LINCOLN — Nebraska added another Texan on Wednesday and another highly rated cornerback to its 2011 recruiting class.
Charles Jackson of Klein, Texas, pledged to the Huskers after visiting Lincoln last weekend to watch NU's 31-17 victory against Missouri. Rivals.com rates him as the No. 8 cornerback nationally and the No. 2 player at his position in Texas — behind Tevin Mitchell of Mansfield, the sixth-rated corner nationally, who is also a Nebraska recruit.
Mitchell accepted an NU scholarship in June. In addition to bookends Jackson and Mitchell, Nebraska's 16-player class includes running back Aaron Green of San Antonio, quarterback Jamal Turner of Arlington, Texas, and linebacker David Santos, Jackson's high school teammate.
“I love the coaches, and it's a great place for me,” Jackson said in announcing his oral commitment during an interview on Omaha radio station KOZN. “It's a place I can call home. And I love the defense.”
Scout.com rates the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Jackson as the 15th-best cornerback in the nation.
Jackson and Santos attend Klein Collins High School, coached by Fremont, Neb., native Drew Svoboda. Svoboda is a former NU walk-on in his third-year at the Class 5-A football power near Houston.
Extra for Hardrick
Junior reserve Jermarcus Hardrick ended up playing more than starter Jeremiah Sirles at left tackle Saturday, but it had nothing to do with in-game performance.
Assistant coach Barney Cotton said the idea was to split series evenly between Hardrick and Sirles. That's what happened. It's just that Hardrick's drives lasted longer than Sirles'.
But Hardrick has been playing well lately, so there was no issue, Cotton said.
“We plan on using (Hardrick),” Cotton said. “He's earned playing time, and he has improved these last couple weeks.”
Hardrick, a 6-7, 320-pound junior college transfer, previously had his most extensive playing time of the year against Oklahoma State after Sirles left that game with an injury late in the first half. Hardrick played about two-thirds of the game against Missouri, Cotton said.
Hagg admits fatigue
Secondary coach Marvin Sanders had to question Eric Hagg Saturday after he saw his talented senior fail to break up a particular pass even though he was in proper position late in the game last weekend.
Hagg grabbed a headset. Sanders asked about the play.
“He goes, ‘Coach, honestly, I got a little tired,'” Sanders said.
And who could blame Hagg?
Missouri ran 76 plays, throwing the ball 42 times. And the last three Tiger drives lasted at least 10 plays. But besides Hagg's brief fatigue, Sanders said, the secondary handled the endurance-testing day quite well.
“Our guys are well conditioned,” Sanders said. “We expect them to play 75, 80 plays for us.”
All business for coach Cotton
It doesn't sound as if Cotton is planning any reunions during his return to Iowa State this weekend.
Cotton spent four years in Ames, serving as an assistant coach for the Cyclones from 2004 to 2006. Cotton coached at Ames High School in 2007.
Cotton still maintains a few friendships formed during his time in Ames, but he said Saturday is not the appropriate time for reminiscing.
“This is a business trip,” he said. “We want to go 1-0 this week.”
— Mitch Sherman and Jon Nyatawa
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