Nebraska’s Signing Day Scars
By Editorial Staff
Blaine Gabbert. Josh Freeman. Both NFL quarterbacks. Both once Nebraska commits. Both changed their minds last second.
Owa Odighizuwa, the stud five-star defensive end from the 2010 class. Once thought to be Nebraska’s to lose, Owa wore Bruin blue last year.
You can’t help but tremble. It’s terrifying.
Every year something goes wrong, something gives out at just the wrong time.
Signing Day is the most exhilarating day between February and August for college football fans. For Husker fans, it has been more heartache than happiness lately.
Last year the Huskers finally got some good news on Signing Day. Todd Peat Jr., a four-star defensive tackle, signed on with the Huskers.
While the good news was good, the lack of bad news was better.
Still, the bad news didn’t wait too long. In August, Kansas folk-legend quarterback commit Bubba Starling signed on to play baseball for the Kansas City Royals, just days after arriving in Nebraska for fall camp.
So what’s the bad news this year? There’s got to be something. There’s always something.
Will the Huskers lose Michael Rose, a linebacker who has been committed to Nebraska since July 2010?
Then what about Jordan Westerkamp, the wide receiver from Illinois who already wavered once and almost left for Notre Dame?
The anticipation is too much. It has to happen. It always happens.
Or does it?
Can 2012 be the year Nebraska finally breaks the slump?
It’s hard to say. The Huskers always lose a key battle late, at least that’s the way it’s seemed these past few years.
What about Peat’s brother, Andrus? The five-star offensive lineman is this recruiting class’ gem for Nebraska. Getting him would be the ultimate cherry on top, or more likely the entire ice cream base, for this recruiting class.
Some say Peat is Nebraska’s to lose. But they said that about Owa.
Owa went live on ESPNU on Signing Day, right around the noon hour, and let Husker nation down. Will Peat do the same?
Peat’s announcement is set for 12:35 on ESPNU on Signing Day (Feb. 1).
The only player likely to break any Husker hearts on Signing Day, Peat has a big choice to make. Nebraska – where his brother and cousin play, Stanford – whose insane academic standards have already accepted Peat, or USC – whose glamour is enough to woo any 18-year old.
Let the countdown begin.
By Chris Peters
Contact the writer at ChrisHuskerCorner@gmail.com or on Twitter @_ChrisPeters
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