Slusher screwed us

Dicky Broseph

All-American
Dec 18, 2018
4,066
7,529
113
I just read where Callahan said Slusher came forward and wanted N. They were tired of being strung along by Johnson. Huskers were calling it their flex spot..meaning they planned on taking 3 HS LB and 2 jucos all along. And I guess they had reached their number for db as well. They went with the " bird in the hand" theory and lost. I am sure they also accepted slushers commitment based on their worry about francois indecisiveness. There are a ton of moving parts but we lost in this battle. Thoughts? I would have personally waited since it is such a position of need, and he was deciding in the morning. I believe Francois commitment made slusher to chose other option..also why I think he decided to sign later at 2. If we had guessed right we could of come out with Johnson and Francois.
 

gw2kpro

All-Conference
Dec 2, 2007
3,986
1,311
0
Happens most every cycle. Overall, the class met the needs of the program very well, and should have future contributors in every unit. Big help coming at OLB and WR.
 

redfanusa

All-Conference
Feb 6, 2009
4,892
1,607
0
The whole recruiting process is stupid. Verbal commitments, unofficial/official visits, in-home visits, quiet periods, dead periods, signing period, blah blah blah. Name one other process in the entire human experience that is as stupid and effed up as football recruiting?
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,595
13,020
78
I just read where Callahan said Slusher came forward and wanted N. They were tired of being strung along by Johnson. Huskers were calling it their flex spot..meaning they planned on taking 3 HS LB and 2 jucos all along. And I guess they had reached their number for db as well. They went with the " bird in the hand" theory and lost. I am sure they also accepted slushers commitment based on their worry about francois indecisiveness. There are a ton of moving parts but we lost in this battle. Thoughts? I would have personally waited since it is such a position of need, and he was deciding in the morning. I believe Francois commitment made slusher to chose other option..also why I think he decided to sign later at 2. If we had guessed right we could of come out with Johnson and Francois.
meh. We got Francois and IMO he could end up being the plum of the class. When Francois committed, Slusher had to look at the class and ask himself, "can I crack the starting line up?". The major thing we had to sell this year was playing time. Francois's likely addition made it a more competitive situation for Slusher. Either Johnson or Slusher would have been gravy but we filled our needs with at least equally talented kids. Johnson could have got on board before Greene but he drug his heels.
 

c3o

Sophomore
Apr 24, 2018
6,586
133
0
We got two DBs that will fill in fine. Hopefully we have a pass rush next year or it will be more of the same at the 3rd level
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,595
13,020
78
I would have waited for Johnson, but I don’t know all the facts.
They had a plan on numbers and stuck to it. It's all you can do. Sounds like they ended up one short on number but not necessarily need. That said, I have a suspicion that IF they feel like they have to have another CB in this class, they'll find a good one to fill that spot. Recruiting is a crap shoot. We appear to have done very well this cycle.
 

NorthwoodHusker

Sophomore
Jun 20, 2019
3,526
156
0
Possible.
The coaches have been pretty tough in this regard, and are miles ahead of our previous two staffs, where crap or get off the pot,next man up is the norm, as they also have more 1B guys before they have to go plan B.
I think Johnson was gone,either way. I'm reaching here, but our coaches are truthful, and a hand in the dirt LB in our D might be what we projected him at, they told him, and he wanted the more traditional position.
Jay Foreman said a few things without really saying them, like how Johnson didnt stand out, not his exact words, but his words were a limiting appraisement of Johnson, who he said he knows, knows the family.

Now, I dont want to start a rumor, and its just me putting a few things I've heard together. The important thing is, we didnt get him, and it appears it was more than him just wanting to go to wiscy,who can try him there, but maybe not as honest,but then again, maybe wiscy knows something we dont?
 

MOHUSKER

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2009
16,561
1,806
113
The whole recruiting process is stupid. Verbal commitments, unofficial/official visits, in-home visits, quiet periods, dead periods, signing period, blah blah blah. Name one other process in the entire human experience that is as stupid and effed up as football recruiting?

Dating and politics
 

Baxter48_rivals204143

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2010
8,892
2,089
0
I would have waited for Johnson, but I don’t know all the facts.
The linebacker from Florida is actually hire ranked than Johnson, I don’t blame the coaches for getting tired of being strung along. We don’t realize how much time and money is spent on trying to whoa a kid to come play for your school.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,595
13,020
78
is there some unsigned who can replace a shusher or johnson?
There'll be a late qualifying juco or an under the radar kid I'm sure available if they feel they have to have another CB or linebacker. That said, with the transfer situation, they want several open spots for transfers all the way in to summer. We also could go ahead and put Gifford on scholarship right away as well. The spot won't go unused.
 

NorthwoodHusker

Sophomore
Jun 20, 2019
3,526
156
0
When it comes to our D backfield, in coach Fish I trust. Last two years, we basically had two guys, coach Fish made it work. He has plenty to work with.
 

NorthwoodHusker

Sophomore
Jun 20, 2019
3,526
156
0
There'll be a late qualifying juco or an under the radar kid I'm sure available if they feel they have to have another CB or linebacker. That said, with the transfer situation, they want several open spots for transfers all the way in to summer. We also could go ahead and put Gifford on scholarship right away as well. The spot won't go unused.
Hope they pick up a D lineman
 
Sep 29, 2001
75,439
12,977
0
I just read where Callahan said Slusher came forward and wanted N. They were tired of being strung along by Johnson. Huskers were calling it their flex spot..meaning they planned on taking 3 HS LB and 2 jucos all along. And I guess they had reached their number for db as well. They went with the " bird in the hand" theory and lost. I am sure they also accepted slushers commitment based on their worry about francois indecisiveness. There are a ton of moving parts but we lost in this battle. Thoughts? I would have personally waited since it is such a position of need, and he was deciding in the morning. I believe Francois commitment made slusher to chose other option..also why I think he decided to sign later at 2. If we had guessed right we could of come out with Johnson and Francois.
Not sorry that Slusher isn't coming. He may be talented but based on his behavior during the recruiting process he also might have been a divisive addition to the team.
 
Oct 30, 2017
1,027
566
0
Meh the coaches are dealing with kids. It happens. I would have love to land Johnson but we didn't. I am still very excited about this class.

And please give Fisher a bonus and a raise. Let's lock him up for the long haul.
 

Dicky Broseph

All-American
Dec 18, 2018
4,066
7,529
113
meh. We got Francois and IMO he could end up being the plum of the class. When Francois committed, Slusher had to look at the class and ask himself, "can I crack the starting line up?". The major thing we had to sell this year was playing time. Francois's likely addition made it a more competitive situation for Slusher. Either Johnson or Slusher would have been gravy but we filled our needs with at least equally talented kids. Johnson could have got on board before Greene but he drug his heels.
I totally agree..im on record before signing day that I love Francois..more than green warren and slusher. I would also take greene over johnson. BUT in my opinion Greene should be inside and johnson outside LB. And together they would be deadly.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,595
13,020
78
Possible.
The coaches have been pretty tough in this regard, and are miles ahead of our previous two staffs, where crap or get off the pot,next man up is the norm, as they also have more 1B guys before they have to go plan B.
I think Johnson was gone,either way. I'm reaching here, but our coaches are truthful, and a hand in the dirt LB in our D might be what we projected him at, they told him, and he wanted the more traditional position.
Jay Foreman said a few things without really saying them, like how Johnson didnt stand out, not his exact words, but his words were a limiting appraisement of Johnson, who he said he knows, knows the family.

Now, I dont want to start a rumor, and its just me putting a few things I've heard together. The important thing is, we didnt get him, and it appears it was more than him just wanting to go to wiscy,who can try him there, but maybe not as honest,but then again, maybe wiscy knows something we dont?
If Foreman didn't think Johnson stood out, that's enough for me. I have read that elsewhere as well but I respect Foreman's take on things probably more than anybody else I listen to or read. The guy is an extremely smart football guy.
 

NorthwoodHusker

Sophomore
Jun 20, 2019
3,526
156
0
In my mind,Slusher did a flusher on his future playing career. Coach Fish brings it, he'll get guys in the league.
 

phoenix4nu

All-Conference
May 10, 2009
9,774
2,088
0
They had a plan on numbers and stuck to it. It's all you can do. Sounds like they ended up one short on number but not necessarily need. That said, I have a suspicion that IF they feel like they have to have another CB in this class, they'll find a good one to fill that spot. Recruiting is a crap shoot. We appear to have done very well this cycle.
The reason I would have waited for Johnson even though we signed Greene is because it’s a very important position for this defense and we have little talent there currently.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,595
13,020
78
RIGHT NOW! Him and Held
I was thinking about that this morning. There should be some way to financially reward (bonus system) guys who have that kind of success in recruiting. It would be tough to objectively quantify it and you would have to be careful to not make it so financially important as to encourage illicit activity. The problem arises that when you have a guy that good at recruiting, somebody else ($EC) is going to come sniffing around to try to hire them.
 
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NorthwoodHusker

Sophomore
Jun 20, 2019
3,526
156
0
The coaches know their guys, and stacking guys can be detrimental,even this early on, where you're trying to develope young guys, yet get juco starters, but no ones been in the system long enough for leadership etc.
It does come down to numbers and planning
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,595
13,020
78
The reason I would have waited for Johnson even though we signed Greene is because it’s a very important position for this defense and we have little talent there currently.
We've got 3 guys redshirting who will play. We needed Greene or Johnson. Greene IMO appears to be a better player and it doesn't sound like we expected to get him. We'll see how they turn out. Johnson would have been gravy after the fact, not the meat and potatoes. Can't take them all.
 

NorthwoodHusker

Sophomore
Jun 20, 2019
3,526
156
0
I was thinking about that this morning. There should be some way to financially reward (bonus system) guys who have that kind of success in recruiting. It would be tough to objectively quantify it and you would have to be careful to not make it so financially important as to encourage illicit activity. The problem arises that when you have a guy that good at recruiting, somebody else is going to come sniffing around to try to hire them.
You can bet their success isnt just because they can talk, they have to put the miles and the smiles on, they earn anything we can give them.
 

NorthwoodHusker

Sophomore
Jun 20, 2019
3,526
156
0
We've got 3 guys redshirting who will play. We needed Greene or Johnson. Greene IMO appears to be a better player and it doesn't sound like we expected to get him. We'll see how they turn out. Johnson would have been gravy after the fact, not the meat and potatoes. Can't take them all.
Hell, Greene runs a sub 4.5!!
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,595
13,020
78
Slusher chose Arkansas. He screwed himself.
meh. He'll get to play right away. The NFL will find him if he's good enough no matter how crappy their school is. It appears to me he didn't like competition for PT.
 

Dicky Broseph

All-American
Dec 18, 2018
4,066
7,529
113
Also forgot, Francois is an early enrollee which is awesome. I love early enrollees..they have a way better chance of helping the team right away. Francois, Cocoran, Smothers are off the top of my head. Anyone seen a complete list of early enrollees? I think Mauga is another
 

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,118
2,402
98
Sheez, the coaches are dealing with more than just "kids." There are parents, grandparents, and coaches at minimum. There is travel to go to games, travel back home if they are far away and some do not have the means for all of that. They ALL have NFL ambitions so they want the best fit to get them there. There are a lot of competing interests in all of this and even some want a good education! I know that is hard to believe.

As far as being unlike anything else, I disagree. I have been on pastor search committees where people go to their current church and ask around, go "in home" and then have the person come and preach/teach and spend some time with various groups/committees. The same is for public school administration - I was interviewed for several positions and there was everything from coming to my school, meeting with staff, meeting with my wife and I with a board, public receptions, meeting with students and it goes on and on. It is a giant courtship of sorts and a pretty big decision so I respect the process.
 

cubsker_rivals142943

All-Conference
May 29, 2003
18,603
3,797
0
Also forgot, Francois is an early enrollee which is awesome. I love early enrollees..they have a way better chance of helping the team right away. Francois, Cocoran, Smothers are off the top of my head. Anyone seen a complete list of early enrollees? I think Mauga is another

Brown is another
 

Headcard

Heisman
Feb 2, 2005
192,509
20,878
113
The reason I would have waited for Johnson even though we signed Greene is because it’s a very important position for this defense and we have little talent there currently.
I think they plan to play Greene inside and Johnson would have been outside anyway. Cooper and Butler will play the same position as Johnson, but both seem like projects.
 

HUSKERFAN66

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2004
21,241
3,580
113
The whole recruiting process is stupid. Verbal commitments, unofficial/official visits, in-home visits, quiet periods, dead periods, signing period, blah blah blah. Name one other process in the entire human experience that is as stupid and effed up as football recruiting?
Can't argue with this. Maybe what's been going on in DC would be dang close.
 

yunginsNU2

All-Conference
May 24, 2006
4,737
1,030
0
Possible.
The coaches have been pretty tough in this regard, and are miles ahead of our previous two staffs, where crap or get off the pot,next man up is the norm, as they also have more 1B guys before they have to go plan B.
I think Johnson was gone,either way. I'm reaching here, but our coaches are truthful, and a hand in the dirt LB in our D might be what we projected him at, they told him, and he wanted the more traditional position.
Jay Foreman said a few things without really saying them, like how Johnson didnt stand out, not his exact words, but his words were a limiting appraisement of Johnson, who he said he knows, knows the family.

Now, I dont want to start a rumor, and its just me putting a few things I've heard together. The important thing is, we didnt get him, and it appears it was more than him just wanting to go to wiscy,who can try him there, but maybe not as honest,but then again, maybe wiscy knows something we dont?
Paul Crysrt said in his interview talking about Kaden Johnson that they got his commitment last week.
 

jteten

Senior
Aug 6, 2006
13,896
667
0
Win some, lose most in recruiting against the SEC. The Hogs are a mess and will continue to be a mess. They just cant compete in the SEC. He will get a chance to play and that will give him plenty of shine if he is good. I dont fault any recruit for going to that conference.
 
May 2, 2005
94,699
70,104
0
I just read where Callahan said Slusher came forward and wanted N. They were tired of being strung along by Johnson. Huskers were calling it their flex spot..meaning they planned on taking 3 HS LB and 2 jucos all along. And I guess they had reached their number for db as well. They went with the " bird in the hand" theory and lost. I am sure they also accepted slushers commitment based on their worry about francois indecisiveness. There are a ton of moving parts but we lost in this battle. Thoughts? I would have personally waited since it is such a position of need, and he was deciding in the morning. I believe Francois commitment made slusher to chose other option..also why I think he decided to sign later at 2. If we had guessed right we could of come out with Johnson and Francois.
I have heard that Slusher was committed to three schools(NU, Arkansas and Oregon) at the same time. Sounds like a young man that had a hard time telling a coach no. Pretty sure that Johnson committed to Wisconsin last week and then also committed to Frost on Saturday night. It is recruiting and as we have seen over the years, weird crap happens all the time. We got a great class and were able to fill a lot of needs without those two. Those two would have been cherries on the top.

The linebacker from Florida is actually hire ranked than Johnson, I don’t blame the coaches for getting tired of being strung along. We don’t realize how much time and money is spent on trying to whoa a kid to come play for your school.

Pretty sure the plan is for Green to play ILB for now. Johnson is an OLB.
 

Solana Beach Husker

All-Conference
Aug 7, 2008
14,102
1,245
0
meh. We got Francois and IMO he could end up being the plum of the class. When Francois committed, Slusher had to look at the class and ask himself, "can I crack the starting line up?". The major thing we had to sell this year was playing time. Francois's likely addition made it a more competitive situation for Slusher. Either Johnson or Slusher would have been gravy but we filled our needs with at least equally talented kids. Johnson could have got on board before Greene but he drug his heels.

It is important to have kids that are committed for the long haul. It is VERY risky to recruit based on playing time...essentially promising playing time. Kids are pandered to then join a team of 120+ players and immediately become chopped liver...this makes for a difficult transition and if they only came to play immediately they will transfer immediately. Georgia and Alabama have lost more 5 stars in the last two years due to transfer than Nebraska has signed in the last 30 years. The last two classes seem full of kids who seem like they are at NU for the culture, academics, role models...more so than just an opportunity to play immediately.
 

Harry Caray

All-American
Feb 28, 2002
71,001
7,232
113
Paul Crysrt said in his interview talking about Kaden Johnson that they got his commitment last week.

Chryst probably told him to tell our coaches he was committed to Nebraska, to mess with our recruiting class and possibly get us to turn away another linebacker recruit.

Personally, I think recruits should be able to sign the LOI intent any time after the start of their senior year of high school. It would cut down on a lot of this signing day drama.