Westerkamp's landing at NU helps highlight 2012 class
Receiver Jordan Westerkamp's decision to stick with the Huskers — despite a late push by Notre Dame — is the story of the one that didn't get away.
The senior from suburban Chicago was targeted by NU early and often, and the effort paid off for Bo Pelini's coaching staff and could lay some offensive groundwork to match what could be a restocked defense after a few key pickups.
During a signing day when much of the focus was on Andrus Peat's decision to spurn NU, World-Herald staff writer Sam McKewon says the Husker defense did some reloading, though not without hitting a small bump or two along the way.
The momentum that Nebraska saw building Wednesday morning took a hit a few hours later, when Peat, the highly-ranked offensive tackle out of Tempe, Ariz., announced he was signing with Stanford.
NU had started the day by getting signatures from defensive tackle Aaron Curry of Keller, Texas, and athlete Alonzo Moore of Winnfield, La. Shortly after the Peat announcement, the Huskers also added defensive tackle Vincent Valentine of Edwardsville, Ill.
The last three additions of the day gave NU a total of 17 signees.
Among others on NU's board Wednesday, four-star cornerback Devian Shelton of Inglewood, Calif., picked Southern Cal.
And the first Letter of Intent to come in? Who else: Michael Rose, who gave NU an oral commitment in July 2010.
Nebraska's 2012 class finished 29th in the 247Sports national team rankings.
Topics covered at the signing day press conference (video below) included defensive end Josh Williams' departure from the team after a violation of team rules, Jon Nyatawa writes. Linebackers coach Ross Els will be the team’s new recruiting coordinator, and the NU staff is considering moving running back Braylon Heard to cornerback. Pelini also indicated there will be a scholarship available for 2011 recruit Charles Jackson, the cornerback who’s still attempting to meet initial eligibility standards.
Coach Bo Pelini also expressed his thoughts that local travel limitations could be affecting NU recruiting. Pelini also said he wants to focus on the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area a bit more going forward, as well as recruiting grounds closer to home.
QUICK LINKS:
Q&A: Paul Thurston • Q&A: Tommy Armstrong • Player Cards: NU's 2012 scholarship class • Player Cards: NU's 2012 walk-ons • Player Cards: Targets that got away • 247Sports: National class rankings • 247Sports: Big Ten rankings
TOP STORIES:
• NU survives late Notre Dame bid for Westerkamp
• Peat's pick hurts, but NU defense reloads
• Lineman's pick not a re-Peat decision
• Burke trio stays together as walk-ons
• Huskers stock up on defense
• Notes: Williams no longer with NU program
• 25 Big Ten recruits to watch
VIDEO:
• Bo Pelini at the signing day press conference (Watch the widescreen video on the BRT blog):
Part 1:
Part 2:
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