• Coach Bo Pelini after Thursday's practcie:



LINCOLN — A week ago, Nebraska remained in the middle stages of constructing its class of recruits set to sign with the school in February.

That was before the Huskers beat Oklahoma.

A flurry of activity — four new commitments and the revelation of a fifth during the past week — gives Nebraska 16 known pledges for its 2010 group. It means Nebraska is nearly finished gathering recruits.

Just 13 seniors on scholarship are leaving the program after this year. So you do the math, or let recruiting coordinator Ted Gilmore spell it out.

“We're hoping to be in that 16-to-18 range,” Gilmore said.

No chance to sign more?

“Not unless something crazy happens,” he said.

The 10-3 win over the Sooners enticed three prospects who attended the game to accept NU offers on the spot: defensive linemen Jay Guy of Aldine, Texas, and Tobi Okuyemi of Plymouth, Minn., and cornerback Joshua Mitchell of Corona, Calif.

Tight end Chase Harper of Navarro (Texas) College committed Wednesday, and Lincoln Southeast lineman Jake Cotton made known his pledge this week, too, after accepting last month.

Gilmore said he's not surprised by the surge of commitments. It usually happens like that, especially after a big victory.

“Obviously, (last) weekend was huge,” he said. “To get the commitments we got was great. To get a win against an opponent like that and have kids here, they feel that excitement and they know what it's about. They visualize themselves being a part of it, and it only helps.”

Looking at the list of commitments, at least eight are targeted to play defense at NU. Six appear likely to play offense. Nebraskans Cotton and Tyler Evans of Waverly could begin in Lincoln on either side of the football.

The Huskers, after signing four offensive linemen last year, perhaps want another in this class, with only Mike Moudy of Castle Rock, Colo., on board. And considering its situation this fall, NU may pursue a running back before signing day.

More official visits are scheduled, including a trip to Lincoln by heralded defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa of Portland, Ore., for the Kansas State game next week. Odighizuwa has visited Cal and UCLA. He plans to see Florida and Southern California after the Nebraska visit.

The latest pledge, Harper, will have three years to play three seasons at Nebraska. He redshirted last year at Navarro and played basketball at the school.

“He catches the ball and gets down the field,” said Cody Crill, co-offensive coordinator at Navarro. “He's a big, physical kid and has figured out how to use his body.”

Harper signed with Iowa State out of high school in Pflugerville, Texas, in 2008 and picked NU over the Cyclones, Baylor, Kansas State and Miami.

Despite the numbers, Gilmore said, the Huskers are far from finished with this class.

“You know as well as I do that we're dealing with 18- to 22-year-olds,” the coach said. “Who knows what, in the end, is going to affect their decisions? We trust that those decisions were made with the right thoughts in mind. But in my opinion, when a kid commits, that's when the work really begins — to keep them.”

Contact the writer:

402-444-1031, mitch.sherman@owh.com