Texas quarterback chooses NU
For those who follow recruiting closely, this is a Husker touchdown in July.
Bo Pelini’s crew has apparently reeled in a big one and, perhaps adding to the joy of Big Red backers, they’ve left a conference rival disappointed in the process.
High-profile quarterback Cody Green has orally committed to Nebraska, choosing the Huskers over in-state school Texas A&M.
If NU coaches are giddy about it, Green is just as pleased to no longer have to answer questions about his college plans.
“It feels like the world is off my shoulders,” he said.
Nebraska can’t officially lock up Green until February when signing day rolls around, and Husker fans know all too well that a guy’s oral commitment doesn’t guarantee you’ll ever see him with an N on his helmet.
Last year, the Huskers received a commit from ballyhooed quarterback recruit Blaine Gabbert, only to have him de-commit and go to Missouri after NU’s struggles last fall.
And before that, quarterback Josh Freeman first gave his word to Nebraska but then signed with Kansas State.
Asked what his reaction would be if other schools approached him after committing to Nebraska, Green said: “It doesn’t matter. Once I make my decision, my decision is done. I’m not going anywhere else.”
Though the news of his commitment became known to the public Wednesday, the quarterback’s high school coach Jerry Stewart said Green has “known for a couple of weeks what he was going to do.”
“He’s a smart kid now,” Stewart said. “He’s known, but he wanted to sit back and make sure he’s making the right decision.”
The native of Dayton, Texas, is rated as a four-star recruit and had plenty of schools courting him.
Texas A&M, Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor, Boston College, Houston, Miami and Mississippi State were among the interested parties.
“Cody as a player is a kid that you hope to get once in a lifetime, once in a career,” said Jeff Nations, Green’s offensive coordinator. “He’s got all the tools. He’s 6-4, 220 pounds and God blessed him with a cannon on his arm.”
Green gives NU six commits for its 2009 recruiting class. Among the six, Green’s name comes with significantly more fanfare than the others.
It’s also been wondered aloud if it might put the Huskers in the picture to land Green’s high-flying wide receiver teammate, A.J. Dugat. Dugat had more than 1,000 yards receiving last year and 14 touchdowns. He’s committed to Texas Christian, but Nebraska has offered him a scholarship.
As a sophomore, Green rushed 95 times for 689 yards and four touchdowns. He completed more than 61 percent of his 171 passes for 1,429 yards. He tossed 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
But last year, while his team made it to the state semifinals in Class 4A — Class 5A is the highest in Texas high school football — Green endured a difficult season, playing just a game-and-a-half due to torn ligaments in his ankle.
Green said not playing “was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through.”
Stewart said Green, who ran the 40 in 4.57 seconds when at full strength, is now about 85 percent healthy, but should be fully ready to play quarterback and some cornerback come the fall.
“When he’s 100 percent, he runs the ball as well as anyone you’re going to see,” Stewart said. “He’s a load.”
Green attended Nebraska’s quarterback camp in mid-June, and when the quarterback returned home, Stewart sensed the Huskers had the edge.
Stewart credited the recruiting of Husker offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and linebackers coach Mike Ekeler as major factors as to why NU was able to lure Green to commit out-of-state.
“I told him, you have to be able to work with that position coach that works with you,” Stewart said. “If you don’t think you can work with him, there’s no use signing on.
“Watson was very calm in his approach, very classy in his approach.”
Green said he wanted to find a coach who he felt could help off the field as much as on it.
“Coach Watson and Coach Ek, there’s not enough words I can say about those two guys, especially Coach Watson,” Green said. “He helped me out a lot. I’ll be 17 when I get (to Nebraska) and I need a parent figure more than a coach going into college. I’m really, really comfortable with Coach Watson up there.”
Green also said playing time was a consideration in his decision, feeling like he could perhaps get on the field a year sooner in Lincoln than he could at College Station. He’s anticipating coming to Lincoln after the fall semester to get a jump-start on matters.
Stewart said Green is the type of player who is constantly watching film. And though he’s “a long kid,” the coach said the quarterback has “a short man’s motion. He doesn’t have a looping throw. He gets rid of the ball quick.”
But what the coach likes most about Green is he’s an even better person than he is a player.
“Y’all are getting a good kid, a high-character kid,” Stewart said. “You’re not going to have to worry about a police car driving up with him in it. And when you ask him a question, you’ll get a legitimate answer.”
Reach Brian Christopherson at 473-7439 or bchristopherson@journalstar.com.
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