Nebraska Football Recruiting: Rose and Moore Highlight Ups, Downs of Recruiting

It’s been an eventful week for Nebraska’s roster, for both this year and in future years. So to preview how we analyze games around here, let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the other of Nebraska’s very full week.

The Good—Nebraska Picks Up Two Commits

Nebraska got commitments from offensive lineman Zach Hannon and defensive back Jonathan Cook over the week. Hannon is a 3-star prospect from Kansas City, while Cook is a 3-star prospect from Alabama.

As will be discussed, adding depth at offensive line for Nebraska has suddenly become more of a priority, making Hannon’s addition to the class that much more important. And getting a defensive prospect like Cook out of the SEC is a good sign for the status of Nebraska’s recruiting program.

There’s still plenty to worry about until signing day, of course. Cook was never offered by Alabama or Auburn, so if either school comes knocking with a scholarship between now and February Nebraska fans might have to sweat things out a little bit.

But getting the 2013 recruiting class up to 14 in mid-August is a good sign for Nebraska, particularly when the new commits are at positions of need for NU.

The Bad—Tyler Moore Leaves the Team

Sophomore offensive lineman Tyler Moore left the Nebraska squad “temporarily” for “personal reasons” and his return to the team is “uncertain,” Bo Pelini was quoted in the Lincoln Journal-Star as saying.

In 2011, Moore was the first true freshman in Nebraska history to start at tackle and was part of a highly touted class of offensive line recruits. There are stories circulating—unsubstantiated at this time—that Moore will be transferring to South Florida.

This is definitely problematic for Nebraska, both now and in the future. If Moore does not return, Nebraska is left with three players (Brent Qvale, Andrew Rodriguez and Jeremiah Sirles) to play tackle, making NU dangerously thin at the position. Moore’s transfer also comes on the heels of Aaron Green leaving for TCU and offensive guard Ryan Klachko leaving the team possibly for Illinois.

Many were looking at the offensive line class of 2012 as the potential solution to Nebraska’s struggles on the line in recent years. With the departure of Klachko, and now possibly Moore, serious questions arise in terms of offensive line talent, coaching styles and recruiting judgment.

And the Name-Dropping—Nebraska Lands an SEC Transfer

Jonathan Rose, a 4-star defensive back recruit who saw playing time on special teams for Auburn in 2011, has transferred to Nebraska. Rose will use his redshirt season in 2012 and will have three years of eligibility starting in 2013.

During his initial recruiting, Nebraska defensive backs coach Terry Joseph was recruiting Rose for Tennessee, and his connections to Rose helped NU beat out Florida State and a number of other schools to get Rose’s letter of intent. A friendship with Ameer Abdullah also helped convince Rose, along with Nebraska’s history of sending defensive backs into the NFL, that Lincoln was the place for him to finish his college career.

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