Huskers at the 2009 NFL Combine

I don't know about you, but I love to watch the NFL combine. I'm fascinated by it. Many of the same athletes that we have been watching for the past few years now suddenly have their future in the balance based solely on their workouts.

It is astonishing to think that several tenths of a second in the 40 yard dash could cost a player millions of dollars. Three-inches in a player's vertical leap could be the difference between being a sixth round pick or not even being drafted at all. You would think that these subtle differences in their scores would have nothing to do with the game of football, but to every NFL coach, scout, and general manager, they do.

Even more, I enjoy envisioning who these players will be playing for on Sundays as the NFL Network's correspondents discuss team needs. Almost a full week of listening to the likes of Rich Eisen and Brian Billick talk college and NFL football in the middle of February certainly is something not to be taken for granted. Therefore, I watch.

Last year, I remember Sports Illustrated's Peter King discussing that the NFL combine isn't relied upon as heavily as it once was in large part because of a former Boston College player Mike Mamula. Mamula was so impressive at the 1995 combine that former Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Ray Rhodes traded away two first-round picks to select him at #7 overall. Ever heard of Mike Mamula before? The myth of Mamula has been widely debated as his career was not nearly as bad as many made it out to be. However, because of the draft mythology involving Mamula, NFL General Managers don't put quite as much emphasis on the numbers at the combine as they used to. Maybe a few rounds can be gained or lost this weekend, but you won't be seeing a virtual unknown rocket up to #7 overall out of nowhere again based on his workout. Nonetheless, this weekend still matters.

300+ former college athletes and six Huskers will be taking part in this weekend's combine in Indianapolis.

Nebraska's 2009 NFL Combine Invitation List (for the complete list of participants, click here.)

GLENN, CODY	NEBRASKA	09	LB12	OLB
LUCKY, MARLON	NEBRASKA	06	RB19	RB
MURTHA, LYDON	NEBRASKA	02	OL39	T
POTTER, ZACH	NEBRASKA	08	DL41	DE
SLAUSON, MATT	NEBRASKA	02	OL47	G
SWIFT, NATE	NEBRASKA	05	WO38	WR

You can watch the combine in its entirety from Thursday, February 19th through Wednesday, February 25th on the NFL Network or on NFL.com. For the complete schedule, click here --> NFL Network Combine Coverage Schedule.

Some times of interest:
Saturday, February 21 @ 10:00 AM (CST) - Workouts: Kickers, Offensive Linemen and Tight Ends
Sunday, February 22 @ 10:00 AM (CST) - Workouts: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
Monday, February 23 @ 10:00 AM (CST) - Workouts: Linebackers, Defensive Lineman

The End of the Ahman Green Era?

On Tuesday, the Houston Texans released former Nebraska RB Ahman Green. More than likely, this will end Green's 11-year NFL career as there is not much room in today's game for aging, injury-proned running backs.

With Green's retirement on the horizon, I got to thinking as to where Ahman Green sits among the best Nebraska players to play running back in the NFL. Surprisingly, Roger Craig is the only former Husker to have a career comparable.

Craig, a 4-time Pro Bowler & 1-time first-team All-Pro, finished his 11 year NFL career with 8,189 rushing yards, 4,911 receiving yards, 13,100 total yards, 73 TDs, and three Super Bowl rings. Even as of today, Roger Craig remains the only running back to lead the NFL in receptions for a single season, and the only one ever to record over 100 receiving yards in a Super Bowl. Craig made the semi-finalist list for the Hall of Fame this year but was not elected.

Green (probably) will finish his career with 9,045 rushing yards, 2,865 receiving yards, 11,910 total yards, 73 TDs, and four Pro Bowls. Green's last two seasons in Houston were marred by injury as he rushed for only 554 yards and missed 18 games. His 9,045 career rushing yards puts him at #29 on the NFL all-time rushing list.

Although it will be difficult for either back to be elected to the Hall of Fame, I'd say Roger Craig has the better case. Regardless, if this is it for Ahman Green, then congratulations on a great, great career.

After you hit the mute button, enjoy the Ahman Green highlights below from his days as a Husker. It's sometimes easy to forget how special he really was in college with all of the greats he was fortunate enough to play with.

The Ndamukong Suh Draft Dilemma

Husker DT Ndamukong Suh's decision to either return for his senior season or leave for the NFL is not going to be an easy one. His decision will likely not be based much at all - if any - on how much he enjoys the college game but rather on dollars and cents. Recently, Suh was projected as high as 25th overall by NFLDraftDog.com and 31st overall by ESPN's Scouts Inc. and Todd McShay.

The dilemma Suh faces is if he can improve his draft status by returning to school for one more year. Currently, Alabama's Terrence Cody (junior), Boston College's B.J. Raji (senior), Ole Miss' Peria Jerry (senior), and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy (RS sophomore) are the defensive tackles that are listed around or ahead of Suh in most projections for the 2009 draft. Gerald McCoy has yet to declare but he is currently listed as the top defensive tackle and near the Top 10 overall. Terrence Cody never filed his NFL paperwork.

If McCoy leaves, that would tentatively leave Cody and Suh as the top two returning defensive tackles in college next year. Assuming both would have equal if not more successful seasons than they did in 2008, their draft status will certainly shoot up the board. And if Terrence Cody does decide to leave along with Gerald McCoy, then Suh would have a great opportunity to be the first defensive tackle taken in the 2010 draft.

How much of a difference does it make if you are drafted early first-round or late first-round you ask? Let's do some math.

2008 NFL Draft - Defensive Tackles

Glenn Dorsey (DT) - 5th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. He signed a five-year, $51 million contract with $23 million guaranteed.

Sedrick Ellis (DT) - 7th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints. He signed a five-year, $33.5 million contract with $19.5 million guaranteed. Another $15.5 million is available through incentives.

Kentwan Balmer (DT) - 29th overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers. He signed a five-year, $11.5 million contract with $6 million guaranteed.

Jason Jones (DT) - 54th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. He signed a four-year, $3.21 million contract with a $1.505 million signing bonus.

Pat Sims (DT) - 77th overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. He signed a four-year, $2.473 million contract which included a $768,200 signing bonus.

Glenn Dorsey and Kentwan Balmer were both first round draft picks. In fact, they were only separated by 24 picks. Big discrepancy.

• 24 picks = a $39.5 million dollar contract difference.
• 24 picks = a $17 million dollar difference in guaranteed money.

If Suh does decide to forgo his senior season, he will more than likely be looking at a contract in the ballpark of $12+ million dollars with around $6+ million of that guaranteed. If Suh does decide to return for his senior season and can produce equal to or better than his 2008 season without getting injured, he will more than likely be looking at a contract in the ballpark of $45+ million dollars with around $20+ million of that guaranteed - at least.

Although that's a very rough estimate and although many things can change, Suh has quite the decision to make. Either way, it's good to be Ndamukong Suh right about now.

To invest or not to invest? THAT is the question.

Anger Management

From ESPN

Richie Incognito's alleged actions in the St. Louis Rams' first win of the season did not go unnoticed by the NFL.

Incognito

The league has fined the Rams offensive lineman a total of $35,000 for multiple offenses allegedly committed during the Rams' 19-17 victory over the Washington Redskins Incognito, penalized three times during the game, was fined $25,000 for repeated verbal abuse of a game official; $5,000 for a major facemask; and $5,000 for a chop block. in Week 6. Referee Walt Coleman issued a 15-yard penalty against the Rams after Incognito allegedly berated officials while St. Louis was driving deep in Redskins territory. The penalty turned a potential 34-yard field goal into a 49-yard attempt, which kicker Josh Brown converted on the last play of the game to give the Rams their first victory of the season. Jim Haslett, making his debut as the Rams' head coach, spoke at length with Incognito this week about controlling his emotions. Haslett also took a measure of responsibility for Incognito's actions, saying he had encouraged the offensive line to play with an attitude.

It never ceases to amaze me. Such a huge talent and such a huge nut job that you have to wonder why any NFL team would attempt to keep this kid on the roster for more than a year. The Rams have kept this kid on the roster for 4 years. One thing that pisses me off to this day is the 2002 Nebraska vs. Penn State game where Incognito was ejected for fighting. Because of this asshole, Dr. D and I had 10 coal miners hitting us on the head with their empty Miller High Life bottles. I still maintain I could have made it through the 3rd quarter if it wasn't for Incognito grabbing a Penn State defensive lineman in the balls.

Huskers Affected by NFL Roster Downsizing

The following players didn't survive NFL cutdown day:

DL Titus Adams (Patriots)
G Toniu Fonoti (Panthers)
LB Steve Octavien (Chiefs)
LB Carlos Polk (Chargers)
WR Maurice Purify (Bengals)
LB Bo Ruud on Reserve/Injured List (Patriots)
LB Jay Moore on Reserve/Injured List (49ers)
RB Cory Ross on Reserve/Injured List (Ravens)

This might not be a complete list, as I just scanned the lists while I drank my morning coffee. If you know of more or actually follow the NFL more closely than I do and can offer some additional insight feel free to run with it in the comments.

Nebraska the Football Factory?

Football Outsiders one of the better football analysis sites recently compiled a fairly comprehensive look at which college football programs perennially produce the most NFL talent. You see these types of pieces yearly, but this one relied on an actual, and interesting methodology, rather than anecdotal evidence and author opinions.

Points were awarded for the following criteria:

1) Each school earns points for each player drafted. The number of points is based on the round the player was drafted in:
1st round: 3.5 points
2nd round: 3.0 points
3rd round: 2.5 points
4th round: 2.0 points
5th round: 1.5 points
6th round: 1.0 point
7th round: 0.5 points

2) Schools get 10 points for each NFL starter.

3) Schools get 15 points for producing a player who has made it to the Pro Bowl. They get a 5-point bonus for any player with three or more Pro Bowls.

4) Schools get 5 points for each NFL player with a career of 5 or more seasons.

5) Finally, schools get 1 point for each player on an NFL roster.

Not a perfect analysis, but clearly better than most.

As for the results, here is the Top 10

1. Miami
2. Florida State
3. Ohio State
4. Georgia
5. Michigan
6. Tennessee
7. Florida
8. LSU
9. Texas
10. Nebraska

And here is what they had to say about the Huskers:

Nebraska has been a collegiate powerhouse throughout history, making a bowl game every year since 1969. Eons of talent have traveled through Lincoln on their way to successful NFL careers. Though Nebraska now is not as dominant as they were in the ‘90s, they still produce a very good crop of NFL talent on a yearly basis. Headlining the solid list is running back Ahman Green, who’s on the downside of his career, but had four or five brilliant years in the early 2000s. Other contributing Nebraska alums are Richie Incognito, Cory Schlesinger, Scott Shanle, Correll Buckhalter, Josh Bullocks, Demorrio Williams, Kyle Larson, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Mike, Josh and Kris Brown. Though none of the players stand out as perennial bests at their respective positions, each is a more than capable pro. They’ve been highly effective throughout their careers.

Draft pick points: 68
Starter points: 170
Pro Bowl players: 3 for 50 points
Experience points: 80
Player points: 42
Total: 410

Just something to tide you until Saturday.

NFL ‘N’sider: A Dancing Pork Chop

Check it out. This is Cory Ross. This is Jazzercise. This is unbelievable. A friend of a friend of mine shot this footage and posted it on YouTube (so don’t think I was googling Cory + Ross + Jazzercise). That's not my bag. But if I’m Cory, I’m really hoping Ray Lewis doesn’t see this.

NFL "N"-sider - Huskers in the NFL Videos - II

Ravens vs Giants (Cory Ross, Sam Koch)



Titans vs Patriots (Kyle Vanden Bosch)



Panthers vs Eagles (Mike Rucker, Correll Buckhalter, Stewart Bradley)



Rams vs Chargers (Adam Carriker, Richie Incognito, Ryon Bingham, Carlos Polk)

NFL N'Sider - Huskers in the NFL Videos

Highlights of all of the major Husker-related plays:

Brandon Jackson at Green Bay



Adam Carriker and the Rams



Cory Ross and Sam Koch with the Ravens

NFL ‘N’sider V2.1

After a sabbatical, I feel privileged to return to the great DXP website. Last year I tried to make my ‘N’sider and ‘Take the Double Extra Points’ articles as much fun as I could. This year I hope to do the same. A few times a week you might have to put up with erroneous rhetoric on all things gambling, NFL, and of course girls. That’s just what I do.

Well, let’s get started…

I definitely don’t want to bore you with statistics and updates on every Husker in the NFL as the preseason is just beginning, but I will keep you updated on the rookies trying to make their first NFL rosters this preseason. NU had 4 players drafted in 2007 (4 were drafted in 2006 and only 3 in 2005), while 7 more were signed as undrafted free agents. There have already been some casualties, but there have also been some rising stars in the making.

Drafted


Adam Carriker (NT, 1st Round, St. Louis Rams): That’s right. The Rams believe Carriker’s ogreish body is strong and big enough to move to the middle of the line. He is currently listed as #1 on the depth chart at Nose Tackle and in his first outing, had 1 tackle at Minnesota.

Brandon Jackson (RB, 2nd Round, Green Bay Packers): Jackson is already listed at #2 on the depth chart, and with Vernon Morency listed as the #1 RB, expect Jackson to see the ball early and often. If 114 yards on 32 carries and 2 receptions for 2 yards in his first exhibition at Pittsburgh doesn’t convince you, then maybe you also still believe Sam Keller and Joe Ganz are in a dead heat to be the starting QB against Nevada.

Stewart Bradley (LOLB, 3rd Round, Philadelphia Eagles): In his first pre-season game against Baltimore, Bradley shone with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles. Evidently losing 12 lbs. after shaving your head only adds to your speed.

Jay Moore (ROLB, 4th Round, San Francisco 49ers): In San Francisco’s 3-4 scheme, Moore is a perfect fit for outside linebacker. In fact, here is a great article discussing how Moore was overshadowed throughout his career at NU by Carriker, including stats and combine results that are truly impressive. Moore is still only listed at #3 on the depth chart and had only 1 assisted tackle against Denver in their first preseason game.

Undrafted

Ola Dagundro (DT, Dallas Cowboys): Mercifully, the Cowboys haven’t release Ola even though he hasn’t played and hasn’t recorded a tackle this preseason. Furthermore, he is not listed on the depth chart.

Matt Herian (TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Herian’s career has never been the same after his broken leg in 2004. The Matt Herian and Zac Taylor combination appears to have ended in Tampa. Matt is 5th on the depth chart and Taylor is back in Lincoln and was last seen holding Callahan’s hand.

Kurt Mann (C, Green Bay): Cut and out of work. I do, however, have a consolation picture. Cheeseheads are awesome. Dr. D likes dancing with them and I occasionally enjoy a cheese taco here and there.


Andrew Shanle (S, Chicago Bears): Although still listed on the Bears’ roster, Shanle recorded 0 tackles in their first preseason game against the Texans. On an encouraging note, Mike Brown returned to the starting lineup and had 1 solo tackle and 1 assisted.

Zac Taylor (QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Whether it was Callahan’s idea or his agent’s, someone decided that it would be a good idea to sign with Tampa Bay. What’s the problem you ask? Joining Taylor in training camp at QB was Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Jake Plummer, and Luke McCown. Taylor has said repeatedly he wants to pursue a professional career at any level, but I find it difficult to understand why he chose to compete when he clearly had no shot – even though the Jon Gruden WCO is a mirror image of Callahan’s WCO.

An Unusual and Refreshing Sight

A Nebraska quarterback taking snaps with an NFL team. Unfortunately it's only mini-camp, but it's a start.

NFL Draft Analysis - The Lazy Version

This is all I've got, considering these two days are the last I will follow the NFL until playoff time.

When I heard the names of this year's crop of Huskers called on NFL Draft weekend, I thought the teams selecting them seemed familiar.

Adam Carriker - St. Louis
Brandon Jackson - Green Bay
Stewart Bradley - Philadelphia
Jay Moore - San Francisco

It just seemed at first glance, that we have had a lot of Nebraska players on the rosters of these particular NFL squads. That got me thinking about patterns among NFL teams and which colleges they tend to raid for talent. In particular I was interested in which teams seem to select Huskers at higher rates than others.

I limited my analysis to the years of 1982-2007, as that seemed to be the most readily available. I also tried to do some combining of teams based on moves to new cities. For example, the LA Rams and the St. Louis Rams simply became the Rams.

Anyway, here is the chart showing the teams that have drafted the most Nebraska players from 1982-2007.


Not that enlightening and only the Rams selection of Carriker would seem to fit the data. Certianly we have had many players on rosters of other NFL teams, but these are the ones that have drafted the most Huskers during that time period.

Other random notes from the data:

We've had 141 players drafted during that time period.
Linebacker, DB, RB, and offensive line are the most common positions drafted.
We've had three players drafted with picks #6 and #39.
The players drafted at #6 were: Broderick Thomas, Lawrence Phillips, Grant Wistrom. The players picked at #39 were: Jared Tomich, Toniu Fonoti, Mike Brown

Meh.

If anyone else would like the data to play around with data, shoot me an email at jcadams(at)uh.edu and I'll send you the Excel file.

Monday Bits and Pieces

Before we start, I have to admit it is getting a little lonely around here. Remember when DXP had a bunch of lively contributors? What the hell happened? I heard from Sammy Vegas this weekend and he will be returning shortly. What about T. and/or A. Rose? You guys game for some pieces this off-season? Oh and Dr. D if you can take a break from the "Fornication Vacation" you'll always have a spot too. Just let me know guys.

· The LJS is reporting that Joe Rudolph is perhaps the leading candidate for the TE coaching vacancy. Rudolph played for Wisconsin (while Callahan coached there) and earned first team All-Big Ten honors twice and helped the Badgers win the Big Ten and Rose Bowl as a senior. In the NFL, he spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and two with the San Francisco 49ers before injuries cut his career short in 1998. Rudolph is currently a member of the Ohio State strength and conditioning staff, but was formerly a GA with the Buckeyes who assisted with the offensive line.

· The Day 4 NFL Combine results are posted and Brandon Jackson seems to have had a pretty decent day. He won’t be happy with his 4.57 time in the forty, but he did show good explosiveness and change of direction with a 4.14 time in his 20-yard shuttle. Jackson also posted a 37’ inch vertical 10’2” broad jump. I’m still thinking he is a 3rd or 4th round pick.

· The Seattle Seahawks have tagged former Husker Josh Brown as their franchise player. Brown is the only kicker among this season’s seven franchise players. He led the league with four game-winning FGs in 2006 and is quickly becoming the leagues top clutch kicker. By rule the Seahawks will be forced to pay Brown just more than $2 million.

· Finally, we see what serves as a Texas-sized celebration around these parts. Apparently this is a group of Longhorn fans throwing down after the win over OU. I don’t think we really need to worry about that whole “Keep Austin Weird” movement.

Checking in on the NFL Draft

NFL.com has Gil Brandt’s pre-Combine "rankings". Here is how he ranks this year’s group of Huskers: Nevermind, as Bob points out in the comment section Gil Brandt was apparently only in charge of alphabetizing the players for the combine. I suck at reading.

Adam Carriker #5 DL
Jay Moore #34 DL
Stewart Bradley #5 LB
Brandon Jackson #6 RB

In addition, Draft Tek is a really cool mock draft site that uses a computer model to generate a 7-round simulation for the 2007 NFL draft. This is how the site projects Nebraska’s prospects to go:

Round 1 (10) Adam Carriker - Atlanta
Round 3 (74) Stewart Bradley - Buffalo
Round 4 (119) Jay Moore - New Orleans
Round 7 (220) Brandon Jackson - Baltimore

For what its worth, I think the Draft Tek model undervalues BJax a bit. I can't imagine one of the Top 10 RB prospects falling to the 7th round.

I also can't help but hope that one day we see more Husker offensive talent on NFL draft boards.

Sex Cannon Muted in Miami

Rex Grossman is not good. How the Bears stayed in that game is beyond my comprehension.

I probably won't have much to say for a few days as I'm working on a Signing Day post that will make Tom Lemming proud. Until then go read this piece on SMQ about the Exploitation Index. It is amazing. When I write something half that good, I will walk away with the satisfaction of knowing I'm on top.

Toby Wright Brings the Wood

They were having a discussion on the Huskers Illustrated boards today about the hardest hit folks had ever seen. This hit by former Husker Toby Wright on Bert Emmanuel gets my vote. If memory serves Emmanuel suffered a broken jaw and Toby was fined a few thousand bucks.

East-West Shrine Game

Houston sports radio guy Lance Zierlein is blogging from the East/West Shrine Game practices. Nebraska has three players playing for the West Squad – Zac Taylor, Matt Herian and Ola Dagunduro.

Monday's Practice Report

· Zac Taylor - Nebraska, 6'2 / 210: Taylor showed a better than expected arm but tends to windup a little before his release. Taylor excelled with his accuracy and looked sharp with his slant passes. Overall, I think he had a solid showing.

· Ola Dagunduro (DT, Nebraska) was very quick off the ball and caused problems for linemen throughout the one on one drills.

Wednesday Practice Report

· Nebraska TE Matt Herrian looks painfully slow and he's clearly not back from the devastating knee injury from 2004 that cost him all of last season. In the passing game, he just won't have the ability to get much separation on the next level.

· Another of my favorite players at this game is Nebraska DT Ola Dagunduro. He's not the biggest guy, but he's quick off the ball and gets his hands on the O-lineman very quickly. I think he'll be drafted on the second day and make a team that is looking for an up-the-field DT.

Thursday Lance brought in John Harris from College Football News to provide five players per side to keep an eye on.

West Players to Watch

4. Matt Herian, Nebraska TE - I really expected Herian to be more productive in the passing game at Nebraska and thought that he had the opportunity to be a poor man's Owen Daniels. I think he may actually 'fit' better at the next level than at Nebraska.

I don’t have a lot to add to this, but I felt it was interesting nonetheless. I think Ola is going to be a steal for some team, and could be a very productive 2nd day pick. The same could be said for Taylor. I don’t think a team will groom him to be a starter, but he could be a more than capable backup. Herian is just a sad story. I almost wanted to turn away at times when he was in action on the field. He was once as athletic and speedy and as a TE can get. He is now but a shadow of his former self. That is sad, but I wish him all the luck in the world.

More on Brandon Jackson

Now that his intentions are known, we can take a closer look at Brandon Jackson's NFL prospects. NFL Draft Scout (subscription required) currently ranks Jackson as the 14th best RB available in the 2007 draft. They view BJax as the 189th ranked player in the draft and project him as a 5-6 round selection.

1. Adrian Peterson*
2. Marshawn Lynch*
3. Michael Bush
4. Antonio Pittman*
5. Kenny Irons
6. Tony Hunt
7. Darius Walker*
8. DeShawn Wynn
9. Kenneth Darby
10. Lorenzo Booker
11. Jason Snelling
12. Selvin Young
13. Ahmad Bradshaw*
14. Brandon Jackson*

* Denotes junior entering the draft

After the Cotton Bowl NFL Draft Scout had this to say about Jackson:

“01/06/07 - PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2007: RB Brandon Jackson - The rushing leader in a four-pronged backfield, Jackson's emergence as a featured back didn't matter much in preparations for the Cotton Bowl, where Marlon Lucky drew the start. The competition is good to have, though Jackson may be the most durable of the NU backs.”

Prior to his decision to enter the draft, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper had BJax ranked as the #1 senior RB in the 2008 draft (ESPN Insider Required).

I would like to have seen Jackson stay in Lincoln for his senior year, but for purely selfish reasons. However, with a strong combine I expect to see BJax move up the draft lists. My sense is that he is the most complete RB (running, receiving, and pass protection ability) that Nebraska has produced in quite some time.

For some historical context here are how Nebraska RBs who declared early have done come draft day.

1993 - Derek Brown Round 4 (pick #109)
1994 - Calvin Jones Round 3 (pick #80)
1996 - Lawrence Phillips Round 1 (pick #6)
1998 - Ahman Green Round 3 (pick #76)

BJax to NFL

In what should come as a surprise to few, Brandon Jackson has announced his intentions to enter the NFL draft. Jackson will finish his career with 1,431 career rushing yards to rank 35th on the Huskers’ all-time career charts.

Of the decision, Coach Callahand said, “We have been made aware of Brandon Jackson’s decision enter the NFL Draft. I want to thank him for his contributions to the Nebraska football program and we wish him nothing but the best in the future. We were hopeful that he would choose to stay at Nebraska to complete his eligibility and, most importantly, continue to pursue his college degree.”

Brandon Jackson to the NFL?

Brandon Jackson is apparently considering entering the NFL Draft. My gut tells me he probably won’t be coming back. Next year’s class of running backs looks to be pretty stacked, making him a more appealing selection this year. Given Jackson’s injury history and his supposed family situation, this might be the best move for him. You can checkout his 2006 highlights below.



Obviously losing a back of his caliber will be a blow to the Nebraska rushing attack. Will Lucky, Glenn or Wilson be ready for primetime in 2007?