RECRUITING

The 2003 class

 
Signing day coverage

A few who got away
Lance Broadus, Tommy Zbikowski (1, 2, 3),
Ian-Yates Cunningham, Walter Washington, Mike Jenkins

Player bios

Greg Austin
Offensive Line...6-2...290...Cypress, Texas (Cy-Fair)
Greg Austin is one of six players from Texas in Nebraska's 2003 recruiting class, the most Nebraska has signed from the Lone Star State in 13 years. Austin was the second out-of-state player to commit to the Huskers, giving the NU coaching staff his pledge in mid-July. Austin is a powerful offensive lineman who bench presses 400 pounds and squats 520. He starred for a Cy-Fair team that finished the 2002 season with a 7-4 record, earned the tri-district championship and qualifed for the Class 5-A (largest) state playoffs. Austin played offensive guard for Coach Ronny Peacock's squad as a senior after lining up at tackle as a junior. He earned honorable-mention all-district honors in 2002, despite missing half of the season with a foot injury. Austin graded out at 90 percent in Cy-Fair's offensive line system. SuperPrep ranked Austin as the No. 66 prospect in the state of Texas. PrepStar named him an honorable-mention All-Midlands region selection. Austin attended Big Red Football School last summer and came away from the experience very impressed with what Nebraska had to offer. "I was really comfortable with everything at Nebraska. I was impressed with the coaching staff and decided to commit to Nebraska last summer and avoid all the hassles during recruiting." Austin also considered LSU, Rice and North Texas, but only visited Nebraska. Austin, who enjoys spending time with his bible study group, was born on Nov. 19, 1984. He is the son of Greg, Sr., and Jacqueline Austin and has a brother, Roydrick (20).

Andy Birkel
Split End...6-3...175...Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)
Andy Birkel is one of five Nebraskans in the 2003 recruiting class, and one of three Husker signees from perennial Nebraska prep power Lincoln Southeast. He finished his senior season at Southeast with 31 receptions for 747 yards, an average of better than 24 yards per catch. Birkel caught 10 touchdown passes for the Knights, who captured the Class A state championship last year with a 12-1 record. Birkel also started at defensive back and finished the season with 38 tackles and two interceptions for Coach Chuck Mizerski's squad. Birkel earned first-team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World-Herald and was also a first-team Class A all-state pick. The Lincoln Journal Star tabbed Birkel to its Super-State squad as a receiver. SuperPrep Magazine lists Birkel as the No. 45 overall prospect in the 11-state Midlands Region, and he was a All-Midlands region pick by PrepStar. Birkel caught 14 passes for 329 yards and five touchdowns and had 67 tackles and five interceptions in his junior season, while playing at Lincoln East, before transferring to Southeast. He earned honorable-mention all-state football honors in 2001, and as a sophomore he finished fourth in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters at the state track meet. He has been clocked at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Birkel committed to Nebraska after attending the Big Red Football School last summer. He chose the Huskers over Kansas State and Iowa. Birkel is the son of Nick and Cherie Birkel and was born on Jan. 30, 1985.

Titus Brothers
Defensive Back...5-11...190...Converse, Texas (Judson)
Titus Brothers is one of six Texans in NU's 2003 recruiting class and is among four signees who are slated to play in the Husker secondary. Brothers played a key role in Judson High's 14-1 record and Class 5A state championship (Texas' largest class). Brothers intercepted two passes, had 18 pass breakups and recorded more than 30 tackles during Judson's title run. He scored two touchdowns during his senior season, one via a fumble return and one on an interception return. Judson capped their state title with a victory in front of a crowd of more than 21,000 at San Antonio's Alamodome. Brothers has great speed, having covered 100 meters in 10.3 seconds. In addition to his impressive 100-meter time, Brothers has covered 200 meters in 21 seconds and plans to run track at Nebraska. Brothers earned second-team all-district honors as a senior for Coach Jim Rackley. Brothers was a three-year letterman for Judson High and also started at cornerback as a junior and saw limited time at running back as a sophomore and also returned kickoffs. He is listed as the No. 54 cornerback prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com, while TheInsiders.com ranks him 84th at his position. Brothers is listed as the No. 99 overall prospect in the Southwest Region by SuperPrep and was a preseason All-Midlands Region selection by PrepStar. He is the 68th-ranked player on the CNNSI.com/TheInsiders.com Big 12 Hot 100 list. Brothers has racked up honors on the track for Judson High School. As a junior, he was the district and regional champion in both the 100 and 200 meters and was part of the school's district championship 4x100 meter relay team. He finished fifth in the state in the 100 meters and placed seventh in the 200, while the relay team also qualified for the state meet. Brothers chose Nebraska over TCU and Arkansas, while he also turned down an offer to run track at Texas A&M. Brothers is one of five Judson players to sign national letters of intent. He is the son of Sharon and Morris Brothers and was born on June 5, 1985. Titus has a twin brother, Tory, and one other brother, Morris, Jr. (20). "Nebraska offered me an excellent combination of great football and track programs. I was very impressed with the university and the opportunity to play in the Big 12."

Brett Byford
Offensive Line...6-4...290...Hartselle, Ala. (Hartselle)
Brett Byford is regarded as one of the nation's top offensive line prospects. He helped Hartselle to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the semifinals of the Alabama Class 5-A (second-largest) state playoffs. Byford finished his senior season with an average of seven pancakes per game and had a season-high 15 in one game for Coach Mike Smith's team. He was a first-team all-state selection by the Alabama Sportswriters Association and was named to the Birmingham News' Super All-State first team. He was also a first-team all-region and all-area pick. As a junior, Byford played tackle and averaged more than five pancakes per game to help Hartselle to a 9-2 record and a state playoff appearance. He is listed as the 18th-best offensive guard prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com and the No. 59 overall offensive line prospect by TheInsiders.com. SuperPrep regards Byford as the No. 10 overall prospect in the state of Alabama, while Tom Lemming tabs him as the No. 12 prospect nationally among guards and centers. He was a PrepStar All-Southeast region selection. In addition to Nebraska, Byford also took visits to South Carolina, Georgia Tech and Clemson and according to his father, also received offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Alabama to name a few. He is Nebraska's first scholarship recruit from the state of Alabama since Dwayne Harris (Bessemer, Ala.) signed with the Huskers in the spring of 1991. Byford is playing basketball as a senior and was a member of Hartselle's baseball team as a freshman. Off the field, Byford serves as the president of Hartselle's student council and is the senior class secretary and treasurer of the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes group. Byford has also volunteered his time in a reading program for local elementary students and visit area nursing homes, while remaining active in his church. Brett, who was born on Aug. 9, 1984, is the son of Joe and Cathy Byford and has one brother, Jeff (24). "Brett is very excited to be a part of the tradition of Nebraska football," Joe Byford said. "We believe that is where God led him to be, and personally I would have been disappointed if he went anywhere else."

Steve Craver
Free Safety...6-2...195...Hurst, Texas (L.D. Bell)
The younger brother of former Husker All-American Keyuo Craver (1997-2000), Steve Craver is one of six Texans in Nebraska's 2003 recruiting class. Craver is a hard-hitting defender who was a versatile player for L.D. Bell High School. From his defensive back position, Craver had 45 unassisted tackles and 25 assists, while doubling as a quarterback for Coach Ross Dodson. Craver rushed for 323 yards from the quarterback position and also threw for more than 300 yards to earn first-team all-district honors as a senior. Bell finished the season with a 7-5 record and lost in the first round of the Class 5-A state playoffs. Craver missed most of his junior season at Bell with an injury and played quarterback in his sophomore season at Harleton High School, before transferring to Bell in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The Dallas Morning News ranked him as the No. 25 overall prospect in the metro area and the 75th-best prospect statewide. Craver was a PrepStar All-American and All-Midlands Region pick, while SuperPrep ranked him as the No. 42 overall prospect in the state of Texas. He is ranked as the No. 21 safety in the nation by TheInsiders.com, while Rivals.com lists him as the 35th-best defensive back in the nation. He is the 47th-ranked player on the CNNSI.com/TheInsiders.com Big 12 Hot 100. Despite sitting out most of 2001 Craver was widely recruited and committed to the Huskers in the summer of 2002. Before announcing his intentions to attend Nebraska, Craver also received offers from Colorado, Oklahoma and West Virginia, but only visited Nebraska. Craver plans to run track this spring at Bell and also participates in the school's One-Act Play. Steve was born on April 6, 1984, and is the son of Steve, Sr. and Kathy Craver. In addition to Keyuo, who just completed his rookie season with the New Orleans Saints, Steve has two other brothers, Damon Moore (27) and Travis Craver (20). "I like to win and I can't lose by coming to Nebraska. Keyuo told me how well he was treated and how great of an experience he had there. I like the family environment up there. I don't feel any pressure following Keyuo, but I am looking forward to keeping the family name going at Nebraska."

Joe Dailey
Quarterback...6-1...200...Jersey City, N.J. (St. Peter's Prep)
One of the nation's top run-pass quarterbacks, Joe Dailey is the only signal caller in Nebraska's 2003 recruiting class. Dailey is one of two Husker signees who hail from the state of New Jersey, joining junior college defensive end Wali Muhammad. Dailey is Nebraska's first high school scholarship recruit from New Jersey since current starting quarterback Jammal Lord inked with the Huskers in the spring of 1999. Dailey completed better than 50 percent of his passes as a senior, connecting on 74-of-136 attempts. He threw for 1,378 yards and 19 touchdowns and added 783 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns and seven two-point conversions on the ground. Dailey's leadership on offense helped St. Peter's Prep, coached by Rich Hansen, to a 10-1 record and an appearance in the state semifinals. Dailey also posted big numbers as a junior, passing for better than 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 700 yards. Dailey led St. Peter's Prep to a 36-6 record and four HCIAA titles as the starting quarterback. He set school records for most touchdown passes, most touchdown runs, passing attempts, passing completions and rushing yards by a quarterback. Dailey earned first-team all-area and all-county honors and was a first-team all-state Parochial school selection. He was named to the New Jersey Super 100 Team and selected to the MSG All-Heisman Team. Dailey was the Hudson Reporter Player of the Year. Dailey is ranked as the No. 13 dual-threat quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com, while TheInsiders.com lists him as the No. 38 overall quarterback in the country. He is listed as the No. 19 overall prospect in the state of New Jersey by SuperPrep magazine, while he was a All-East Region selection by PrepStar. Dailey chose Nebraska over Syracuse and also received scholarship offers from Rutgers, Virginia and Virginia Tech. He is the son of Doreen Dailey and was born on Nov. 19, 1983.

Donald DeFrand
Cornerback...6-2...180...Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dodge City CC/Stranahan High School)
Defensive back Donald DeFrand is one of three junior college players in Nebraska's 2003 recruiting class. DeFrand comes to Nebraska from Dodge City Community College and was one of the nation's most coveted junior college recruits. DeFrand sat out the 2002 season at Dodge City because of a hip injury and will have three seasons of eligibility at Nebraska. In his only season of action at Dodge City in 2001, DeFrand started at cornerback and recorded 24 tackles, three interceptions and 17 pass breakups. He returned one of the interceptions for a touchdown. He also returned seven kickoffs for 335 yards (47.8 ypr), including two touchdown returns of 89 and 90 yards. A preseason first-team All-American, he earned second-team juco postseason All-America honors in 2001. DeFrand was regarded as one of the nation's top juco cornerbacks according to Rivals.com and is listed as the 14th-ranked junior college cornerback according to TheInsiders.com. SuperPrep lists him as the No. 100 overall junior college recruit. DeFrand is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he attended Stranahan High School, which played in the state's second-largest class (5A). DeFrand was a three-year starter at cornerback for Stranahan and started at wide receiver as a junior and quarterback as a senior in 2000. He earned first-team all-state honors as a cornerback in his senior season. DeFrand was also a standout on the track in high school. He won the 100 and 200 meter dashes at the state track meet as a senior and was also a member of the school's gold medal 4x100 meter relay team. He posted the state's best time in the 100 meters in 2001 with a time of 10.3 seconds. He qualified for the national meet in the Bahamas in both the 100 meters (placed fourth) and as a member of the 4x100 relay team, which won the gold medal in a time of 40.5 seconds. Like Titus Brothers, DeFrand intends to run track for the Huskers. In addition to Nebraska, DeFrand took visits to Tennessee, Kansas State and Texas Tech and also considered Florida State. The son of Jinette Royer and Dard DeFrand, Donald was born on Feb. 4, 1982. He has two brothers and three sisters. "First of all, I loved the environment at Nebraska. I loved the fans and really got along well with the players. In fact, I've been in close contact with the Bullocks twins ever since I visited. I love the tradition and I feel like I can come in and play immediately."

Darren DeLone
Offensive Line...6-5...320...Pomona, Calif. (Mount San Antonio (Calif.) CC/Garey High School)
Darren DeLone is one of three junior college recruits in this year's recruiting class and one of four offensive linemen signed by the Huskers. DeLone is the first junior college offensive line scholarship recruit for Nebraska since at least 1973. The 6-5, 320-pound DeLone comes to Nebraska after two seasons at Mount San Antonio Community College in Walnut, Calif. He will be a junior in eligibility at Nebraska this fall. He was a two-year starter for Coach Bill Fisk. The Mounties finished the 2002 season with a 4-6 record and DeLone started at offensive tackle and graded out at better than 80 percent every game. He started the 2001 season at defensive tackle, and moved to offense at the coaching staff's request after injuries hit the offensive line. DeLone attended Garey High School in Pomona, Calif., where he started on both sides of the ball in his career. He primarily played tight end and defensive end, but also served as a rush linebacker and a goal-line fullback. He recorded 88 tackles, with two interceptions for touchdowns as a senior to earn first-team all-league honors on defense. On offense, DeLone scored another eight touchdowns. He also played basketball in high school, starting at center all four years. He was a second-team all-league pick as a senior. A blocked shot specialist, he set the school season record for blocks, including 10 in one game, also a Garey High record. He was active in speech in high school and intends to major in communications at UNL. DeLone is ranked as the No. 13 junior college offensive line prospect in the nation by TheInsiders.com and Rivals.com lists him as a three-star prospect. SuperPrep magazine tabs DeLone as the No. 66 junior college recruit in the nation, regardless of position, while PrepStar ranks him as one of the nation's top 125 juco prospects. DeLone also received scholarship offers from Arizona State and Mississippi State, but only visited Nebraska and committed shortly after his December visit to Lincoln. DeLone was born on Jan. 22, 1982, and is the son of Alex and Dorothy DeLone. He has two older brothers and three older sisters. "I picked Nebraska because I'll be coming into a great family atmosphere, which is important because I'll be a long way away from my family. Everyone at Nebraska treated me great and their communication program is unbelievable. No other school has a communications program like Nebraska."

David Dyches
Kicker...6-1...185...Spring, Texas (Westfield)
David Dyches (pronounced dikes) is one of six Texans in Nebraska's 2003 recruiting class and the Huskers' first scholarship place-kicking recruit in three seasons. Dyches was the final piece in Nebraska's 2003 class, signing a letter of intent with the Huskers on Thursday. Dyches was one of the nation's most highly recruited kickers after a standout career at Westfield High School in Houston. Dyches made 31-of-35 extra-point attempts as a senior and connected on four field goals, including a long of 44 yards. Dyches boasts an extremely strong leg and booted 27 of his kickoffs for touchbacks last season. As a junior, Dyches connected on 11 of 16 field goals and made 52 of his 55 extra-point tries. Dyches was ranked as the nation's No. 12 kicker according to Rivals.com, while PrepStar named him a All-Midlands Region selection. Dyches is one of three Husker recruits who played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in early January. He had a strong performance in the game, including a 42-yard field goal. Dyches chose Nebraska over Ohio State. His full name is David Dyches III, and he is the son of Dave and Sandra Dyches. He was born on Oct. 16, 1984.

Tierre Green
Athlete...6-1...195...Omaha, Neb. (Benson)
Omaha Benson product Tierre (pronounced Tee-air) Green is one of five in-state recruits in Nebraska's 2003 recruiting class. A superb athlete, Green could play nearly any skill position for the Huskers. Green earned first-team Class A all-state honors from the Omaha World-Herald after a senior season in which he totaled 63 tackles, including 50 solo stops. He returned one interception for a touchdown and also forced a pair of fumbles. The World-Herald also picked him as a first-team All-Metro selection as a defensive back. On offense, Green played running back for Benson and Coach Lonnie Tapp and rushed 627 yards and averaged nearly six yards per carry, while scoring eight touchdowns on the ground. Green earned postseason recognition despite Benson finishing the 2002 campaign with just one victory in nine games. Green was a PrepStar All-Midlands Region selection as a defensive back. Green is the cousin of former Husker running back Ahman Green, now a member of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Green's uncle, Michael, also played for Nebraska, lettering in 1968 and 1969. In addition to Nebraska, Green received a scholarship offer from Iowa State and attracted strong interest from San Jose State. Tierre is the son of Lisa Conway and was born on Feb. 4, 1985.

Corey McKeon
Linebacker...6-2...215...Naperville, Ill. (North)
Corey McKeon (pronounced Mc-CUE-in) is one of two linebacker prospects in Nebraska's 2003 class. McKeon starred at Naperville North High School, where he made 60 tackles and intercepted six passes as a safety last season. McKeon returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns, including a 98-yarder. The versatile McKeon also played a key role on offense as a wide receiver and running back, totaling about 1,900 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns. He had 750 yards as a wideout and more than 900 yards rushing. Naperville North finished the 2002 season with a 9-2 record in Illinois' largest class. In all, McKeon played five different positions for North in his three seasons. He earned first-team all-state honors from the IHSA, the Illinois High School Coaches Association, and the Illinois Gazette. He was a two-time all-conference and all-area pick. McKeon played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in early January in San Antonio. McKeon, who has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.45 seconds, was ranked by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming as the nation's No. 9 prospect at inside linebacker. He is listed as the No. 19 safety in the nation by Rivals.com, which also named him the Illinois Defensive Player of the Year. TheInsiders.com lists him as the nation's No. 55 linebacker. McKeon was a All-Midwest Region pick by PrepStar, while SuperPrep ranks him as the No. 46 overall prospect in its six-state Midwest region. He is Nebraska's first scholarship signee from the Illinois prep ranks since linebacker Carlos Polk (Rockford, Ill.) inked with Nebraska in the spring of 1996. McKeon chose Nebraska after also visiting Purdue and Miami of Ohio. He also considered South Carolina, Wisconsin and Illinois. McKeon also plays basketball for Naperville North, who owns an 18-3 record. He averages 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from his small-forward position. He is a three-year starter on the hardwood and earned all-area honors as a junior. Corey is the son of Larry and Sandy McKeon, and has a strong football background in his family. Larry, who is the head coach at Naperville North, played at Illinois, while three of his uncles played Division I football. Corey was born on Aug. 29, 1984 and has a sister, Molly (20). "I chose the University of Nebraska because it is a great program with a strong winning tradition. It is an excellent school and an excellent football school as well. I like the fan base, the coaches and I like the fact that there is new blood in the coaching staff this year."

Josh Mueller
Tight End...6-6...250...Columbus, Neb. (Lakeview)
Josh Mueller is one of five in-state recruits in the 2003 signing class and is regarded as one of the nation's premier tight end prospects. Mueller missed most of his senior season at Columbus Lakeview High School with shoulder and knee injuries. After his injuries, Mueller moved to wide receiver for the remainder of the season and finished the year with 10 receptions. As a junior, Mueller played running back for Lakeview and finished the season with 851 yards and also caught four passes on his way to honorable-mention all-state honors. Mueller started at tight end for the Vikings as a sophomore and lettered for four years. Mueller is regarded as the nation's No. 9 tight end prospect by TheInsiders.com, while Rivals.com lists him as the 10th-best tight end recruit in the country. Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming ranks him as the No. 14 tight end. Mueller was an All-America selection and All-Midlands region pick by PrepStar, while SuperPrep ranks him as the No. 35 overall recruit in the Midlands Region. He is the No. 34 player on CNNSI.com/TheInsiders.com's Big 12 Hot 100 list. Mueller was the second commitment in Nebraska's 2003 class, making his pledge to the Huskers in the fall of 2001. Mueller attended Big Red Football School each of the last three seasons. He said his choice to attend Nebraska was an easy decision. "I'm impressed by the coaching staff. They've been a top-10 team every year except this past season, and I know they'll be right back up there." Mueller has been a multi-sport talent during his career at Lakeview. In addition to his football accomplishments, Mueller lettered for three seasons in basketball, but is not playing basketball this season because of shoulder surgery. He was a part of Lakeview's Class C-1 state championship team during his sophomore year and helped the school to a state runner-up finish last year. He has also earned two letters in track. Josh is a member of the National Honor Society and is a member of the Columbus Youth Council. Mueller is the son of Con and Marla (Lichty) Mueller. Both of his parents graduated from Nebraska, and his mother played volleyball for the Huskers, earning three letters from 1978 to 1980. Mueller was born on Aug. 28, 1984, and has a sister, Janae (16) and a brother, Kale (9).

Wali Muhammad
Rush End...6-2...245...Bloomfield, N.J. (Coffeyville (Kan.) CC/Bloomfield)
One of three junior college recruits in this year's class, Wali (Wall-EE) Muhammad is expected to play rush end for the Huskers. A New Jersey native, Muhammad comes to Nebraska from Coffeyville Community College and he will have three years of eligibility with the Huskers. Muhammad was a first-team All-Jayhawk Conference player last year for Coffeyville, which finished the year with a 9-3 record under coach Jeff Leiker. He was a first-team juco All-America pick by Gridwire and was an honorable-mention All-America pick in the National Junior College Athletic Association. Muhammad had 118 tackles from his rush end position, with 37 of those for losses. He was in on a school-record 22 sacks during the 2002 season and forced two fumbles. Muhammad has great speed to go along with his 245-pound frame. SuperPrep ranks him as the nation's 27th-best overall junior college recruit. He is listed as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, while TheInsiders.com ranks him as the No. 14 juco prospect at his position and PrepStar ranks him as one of the nation's top 125 juco prospects. Muhammad played high school football at Bloomfield High, where he was a second-team all-state selection as a senior with 79 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. Bloomfield finished as the top team in the county in Muhammad's senior season. He was a two-time all-area pick and a three-year starter at outside linebacker. Muhammad picked the Huskers over Temple, Indiana and Kansas and made a visit to Colorado State, but chose Nebraska shortly after his December visit. Muhammad is Nebraska's first signee in nine years from Coffeyville CC, the school that sent 1983 Heisman winner Mike Rozier to Nebraska in 1981. Coffeyville also produced former Husker cornerback Bruce Pickens (1988 to 1990), who was a two-time All-Big Eight pick and was the No. 3 overall selection in the 1991 NFL Draft. Muhammad was born on April 17, 1983 and is the son of Wali Muhammad, Sr., and Marilyn Tynes. He has two brothers and one sister. His older brother, Robert Tynes, played football at Arizona State in 1997. "I picked Nebraska because I love the people. I wanted to go to a good program and be a part of the turnaround from last season. I was very impressed with Coach Pelini, Coach Gill and Coach Jamrog."

Chris Patrick
Rush End...6-6...245...Ithaca, Mich. (Ithaca)
Chris Patrick is one of three players in Nebraska's 2003 recruiting class who are projected to play rush end for the Huskers. Patrick is just the second player from the state of Michigan since 1974 to sign a letter of intent with Nebraska. Patrick was the second-leading tackler for Ithaca High as a senior, making 102 stops. He added eight sacks and forced four fumbles and had two blocked kicks and six quarterback hurries. Ithaca finished 7-3 team and captured its conference championship for the third straight season and captured the school's first-ever district title in 2002 under Head Coach Jim Ahearn. Patrick also starred for Ithaca at offensive tackle and graded out at better than 80 percent. Patrick was named to the Detroit News Dream Team and the Saginaw News Dream Team. He also earned first-team all-state honors from the Associated Press and was the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun's area Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts. As a junior, Patrick finished the season with 95 tackles and had 20 tackles for loss, including eight sacks, for an 11-1 Ithaca squad. Patrick earned honorable-mention all-state honors for his play as a junior. He also had five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end in 2001. Patrick is ranked as the nation's No. 13 prospect at defensive end according to Rivals.com, while TheInsiders.com ranks him 47th in the country at his position. He was a PrepStar All-American and All-Midwest Region selection, while SuperPrep ranks him as the No. 45 overall prospect in the Midwest Region. The Lansing State Journal ranked him as the No. 9 overall prospect in Michigan, while the Detroit Free Press listed him as the state's No. 4 player. Patrick is also a three-year starter at center for Ithaca's basketball team. He is currently averaging 11.8 points and 13 rebounds for Ithaca's 10-5 team. Patrick chose Nebraska over Purdue and also received scholarship offers from Wisconsin and Oregon. Patrick's older brother, Joe, started eight games as a sophomore offensive lineman at Michigan State in 2002, before an injury ended his season. The son of Philip and Marie Patrick, Chris has two sisters, Tiffany (21) and Natasha (9). Chris was born on Aug. 22, 1984. Patrick said his uncles John and Philip DeMers both live in Winner, S.D., and are "huge" Nebraska fans. "Coach Jamrog, Coach Solich and Coach Young were very sincere. I loved the Nebraska weight room and facilities and I liked the fact that the dean of the law school came to meet with me personally. Nebraska football has a tradition of great rush ends and I've followed the careers of Chris Kelsay, Grant Wistrom and Kyle Vanden Bosch, and I believe that Nebraska can develop me into a great player." Patrick intends to major in criminal justice at Nebraska.

J.B. Phillips
TE...6-3...250...Colleyville, Texas (Colleyville Heritage)
J.B. Phillips is one of six Texans in the 2003 signing class and is one of two talented tight ends to join the Husker program. Phillips is a physical player, but has good speed, having been clocked in the 40-yard dash in less than 4.7 seconds. Phillips caught about 20 passes in 2002 for Colleyville Heritage High School, which featured a run-based offense. Phillips also was dominant as a blocker, helping his team to a 9-2 record and state playoff appearance in the Texas 5A ranks, the state's largest classification. Phillips started on both sides of the ball for Coach Chris Cunningham last fall, lining up at defensive end, and recorded about eight sacks. Phillips earned honorable-mention 5A all-state honors from the Texas Sportswriters Association as a tight end. He was a first-team all-district pick on both sides of the ball as a senior and earned first-team Northeast Tarrant County honors and second-team all-area honors as a tight end. The Dallas Morning News ranked him as the No. 40 player on its list of top 100 area players, while Rivals.com lists him as the No. 40 tight end prospect in the nation. As a junior, Phillips played offensive guard and defensive end and earned all-district honors for his play on offense, helping his team to a 10-2 record and a state playoff appearance. Phillips lettered in track as a junior and has also earned a letter in power-lifting. Phillips is a member of the school's National Honor Society and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a standout in the classroom, boasting a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average. Phillips chose Nebraska over Big 12 schools Kansas State and Oklahoma State, the only other schools he visited. "When it came down to making a decision, I just felt the most comfortable at Nebraska. I am looking forward to being a part of everything Nebraska has to offer, both athletically and academically." Phillips' full name is James Brian Phillips, II. The son of Jim and Kyle Phillips, J.B. was born on May, 23, 1985, and has three older sisters, Julie, Sara and Amy.

Bo Ruud
Linebacker...6-3...210...Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)
Bo Ruud comes to Nebraska from Lincoln Southeast High School, a prep power that boasts three players in the Huskers' 2003 signing class. Ruud is also one of two signees, along with Steve Craver, who follow their older brothers to the Lincoln campus. Bo's older brother, Barrett, will be a junior this fall and was Nebraska's starter at Mike linebacker in 2002. Bo Ruud was the Huskers' earliest ever commitment, making his intentions to attend Nebraska known in June of 2001, some 20 months before 2003 letter of intent signing day. Ruud had a standout high school career at Southeast, helping the Knights to two Class A state championships in the past three seasons. Ruud was a two-way star for the Knights, playing running back and linebacker. He rushed for 1,385 yards and 15 touchdowns and also caught four passes for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Ruud played a key role in Southeast's run to the Class A state title, scoring four touchdowns in a semifinal win over Kearney and scoring the Knights' only TD in a 7-6 title game victory over Millard North. Ruud was used primarily on offense during Southeast's 12-1 season, but he still made 70 total tackles as a senior, including 51 solo stops. Ruud was named the honorary captain of the Lincoln Journal Star's Super State team and was a first-team pick as a running back. The Omaha World-Herald recognized his defensive ability, selecting him to its All-Nebraska team as a linebacker and making him the honorary captain on the defense. Ruud was a second-team all-state pick by both the Omaha and Lincoln papers as a junior, when he made 49 tackles on defense and rushed for nearly 450 yards and scored six touchdowns as a running back. Ruud also started for the Knights as a sophomore. He is listed as the nation's 21st-best prospect at inside linebacker by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, while Rivals.com lists him as the No. 10 outside linebacker. SuperPrep ranks Ruud as the No. 26 overall prospect in the 11-state Midlands Region and the nation's 29th-best linebacker, while PrepStar tabbed him as an All-American. He is the 73rd-ranked player on the CNNSI.com/TheInsiders.com Big 12 Hot 100 list. In addition to his outstanding football honors, Ruud also plays for Southeast's basketball team, which currently ranks first in Class A. He was an honorable-mention all-state pick on the hardwood as a junior. In addition to Barrett, Ruud's father, Tom, also played linebacker for the Huskers (1972-73-74), and earned All-Big Eight honors before playing five seasons professionally with the Bills and Bengals. Bo is the son of Tom and Jaime Ruud and was born on Sept. 2, 1984.

Ryan Schuler
Offensive Tackle...6-7...270...Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington)
Ryan Schuler was one of the final pieces in Nebraska's 2003 recruiting class, committing to the Huskers about a week before signing day. Schuler is regarded as one of the nation's top offensive line prospects and is one of four players in this year's class who is slated to begin their Husker career as offensive lineman. Schuler was a dominant offensive lineman at Sioux Falls Washington High and helped his team to an 11-2 record and a state runner-up finish in South Dakota's largest class (Class 11AA). Schuler was named the South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year and was a first-team all-state Class 11AA pick by the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. That paper also selected him to its Elite 45 team, which recognizes the state's top prep players regardless of class. Schuler is an extremely gifted athlete for his size, running the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds and bench presses nearly 400 pounds and has a 24-inch vertical jump. Schuler is listed as the nation's seventh-best offensive tackle by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, while Rivals.com recognizes him as the No. 14 offensive tackle prospect in the nation. He was a PrepStar All-America and All-Midlands Region pick and was ranked as the No. 26 offensive tackle in the country by TheInsiders.com. Schuler was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in early January, but was unable to play because of illness. Schuler chose to attend Nebraska after originally committing to Oklahoma last summer. He also considered Colorado and Iowa. Schuler attended Big Red Football School last summer. Schuler is just the second Husker scholarship recruit from the state of South Dakota since 1985, joining Mark Vedral who signed with the Huskers in the spring of 1997. Schuler also excels in the classroom, boasting a 3.65 grade-point average. Ryan is the son of Nancy Schuler and was born on Dec. 19, 1984.

Brandon Teamer
Defensive Tackle...6-5...265...Omaha, Neb. (Central)
Brandon Teamer is the latest in a long line of Omaha Central products to join the Nebraska football program. Central has produced several former Husker greats, including current Green Bay running back Ahman Green. Teamer will join four other former Central players--DeAntae Grixby, David Horne, Mark LeFlore and Lornell McPherson on the Nebraska roster in 2003. Teamer helped Central to a 6-4 record and an appearance in the Class A playoffs last season, while starting at defensive tackle and offensive guard for Coach Joe McMenamin's Eagles. Teamer finished his senior season with an average of better than seven stops per game and had led the Eagle defense in sacks. Teamer's play at offensive guard helped pace an offense that topped 25 points six times in 10 contests in 2002. Despite checking in at 270 pounds, Teamer boasts outstanding speed, covering the 40-yard dash in about 4.8 seconds and has a vertical jump of better than 30 inches. Teamer was a first-team All-Nebraska selection by the Omaha World-Herald and was a member of the Lincoln Journal Star's Super-State squad. Teamer earned honorable-mention all-state honors as a junior at Central, when he averaged better than eight tackles per game. Teamer was an All-American according to PrepStar, while SuperPrep Magazine ranks him as the No. 7 overall prospect in the Midlands Region. Teamer is listed as the nation's No. 19 defensive tackle by Rivals.com, while TheInsiders.com places him 29th and he is the 38th-ranked player on the CNNSI.com/TheInsiders.com Big 12 Hot 100 list. Teamer was one of the first players to commit to Nebraska, announcing his intentions in June of 2002. Teamer is the son of Mary Teamer and was born on June 22, 1985.

Adrain Turner
Defensive Back...5-10...185...Terrell, Texas (Terrell)
Adrain Turner is one of four defensive backs in Nebraska's 2003 class of signees and one of six players from the state of Texas. The five signees from Texas represent Nebraska's biggest recruiting haul in the Lone Star State since signing seven Texas high school prospects in 1989. Turner spent most of his time during his senior season playing running back for Terrell High School. He ran for 1,500 yards to lead Terrell to the Class 4-A playoffs and a 9-2 overall record. Turner, who has been clocked in the 40-yard dash in less than 4.4 seconds, focused on defense during his junior season at Terrell. He finished the 2001 campaign with more than 140 tackles and picked off four passes. Turner is ranked as the No. 71 overall prospect in the state of Texas by SuperPrep magazine, while TheInsiders.com ranks him as the nation's No. 27 prospect at safety. Turner chose Nebraska over Arkansas and TCU, Arkansas State and Louisiana Tech. Turner is the son of Carl Turner. He was born on Oct. 12, 1984.