Huskers get another California standout
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska’s football recruiting push into California continued Thursday as the Huskers received a verbal pledge from a touted Los Angeles player.
Major Culbert, a defensive back and running back from Narbonne High School in Harbor City, Calif., becomes the 10th player from the state — six junior college athletes and four prep standouts — to commit to Nebraska’s 2006 recruiting class. A total of 23 players are known to have pledged to the class, which is expected to top out at 25 before the national signing date on Feb. 1.
In Culbert, Nebraska landed “a great player,” said Rick Kimbrel, longtime California recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. Kimbrel watched Culbert play against Taft High of Woodland Hills, Calif., a team that featured at least five NCAA Division I-A prospects.
“Everybody knew Major was going to get the ball, and he still rushed for almost 200 yards against probably the fastest team in that section (of the city),” Kimbrel said. “He was the only thing Narbonne had going.”
Although Culbert is a gifted running back, Nebraska recruited him to play safety, he said. The Huskers are stocked at I-back, but lost both of their starting safeties in 2005 — Blake Tiedtke and Daniel Bullocks — to graduation.
In addition to Culbert, Nebraska’s class of 2006 includes potential safeties in Ricky Thenarse, Ashlee Palmer, Anthony West and Corey Young.
“I bring hard hitting, speed, everything a defense needs,” said the 5-foot-11, 187-pound Culbert, ranked as a three-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Word of Culbert’s commitment Thursday coincided with news that Thenarse, a four-star prospect from Los Angeles, plans a recruiting visit to Colorado this weekend.
Thenarse was ranked No. 18 on Rivals.com’s list of the top 100 high school players in California, while Culbert was No. 34.
“Major’s one of the best safeties in southern California,” said Kimbrel, noting that a preseason injury to Narbonne’s projected starter at running back necessitated Culbert playing extensively on both offense and defense.
Culbert said he also considered scholarship offers from Oregon, Washington, UNLV and San Diego State. Although he plans to attend Nebraska, he said he’ll follow through on a decision made two weeks ago to make an official recruiting visit to San Diego State this weekend.
Culbert comes off a stellar senior season. In leading Narbonne to a 6-5 record, he rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. He also had 106 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions.
Rivals.com lists Culbert’s 40-yard dash time at 4.73 seconds, though he said that time was recorded when he had a groin and upper-leg injury. He said he typically runs the 40 in about :04.5.
Culbert visited Nebraska during the weekend of Sept. 3, when the Huskers recorded a 25-7 season-opening victory against Division I-AA Maine at Memorial Stadium.
“I liked the fans and the coaches, and Lincoln’s a great place to live,” Culbert said. “Trouble is easy to get into, but not in Lincoln.”
Nebraska safeties coach Bill Busch played the lead role in Culbert’s recruitment.
“He’s real forward with you,” Culbert said. “He doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear. He speaks the truth.”
Kimbrel, the recruiting analyst, praised the recruiting work of Nebraska coaches in the Golden State. The Huskers’ 2005 class featured nine Californians after having two in 2004.
“This year, more than ever, I’ve seen a Nebraska presence,” Kimbrel said.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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