9:15 a.m.: Just six months ago, Nebraska fans fretted over the college decision of a big-time recruit from the Pacific Northwest. Portland defensive end Owa Odighizuwa picked UCLA over NU and Oregon State on signing day.
On Monday, with much less fanfare, the Huskers landed a Seattle-area prospect with credentials arguably as impressive. Tight end Kavario Middleton is set to transfer next week to NU from Washington after he was kicked off the team at UW less than four weeks ago.
And it sounds like Middleton landed in Lincoln for many of the same reasons that might have scared off Odighizuwa.
Middleton, you see, after a turbulent experience, expects to benefit from the stable environment at Nebraska. Let’s just say it’s not exactly Miami or Los Angeles.
“I just think there was something about Nebraska that excited him,” said Dave Miller, Middleton’s former high school coach in Lakewood, Wash.
Middleton announced his intentions to join the NU program on his Facebook page.
Middleton and Miller contacted Nebraska shortly after Washington coach Steve Sarkisian dismissed the tight end last month. The Huskers, under former coach Bill Callahan, recruited Middleton in 2007. The No. 1-rated prospect in Washington two years ago, Middleton actually committed to UW on Nov. 30, 2007 -- two days before Bo Pelini was hired at Nebraska.
This time around, NU tight ends coach Ron Brown directed the Huskers’ effort. When Pelini got involved, the third-year coach told Middleton he would have to earn his scholarship by adhering to strict standards this fall.
“Coach Pelini just said, ‘If you can get yourself right, you can have a big impact here,’ ” Miller said.
And yes, you read right -- when school begins at Nebraska next week, the former Parade All-American will be a walk-on. Middleton, also a basketball star who once considered playing two sports in college, can practice but is not eligible to play this fall under NCAA transfer rules. He’ll have two years of remaining eligibility, starting in 2011.
Miller said he thinks his former player learned a lesson from the experience at Washington. If not, Miller said, Pelini made it clear Middleton won’t last until spring in Lincoln.
“He was very straight about laying down some guidelines that he has to meet before he can get to Jan. 1,” the coach said. “In some ways, that intrigued Kavario a little bit. He’s excited about that kind of structure.
“Coach Pelini is a no-nonsense guy. Kavario responds very well to that. He’s looking for a chance to prove to people the true character that he has.”
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