seriously, is football this weak in the state of Nebraska that only one player got a ship?  Actually since Bo has been the HC there have been very few in state recruits come into the program but just one this time?  Will next year be any better?

There is simply not that much talent. It doesn't help that half of Omaha's High Schools have serious gang problems.  

Note: I graduated from OPS, not trying to bash, but when athletic kids get caught up in the wrong crowd sports go out the window.  I saw it at my high school.

Red, there may be some better prospects next year.

The problem is as the poster above said, just not a lot of elite talent in Nebraska.

A good way to gauge the talent is to see what schools have offered our in-state guys. The next highest ranked recruit after Banderas, Nathan Bazata, only had offers from Iowa and SDSU. Not exactly elite schools.

Next year is quite a bit better. Maybe multiple Nebraska worthy offer kids, but a few guys who will be able to play at lower D-1 schools as well.

This year was just a bad year.

Screw the excuses, Nebraska needs spring football for high school players.  It is one of the factors that has produced so much football talent in the southern states.

Can't offer kids just because they are from Nebraska.  If Nebraska wants to contend for titles then there will probably only be 1 or 2 kids from the state a year getting offers.  It has nothing to do with having spring ball, just lack of population.  Sure Spring ball would be nice to keep the kids working out and playing competitively, but I highly doubt that would produce more in-state talent.

Both Lincoln and Omaha use to produce Div 1 talent on a regular basis.  Not been the case of late.

Got some good walk ons from Nebraska.  And history shows those guys usually contribute.

IlliniHusker15 wrote: Can't offer kids just because they are from Nebraska.  If Nebraska wants to contend for titles then there will probably only be 1 or 2 kids from the state a year getting offers.  It has nothing to do with having spring ball, just lack of population.  Sure Spring ball would be nice to keep the kids working out and playing competitively, but I highly doubt that would produce more in-state talent.

You doubt it would produce more in state talent?  Well OK then, that's settled.

Talent is talent.  How would Spring ball equate to suddenly more in-state kids becoming D-1 recruits?  Would Nebraska kids benefit from spring ball??  Yes, of course.  Kids would be able to compete year round and get some more practices in.  Would spring ball in Nebraska turn out more D-1 recruits??  I don't see it.  If they are talented enough to play Division 1 football than they will get noticed.  I guess I just don't see how a couple more practices and 7 on 7's equals more D-1 level players.  To me it is all about population and culture.

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--- IlliniHusker15 wrote:

Talent is talent.  How would Spring ball equate to suddenly more in-state kids becoming D-1 recruits?  Would Nebraska kids benefit from spring ball??  Yes, of course.  Kids would be able to compete year round and get some more practices in.  Would spring ball in Nebraska turn out more D-1 recruits??  I don't see it.  If they are talented enough to play Division 1 football than they will get noticed.  I guess I just don't see how a couple more practices and 7 on 7's equals more D-1 level players.  To me it is all about population and culture.

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Spring practices......or more emphasis....... Results in that change of culture you are talking about.

Don't forget about Christian LaCouture who relocated to Nebraska and was technically an "in-state recruit."

Sandbar, you make a good point there.  But as I stated.... Talent is talent.  I just don't see how spring practice changes the talent level of such a small populated state.  Of course, I could always be wrong.

LinvingProog wrote: Screw the excuses, Nebraska needs spring football for high school players.  It is one of the factors that has produced so much football talent in the southern states.

Yep. I live in Tulsa and here football is 365 days a year.

Kind of a mystery, we used to produce great lineman. Lombardis and Outlands won by homegrowns. It's not like we're losing kids to other programs.

huskertodd2003 wrote:

LinvingProog wrote: Screw the excuses, Nebraska needs spring football for high school players.  It is one of the factors that has produced so much football talent in the southern states.

Yep. I live in Tulsa and here football is 365 days a year.

Yep.  Several states where football is 365 days a year.  If you're not matching that, you're falling behind.

IlliniHusker15 wrote: Can't offer kids just because they are from Nebraska.  If Nebraska wants to contend for titles then there will probably only be 1 or 2 kids from the state a year getting offers.  It has nothing to do with having spring ball, just lack of population.  Sure Spring ball would be nice to keep the kids working out and playing competitively, but I highly doubt that would produce more in-state talent.

It used to be that the state produced, on average,  six to eight D1 recruits on a consistent basis.  But now it is one or two a year at best?  Something is seriously amiss with hs football in Nebraska if one or two is the best  we have been seeing.  At this rate the football team will be all but a mercenery program.

RedOption wrote:

IlliniHusker15 wrote: Can't offer kids just because they are from Nebraska.  If Nebraska wants to contend for titles then there will probably only be 1 or 2 kids from the state a year getting offers.  It has nothing to do with having spring ball, just lack of population.  Sure Spring ball would be nice to keep the kids working out and playing competitively, but I highly doubt that would produce more in-state talent.

It used to be that the state produced, on average,  six to eight D1 recruits on a consistent basis.  But now it is one or two a year at best?  Something is seriously amiss with hs football in Nebraska if one or two is the best  we have been seeing.  At this rate the football team will be all but a mercenery program.

The walk on program does still give the team an instate flavor, but if I were still a tax paying citizen of Nebraska, I might be a little irritated that the University sports programs spend so much on out of state student athletes.  I realize that the football program is financially self sufficient and funds other programs, but it still seems out of whack.

As my son IH15 said....population = talent.
We are born and raised in IL.
IL = 13million people
NE =1.75million people

Who has more national championships and Heisman winners?

As Lou Holtz said at MN....the heart and soul of our team is going to come from MN. But, the arms and legs are going to come from CA, TX, and FL !!!!!

LOL Lou Holtz once coached at the College of William and Mary-----when he left for greener pastures he said the reason they didn't win more games was because there were too many Mary's and not enough Williams---LOL

IlliniHusker1 wrote: As my son IH15 said....population = talent.
We are born and raised in IL.
IL = 13million people
NE =1.75million people

Who has more national championships and Heisman winners?

As Lou Holtz said at MN....the heart and soul of our team is going to come from MN. But, the arms and legs are going to come from CA, TX, and FL !!!!!

IlliniHusker1 wrote: As my son IH15 said....population = talent.
We are born and raised in IL.
IL = 13million people
NE =1.75million people

Who has more national championships and Heisman winners?

As Lou Holtz said at MN....the heart and soul of our team is going to come from MN. But, the arms and legs are going to come from CA, TX, and FL !!!!!

Don't think anyone is arguing that Nebraska's population would generate enough talent to stock a complete team or to eliminate the need to recruit nationally.  I think what is being suggested is that only one scholarship recruit in the state needs to be addressed in some way.

IlliniHusker15 wrote: Talent is talent.  How would Spring ball equate to suddenly more in-state kids becoming D-1 recruits?  Would Nebraska kids benefit from spring ball??  Yes, of course.  Kids would be able to compete year round and get some more practices in.  Would spring ball in Nebraska turn out more D-1 recruits??  I don't see it.  If they are talented enough to play Division 1 football than they will get noticed.  I guess I just don't see how a couple more practices and 7 on 7's equals more D-1 level players.  To me it is all about population and culture.

Well if extra practice doesn't help, why the hell do we not just go straight into the season and just play games on the weekend?

LinvingProog wrote:

...

The walk on program does still give the team an instate flavor, but if I were still a tax paying citizen of Nebraska, I might be a little irritated that the University sports programs spend so much on out of state student athletes.  I realize that the football program is financially self sufficient and funds other programs, but it still seems out of whack.

So a tax paying citizen of NE whose taxes don't support the football program should be concerned? You lost me.

IlliniHusker15 wrote: Talent is talent.  How would Spring ball equate to suddenly more in-state kids becoming D-1 recruits?  Would Nebraska kids benefit from spring ball??  Yes, of course.  Kids would be able to compete year round and get some more practices in.  Would spring ball in Nebraska turn out more D-1 recruits??  I don't see it.  If they are talented enough to play Division 1 football than they will get noticed.  I guess I just don't see how a couple more practices and 7 on 7's equals more D-1 level players.  To me it is all about population and culture.

Both population and culture are factors.  There has also been fundamental changes in college football.

Given that Nebraska has a small population it is naturally going to produce fewer athletes that can compete in D1 college ball.

Emphasis and specialization in football creates athletes that are more ready for the college game.  Spring ball, 7 on 7, class credit for weight lifting, communities that worship their high school football teams and players.  All of these contribute to give the kids from those states more exposure, better competition, full time coaching.  All these contribute to making athletes better prepared and more attractive to college coaches.

The game has changed.  Speed is more important.  Having players that are ready to play without three or four years of development is important. 

At Nebraska the walk on program does offer the best opportunity for kids coming out of Nebraska high schools.  Because they aren't taking up one of the 85 scholarships, the coaches have the luxery of letting them develop so they can contribute down the road.

In Nebraska they like high school football but they don't elevate it to the same level of worship that you see Texas or other football crazy states.

colhusker wrote: Both Lincoln and Omaha use to produce Div 1 talent on a regular basis.  Not been the case of late.

It helped back in TO's day that almost every high school in the State ran the very same offense that NU ran.  Kind of learned the offense in high school.  

SoDakRed wrote:

LinvingProog wrote:

...

The walk on program does still give the team an instate flavor, but if I were still a tax paying citizen of Nebraska, I might be a little irritated that the University sports programs spend so much on out of state student athletes.  I realize that the football program is financially self sufficient and funds other programs, but it still seems out of whack.

So a tax paying citizen of NE whose taxes don't support the football program should be concerned? You lost me.

The University is state taxpayer funded.  Most of the tuition paying students are Nebraska tax paying residents and the sports programs represent the University of Nebraska.  Also, Nebraska citizens provide the fund raising dollars for expansion of the athletic facilities.  Without the University there would be no need for the sports programs or football to exist. 

The athletic director and through him the head coach report to the adminstration of the University and are paid salaries by the University, hence taxpayers.  So, the amount of money raised by athletics and from what source, doesn't change that dynamic.

HuskerMo wrote:

colhusker wrote: Both Lincoln and Omaha use to produce Div 1 talent on a regular basis.  Not been the case of late.

It helped back in TO's day that almost every high school in the State ran the very same offense that NU ran.  Kind of learned the offense in high school.  

I seem to remember that as well. Lots of option football teams in the state.

I think what you are also getting at is the tax payers money doesn't go to athletics, it goes to the school.  The athletic department is self-efficient.

LinvingProog wrote:

SoDakRed wrote:

LinvingProog wrote:

...

The walk on program does still give the team an instate flavor, but if I were still a tax paying citizen of Nebraska, I might be a little irritated that the University sports programs spend so much on out of state student athletes.  I realize that the football program is financially self sufficient and funds other programs, but it still seems out of whack.

So a tax paying citizen of NE whose taxes don't support the football program should be concerned? You lost me.

I normally wouldn't respond to the perpetually lost.  But here goes.  The University is state taxpayer funded.  Most of the tuition paying students are Nebraska tax paying residents and the sports programs represent the University of Nebraska.  Also, Nebraska citizens provide the fund raising dollars for expansion of the athletic facilities.  Without the University there would be no need for the sports programs or football to exist.  Hope you are still with me, or were you just feeling snarky.

WalterPayton34 wrote: I think what you are also getting at is the tax payers money doesn't go to athletics, it goes to the school.  The athletic department is self-efficient.

LinvingProog wrote:

SoDakRed wrote:

LinvingProog wrote:

...

The walk on program does still give the team an instate flavor, but if I were still a tax paying citizen of Nebraska, I might be a little irritated that the University sports programs spend so much on out of state student athletes.  I realize that the football program is financially self sufficient and funds other programs, but it still seems out of whack.

So a tax paying citizen of NE whose taxes don't support the football program should be concerned? You lost me.

I normally wouldn't respond to the perpetually lost.  But here goes.  The University is state taxpayer funded.  Most of the tuition paying students are Nebraska tax paying residents and the sports programs represent the University of Nebraska.  Also, Nebraska citizens provide the fund raising dollars for expansion of the athletic facilities.  Without the University there would be no need for the sports programs or football to exist.  Hope you are still with me, or were you just feeling snarky.

To take it a step further.

Yes the athletic department is financially self sufficient.  Beyond that, the football program generates most of the revenue that supports the program and all of the other team sports.  It is the "cash cow".  The football program and donations to the athletic department has fueled the athletic facilities building programs which they make available to the University to and students to use.

If it requires recruitment of athletes from other states and countries to keep the football and other teams competitive then that is sufficient justification.

If the regents, who represent the alumni and state citizens, wanted to impose a rule that required a certain percentage of the "athletic" scholarships go to citizens of the state, they in effect would be cooking the goose that lays the golden eggs.

The walk on program fulfills any potential obligation of this issue.

If you want to see more in state athletes win athletic scholarships, you need to improve the support in the high schools and high school programs. 

Personally I would rather see them do more to enhance the academic and let the athletics continue to take care of themselves.

JoshHarvey wrote: Next year is quite a bit better. Maybe multiple Nebraska worthy offer kids, but a few guys who will be able to play at lower D-1 schools as well.

This year was just a bad year.

it didn't help that one kid who was supposed to be a big recruit urinated it all away.