LINCOLN — Mike Smith was just trying to take care of himself back in 2008 as a sophomore starting at left tackle on the Nebraska offensive line.

When that season was over, though, it didn’t go unnoticed that Bo Pelini had started seven other sophomores pretty regularly and routinely played a few more.

Smith then was one of 11 juniors starting at least five games last fall, filling the holes around the small senior class of 2009.

After the Holiday Bowl, when the time was right, Smith and others again stopped to glance ahead.

“Definitely,’’ he said. “After every season we’ve been like, ‘Man, we got another year.’ Just the potential we have is great, and the more experience we get is awesome. I feel like we’re going to be pretty good.’’

Nebraska is set to have 23 seniors next season (19 on scholarship) after finishing last season with 13. It’s the convergence of the 2006 recruiting class with some 2007 signees and junior-college pickups the following two years.

The bigger deal is the experience and talent level of a bunch that some believe can take the Huskers into the Top 10 next season.

These seniors-to-be were raw, Pelini said, when he first got his hands on them two winters ago. But so far he likes how they’ve developed as both players and leaders.

“I like the team as a whole right now,’’ Pelini said. “I like their work ethic, how they go about their business. I think they’re very enthusiastic. I think they’re hungry. I think that starts with the leadership, and obviously the bulk of that leadership starts with that senior group.

“I think these guys have been through it. They’ve played a lot of football. I think that’s an advantage for us.’’

Smith, tight end Mike McNeill, offensive guard Keith Williams, defensive end Pierre Allen and nickel back Eric Hagg already have been two-year starters, and Alex Henery has handled the place-kicking duties for three seasons. I-back Roy Helu, receiver Niles Paul and cornerback Prince Amukamara players along with Hagg that the former staff chose not to redshirt in 2007 became full-time starters last season.

There might not be a Ndamukong Suh in the bunch, but all nine of those players arguably could be considered candidates for All-Big 12 honors in 2010 with the right kind of seasons.

“Ever since the class I came in with came in, we’ve always said we thought we were a real talented group,’’ McNeill said. “I feel like we’ve all thought we could play and contribute and do special things. We have a good group of guys not only in our class that are fifth-year seniors, but also Prince and Niles and Eric who are going to be seniors who have played for four years.’’

In all, 10 of the seniors have started at least 15 games and 12 have played in 25 or more. That list does not include quarterback Zac Lee and offensive guard Ricky Henry, former JC transfers and both starters a year ago.

Want some irony? These seniors were picking up some of that playing time while many in the touted recruiting class of 2005 — ranked No. 1 by Tom Lemming of ESPN and No. 5 by Rivals.com — were leaving or simply not panning out as expected. The 2006 and 2007 classes were ranked No. 20 and No. 13 by Rivals, respectively.

And, with the smaller senior numbers last season, some stepped into leadership roles sooner.

“After a certain amount of playing time, I feel like you can say whatever and do whatever, just because you have the respect of the guys,’’ McNeill said. “As a junior, if you’ve put in your dues and played, I think that’s an easier way to kind of take a leadership role.’’

With the amount of that established, and the senior numbers back up, sophomore defensive end Cameron Meredith said it only helps the underclassmen.

“Those are the type of guys we want to lead (us), because they’re reliable, they’re good players, good people,’’ Meredith said. “So if someone’s going to set the tone, they’re the guys to do it.’’

With some of the 2007 class skipping redshirts, it will have a slight effect on the next senior class. The NU roster lists 23 juniors, but only 11 are currently on scholarship.

What that group will have, however, is a good amount of time with Pelini. Even one more year than this senior class.

“What I’ve found is you go one year to two years to three years and the longer guys are together and with you as a staff, they start seeing things the way you do,’’ Pelini said. “They start understanding the culture of how you’re going about things, not just on the field but off the field and everything that goes into building a football team.’’

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

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