Nebraska Football Recruiting: Grading the Cornhuskers' 2011 Class

The I's have been dotted and the T's have been crossed. The letters of intent are now official, and Nebraska fans now know who will be their next crop of Cornhuskers. After the 2009 season, Bo Pelini said that Nebraska was back and here to stay. A shaky end of the 2010 campaign put some doubt into the minds of the Children of the Corn, but with signing day comes the hope and promise of potential yet to be fulfilled.

So, let's take a look at Nebraska's 2011 recruiting class, complete with measurables, a description of their expected role, and a grade for the recruit.

See where all the Top 100 Recruits are headed.

Aaron Green

POSITION: Running back

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5'11", 180 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Roy Helu will leave some mighty big shoes to fill in 2011. Rex Burkhead is a smart, steady, and dependable back. But he lacks the explosiveness of Helu, and a shortage of explosiveness is a big part of Nebraska's offensive woes at the end of 2010. Green brings that threat to the backfield.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Almost assuredly. NU has already shown a willingness to rotate running backs and play true freshman, so Green's skills are unlikely to languish on the bench.

GRADE: A+. Green is the star signing of the 2011 class, and the first five-star tailback to sign with Nebraska since Marlon Lucky.

(Photo from espn.com)

Jamal Turner

POSITION: Quarterback

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'1", 175 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Most Nebraska fans are suffering from T-Magic fatigue after a season of drama from the talented but mercurial freshman. But one of the reasons Taylor Martinez got such a long leash was because he was the only quarterback on the roster with the physical skills to execute the offense Nebraska designed. Turner's athleticism will at least challenge Martinez, which could be good regardless of who is under center.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? 50/50. Turner hasn't played a ton of quarterback in high school, Martinez has two years in the program as a leg up, and all of a sudden there could be real competition at the position.

GRADE: A. Whether he stays at quarterback, moves to another position, or provides competition for Martinez, Turner's addition will immediately make the team better.

Charles Jackson

POSITION: Cornerback

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5'11", 180 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: The departure of Prince Amukamura, Eric Hagg, and DeJon Gomes means Nebraska will be looking to fill a number of holes in the secondary. Jackson's speed and quickness are a natural asset.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? He's unlikely to start, but he should see playing time either in relief or in dime coverages.

GRADE: A. Jackson falls in the "you can't coach speed" cliche. An excellent job by the NU staff to hold on to his commit.

(Photo from omaha.com)

Bubba Starling

POSITION: Quarterback

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'5", 195 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Starling is the unusual recruit in that Signing Day wasn't the big worry for Nebraska. As a baseball phenom, Nebraska's big worry is for a Major League team to take him with a high draft pick and offer him a lot of money to play baseball. If he ends up wearing a red shirt and a white helmet when NU takes the field this August, he's got immense potential.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Unlikely. Chances are very good that he signs that baseball contract and never steps foot on Memorial Stadium's field in a game. Even if he doesn't, it's tough to see him being able to win the starting job given the distractions he'll face.

GRADE: Incomplete. If he stays at Nebraska, he could be the signing of the class. But it's more likely than not he'll end up being Nebraska's next Carl Crawford.

(Photo from huskerextra.com)

Ryne Reeves

POSITION: Offensive line

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6' 3", 287 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Likely slots in at center. Talented run blocker, will need work on pass blocking skills. An important signing at one of the most important positions on the field.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Maybe in a rotation, as Nebraska returns a senior starting center in Mike Caputo. Tough to see a true freshman coming in at that position.

GRADE: A. As you will see, the 2011 class is anchored by a re-stocked offensive line, and Reeves likely is the best of the bunch.

(Photo from dailynebraskan.com)

Kevin Williams

POSITION: Defensive Tackle

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'2", 270 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Not a pure speed or power pass rusher, but able to do both well enough to generate consistent pressure. Plays the run well enough to hold his own.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Probably will see the field in a rotation, as he will need to add weight and learn the speed of the college game.

GRADE: B+. Even with Pelini's penchant for blitzes, consistent pressure from the front four is crucial for success, and Williams should help provide that in the future.

(Photo from nebraska.statepaper.com)

Todd Peat

POSITION: Defensive tackle

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'3", 295 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: The stand-up-and-cheer moment of National Signing Day for Nebraska fans, as Bo Pelini and co. pull off the coup and land Peat ahead of Arizona State and other west-coast schools. A high-quality, four-star rated recruit that will add depth and talent to an area that already projected to be a strength for Nebraska in 2011.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Being behind Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler means Peat won't start (absent injury), but his skill level means he's unlikely to redshirt. Expect to see him in a rotation and on the field in 2011.

GRADE: B+. Pelini hits another signing day home run with a blue chip defensive athlete. Peat may not be a better player than Williams, but the excitement of a draft-day signing helps the momentum of the program.

(Photo from hurricanesportsnation.com)

David Sutton

POSITION: Tight end

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'3", 250 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Sutton was brought in as a tight end to fill in some depth needs for Nebraska, but played both at TE and at defensive end in high school. 

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Sutton will grayshirt, meaning he won't formally enroll as a full-time student and be considered part of the team until January 2012. He will be working out on his own (although with some guidance from the coaching staff) until he formally joins the team.

GRADE: C. Sutton adds some nice depth down the line as well as flexibility in terms of position.

(Photo from rivals.com)

David Santos

POSITION: Linebacker

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'0", 195 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Has the measurables of another hybrid/peso tweener, like Gomes. Great speed and quickness, but a lack of size could be problematic as NU shifts to the Big Ten

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Maybe some in a rotation, but not a lot given NU's returning roster at the position.

GRADE: B. Talented player, but doesn't seem to fit the change of philosophy NU will likely need from linebacker as they get ready for Big Ten play.

(Photo from hsgridiron.com)

Mauro Bondi

POSITION: Kicker

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'1", 190 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Nebraska had put their eggs in the Niklas Sade basket with regards to replacing the Skinny Assassin, Alex Henery. When Sade decommitted from NU in favor of North Carolina State, Nebraska had to scramble to get a top-notch recruit. They pilfered Bondi, a kid with a monster leg who expressed a willingness to attempt punting as well as placekicking, from Wake Forest.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Yes. If NU was comfortable with their returning talent at the position, they wouldn't have swooped in like they did to get Bondi.

GRADE: A. If NU's returning kicker talent inspired so little faith in the coaching staff, getting a recruit like Bondi might end up being the most important signing of the class.

(Photo from scout.com)

Tyler Moore

POSITION: Offensive line

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'6", 299 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Another big, strong kid coming in to help reload Nebraska's pipeline. Has work to do in both run blocking and pass blocking, but has the physical tools needed to be a contributor.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? He'll have a lot of competition in front of him to see the field, depending on how much NU wants to rotate their offensive line. A redshirt isn't out of the question.

GRADE: B+. For as much as it appears NU is heading to a true spread offense, it's good to see a recruiting focus on the cornerstone of the offense.

Zach Sterup

POSITION: Offensive line

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'8", 270 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: A giant physically, Sterup has the physical attributes to be incredible at run blocking. Pass blocking will be more work on technique, of course, and how a player of his size will translate into Nebraska's evolving offense will be crucial.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Unlikely, depending on his ability to learn pass blocking and how the offense morphs around him. Another redshirt candidate.

GRADE: B+. Offensive line is an area where a team can't have enough talent, especially talent that's six-foot-eight.

(Photo from myhitnews.com)

Ryan Klachko

POSITION: Offensive line

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'3", 280 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Clearly, no one will out-do Klachko in eye-black. Doesn't possess dominant size, but has the quickness and skill set to play both run and pass, and potentially to fit in an Oregon-style offense if NU heads that way.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? A talented and versatile player, but still a redshirt possibility due to the sheer number of OL recruits in the class.

GRADE: B+. Versatility may help Klachko get a leg up on some of his classmates in the fight to see the field in 2011.

(Photo from maxpreps.com)

Max Pirman

POSITION: Linebacker

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'4", 215 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Pirman is, from a size standpoint, the more prototypical linebacker Nebraska is likely to need as they move into the Big Ten. A year in the strength program and to work on coverage skills could make a world of difference.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Unlikely. Given the depth at linebacker and the areas he needs to work on, Pirman seems a likely redshirt candidate.

GRADE: B+. Even if he doesn't see the field in 2011, Pirman is a jump start on what NU linebackers will probably look like in years to come.

(Photo from scout.com)

Ameer Abdullah

POSITION: Running back

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5'8", 170 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Yeah, Abullah isn't the tallest recruit NU has seen come to Lincoln, but his speed and elusiveness more than make up for his lack of size. Particularly if NU is going to move more towards an Oregon-style offense, a back like Abdullah could really shine.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Solid maybe. Abdullah doesn't get the hype Aaron Green does, but Husker Locker's Samuel McKewon likes Abdullah as a prospect better than Green. Not sure I agree, but if someone like McKewon is willing to go out on a limb for Abdullah, I'm sitting up and taking notice.

GRADE: A. If NU's offense is designed to get playmakers into space to make plays, NU fans could have a lot of fun watching this kid.

(Photo from al.com)

Givens Price

POSITION: Offensive line

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'4", 275 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Good size and quickness, but Price has work to do in both run and pass blocking technique. Athletic enough to have great potential, but a likely redshirt candidate to ensure that talent develops sufficiently.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Unlikely. A redshirt year should help Price get himself up to speed for competition at NU's level.

GRADE: B. Good depth at offensive line, with the potential to add more if everything comes together.

(Photo from omaha.com)

Taariq Allen

POSITION: Wide receiver

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'2", 180 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: NU's only receiver commit in a class that desperately needs a down-the-field threat to compliment the possession receivers currently on the roster. While Allen is quick, he is not a true vertical threat, but has the potential to become a dangerous target.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Probably. Given that NU's most dangerous receiver in 2010 was a tight end, and NU's propensity to rotate receivers, there should be a spot fro Allen on the field right away.

GRADE: B. Allen isn't exactly the prototypical burner Nebraska really needed, but can do a lot of things well and has the potential to be dangerous.

(Photo from theindependent.com)

Daniel Davie

POSITION: Athlete

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'0", 185 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: Davie's talent is pretty unrefined, so it's hard to know if he will fit in best at safety or wide receiver. He possesses the straight-line speed to give NU the vertical threat it so clearly lacked in 2010, but Davie doesn't have the route-running or other skills ready to contribute right away.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Unlikely. A redshirt seems the most likely route to give the coaching staff enough time to figure out his best position and give Davie time to grow into it.

GRADE: B. Again, you can't coach speed, and once Davie finds a home on the field, he should be a good addition to the roster.

(Photo from the Lincoln Journal-Star)

Joseph Carter

POSITION: Defensive end

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'3", 250 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: No, he's not the guy who hit the home run for the Blue Jays to win the World Series in 1993. He's a JUCO transfer with two years left to play, Carter had been thought to be heading for Arizona before announcing he was coming to Lincoln. 

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? He should at least see some time. You don't bring JUCO kids in to sit on the bench, especially with only two years of eligibility remaining.

GRADE: B. Nice steal from Arizona, and Carter should provide immediate depth and production on the defensive line.

(Photo from scout.com)

Daimion Stafford

POSITION: Safety

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'0", 210 pounds

WHERE HE FITS IN: A JUCO transfer with good speed and tackling ability and a proven ability to get the football (four interceptions in 2009), Stafford should help fill the holes left with NU losing Eric Hagg and DeJon Gomes.

WILL HE PLAY IN 2011? Stafford should be in the rotation at safety with a shot at starting. Stafford has three years left to play two, so a redshirt isn't out of the question.

GRADE: B. Graduation hit NU hard in the secondary, and Stafford's signing brings some much-needed depth and potential.

(Photo from scout.com)

Summary Of Nebraska's 2011 Recruiting Class

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Coach Bo Pelini of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during their game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)

CLASS STRENGTH: Offensive line. Nebraska restocked the pipeline with a number of talented and physically gifted athletes. It's never a bad idea to build a bedrock of talent on the offensive line, particualrly when a number of your starting linemen are seniors going into a season.

CLASS WEAKNESS: Downfield threats. One of Nebraska's biggest problems offensively, particularly after Niles Paul's injury, was their ability to threaten a defense vertically. Nebraska has added a number of speedy weapons on offense, but none (unless Davie ends up at wide receiver) that give NU a vertical passing threat which would stretch a defense and create more running lanes for the speed stockpiled in the backfield.

OVERALL GRADE: A-. Nebraska did a lot of what it needed to do with this recruiting class. Even with the end-of-season slump, NU still asserted itself as a national force in recruiting. Most evaluators have Nebraska's class as second only to Ohio State in the Big Ten for next year. If Nebraska really is back and here to stay, those are the kind of recruiting results NU fans need to see.

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