Avery Roberts to Nebraska: Cornhuskers Land 4-Star ILB Prospect

Inside linebacker can serve as the quarterback of a defense, which is surely what Nebraska hopes Avery Roberts will become when he arrives on campus in 2017.   

On Thursday, Roberts explained to Brian Dohn of Scout.com his reasons for choosing to become a Cornhusker: 

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I'm going to Nebraska. I feel like it's the best place for me to achieve everything I want to do. It's a family environment and great coaches that cares about me. They've always been there. From the day they offered me at the end of my sophomore year, they've always been there, constantly talking to me. We've probably never gone a week without some kind of communication with them.

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Roberts is one of the best linebacker prospects in next year's recruiting class. He's rated as a 4-star prospect, the best player in the state of Delaware, the sixth-best inside linebacker and the 185th-best player overall, per 247Sports' composite rankings. 

There is still a development curve awaiting Roberts. He's smaller than a typical inside linebacker, listed at 6'1" and 215 pounds, so it may take one year as a redshirt before Nebraska's able to use him as an every-down player on defense. 

However, per ESPN.com's Recruiting Nation scouting report, Roberts is able to make up for his lack of size with tremendous strength and closing speed:

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Possesses very good speed and closing burst. Has a quick first step and the lateral agility to make plays in space. Heady player who is always in sound positions and quickly recognizes blocking schemes and screens. Flashes the strength to stack and shed in run support. Drops well in coverage. Solid form tackler with good pop.

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Another aspect of Roberts' game that will help his transition to college, which the scouting report mentions, is dropping into pass coverage.

Nebraska head coach Mike Riley began his career in Lincoln last year on a down note, as the Cornhuskers finished under .500 for the first time since 2007. 

Landing elite recruits is one reason Nebraska's prestige has dropped in recent years. Riley's recruiting class for next season is off to a good start at No. 17, with Roberts becoming the third 4-star prospect to commit, per 247Sports' composite team rankings. 

Per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren, the top of Nebraska's 2017 class is already looking strong:

Brian Christopherson of the Lincoln Star Journal noted that 247Sports' updated team rankings for 2017 have the Big Ten making a big impression:

The Huskers defense was once nicknamed the Blackshirts thanks to the presence of inside linebackers like Marc Munford and Ed Stewart. Things haven't been like that in Lincoln for a long time, but the Huskers need to start forging an identity to compete in the Big Ten. 

Inside linebackers have been devalued because teams don't specifically count on them to stop the run with bigger and more athletic defensive linemen, so being able to defend the pass is an essential part of the job. 

Roberts has that ability and the raw talent to be a difference-maker in the middle of any defense. He's got an aggressive, physical style that will endear him to fans and teammates quickly, as well as the toughness to make any play in any situation. 

Recruiting info courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.