RECRUITING
The 2002 class
Click on a player's name to jump down to the Athletic Department's biographical information.Rank indicates player's national ranking at his position as of signing day by Rivals.com.
NAME | POS. | HT. | WT. | CITY | SCHOOL | RANK | LTR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bagwell, Antoine | DB | 5-11 | 180 | East Lansing, Mich. | East Lansing | NR | |
Carriker, Adam | RE | 6-6 | 243 | Kennewick, Wash. | Kennewick | 46 | 4 |
Dukes, Curt | QB | 6-0 | 205 | Stony Point, N.C. | Newton-Conover | 9 | |
Fluellen, Isaiah | WR | 6-1 | 175 | Ramstein, Germany | Ramstein America | NR | 3 |
Greeson, Brandon | DL | 6-3 | 327 | High Point, N.C. | Central | 39 | |
Herian, Matt | TE | 6-4 | 215 | Pierce, Neb. | Pierce | 32 | 4 |
Horne, David | RB | 6-0 | 192 | Omaha, Neb. | Central | 6 | 3 |
LeFlore, Mark | WR | 5-11 | 177 | Omaha, Neb. | Central | 15 | 4 |
Leslie, Jermaine | OL | 6-2 | 298 | Weatherford, Texas | Weatherford | 57 | |
Mann, Kurt | OL | 6-4 | 263 | Grand Island, Neb. | Grand Island | 26 | 3 |
Miller, Grant | FB/LB | 6-1 | 216 | Peabody, Mass. | Veterans Memorial | 26 | 1 |
Moore, Jay | RE | 6-5 | 255 | Elkhorn, Neb. | Elkhorn | 7 | 3 |
Phillips, Jemayel | OL | 6-6 | 330 | Winnfield, La. | Winnfield | 46 | |
Smith, Ronnie | WB | 5-9 | 160 | Carson, Calif. | Nathaniel Narbonne | NR | |
Timm, Cory | OL | 6-5 | 294 | Yutan, Neb. | Yutan | 91 | |
Todd, Dane | FB | 5-11 | 225 | Lincoln, Neb. | Southeast | 17 | 4 |
Washington, Fabian | CB | 6-0 | 175 | Bradenton, Fla. | Bayshore | 13 | 3 |
Williams, Demorrio** | WLB | 6-2 | 200 | Longview, Texas | Beckville (TX) HS; Kilgore College | 10* | 2 |
** Junior college transfer, will enter as a junior
CLASS SCORECARD
34 letters earned by 11 of 18 recruitsAll-America: 0
All-conference: 4 (Carriker, Herian, Todd, Williams)
Notable walk-ons: Stewart Bradley, LB (third-round NFL draft pick); Brandon Rigoni, S (team captain in 2006)
Signing day coverage
Frank Solich says it's a speedy bunch that can contribute immediately. Stanley Daniels was a late defection, but NU picked up a DB from Michigan and ended up on a couple of top-25 lists (1, 2).Class Breakdown:
Total: 18; Freshmen: 17; Junior college transfer:
1
By State/Country:
Nebraska (7); North Carolina (2); Texas (2);
California (1); Florida (1); Massachusetts (1); Michigan (1);
Louisiana (1); Washington (1); Germany
(1)
By
Position (First Position Listed):
Offense (12): offensive linemen (4); quarterback (1); running back (1); fullbacks (2); wide
receivers (3); tight end (1)
Defense (6): defensive lineman
(1); rush ends (2); linebacker (1); defensive backs (2)
All-Americans (7):
Curt Dukes, QB (SuperPrep, PrepStar), David Horne, FB (SuperPrep, PrepStar,
Rivals.com, USA Today Second-Team), Mark LeFlore, WR (SuperPrep, PrepStar), Kurt
Mann, OL (SuperPrep, PrepStar), Jay Moore, Jumbo Athlete (SuperPrep, PrepStar),
Fabian Washington, DB (SuperPrep); Rivals100 Non-High School (1): Demorrio Williams
(Rivals.com)
(All-America status is determined
by the following method: PrepStar-Top 125 Dream Team; SuperPrep Top 288 All-Americans;
Rivals Top 100; USA Today Top 44)
These three players accepted scholarships effective January 2003.
Andrew Shanle,* S, St. Edward
Kade Pittman, WB-DB, North Platte
Trevor Neeman, DE, Lincoln Southeast
* Joined team in fall 2002 when a scholarship became available
PLAYER BIOS
Information from University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.Antoine Bagwell
DB...5-11...180...East Lansing, Mich. (East Lansing)
A speedy running back and free safety at East Lansing High School, Antoine Bagwell started two years on both sides of the ball for Coach Jeff Smith. Bagwell earned first-team all-state honors the past two years as a defensive back from the Detroit Free Press, as he recorded 109 tackles and four interceptions as a senior and 78 tackles and five interceptions as a junior. He rushed for 1,668 yards as a senior and 1,729 as a junior. He scored 27 touchdowns in 2001, 24 in 2000 and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns as a senior. Bagwell was the Lansing State Journal Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons and will most likely play in the secondary at Nebraska. He helped lead East Lansing to the Division 3 (highest division) state championship game in 2000 and the state semifinal last season. Named the MVP of his football team as a junior and senior, Bagwell also runs track, posting a 10.7 in the 100 meters (manual) and a 23.1 in the 200 meters. He placed fourth at state in the 100 meters in 2001 and helped his 4 x 100-meter relay team to a silver medal. Bagwell was born on Sept. 13, 1984. The son of Elmer Bagwell and Valarie Bagwell, Antoine joins former Notre Dame and NFL running/defensive back Randy Kinder and former Florida State linebacker Kirk Carruthers among East Lansing Highs elite recruits. Bagwell said, I really liked everything about Nebraska when I visited in January.
Adam
Carriker
RE...6-6...243...Kennewick,
Wash. (Kennewick)
Carriker played quarterback and rush end for Coach Warren
Hull at Kennewick High School. Although the team did not win a game, Carriker
ranked No. 6 on SuperPreps Far West list and No. 46 on Rivals.coms
strongside defensive end national list. On defense, Carriker recorded 15 sacks,
five pass breakups, four forced fumbles and 25 tackles for loss in his only season
as a defensive end. Was a three-year starter at quarterback and served as a team
captain three years. Carriker earned second-team All-Big 9 Conference honors on
defense as a senior and will play in the state all-star game in June. He ran track
one year, and will compete in baseball for the third straight year, earning all-conference
honors the past two years as a DH and first baseman. Academically, was named to
the Principals list. Born on May 6, 1984, to Nancy Carriker and David Carriker,
Adams father hails from Hastings, Neb., where Adam was born. He moved to
Kennewick when he was three. Adams brother Darren lives in Hastings and
most of his fathers family still resides in Nebraska. Adam enjoys snow-skiing,
four-wheeling and lifting weights. He was also recruited by UCLA, Idaho and Colorado
and took visits to Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State and Nebraska. He chose
Nebraska after attending Big Red Football Camp in 2001. He said, Ive
been watching and rooting for Nebraska ever since I was a kid. I love the Huskers
and it has always been my front-runner. Once I visited, I knew that was where
I wanted to play. Although Adam visits Nebraska every couple of years with
his father, he has never attended a Husker football game.
Curt
Dukes
QB...6-0...205...Stony Point,
N.C. (Newton-Conover)
Already enrolled and attending classes at Nebraska this
semester, Curt Dukes was an option quarterback for Coach Nick Bazzle. At Newton-Conover
(Class 2-A, third-largest), Dukes rushed for 1,023 yards and threw for 951 in
10 games in 2001, sitting out one with injury. Dukes rushed for 1,514 yards and
19 touchdowns and passed for 810 yards and 12 scores in 2000, leading Newton-Conover
to a 12-3 record. Dukes helped lead Newton-Conover to the state finals in 2000.
Curts father Dennis, was Newton-Conovers offensive coordinator. An
All-America quarterback as named by SuperPrep, Dukes is listed as PrepStars
No. 3 quarterback in the Atlantic Region and as the No. 9 Dual-Threat
quarterback by Rivals.com. Dukes played in the North Carolina vs. South Carolina
Shrine game in December. He has run the 40 in 4.43 seconds (hand-held) and can
bench-press 400 pounds. Also a standout hurdler in track, Dukes picked Nebraska
over Penn State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Duke and Notre Dame. An
excellent student, Dukes boasts a 4.0+ grade-point average and plans to study
pre-medicine at Nebraska. As he is already enrolled at NU, he will be allowed
to participate in spring camp and will compete for quarterback duties in place
of graduated Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch. The son of Dennis and Chris Dukes,
Curt was born on Oct. 6, 1983. He attended the Big Red Football camp in 2001.
He picked Nebraska because, it is a great place to go to college and the
coaching staff really appealed to me. Nebraskas style of offense fits me
well.
Isaiah Fluellen
WR...6-1...175...Ramstein,
Germany (Ramstein America)
Believed to be Nebraskas first signee from
Europe, Isaiah comes to Nebraska from Ramstein, Germany. Fluellen played wide
receiver and safety the last two years for Coach Robert Ermel at Ramstein America
High School, which is located at Ramstein Air Base. Fluellen caught 28 passes
for 629 yards and recorded nine receiving touchdowns as a senior. He also scored
twice on punt returns, playing just six games in a season shortened by the Sept.
11 tragedies, and helped lead his team to the championship game. In 2000, Fluellen
scored 11 touchdowns in eight games and also played cornerback. On defense, Fluellen
recorded more than 30 tackles and had three interceptions in each of the last
two years. A football and track star, Fluellen was selected as the male athlete
of the year among students at Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS)
in Europe last spring. Fluellen won three gold medals at the Division I track
championships, winning the 100 meters in 10.5 seconds, the 200 in 21.2 and the
400 in 46.7 seconds, setting records in each event. The 100 meter record had stood
since 1963 and the 200 and 400 meter record had stood since 1979, when Alonzo
Babers, now an Olympic double gold medalist, etched them in the record books.
Fluellens track coach, Bruce Steffensmeier, expects Fluellen to run the
400 in the 45 range this season. His 46.7 mark already ranks fifth among all prep
quarter-milers in the United States and Fluellen is expected to compete for the
Husker track team as well. Fluellen also played basketball and despite an injury,
was named the Ramstein Royals defensive player of the year as a junior.
He averages 16 points and nine rebounds per game this year at forward. Academically,
Fluellen earned academic all-conference honors in three sports last season. Fluellen
also considered a scholarship offer from Maryland and was also recruited by Missouri
and Auburn. The son of Melvin and Ann Fluellen, Isaiahs father is a chaplain
in the U.S. Air Force. Isaiah, the oldest of four boys, was born in Hameln, Germany,
on June 11, 1984. He attended elementary school in Valdosta, Ga., and later lived
in South Carolina and Ohio before moving back to Europe two years ago. Semi-fluent
in German, Fluellen enjoys learning new languages and reading. He earned the Principals
academic award and is listed among Whos Who in High School. Fluellen said
it came down to Nebraska and Maryland, but he only visited Lincoln. The
Nebraska coaches gave me their word and they have kept their word. I took a nine-hour
flight to visit, missing several days of school, but I loved everything about
the program. I felt Nebraska was the place for me.
Brandon
Greeson
DL...6-3...327...High Point,
N.C. (Central)
Brandon Greeson was a standout defensive lineman for Coach
Gary Whitman at Central High School in High Point, N.C. Starting all four years,
Greeson ranked No. 14 on SuperPreps Mid Atlantic team and No. 38 on Rivals.com
among defensive tackles and earned All-Northwest and all-area honors as a senior
defensive lineman. He was picked to play in the Shrine Bowl All-Star game as a
defensive lineman. He helped lead his teams to the playoffs each year, and Central
went undefeated (15-0) his sophomore year. He earned all-city, all-area and all-conference
honors the past three years, totaling 150 tackles each season, with at least 10
sacks, 30 tackles for loss and five breakups in each of his four years. He scored
a defensive touchdown in his freshman and junior years. As a senior, Greeson was
a team captain and totaled 10 sacks, four fumbles caused, three fumbles recovered,
and 155 tackles. He also threw shot and discus in track, qualifying for regionals
last year in the discus. The starting center and team captain of his basketball
team, he averages 12 points, 12 rebounds and according to Greeson, fouls
out every game. The son of Kathy Greeson, Brandons uncle is Michael
Wright. Brandon is the second Central football player to sign with Nebraska, following
Eric Alford, who came to Nebraska via Garden City (Kan.) Community College in
1993. He was born on Nov. 2, 1982, in High Point. Recruited by all major schools
in North Carolina as well as numerous other Division I schools, Greeson also visited
North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Michigan. He said he felt very
comfortable at Nebraska. I liked Nebraskas system. It is very similar
to what I was used to, and I was very comfortable with the coaches, academic staff
and the players. I was the only other defensive lineman they recruited this year,
and I really liked the stability and tradition of the program.
Matt
Herian
TE...6-4...215...Pierce, Neb.
(Pierce)
A member of the Omaha World-Heralds Super Six in 2001, Herian
was a three-year starter at tight end for Coach Mark Brahmer at Pierce High School.
Ranked No. 32 nationally on SuperPreps Midlands Team, Herian was also named
to PrepStars Midlands Region Team and ranked 32nd among tight ends by Rivals.com.
In 2001, Herian caught 38 passes for 786 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also played
linebacker, totaling 35 solo stops, 41 assists and three interceptions and served
as Pierces punter, averaging 36.9 yards per punt. Herian is a three-time
Class C-1 (third largest) all-state selection by the Lincoln Journal Star and
Omaha World-Herald with 500 receiving yards in 2000. As a sophomore in 1999, Herian
had 1,100 yards and 14 touchdown catches as Pierce finished 11-2. He has 24 career
touchdown receptions and 2,386 receiving yards. Herian helped lead Pierce to the
Class C-1 state playoffs all four years. Herian runs a 10.7 (manual) in the 100
meters and can vertical jump 37 inches. Also an outstanding basketball player,
Herian is averaging 15 points and nine rebounds per game, starting at center for
the 14-3 Bluejays. He earned all-state honors from the Omaha World-Herald at center
the last two seasons and second-team honors from the Lincoln Journal Star. Herian
turned down scholarship offers by Iowa and Iowa State. He said, I chose Nebraska
mostly because of the winning tradition. An attendee of the Nebraska football
camp, Matt is the son of James and Diane Herian. He was born on Oct. 7, 1983,
in Norfolk, Neb.
David Horne
RB...6-0...192...Omaha,
Neb. (Central)
Rated among the nations top five running backs by numerous
publications, Omaha Centrals David Horne is one of seven Nebraskans on this
years recruit list. Central is known for producing great running backs such
as former Husker I-backs Ahman Green (No. 2 all-time NU rusher with 3,880 yards
in 1995-96-97), Calvin Jones (No. 4 all-time NU rusher with 3,153 yards in 1991-92-93),
Keith Jones (No. 10 all-time rusher at NU with 2,488 yards from 1984-85-86-87),
current Husker junior DeAntae Grixby and Kansas Pro Football Hall of Famer
Gale Sayers. With a great combination of power and speed, Horne rushed for a Class
A-best 1,467 yards on 183 carries and led Class A with 22 touchdowns in 2001.
Also a gifted receiver, Horne totaled 298 yards receiving, scoring one touchdown.
A two-time first-team All-Nebraska (Omaha World-Herald), Super-State (Lincoln
Journal Star) running back, Horne also played defense, recording 25 tackles and
three interceptions in 2001 at free safety. Horne started two years at running
back for Head Coach Joe McMenamin at Central, where he was a teammate of fellow
Husker signee Mark LeFlore. A member of the Omaha World-Heralds Super Six,
Horne was named an All-American by SuperPrep, PrepStar and Rivals.com. Horne ranked
No. 27 on SuperPreps All-Midlands Team and ranked as the No. 5 running
back in the Midlands Region by PrepStar. He ranked No. 78 by Rivals.com overall,
and sixth among running backs and was listed as Student Sports No. 21 running
back. With great speed, Horne runs a 10.8 (manual) 100 meters, a 4.47 in the 40
(electronic) and was part of a 4 x 400 meter relay team that set a state mark
as a junior (3:19.0, fourth fastest time in high school history). Horne visited
Nebraska, Colorado, Michigan and Nebraska and was also recruited by Notre Dame,
Iowa and Iowa State. He said, I picked Nebraska because it is one of the
best schools in the country. I felt Nebraska would be the best choice for me and
my family. The son of Damond and Pam Horne, David was born in Omaha on July
25, 1984.
Mark LeFlore
WR...5-11...177...Omaha,
Neb. (Central)
A member of the Omaha World-Heralds Super Six team, Mark
LeFlore earned first-team All-Nebraska (OWH) and first-team Super-State (Lincoln
Journal Star) honors in 2001 as a wide receiver. In 2000, LeFlore earned first-team
All-Nebraska honors as a defensive back with three interceptions. LeFlore started
three years at wide receiver for Head Coach Joe McMenamin and Omaha Central where
he was a teammate of fellow signee David Horne. An All-American as ranked by SuperPrep
and PrepStar, LeFlore ranked as SuperPreps No. 11 wide receiver overall,
No. 8 on SuperPreps Midlands Team, No. 1 on PrepStars Midlands Team
and No. 15 among wide receivers by Rivals.com. LeFlore had 41 receptions for 871
yards and nine touchdowns as a senior and made 42 catches for 736 yards and 10
touchdowns scored as a junior. Three of his receptions went for more than 50 yards.
He also returned three kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns. He attended Big
Red Football School and orally committed to Nebraska before his junior season
began, the first commitment of the 2002 class. At Nebraskas camp, LeFlore
ran an electronically timed 4.47-second 40-yard dash, the second-fastest time
ever recorded on the FieldTurf surface in the indoor Cook Pavilion. LeFlore also
scored 2,300 points in the Performance Index, the second-best score all time by
a high school athlete behind Ahman Green, another Central High School star, who
now starts for the Green Bay Packers. LeFlore was also recruited by Colorado,
Iowa, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Iowa State, but only visited Nebraska. The son
of Mark and Floretta LeFlore, Mark, Jr., was born in Omaha on Feb. 25, 1984. LeFlore
said, Nebraska has a great tradition and a great coaching staff. Everyone
in my family is a Husker fan so Nebraska is a great place for me to be.
Jermaine
Leslie
OL...6-2...298...Weatherford,
Texas (Weatherford)
Leslie started on the offensive line as a senior for Coach
Mike Sneed at Weatherford High School in Texas. He played at tight end as a sophomore
and junior, but suffered a season-ending knee injury three games into his junior
season. He has only played one year on the line, but still ranked No. 76 on SuperPreps
Southwest Team and selected as the 26th-best offensive lineman nationally by Rivals.com.
Leslie earned all-district and all-area honors as an offensive guard in 2001.
He served as team captain and is also a power lifter. Leslie, who has squatted
625 pounds, ranks sixth in the state in heavyweight competition and consistently
bench presses 400 pounds. He tested out as the fastest lineman at every camp he
attended with a best of 4.80 in the 40. Leslie also competed two years in the
shot and discus. Turning down scholarship offers from Oklahoma State and SMU.
He received letters from more than 72 schools. Leslie was also recruited by Texas,
Texas A&M, SMU, Colorado State, Oklahoma State and Colorado State, but only
visited Nebraska. The son of Sherry and Brent Glover, Jermaine was born on Oct.
10, 1983. His stepfather, Brent, lived in North Dakota for a time and has extended
family in Lincoln. Leslie chose Nebraska because of the stability of the
coaching staff and of course the fans. I thought the chemistry on the team was
really good, and I admired Coach Solich.
Kurt
Mann
OL...6-4...263...Grand Island,
Neb. (Grand Island)
A member of the Omaha World-Heralds Super Six, Kurt
Mann earned first-team All-Nebraska and Super-State honors from both the Omaha
World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star in 2001, respectively, as an offensive
lineman. Mann also started on the defensive line at Grand Island for the past
three years. He earned first-team Class A (largest) all-state honors from both
the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World-Herald for the past two years. Grand
Island went 2-7 in 2001 under first-year Coach Mark Fritch, but Mann was still
named a SuperPrep All-American. Mann ranked as SuperPreps No. 33 offensive
lineman, No. 29 on SuperPreps Midlands Team, was named to PrepStars
Midlands Region Team, ranked as the 26th-best offensive lineman by Rivals.com,
and the 24th offensive lineman by Tom Lemming. A team captain, Mann attended the
Big Red Football School two years. Mann also plays post for his 16-1 basketball
team, averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game and threw the shot (59-2 best)
and discus (172-2 best) in track, finishing second at state in the shot put as
a sophomore and junior. Ranking first in his class of 350-plus students, Mann
boasts a 4.03 cumulative grade-point average (based on a 4.0 scale) and scored
a 30 on his ACT. He has been on the honor roll every year and earned academic
all-state honors. Mann committed in June before his senior season, choosing the
Huskers over Iowa State and Stanford. The son of Kent and Cindy Mann, Kurt was
born on Aug. 17, 1983 in Hutchinson, Kan. He moved to Nebraska in 1987. Kurt said,
Ive always been a Nebraska fan. They have great facilities, great
people and they are consistently one of the best teams in the nation.
Grant
Miller
FB/LB...6-1...216...Peabody,
Mass. (Veterans Memorial)
A three-year starter on offense and defense, Grant
Miller played fullback and linebacker for Veterans Memorial High School
and Coach Ed Nizwantowski. Miller was named to PrepStars East Region Team
and ranked No. 26 among fullbacks by Rivals.com. In 2001, Miller rushed for 1,150
yards and 14 touchdowns, despite missing the seasons first three games with
an injury. Peabody finished 6-3 in the states largest class. Miller had
26 receptions for 308 yards and two TDs. As a linebacker, Miller recorded 50 tackles,
eight sacks, one interception and four fumble recoveries. He was his teams
MVP as a junior and senior and earned Greater Boston League All-Star honors in
2000 and 2001. He will play in the East-West Shrine Game in Boston in June. With
good speed, Miller has run the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds. He also throws the
shot put and javelin and runs the 100, 300 and low hurdles. The son of Christine
Miller and John Miller, Grant has a sister Tammi and five older brothers, Michael,
Kenny, Ronnie, Lee and Christopher. Lee (UTEP) and Christopher (Amherst) both
played college football. In a lift-a-thon at school, Grant bench pressed 190 pounds,
37 times and in the summer pulled a pickup truck in neutral as a training exercise.
Grant was born on Dec. 23, 1983 and picked Nebraska after also visiting Penn State,
USC and Boston College. He said, The weight room was far superior and the
coaches were very sincere. It is the best program and the best match for me. I
want an opportunity to help my team win a national championship and at Nebraska
I will have that opportunity.
Jay Moore
RE...6-5...255...Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn)
A member of the Omaha World-Heralds Super Six, Moore played tight end for
Coach Mark Wortman at Elkhorn High School. An All-American as named by SuperPrep
and PrepStar, Moore was listed as SuperPreps No. 7 Jumbo athlete
and the 12th-best defensive end by Student Sports. He also ranked No. 25 on SuperPreps
Midlands Team and seventh among weakside defensive ends by Rivals.com, despite
ending his senior season early with a knee injury. He also ranked No. 12 among
defensive linemen by PrepStar. In 2000, Moore earned second-team Super-State honors
from the Lincoln Journal Star and was the LJS Class B (second largest) Offensive
Player of the Year and the Omaha World-Herald Honorary Class B offensive captain
after rushing for 1,742 yards with 31 touchdowns (8.8 ypa). In 2001, Moore had
92 carries for 822 yards (8.9 ypa) and scored 16 touchdowns in five games before
an ACL knee injury, which required surgery. He attended the Big Red Football School
at Nebraska and scored 2,040 points in the performance tests, the fourth-highest
mark by any camp attendee all time. Moore committed to the Huskers in June before
his senior season. Moore joins rush ends Phil Peetz and Kyle Ringenberg as Husker
players from Elkhorn. Moore also earned honorable-mention all-state honors from
the Omaha World-Herald in 2001 for basketball, but is not playing this season.
The son of Jim and Marion Moore, Jay was born on Aug. 16, 1983. A member of the
FCA board, he is the vice president of the EClub (Elkhorn letterman
group). Moore only visited Nebraska, but was also recruited by Iowa State, Iowa
and Missouri. He picked Nebraska because, it has always been my childhood
dream to play for the Huskers. It was an easy decision.
Jemayel
Phillips
OL...6-6...330...Winnfield,
La. (Winnfield)
Phillips was a standout lineman for Coach Joey Pender at Winnfield
High School in Louisiana. The biggest player in the class at 6-6, 330, Phillips
ranked No. 22 on SuperPreps Southwest Team and 46th on Rivals.coms
offensive tackle list. Phillips was also named to PrepStars Southeast Region
Team. Phillips is a four-year starter on offense and lost just six games in his
four-year prep career. In 2001, Phillips helped lead Winnfield (Class 3A) to the
second round of the state playoffs and to a 10-2 record. A team captain, he earned
team honors as the most valuable offensive lineman the past two years. He also
earned second-team LHSCA honors as an offensive lineman, was named to the Bakers
Dirty Dozen team and earned third-team all-state honors as a senior. Phillips
also threw the shot put, winning districts last season. Phillips picked Nebraska
after also visiting Louisiana Tech and Auburn and canceled visits to Louisiana
State, Texas A&M and Southern Mississippi. He said, It was a no-brainer,
especially as an offensive lineman-Nebraska is the best place to be. Nebraskas
excellent grade-point average flipped my mom out. Phillips attended Big
Red Football School the past two summers. The son of Donna Prater, Jemayel (pronounced
Jeh-MILE) was born on March 24, 1984. He was mentored by former Husker basketball
standout Cliff Moller (1969).
Ronnie Smith
WB...5-9...160...Carson, Calif. (Nathaniel
Narbonne)
Ronnie Smith committed to the Huskers two days before the National
Letter-of-Intent signing day. A speedster, Smith rushed for 1,370 yards and scored
19 touchdowns splitting time at the position. He also had nearly 300 receiving
yards playing for Coach J.R. Munoz at Nathaniel Narbonne High School (4A, largest).
He earned first-team all-conference honors in the Marine League and third-team
honors on the Long Beach Press Dream Team. He was named honorable-mention Las
Vegas Sun Super 11 on offense. Smith played just one game as a junior, when transferring
between schools. Recruited as a wingback to Nebraska, Smith runs the 40-yard dash
in 4.36 seconds (manually). He was also recruited by UNLV and Kansas State. The
son of Regina Smith-Pittman and Robert Pittman, Ronnie was born on Oct. 1, 1984.
Smith said he picked Nebraska, because Overall, it was a great school. I
liked the fans, academic programs, tradition and coaching staff.
Cory
Timm
OL...6-5...294...Yutan, Neb.
(Yutan)
Cory Timm, the younger brother of Husker sophomore right-handed pitcher
Dustin Timm, jumped at the chance to play for Nebraska. Timm, at 6-5, 294, is
much larger than his brother (6-3, 180) and will be an offensive lineman at Nebraska.
Corys other brother Bucky (6-1, 190, is a senior pitcher for Midland College
in Fremont, Neb. Timm started at tackle on both sides of the ball for Coach Rod
Thayer for four years. He earned first-team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha
World-Herald and was a Class C-2 (fourth largest) first-team member at offensive
guard for the OWH and the Lincoln Journal Star. He ranks 91st nationally at his
position by Rivals.com and was named the lineman of the year at his high school
the last two years. Timm is also the starting center for his basketball team,
averaging 10 points and 11 rebounds per game and earned honorable-mention all-conference
honors last season. He qualified for state in the discus the last two years and
in the shot put as a junior. A solid student, Timm was named to the Honor Roll
and plans to major in pre-medicine. He attended football camp at Nebraska and
picked Nebraska after also visiting Colorado State, Wyoming and New Mexico State.
He said, All the top linemen go there. I know at Nebraska I will be able
to push myself to the limit.
Dane Todd
FB...5-11...225...Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)
A Super-State (Lincoln Journal Star) and All-Nebraska (Omaha World-Herald) first-team
all-state linebacker, Dane Todd was a standout fullback and middle linebacker
at Lincoln Southeast. Todd was named the Gatorade Circle of Champions Nebraska
Player of the Year starting on both sides of the ball the last two years for Coach
Chuck Mizerski and is the only Lincoln native in the 2002 class. Mizerski calls
Todd a devastating blocker and said that Todd has recorded more knockdown
blocks than any other fullback in Southeast history. Todd rushed for 453 yards
(7.95 per carry) in 2000, when Southeast won the Class A (largest) state title,
despite suffering a late-season injury. He rushed for more than 400 yards and
12 TDs as a senior. He also started at middle linebacker in 2000-01, recording
130 tackles as a senior. Todd was named to the PrepStar Midlands Region Team and
ranked No. 17 among fullbacks by Rivals.com in 2001. As a junior, Todd earned
honorable-mention all-state honors. Todd also considered an offer from Duke and
received interest from Iowa, Iowa State and Northwestern. Dane ranks third in
his class of 606 students and chose Nebraska in part because of its honors program.
Todd carries a 4.488 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) and plans to study pre-medicine.
His mother Kim attended grad school at Nebraska and his father Loy, earned his
bachelors and law degrees from Nebraska. Dane is a member of Southeasts
Student Council, earned academic all-state honors and was a member of the honor
roll every semester. He volunteers with the Sunrise Equi-Therapy program. He played
junior ice hockey until his senior season. Todd said he liked everything about
Nebraska. The whole program is great. I have spent a lot of time there and
I feel like I fit in well with the program.
Fabian
Washington
CB...6-0...175...Bradenton,
Fla. (Bayshore)
Widely regarded as the top defensive back to come out of Florida
this season, Fabian Washington is an All-American as ranked by SuperPrep. He ranks
16th on SuperPreps Dixie Top 90 list and as the No. 15 defensive back overall.
Washington ranked 13th on Rivals.com list for all-around athletes and was named
to PrepStars Southeast Team. A standout cornerback and return man for Coach
Raymond Woodie at Bayshore High School in Bradenton, Fla. (Class 4A, third-largest),
Washington comes from the same hometown as former Huskers Tommie Frazier (QB,
1992-95) and Leslie Dennis (CB, 1994-96) although Frazier attended Manatee and
Dennis went to Southeast High School. Dennis was Washingtons position coach
at Bayshore. Washington totaled 60 tackles, broke up 14 passes and picked off
four passes as a senior. He had three picks and 12 PBU as a junior. He scored
10 touchdowns as a senior and returned four kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown.
He was a four-year starter at corner, and a two-year starter at wide receiver
and served as the backup quarterback. Washington earned first-team all-state honors
as a senior by the Florida High School Coaches Association. Coach Woodie said
Washington had just eight balls caught on his side of the field in four years.
He has been timed manually with a 4.3 40-yard dash and a 10.5 100-meter dash and
boasts a 38-inch vertical jump. Washington said he picked Nebraska because of
NUs defensive scheme. He said, Nebraskas style is to play man-to-man
defense, and thats what I played in high school and thats what I liked.
The son of Chandra Washington, Fabian was born on June 9, 1983. He picked Nebraska
after visiting Auburn, Iowa, North Carolina, Michigan State and NU. He was also
recruited by Miami, Florida, Georgia and Florida State. Washington also plays
small forward for his basketball team and averages 10 points per game. He placed
third in the state in the 100 meters as a junior.
Demorrio
Williams
WLB...6-2...200...Longview,
Texas (Beckville HS/Kilgore College)
Nebraskas only junior college transfer
in the class, Williams is already enrolled and attending classes at Nebraska this
semester. He signed his letter of intent in January, after graduating from Kilgore
College in Texas. Williams will participate in spring ball and will have two years
of eligibility for Nebraska. Williams was a standout linebacker at Kilgore (Texas)
College for Head Coach Jim Rieves. He led Kilgore to a 12-0 record, with nine
sacks, two interceptions and 127 tackles in 2001. He also returned a fumble for
a touchdown as Kilgore allowed just 8.2 points per game. He was an honorable-mention
junior college All-American in 2001 and a second-team All-American in 2000 after
leading the Southwest Junior College Conference with 130 tackles as a freshman.
Williams ranked No. 10 on Rivals.coms Non-High School Top 100 rankings,
and earned a rare five-star rating. Williams has been timed at 4.6 in the 40.
Originally from Beckville, Texas, Williams graduated from Beckville High School
(Class 1-A, smallest in Texas) in 1998, where he played free safety for Coach
Joe Koesel. He earned all-district honors with 115 tackles and seven interceptions.
Out of high school, Williams intended to immediately attend a junior college in
Texas, but sat out a year, working in Beckville. The son of Veronica Hicks, Demorrio
was born on July 6, 1980. He plans to major in psychology. Demorrio said he picked
Nebraska because he liked the powerhouse program. Nebraska has a good, clean
program. He was also recruited by Colorado, Texas, Florida and Texas A&M,
but only visited Nebraska.