Husker QB picture in sharper focus

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BYSTEVENM. SIPPLE

Touted high school quarterback Harrison Beck peers into the future and he sees an opportunity to become Nebraska's starter as soon as 2005.

Beck, however, said it's important to distinguish "an opportunity" from "a sure thing."

"I'm not going to be handed the starting job," the Clearwater, Fla., native said Wednesday, a day after announcing he had accepted Nebraska's scholarship offer. "I'll have to work hard, learn the offense and be better than the other quarterbacks.

"Imean, this is Nebraska we're talking about. I'm not going to be handed anything."

Nevertheless, Beck might have a built-in advantage in being the quarterback in the class of 2005 who new Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan targeted early in the recruiting process to run his elaborate West Coast offense. Indeed, Beck was the first quarterback in his class to receive a scholarship offer from the Huskers, landing one in February.

In announcing his commitment to the Huskers, Beck said it was his understanding that Callahan won't recruit another quarterback for 2005.

That surprised Tom Lemming, veteran recruiting analyst for ESPNand USA Prep.com. Before Beck's commitment, Lemming said, Nebraska had "a great shot" of landing at least one of the quarterbacks who Lemming regards as the nation's best - Greg Paulus of Manlius, N.Y.; Ryan Perrilloux of Reserve, La.; and Mark Sanchez of Mission Viejo, Calif.

With Beck in the Big Red fold, Nebraska probably has little hope of luring any of the top three, Lemming said.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Beck is among a group of prep quarterbacks on the echelon immediately below Paulus, Perrilloux and Sanchez, Lemming said.

Make no mistake, however, Beck is a major catch for Callahan, Lemming said, one that is certain to raise eyebrows from coast to coast.

"I think Coach Callahan likes Beck's grit," Lemming said. "Beck kind of reminds you of Rich Gannon in the way he throws, and Beck can run a little bit, too."

Callahan coached the 6-3, 210-pound Gannon when both were with the NFL Oakland Raiders. Gannon was named the NFL's most valuable player following his record-setting 2002 season.

Because of his value as a player, Beck might become a vital part of Nebraska's recruiting efforts, Lemming said.

"This is a guy Nebraska will use to draw the nation's top receivers," Lemming said. "They'll probably use him to call receivers. That's what Florida did with Chris Leak - he was calling all over the place."

Leak started nine games last season as a true freshman, passing for 2,435 yards as the Gators went 6-3 with the North Carolina native as starter.

Of course, Nebraska can only hope Beck makes such an impressive early impact. It should be noted that players' oral commitments don't become binding until they sign letters of intent in February.

Assuming Beck fulfills his promise to come to Lincoln - and assuming Nebraska has indeed recruited its last QB for 2005 - the Huskers' quarterback picture under Callahan has suddenly zoomed into sharper focus.

Barring the unforeseen, Nebraska in 2004 will have five scholarship quarterbacks:Junior Mike Stuntz, sophomore Joe Dailey, junior college transfer Jordan Adams and incoming freshmen Beau Davis and Joe Ganz. Dailey and Adams are regarded as the favorites to capture the starting job.

Although Dailey was recruited for Nebraska's run-oriented offense, he made significant strides during the spring as Callahan installed his more diverse offense.

Adams, playing a backup role at Grossmont (Calif.)College in 2003, completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Judging by Beck's reputation and by the level of schools that recruited him - 21 offered scholarships, including Florida, Florida State and Miami - he likely will challenge for the Nebraska starter's role in 2005, provided he sticks to his pledge.

John Davis, Beck's coach at Countryside High in Clearwater, said he talked to a Florida coach on Wednesday. The Gators, along with North Carolina State and Virginia, have been pursuing Beck with the most vigor, Davis said.

"Florida's obviously disappointed,"Davis said. "I think they'll continue to recruit Harrison. The process isn't over in their eyes, and these things change sometimes. But I don't see this one changing. Harrison is a kid who has his feet on the ground and knows what he wants."

Davis understands why Nebraska wants Beck so badly.

Indeed, Beck is "very, very strong - he benches over 300 pounds - and he has an outstanding arm,"Davis said. "The ball really spins off of his hand. He zings it. And he can run, too. He'll stick his nose in there. I wouldn't want to tackle him."

Playing in Countryside's version of the West Coast attack, Beck last season completed 138 of 240 passes for 2,271 yards and 20 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions, as the Cougars finished 10-3.

As a sophomore, Beck took over as starter in game five and finished the season 69-of-111 for 851 yards and eight TDs, with four interceptions.

Davis was impressed with Callahan's thoroughness in recruiting Beck. Callahan, for instance, asked questions Davis doesn't always hear from coaches:How is Beck regarded among his peers who don't play football? What's the worst thing a teacher would say about him?

Callahan learned Beck possesses attractive intangibles.

"Harrison's very, very into football," Davis said. "He can't get enough of it. He wants to practice. He wants to be in meetings. He wants to improve. He's the type of quarterback everybody's looking for."

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.