The Huskers’ 2005 recruiting class included four Parade All-Americans, one of the nation’s top running backs and quarterbacks, as well as 13 highly regarded junior college transfers.

"A year from now, everyone will be talking about this Nebraska class as their greatest in the last 25 years," Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming told the Associated Press.

The Huskers inked 31 players to letters of intent on Wednesday, including 12 junior college transfers. Three player scholarships will be credited towards last years class giving the Huskers 25 scholarships to distribute amongst the remaining 28 players. The Huskers are banking on the possibility that a couple of recruits may be unable to meet NCAA admissions standards.

“We have discussed several contingencies with some of the players we have recruited,” said Husker Head Coach Bill Callihan.

Perhaps Nebraska’s biggest prize was Parade All-American running back Marlon Lucky out of North Hollywood, California. As a senior Lucky ran for 2.036 yards and 40 touchdowns. Lemming rated Lucky as the fourth best back in the country and the eight highest rated player overall.

“Marlon is a franchise type back that has the versatility and completeness to do anything on the football field that he wants to,” said Callihan. “He can run inside, outside he’s got all of the burst and explosion and the speed that you look for. \He’s the whole package and I think our fans will enjoy watching him.”

Nebraska’s quarterback situation was shored up for both immediate and long terms needs. Junior college transfer Zac Taylor will challenge right away to fill the Huskers’ troubled signal caller spot. Taylor passed for almost 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns last season at Butler County Community College (Kan.). Nebraska also signed Harrison Beck, a heavily recruited pro style quarterback from Clearwater, Florida. Beck was considered one of the top prospects out of the state of Florida this year and was rated as the third best pro-style quarterback in the class.

Leon Jackson is another running back that is expected to make a quick impact. As a senior in Pasco, Washington, Jackson rushed for 1,745 yards and 23 touchdowns. He may, however, end up moving to safety to help the Nebraska secondary. Lemming rated Jackson as the number 2 safety prospect in the country.

Nebraska’s offense was also shored up with the inclusion of several junior college transfers who will be looked upon to provide some immediate help. Offensive linemen Brock Pastuer and Jordan Piccou, tight end Barry Turner and wide receiver Tyrell Spain join Taylor as players with at least two years left to serve the Huskers.

The Huskers also brought on a lot of potential star talent on the defensive side of the ball. Ndamukong Suh, a defensive lineman from Portland, Ore. Received the most platitudes as a Parade All-American following a 65-tackle performance in his senior year..

Linebacker Phillip Dillard may be the prize of the defensive secondary. Another Parade All-American, Dillard raked in over 125 tackles as a senior at Jenks High in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Nebraska didn’t forget the special teams, either. Placekicker Jordan Congdon from San Diego, Calif. is the Huskers’ final Parade award winner. Lemming rated Congdon as the best kicker in the nation. Congdon converted on 261 extra points in high school and booted 11 of 13 field goals in his senior year.

The twelve junior college transfers who signed with Nebraska was an unusually large group for the team. Callihan said that was done to fill some immediate holes as the team continues its transition in offensive plans.

“This won’t be something we do every year, but it’s something we had to do this year.”

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown School

Harrison Beck QB 6-1 205 Clearwater, Fla. Countryside

Zack Bowman CB 6-2 200 Anchorage, Alaska New Mexico Military Inst.

Chris Brooks WR 6-3 190 St. Louis, Mo. Hazelwood East

Jordan Congdon K 5-10 165 San Diego, Calif. St. Augustine

Nick Covey LB 6-2 210 Glendale, Ariz. Mountain Ridge

Barry Cryer DT 6-3 285 Marrero, La. Dodge City (Kan.) C.C.

Ola Dagunduro DT 6-2 315 Inglewood, Calif. Compton (Calif.) C.C.

Phillip Dillard LB 6-2 247 Tulsa, Okla. Jenks

Wallace Franklin WR 6-3 190 Beaumont, Texas Ozen

Cody Glenn RB 6-0 211 Rusk, Texas Rusk

Frantz Hardy WR 6-0 170 Miami, Fla. Butler County (Kan.) C.C.

David Harvey TE 6-4 230 Pomfret, Md. McDonough

Jacob Hickman OG 6-4 244 Bakersfield, Calif. Centennial

Broderick Hunter WR 6-2 210 Humble, Texas Humble

Leon Jackson RB/DB 6-3 200 Pasco, Wash. Pasco

Marlon Lucky RB 5-11 202 N. Hollywood, Calif. North Hollywood

Dontrell Moore LB 6-2 225 Thibodaux, La. Coffeyville (Kan.) C.C.

Steve Octavien LB 6-1 230 Naples, Fla. W.R. Harper College (Ill.)

Brock Pasteur OT 6-7 320 Orlando, Fla. Mesabi Range Tech. (Minn.)

Jordan Picou OT 6-2 330 Walnut, Calif. Mt. San Antonio J.C.

Rodney Picou OG 6-4 300 Moreno Valley, Calif. Canyon Springs

Zach Potter DE/TE 6-7 258 Omaha, Neb. Creighton Prep

Robert Rands RB/DB 5-8 160 Bellevue, Neb. Bellevue East

Craig Roark OL 6-2 285 Ada, Okla. Ada

Tyrell Spain WR 6-3 195 San Diego Mesa Community College

Ndamukong Suh DT 6-4 278 Portland, Ore. Grant
Justin Tomerlin DE 6-6 265 San Clemente, Calif. Butler County (Kan.) C.C.

Barry Turner RE 6-3 230 Nashville, Tn. Brentwood Academy

Bryan Wilson DB 6-2 200 Granada Hills, Ca. Pierce C.C.