Thenarse makes final decision
With a week left before Signing Day, there will be a plethora of drama.
There was little drama Wednesday, however, with four-star athlete prospect Ricky Thenarse (6-1, 180, 4.47) from Los Angeles (Calif.) Jordan.
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At an afternoon press conference before his basketball game, Thenarse stood by his previous verbal pledge two weeks ago and officially committed to Nebraska.
"I want to make my announcement. It is Nebraska. I'm committed to Nebraska. I was a Bulldog [nickname of Jordan High School] and now I'm a Cornhusker," Thenarse said.
Thenarse chose the Huskers over Fresno State, Cal Washington, and Oregon.
Among those in attendance were Nebraska assistant coaches Bill Busch and Kevin Cosgrove.
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 also had 19 receptions for 628 yards and five touchdowns.
As a special teams player, Thenarse 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.
"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."
Asante added that he feels that Thenarse's nature will aid him at the next level.
"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."