Nebraska Football Recruiting: Power Ranking Bo Pelini's Recruiting Classes

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The class of 2013 will be head coach Bo Pelini’s sixth in charge of Nebraska football recruiting. As signing day draws near, and Nebraska fans become increasingly worried about the lack of trophies in the cabinet, more focus than ever is put on Pelini’s acumen as a recruiter.

So in a shameless recycling of an idea from last year, let’s take a look at all of Pelini’s recruiting classes and see how they stack up against each other. As we learn more about the players recruited in the more recent classes, the grades of those classes can change from year to year, of course.

No. 6: Class of 2011

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Total class size: 20

Standout player: Ameer Abdullah

Stars: Jamal Turner, Daimion Stafford

Contributors: Joe Carter, Kevin Williams

Potential stars: Mauro Bondi, David Santos, Charles Jackson

Busts: Bubba Starling, Aaron Green, Tyler Moore, Ryan Klachko, Givens Price

2010 looked like the year that Nebraska would accumulate an offensive line that could grow and mature together, anchoring Nebraska’s offense for years to come. But with the defections of Tyler Moore and Ryan Klachko and the lack of progress from Givens Price, in a real sense Nebraska is all but starting over from the work in 2010. The transfer of Aaron Green and the failed chase of Bubba Starling also helped to make the 2011 more about misses than hits.

No. 5: Class of 2012

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Total class size: 17

Standout player: Imani Cross

Stars: Too early to tell

Contributors: Too early to tell

Potential stars: Tommy Armstrong, Thomas Brown, Vincent Valentine

Busts: Mohammed Seisay, Zaire Anderson (injury-related)

Given Nebraska’s lack of experience on defense, a lot of players from last year’s class will get a chance to shine in 2013. Imani Cross was the only true freshman who got any kind of significant playing time last year, but that will change in a hurry next season. It’s tough to label Mohammed Seisay and Zaire Anderson as busts, but injuries derailed their season last year and both will be competing for playing time next season.

No. 4: Class of 2010

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Total class size: 21

Standout player: Lavonte David

Stars: Kenny Bell

Contributors: Quincy Enunwa, Ciante Evans, Josh Mitchell

Potential stars: None

Busts: Corey Cooper, Brion Carnes, Tobi Okuyemi, Walker Ashburn, Donovan Vestal, Andrew Rodriguez

While Lavonte David may be one of the two best defensive players Bo Pelini has coached, the unfortunate fact is that the 2010 class was full of a lot of misses, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines. Nebraska’s struggles in the trenches in 2012 can be linked to the struggles with the 2010 class.

No. 3: Class of 2013

Total class size: 23 so far (25 targeted)

Standout player: Johnny Stanton

Stars: Too early to tell

Contributors: Too early to tell

Potential stars: Terrell Newby, Josh Banderas

Busts: Too early to tell

While Nebraska’s 2013 class is still in flux, signs are good that NU will be inking a top 20 class nationally. While it was tempting to put Terrell Newby as the highlight of the class, it’s just too hard to look past Johnny Stanton. When Nebraska can land an Elite 11 quarterback and make his commitment stick, it does nothing but good both for the individual class and for Nebraska’s prestige as a destination for top athletes.

No. 2: Class of 2009

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Standout player: Taylor Martinez

Stars: Rex Burkhead, Eric Martin, Dejon Gomes

Contributors: Jason Ankrah, Brandon Kinnie, Jeremiah Sirles, Brent Qvale

Potential stars: Cole Pensick, Thaddeus Randle

Busts: Cody Green, Dontrayveous Robinson, C.J. Zimmerer

Yes, I know many of you will be upset that I put Taylor Martinez as the standout player of the class over Rex Burkhead. And don’t get me wrong, Burkhead was a great (and probably underappreciated) back. But Martinez looks ready to set himself in Nebraska’s record books for a long time to come.

No. 1: Class of 2008

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Total class size: 28

Standout player: Alfonzo Dennard

Stars: Will Compton, Ben Cotton, Kyler Reed, Baker Steinkuhler

Contributors: Cameron Meredith, Sean Fisher, P.J. Smith, Courtney Osborne, Tim Marlowe

Potential stars: None

Busts: Khiry Cooper, Steven Osborne, Kody Spano, Collins Okafor, Lester Ward

Bo Pelini’s first class brought a number of players who anchored Nebraska through the 2011 and 2012 seasons. It is likely no accident that a defensive coach like Pelini did much better with his defensive recruiting than his offensive recruiting in year one, although that script has curiously flipped as Pelini has grown as a recruiter.

 

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