added insight into what they are and what the kids bring to the table.

"We're not big junior college recruiters -- that's just not what this program is," Pelini said. "But when you're talking about specific guys we feel are going to fit us, we're going to go on them. (Sims) obviously gives us that insight that we like."

* * *

Pelini, on running back Braylon Heard of Youngstown, Ohio: "He's a guy that could take it to the house any time he gets the ball.

"I think he has a chance to be a pretty special player."

* * *

I feel for senior-to-be QB Zac Lee. He ended the 2009 season with a burst of momentum and now apparently will be sidelined at least for the start of spring drills, according to Pelini. Lee's right-arm injury comes at an inopportune time, what with young bucks champing at the bit to win the starting job.

* * *

Don't forget about Kody Spano in the Husker quarterback derby. Pelini said Wednesday Spano "is in great shape." This past August, Spano suffered his second torn ACL since coming to Lincoln.

Fourth-ranked Husker women just tipped off against No. 10 Oklahoma State in the Devaney Center.

I'm guessing in excess of 9,000 on hand for the action. Not bad, considering this one's on FSN.

As always, if you're following along but unable to see the action and have a question I'll be checking back from time to time.

According to CNBC's Darren Rovell, Nike has signed Suh to a contract with the belief he could be a future NFL superstar.

Wrote Rovell: "Suh is expected to be used in furthering Nike's lead in the training category. Over the last couple of years, the company has invested heavily in associating training with football players at the grassroots level by utilizing standardized SPARQ ratings."

Tis good to be Suh right now.

This is impressive.

As of 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, nearly 41,000 tickets for the Red-White Spring Game had been distributed, according to the NU athletic department.

Reserved tickets went on sale at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning for the April 17 game. According to NU Assistant A.D. for Ticketing Holly Adam more than 8,400 tickets were sold in the first 15 minutes the tickets were on sale this morning.

Fans can secure tickets for the spring game at Huskers.com, by calling 1-800-8 BIG RED or in person at the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office. Spring game tickets are $10 each.

He already knew Brion Carnes and Corey Cooper were headed this direction and Owamagbe Odighizuwa wasn't.

Pelini said he moves on fast from the ones that get away, but you could also tell the Husker coach felt strongly that Odighizuwa, the five-star defensive end from Portland, missed out by picking UCLA and not the Huskers.

“It’s his mistake,” Pelini said. “Honestly, I don’t get all caught up in all that. I don’t get all stressed out about whether they’re going to come. If it’s right, they’re going to come. You can drive yourself crazy over the whole thing. In the end it’s a crapshoot if he’s going to be as good as anyone says he was anyway. I thought he was a pretty good player. But in my mind, the kids that don’t choose to come here I don’t believe do themselves a service because I believe we’ll develop them better than the other guy. That’s just the confidence I have.”

Bo Pelini said quarterback Zac Lee "is doing fine" after having elbow surgery but won't likely be available for spring football practices.

“Probably not,” Pelini said. “There’s a lot of things that can happen there. I know he won’t be there for at least the beginning of spring.”

As for Rickey Thenarse, whom Pelini said is returning for his fifth season after missing most of last season with a knee injury?

"I don't know what his status will be for spring ball, but he's doing really well," he said.

Pelini noted there will be some position changes this spring; the only one he confirmed was the move of Cole Pensick, a redshirted freshman, from defensive line to center.

Pelini said Baker Steinkuhler will remain at defensive tackle.

You can watch a livestream of what the Husker coach has to say by clicking right here.

Walker Ashburn DE 6-3 245 Kenner, La. John Curtis HS
Kenny Bell WR 6-2 175 Boulder, Colo. Fairview HS
Brion Carnes QB 6-1 180 Bradenton, Fla. Manatee HS
Corey Cooper DB 6-2 200 Maywood, Ill. Proviso East HS
Jake Cotton DL 6-7 265 Lincoln, Neb. Southeast HS
Lavonte David LB 6-0 215 Miami, Fla. Northwestern HS/Fort Scott (Kan.) CC
Quincy Enunwa WR 6-2 200 Moreno Valley, Calif. Rancho Verde HS
Ciante Evans DB 6-0 170 Arlington, Texas Juan Seguin HS
Tyler Evans WR 6-1 180 Waverly, Neb. Waverly HS
Jay Guy* DT 6-1 300 Houston, Texas Eisenhower HS
Jermarcus "Yoshi" Hardrick** OL 6-7 315 Batesville, Miss. South Panola HS/Fort Scott (Kan.) CC
Chase Harper TE 6-5 250 Pflugerville, Texas Connally HS/Navarro (Texas) JC
Braylon Heard RB 5-11 180 Youngstown, Ohio Cardinal Mooney HS
Harvey Jackson DB 6-1 185 Fresno, Texas Hightower HS
Bronson Marsh ATH 6-0 200 Omaha, Neb. Millard South HS
Josh Mitchell DB 5-11 165 Corona, Calif. Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Mike Moudy OL 6-6 295 Castle Rock, Colo. Douglas County HS
Tobi Okuyemi DE 6-3 250 Maple Grove, Minn. Wayzata HS
Andrew Rodriguez OL 6-6 300 Marquette, Neb. Aurora HS
Chase Rome* DL 6-3 290 Columbia, Mo. Rock Bridge HS
Donovan Vestal DE 6-5 250 Arlington, Texas Bowie HS

Walk-ons

Josh Bart DB 6-1 170 Aurora, Neb. Aurora HS
Jason Dann PK/P 6-0 170 Richardson, Texas Lake Highlands HS
Joey Felici DB 5-9 165 Omaha, Neb. Millard South HS
Derek Foster DB 5-11 175 Elm Creek, Neb. Elm Creek HS
Andy Gdowski DE 6-3 235 Grand Island, Neb. Grand Island HS
Keegan Hughes WR 6-1 175 Roswell, Ga. Roswell HS
Tyson McGill LB/FB 6-1 225 Norfolk, Neb. Norfolk HS
JC Moore DE 6-3 240 Fremont, Neb. Fremont HS
Mark Pelini OL 6-1 290 Youngstown, Ohio Cardinal Mooney HS
Trevor Roach LB/RB 6-3 230 Elkhorn, Neb. Elkhorn HS
Dillon Schrodt WR 6-2 175 Lincoln, Neb. North Star HS
Zach Taylor RB 6-0 195 Lincoln, Neb. Southeast HS
Jeff Uher DL/OL 6-2 270 Omaha, Neb. Creighton Prep HS
Yusef Wade DB/RB 5-10 170 Lincoln, Neb. North Star HS
Austin Williams DB 6-2 190 Omaha, Neb. Burke HS
Tyler Wullenwaber WR 6-1 180 Utica, Neb. Centennial HS

He chose the Bruins over the Huskers and Oregon State.

"I feel 100-percent (all three schools) have great coaches, great academics. and I feel I could close my eyes and pick any of these three schools and be successful," Owa said in an announcement on the ESPN network. "But life doesn't work that way and I know I had to pick the one at the end."

Some people aren't getting much work done today, are they?

Still waiting on news from Owamagbe Odighizuwa. Here's a livestream link to ESPN's coverage of recruiting. Owa's announcement should be on there at 1:30 if all goes as scheduled.

Quite a day already on Nebraska's recruiting front. We'll see what the next two hours brings.

As of 12:30 p.m., Nebraska had moved up to No. 22 in the Rivals.com rankings. The Huskers are 30th nationally in Scout.com's team rankings.

Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, the Huskers were No. 31 in the Rivals.com ratings.

Here are the latest Rivals.com ratings of Big 12 schools:

2. Texas

7. Oklahoma

15. Texas A&M

20. Missouri

22. Nebraska (up from No. 31 on Tuesday)

31. Oklahoma State (down from No. 25 Tuesday)

38. Baylor

41. Texas Tech

54. Iowa State

57. Kansas

62. Kansas State

66. Colorado

“My decision was based on my decision," Carnes said.

But he added: “I talk to Tommie all the time. While I was here at Manatee (High), he told me it was going to be a tough road to go through. And it was. I was going through this and that. I didn’t know where I was going to be. I prayed about it. I put it in God’s hands.”

And here's a story on safety Corey Cooper, who signed with NU shortly after Carnes.

The touted safety from Maywood, Ill., picked Nebraska at a ceremony at his school shortly after 9 a.m.

Notre Dame, Arizona and Illinois were also on his list.

We'll have more from Cooper later on his decision.

His quarterbacks coach Chris Conboy said Carnes signed with NU at 8 a.m. (central time) after thinking and praying about it a lot on Tuesday night.

Carnes had been reportedly committed to Western Kentucky, after a weekend visit there, but Conboy said Carnes called WKU coach Willie Taggart on Wednesday morning to inform him of his change of plans.

"He told me he wanted to play for a BCS Champsionship," Conboy said. "That's the main thing there. It's one of his goals. He liked Nebraska, he liked the trip out there, he had a good rappport with Coach Watson over the last couple weeks. He liked Coach Pelini when he met him. It was a combination of all those things."

More coming on this.