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Recruiting
2001 Recruiting Class
February 07, 2001
As the Nebraska Cornhuskers look to their future, they see it shaped by a dominating defense. With that in mind the Huskers pulled out one of their best defensive recruiting classes ever with the signing of eight All-American defensive players and another five offensive All-Americans among their 2001 class of 18 players. “We went heavy on defensive players, there is no question about it,” said Husker head coach Frank Solich. “Just look at the Super Bowl, just look at the Big XII Championship game and look at the National Championship game. You saw great defense played. What we’re doing is bringing in the type of player we are bringing is in ensuring that Nebraska continue to have a great tradition of great football teams.” Among the defensive stars in the latest class are LeKevin Smith, Jared Helming, Titus Adams, and Cory Ross. Smith may be the biggest marquee player in the group. The 6-3, 295 pounder from Iowa picked Nebraska over Auburn. He is listed as an All-American by most publications and is considered one of the best recruits in the nation. Of the 18 players announced on Wednesday, five are from the state of Nebraska including quarterback Mike McLaughlin and junior college transfer Clifford Brye, who attended Lincoln Northeast before playing two years at Hutchinson Community College. Barrett Ruud, an All-American from Lincoln and Seppo Evwaraye of Laurel join Adams among the native sons. The Huskers are also making room on this year’s recruit list for Manaia Brown, a 280 pound defensive lineman who committed last year but had to wait until this season to qualify academically. Solich announced the list of recruits at a press conference and spoke briefly about each of the players the team has added. Titus Adams (DL 6-4, 285 Omaha, NE) “Titus is well known across Nebraska and the Midwest. He was a dominating linemen for Creighton Prep. He, along with Cory Ross, played in the National High School All-Star game that was played in Texas.”” Philip Bland (Rover 6-0 205, Lafayette, CO) “Philip is the type of player that reminds you of (former Husker) Mike Brown. He’s extremely aggressive, a great tackler and yet is able to play pass defense very well.” Clifford Brye (WR 5-10, 175 Lincoln, NE junior college transfer) “Clifford is one of the examples of the athleticism in this class. His coaches indicate he could line up at cornerback. He also was excellent on covering punts.” Daniel Bullocks (FS 6-2, 200 Chattanooga, TN) “Daniel and Josh are identical twins. He’s a great athlete on both sides of the ball. He played quarterback, played defense, they lined him up at wide receiver at times. Both Daniel and Josh have excellent size. As you look at the two of them it’s very difficult to tell them apart and it’s difficult to tell them apart on film.” Josh Bullocks (Rover 6-2, 200 Chattanooga, TN) “Josh played as a running back and also as a defensive corner so both (Josh and Daniel) could line up at a number of positions. I think the one thing about them is their athleticism is outstanding. They’ve got excellent size, they’ve got excellent strength and they’ve got excellent toughness.” Seppo Evwaraye (DL 6-4, 325 Laurel, NE) We feel he has tremendous potential and natural ability right now. You have to understand that Seppo is from Finland...he has really has only played ball in this country for a year and a half. He’s a baby when it comes to football. But Seppo’s not a baby, he weighs 325 pounds. He’s tremendously quick off the ball.” Antwon Guidry (CB 6-1, 185 Campbell, CA) “Antwon is a multi-dimensional athlete. He plays basketball and an outstanding track man. He’s one of those guys, in terms of covering, you feel comfortable putting him out there with the great receivers that we’ll face.” Jared Helming (DL 6-4, 275 Springfield, MO) “Jared is another player that went both ways. He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri. He started all four years at the highest level of ball in Missouri there is. He’s aggressive and has got great movement and is really a guy that plays every play out to it’s fullest.” Richie Incognito (OL 6-4 310 Glendale, AZ) “He’s got tremendous power. He bench presses 450 pounds and squats well over 600 pounds. He’s got excellent explosiveness and excellent agility. He’s the type of lineman you need in our system.” Randy Landingham (CB 6-1, 180 Sonora, CA) “He was also a track man with outstanding speed. Randy lined up also as a wide receiver and a defensive corner. He’ll start out as a corner for us. He’s a very aggressive football player and has great height.” Danieal Manning (CB 6-0, 195 Corsicana, TX) “Even though he’s talented and can play a number of positions, he’s really a pure corner. Just a tremendous athlete.” Mike McLaughlin (QB 6-0, 175 Omaha, NE) “(He) has the kind of speed to be a threat as a runner in our system. He ran the option attack at Millard North so is very adept at running the option. He’s gotten bigger as time has gone on. At one point in time you wondered about his size in terms of holding up at quarterback in our system but he has gotten bigger. He also has the ability to be a defensive back if we want him to.” Gary Pike (OL 6-4, 280 Pueblo, CO) “(We) could probably use him as a defensive player if we wanted to. He shows great mobility.” Cory Ross (RB/Athlete 5-7, 190 Denver, CO) “Great mobility, great instincts and is recognized as one of the top players in the Midwest. Cory came to our camp so we got a chance to see him first hand.” Barrett Ruud (LB 6-2, 220 Lincoln, NE) “Barrett will start out at middle linebacker for us. Barrett really was excellent on both sides of the ball. We feel that he certainly will have a great career here.” Marques Simmons (RB 5-10,190 Davenport, IA) “Tremendous speed. He set the Drake relay 100 meter record for a High School player. It’s my understanding that if he wins it again this year he’ll be one of two players who have won that event two years in a row. Beyond his track speed, he has the ability to make people miss.” Le Kevin Smith (DL 6-3, 295 Macon, GA) “He was rated as the top player in Georgia. We think he is a great defensive lineman. He’s got tremendous quickly, excellent speed, excellent strength. He’s a guy that’s instinctive.” Mike Stuntz (QB 6-2, 185 Council Bluffs, IA) He has really only played quarterback for the last two years. We think he’s an excellent running/throwing quarterback. He had been recruited as a ddefensive back by many schools.  |
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| 02/08/2001 | The Davenport area has a rich ... | Douglas J. Hansen |
| 02/08/2001 | I think it sounds like a great group,... | Brent Alderman |
| 02/12/2001 | Best class since Solich took over.... | Scott Engbrecht |
| 02/17/2001 | Congratulations to the coaching staff... | Phil Yoakum |
| 03/06/2001 | Coach Jamrog and the rest of the... | Roger Peterson |
| 03/26/2001 | Excellent class, excellent athletes,... | OkieHusker |
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