Go Big Read: The Signing Day Sprint and More Nebraska Football News

The mad dash is on for coaches around the country to visit prospects while they can and for recruits to make their decision between now and February 1. How do they make the eventual call? Also, all the Nebraska football news that’s fit to dish.

Make The Moment Count:

Wide receivers coach Keith Williams a.k.a. Doctor Route with a specialization in Savage Professionalism has some words of wisdom for all recruits out there.

Many prospects have already made their decision including 17 for Nebraska. However, there’s still plenty that will decide on National Signing Day and yes, a few of those may be opting for the Huskers.

Williams makes an excellent point. These young men are somewhere around the age of 17-18 years old and they’re going to be potentially spending the prime of their lives at these institutions. It’s far from an easy decision.

That said, the prospect should decide where he ends up. Not mom, not dad, not the girlfriend, not Auntie Marie. This is their future. It’s also vital that they be honest with themselves. If a future in the NFL is a legitimate option, recruits must find the coaches and program that will prepare them for that.

However, prospects would do well to remember that they’re just one career-ending injury away from that opportunity being taken away. After all, these young men are being paid to get a degree while playing football. Seems like a win-win, right?

10 Best Nebraska Football Links of the Week

1. “Mike Riley & Bob Diaco: An Uncensored Running Diary” (Corn Nation)
Big Red Cobcast member Pat Janssen gives a blow-by-blow take on the press conference introduction of Bob Diaco to the Big Red from inside his noggin.

2. “Bowl Game Clinched Former Husker Defensive Coordinator Mark Banker’s Dismissal” (Omaha World-Herald)
Mark Banker’s defense was predicated around limiting the big play. After Tennessee went ballistic on the Blackshirts, Mike Riley had seen enough.

3. “How Nebraska Coach Mike Riley’s Longtime Interest in 3-4 Defense Led to the Quick Hiring of Bob Diaco” (Land of 10)
Nebraska football’s head coach has been a fan of the 3-4 defense for quite some time. After sitting down for a fun conversation with Diaco, he decided to keep the fun in Lincoln.

4. “Where in the World Are Nebraska’s Coaches?” (Land of 10)
Nebraska’s coaches are racking up the frequent flier miles and you can see just where they’re headed plus what social media is being put out the recruits they’re visiting.

5. “Billy Devaney’s Recruiting Role Grew with Huskers After Key Staff Departure” (Omaha World-Herald)
With Ryan Gunderson headed to San Jose State to take over the role of quarterbacks coach, Billy Devaney has stepped up to ensure the recruiting process continues to go smoothly.

6. “New Nebraska D-Coordinator Bob Diaco on Why He Took Job” (Land of 10)
Diaco sums up the reason he decided to become Nebraska football’s new defensive coordinator with three simple words: “Blackshirt defense, man.”

6. “Nebraska Set for Battle with Iowa, LSU over Tight End Recruit Kurt Rafdal” (Omaha World-Herald)
The Big Red will be battling Missouri River rival Iowa for the services of tight end Kurt Rafdal and it appears that the Bayou Bengals may be jumping in the mix for the 6’7″ Indiana native.

7. Diaco Press Conference Quick Hits (Omaha World-Herald)
Nebraska’s new defensive coordinator talks about the responsibility of teaching the Blackshirts, thoughts on the 3-4 defensive scheme and more

8. “Bob Diaco is a Home-Run Hire for Nebraska and Coach Mike Riley” (Athlon)
Steven Lassen runs down the addition of Diaco to the staff following a 2016 season that saw an uptick in wins, but not enough for Riley to be satisfied with the bottom line.

9. “Nebraska Football Awards Six Scholarships” (The Daily Nebraskan)
Walk-ons Luke McNitt, Brian Reimers, Cole Conrad, Austin Rose, Connor Ketter and Tyler Hoppes were all awarded scholarships.

10. “Riley: QB room is ‘just the right size'” (247Sports)
Riley addresses the current quarterback depth chart with the addition of walk-on JUCO Andrew Bunch.

Husker Corner Round Up:

Football:
Riley Has Huskers Working on a Return to Relevancy
Bend But Don’t Break Meaningless Under Bob Diaco
Which Type of Husker Fan are You?
What Bob Diaco May Eventually Offer the Huskers

Recruiting:
Huskers Prospects Worth Watching
Everything You Need to Know About Chris Walker
Everything You Need to Know About Eric Fuller

Basketball:
Defense Drops the Ball Against Wolverines
Huskers Lose A Heartbreaker To Ohio State
Huskers Fall Short Again Versus Rutgers

Stat of the Week:

According to TeamRankings.com, after losing to Rutgers 65-64, Nebraska is now projected to finish the regular season 12-18 (6-12 Big Ten).