Nebraska Football: 2008 Recruiting Class

 The class seemed doomed during the month of December with a slew of targets decommitting.  Dan Hoch, Blaine Gabbert, Jonas Gray, and Simi Kuhli all decommited during this time.

After the first recruiting weekend of January things started to pick up. Kody Spano, a QB out of Stephenville, Texas, started to get things going. Bo's staff turned in a remarkable January to get the amount of recruits that they did.

Although the class lacks star power with only one five star and two four stars, there is a lot of raw talent. The Husker staff recruited the south strong and sit seemed speed was their main recruiting interest. It seems the walk-on program is back with 30 walk-ons.

Star of the Class

OL/DL Baker Steinkuhler 6-6, 290lbs- The son of former Outland Trophy winner Dean Steinkuhler. Baker can play on either side of the ball. He seems more likely to play offensive line, although the Huskers could use some immediate help on the D-line. He played D-line in U.S. Army All-American game, where he was voted strongest player.

Diamond in the Rough

RB Collins Okafor 6-1, 210lbs-After a redshirt year and some mentoring by Marlon Lucky he could become a legit All-American by his junior year. He has all the tools to be a great RB.

Notable Walk-ons

RB Ronnel Grixby

FB Jordan Makovicka

QB

Kody Spano 6-2, 202lbs- After losing Blaine Gabbert, the Huskers got a quality QB in Spano.The lone QB in the class, Spano is a Dual-Threat QB. He played in a heavy pass offense similar to what Houston has run in the past. His rushing yards came primarily on designed draws.

RB

Collins Okafor

Lester Ward 6-3, 210lbs- Son of former NFL safety Lester Ward Sr. He is a good downhill runner. He also possesses some speed with a 4.45 40.

WR

After losing Maurice Purify and 3 other receivers they needed to get some good receivers to fill the void.

Antonio Bell 6-2, 175lbs

His coach calls him "A guy that can do it all". He was in the Florida top 100 before suffering a shoulder injury.

Khiry Cooper 6-2, 175lbs

A two sport athlete Cooper plans to play baseball at Nebraska as well.

Tim Marlowe 5-10, 160lbs

Maybe the biggest surprise of the recruiting class. His mom is cousins with Pelini's wife. Played a number of different positions in high school but will play receiver at Nebraska.

Steven Osborne 6-4, 182lbs- He has nice size that will cause match-up problems for secondaries. He is said to be a very good run blocker

TE

After yet another lackluster performance aside from Sean Hill, who graduated, they are looking for a big play tight end.

Ben Cotton 6-6, 217lbs

Was committed to Louisville before his dad took the job at Nebraska. He is more of a receiving tight end and may need to add some weight before playing.

Tyson Hetzer 6-7, 255lbs

A JuCo commit who hasn't played football since his high school career. He is more of a blocking tight end.

OL

After having an offensive line class that was otherworldly; they lost Bryce Givens, Dan Hoch, and Trevor Robinson. The Huskers looked to keep good depth on the offensive line.

Baker Steinkuhler

David Grant 6-6, 278lbs

After moving from New York only played football for two seasons. Definitely has raw talent but will redshirt.

Ricky Henry 6-4, 300lbs

Committed to Nebraska two years ago but was ruled academically ineligible, so he went to North Dakota State College of Science. His grades are up and he is a dominant run blocker.

Brandon Thompson 6-6, 280lbs

A balanced offensive lineman in terms of his running and pass blocking skills. Missed some of his senior season with a staph infection.

Overall offensive grade: B+

Nebraska did good filling all their needs, but outside of Steinkuhler and maybe Okafor, the star power is lacking.

DL

Nebraska could use a lot of help here with the pitiful performance by the defensive line last year.

Cameron Meredith 6-5, 225lbs

Comes from the prestigious Mater Dei High School. He is a very good pass-rusher off the edge, will need to add some weight to his frame.

Quenten Toaloia 6-6, 285lbs

Has the size to be a great DT. Will need a year to shore up his play and give him 4 years to contribute greatly.

Josh Williams 6-4, 220

Committed to Nebraska, then committed to Colorado, and then came back to the Big Red. A great pass-rusher who could see time next year in third down situations.

LB

After losing all the starting linebackers last year Nebraska needed a big linebacker class.

Will Compton 6-2, 214lbs

Almost decommitted but then decided to stay. He could be thrust into the action very early next season. He also played on the offense last year and is listed as an athlete on some recruiting services but will play LB for the Cornhuskers.

Sean Fisher 6-5, 225lbs

Played Safety in high school but will move to outside LB. May see limited action next year but don't be surprised if he redshirts.

Micah Kreikemeier 6-4, 215

The first commit of the Bo Pelini era, he committed just 30 minutes after Bo was announced as head coach. Needs to get faster, but I see him mainly as a special team specialist.

Alonzo Whaley 6-0, 210lbs

Had more than 160 tackles in his senior season, while playing FB also. He could use some extra weight.

DB

Could use some help after losing 4 major contributors off of last years team which ranked 4th in the big 12 against the pass.

Alfonzo Dennard 5-10, 185lbs

More of a cover corner, he runs a 4.4 40. Was committed to North Carolina before academic issues wouldn't allow him to enroll there.

John Levorson 6-3, 185lbs

Played QB for back-to-back Nebraska state champions Crete. He caused 23 turnover from his safety spot during his career.

Courtney Osborne 6-2, 170lbs

Twin brother of fellow Nebraska commit Steven. His coach proclaims that he can hit. Definitely needs to add some weight if he is going to play safety.

P.J. Smith 6-3, 205lbs

Is a good get, could compete for playing time right away at the free safety position.

David Whitmore 6-2, 190lbs

He looks like the real deal, he is the son of former NFL player David Whitmore. He is a solid tackler.

Mason Wald 5-11, 195lbs

He is a solid tackler and will probably redshirt this year. Was the last player in this year's class, and was teammates' with Justin Rogers.

ATH

Kyler Reed 6-3, 204lbs

Could play tight end but would have to really bulk up. I predict him to play wide receiver.

Justin Rogers 5-11, 180lbs

Played RB in high school and rushed for 2,110 and 28 TD's last season, but it is possible that he might switch to cornerback.

Overall defensive grade: B-

Another DT commit would have helped.

Overall Grade: B

Time will tell on this class, but at first glance, it seems like a solid class for Pelini in staff in a short time to recruit.

-Additional research by Chuck Else