Four-star makes decision
Four-star athlete prospect Ricky Thenarse (6-1, 180, 4.47) from Los Angeles (Calif.) Jordan started out the season as a sleeper and quickly moved up the ranks. In a flash, Thenarse changed from sleeper to four-star. The athletic Thenarse has made his college choice.
"I'm committing to Nebraska," Thenarse said. "I just told them right now. I'm going to call the other coaches who recruited me and let them know."
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"I like everything about Nebraska," Thenarse said. "I'm going in as a safety and corner. I may also return punts and kicks."
Thenarse chose the Huskers over Fresno State, Cal Washington, and Oregon.
The Huskers are getting the type of football player that they used to get during the glory years of Nebraska football. He's tough, he's athletic and he gets the job done on both sides of the ball.
"Ricky never came off the field for us," Jordan coach Elijah Asante said. "I think he's the best all-around football player in the country."
Asante could have a point.
Thenarse earned first-team all-city honors and was his league's Player of the Year after he led his team in rushing with 1,344 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the team in receptions with 19 for 628 yards and five receiving touchdowns.
As a special teams players he returned 11 punts for 231 yards and 14 kickoffs for 300 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Thenarse racked up a team leading 153 tackles and one interception. The opposition rarely threw the ball in his area.
In the first interview of the year with Asante he had the following thing to say about his Nebraska bound athlete.
"On the football field Ricky has a nasty, mean streak," Asante said. "At the point of attack whether he's running the football or making a hit as a safety, he's coming with bad intentions."
"Ricky is very competitive and wants to be the best at everything he does," Asante said. "It doesn't matter if its sprints, running laps or any drill he participates in, Ricky wants to win."