Randle’s commitment may be sign of things to come in Lincoln

By Marc Hudgens  |   Sunday, May 11, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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"We have to be able to recruit Texas to be able to have success in recruiting and it’s going to be an emphasis for us," Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini said during this past National Signing Day.

The Huskers signed a whopping nine Texas recruits, which comprised a third of the the program's entire 2008 class.

"Texas is going to be a primary area outside of the state of Nebraska. Our success there hopefully is just a sign of things to come," Pelini stated.

Talk about launching a salvo southward into the land ruled with an iron fist by the in-state recruiting syndicate of Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, Baylor, Texas Christian, Southern Methodist, Houston and Texas-El Paso.

Then again, Nebraska's always recruited in Texas. The difference here is Pelini has made a bull's eye out of it. Matter of fact, they've already handed the Lone Star Cartel their first casualty for the 2009 recruiting season -- defensive tackle Thaddeus Randle of North Shore High School in Galena Park.

Linebackers coach Mike Ekeler -- who is in his first year as an assistant is already credited with bringing in more players than any other coach (eight) between the 2008 and 2009 recruiting classes so far -- swiped Randle from Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, TCU, Baylor and Houston. It appears Ekeler has a penchant for entering and winning in hostile territory, as Randle is the third Texas commitment under his belt.

Although Nebraska will never get every top prospect in Texas, it has made considerable headway thus far and in little time. Not only has Ekeler succeeded, but assistant coaches Tim Beck (RBs), Shawn Watson (OC, QBs) and Ted Gilmore (Asst HC, WRs, RC) also have ties in the state and will use them. So far, it's all worked out nicely.

At this rate and given the personnel resources allocated there, it won't be surprising to discover no fewer than eight Texans signing up to be Huskers on Feb. 4, 2009.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
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