2015 Recruits Who Could Be Affected by Bo Pelini's Firing at Nebraska

Nebraska dismissed head coach Bo Pelini on Sunday, ending a seven-year tenure that featured consistent victory totals but few signature wins.

"We weren't good enough in the games that mattered," athletic director Shawn Eichorst stated during his press conference with the media (h/t 247Sports).

The move raised expectations at Nebraska and created a high-profile vacancy in Lincoln:

While fans and players provided a variety of reactions that ranged from supportive to outraged, it's always important to keep an eye on how potential prospects view coaching changes in college.

Members of the team's 2015 class have dealt strictly with Pelini and his staff throughout their relationship with the university. Now they must determine whether to remain on board with an incoming regime.

The same questions also face uncommitted recruiting targets, who've maintained conversations with a group of Nebraska coaches headed toward the exit door. Stable situations elsewhere may sway many of them away from the Cornhuskers, as Nebraska defensive back Josh Mitchell expressed:

With that in mind, let's look at how the firing could influence key Nebraska prospects and the fate of a 2015 class that currently rates 47th nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Running back Kendall Bussey (New Orleans, Louisiana)

The Newman High School speedster initially committed to the Cornhuskers in February, becoming a foundational member of the class. However, he didn't hesitate to shake things up following the news.

Bussey, the latest addition in a respectable pipeline between Lincoln and Louisiana, tweeted a message detailing his decision to explore other collegiate options:

"

Coach Pelini is a great man and a big reason why I found Lincoln to be a good home for me. While I have not entirely closed (the) door on Nebraska, I feel that it is in my best interest to reopen my recruitment.

"

The 5'8", 192-pound playmaker was viewed as an eventual game-changer at running back, drawing comparisons to current Nebraska star Ameer Abdullah. His presence seemed to stabilize depth at the position in upcoming years.

"They told me I’m the first running back on their board,” Bussey told Sam McKewon of Omaha.com after his commitment.

Bussey had more than 1,000 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns before November, per Garrett Galuszka of NOLA.com. Though Nebraska remains in the mix, a recent visit to Tennessee has him trending toward the Volunteers in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.

It's imperative for Nebraska's new coaching staff to identify a replacement at running back if Bussey turns his back on the team. Other rushers remain available, but that list will continue to dwindle as signing day approaches.

Defensive end Reuben Jones (Lakeland, Florida)

The 6'3", 223-pound defender is a recent addition to the class, so this news comes at a particularly frustrating time for the promising pass-rusher. Jones pledged to the Cornhuskers just two weeks prior to Pelini's dismissal.

He expressed confidence in that commitment on Twitter but wouldn't rule out alternative possibilities:

Jones possesses the athleticism and physical frame to play multiple positions in college. He was viewed as one of the program's premier defensive targets during the final stretch of this cycle.

Nebraska hosted him for an official visit in September and battled with the likes of Central Florida and West Virginia for his services. Jones could now choose to revisit the idea of playing for one of those programs, though his most recent official visit took place at Big Ten foe Michigan State.

Jones told Alex Lantz of the Lincoln Journal Star:

"

I want to go to Nebraska and I like the school; I just need to make sure I have a connection with the new coaches. They might not even like me, so I might be forced to look somewhere else.

If they want me to take (defensive end) Randy Gregory's place, I need a coach who I know is going to help me do that.

"

He tallied 71 tackles, including 14 for loss, and a team-high 10 sacks this season, per MaxPreps. Jones has nearly 200 tackles and 25 sacks since 2012.

Credit: 247Sports

Wide receiver Stanley Morgan (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Much like Bussey, he distanced himself from his Nebraska commitment but didn't slam the door on a possible reconciliation. Regardless, the St. Augustine High School star is officially open to other programs just weeks after he looked like a major component of the Cornhuskers class.

That doesn't bode well for a Nebraska team that could use a productive pass-catcher of his stature. The 6'0", 185-pound playmaker spent much of his high school career serving as an explosive secondary weapon in an offensive attack that featured top overall 2014 prospect Leonard Fournette.

Credit: 247Sports

While defensive game plans focused on slowing the prolific running back, Morgan did plenty of damage. He caught 127 passes as a sophomore and junior, racking up 1,883 yards and 26 scores.

Though he dealt with a shoulder injury this season, Morgan compiled 46 receptions for 891 yards and eight touchdowns through October, per Andrew Lopez of NOLA.com.

Pelini secured his commitment last month. If he rules out Nebraska, expect Tulane and Florida to emerge as possible destinations.

Recruit ratings and information courtesy of 247Sports.