Dr, Tom just put the Midas touch on him. Osborne, Watson make the rounds BY MITCH SHERMAN WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER Nearly a decade after his last attempt at recruiting, Tom Osborne took to the road like an old pro Thursday in visits to see three prospects at two Omaha high schools. Osborne, the Huskers' athletic director and head football coach — both titles are interim — stopped by Elkhorn High to see lineman Trevor Robinson and then Millard North to meet lineman Brian Thorson and defender Sean Fisher. Robinson, who also received a home visit Thursday night from Osborne, is undecided between Nebraska, Notre Dame and Michigan. Fisher is committed to Nebraska. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Thorson, committed recently to the University of Buffalo. Bulls' coach Turner Gill is a candidate for the NU job, vacated Saturday when Osborne fired Bill Callahan. The sixth day of Osborne's search brought no major developments as Gill, LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe remain as the only candidates known to have spoken with NU officials. High school coaches and players interviewed said Osborne dropped no hints about the new coach, only saying that an announcement should come soon. The presence of Osborne, though, appeared to have a calming influence on recruits. "I think he's just kind of a stabilizing and steady force for the kids," Elkhorn coach Mark Wortman said. "Trevor looks at Tom Osborne and says, 'This guy has won (three) national championships.' It's impressive. He's just a sincere, straight-shooting guy who is down-to-earth and isn't going to pull any punches. "It's nice to talk to somebody and know that you're getting 100 percent the truth. There's no beating around the bush. It kind of brings back the confidence in Nebraska football." Osborne passed the NCAA certification test Wednesday and took over as interim head coach in order to recruit away from campus. He had not participated in such activity since January 1998, when in the weeks after his retirement, Osborne helped Frank Solich recruit. The former coach will hold the title of interim coach until he hires a replacement for Callahan, after which time Osborne may continue to recruit until the new coach fills his staff. NU offensive coordinator Shawn Watson accompanied Osborne around Omaha on Thursday. Wortman said Osborne's presence created a stir at Elkhorn, which has also received visits from Callahan and Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis this year as schools positioned for Robinson's signature. Wade Robinson, Trevor's father, confirmed Osborne's home visit but declined to comment otherwise. At Millard North, Osborne talked briefly with coach Fred Petito, who delivered a tape of junior quarterback Nick Failla. "I dropped it on the table and told him if you like option football, you'll like this kid," Petito said. He told Osborne that Failla compared well to the last QB recruited by Osborne from Millard North, 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch. Primary business at the school involved Fisher and Thorson. The Huskers had phoned ahead and asked to speak with both prospects. Thorson said he'd never met Osborne until Thursday and that NU had stopped recruiting him after receiving its fifth pledge from an offensive lineman last summer. "It was very exciting," Thorson said. "He carries around such a presence with him. I've heard so much about him. Really, it was just a pretty typical recruiting talk. There were no hints about a coaching staff. He just said to be patient. They're trying to get things wrapped up down there." NU did not extend Thorson a scholarship offer. That decision would likely belong to the new coach. Thorson said he's not wavering on his commitment to Buffalo. He was recruited by Bulls' assistant Brian Mohnsen, a McCook, Neb., native and 12-year NU staffer. "A lot of people ask me what I'll do if Turner Gill comes to Nebraska," Thorson said. "I don't want to speculate too much. But if he does end up coming, I'll have to take a step back and look at everything."
I don't think we are interested in Thorson AJ, so I hope you guys get him...I don't want to see him at Buffalo!!
Not so fast you corn-fed hacker you! 8) from Blue-Gold Illustrated.... "More good news has just come out on T-Rob. As you may or may not know T-Rob and his family just recieved a visit from Nebraska's AD. Dr. Tom Osborne. T-Rob had a verbal committment to do an interview with Husker Illustrated after the visit. Upon calling back Husker Illustrated was told that T-Rob was declining the interview request and was looking forward to his visit to ND for the banquet. "
Yeah right George, like I'm gonna believe that after my Osborne post. He's a Cornhusker, he'll do the right thing.
Hey AJ the rumours are swirling now that it's a done deal and that Turner Gill is the new Neb Coach. Is that what you are hearing? BTW with regards to Robinson, nobody can get a read on him. All sorts of stuff from he wants to go to ND but his girlfriend is going to Neb so he's torn. To he hated Callahan and only considered ND because of that, now is waiting to see what shakes out in Lincoln. Then there is that he's wanted to go to Neb all along but his dad won't let him and is pushing him to ND. Who knows. He's a good one though and I hope we get him. Are you hearing anything with regards to Bryce Givens and Mack?
OK, now ya got my blood pumpin' Doc cause Turner's the one I want.....let me check this out and I'll get back...
another hot rumor.... according to very reliable sources, Trevor Robinson is a silent commit to ND. he's waiting on something from admissions, and will then announce. he, along with a handful of the current verbal commits, will be attending the banquet this saturday.
Steve Hare on Irish Illustrated is saying that Trevor Robinson has commited to Notre Dame, and there is also a Headline on HuskerIllustrated to confirm this.... Tremendous win for the Irish! It's tough to get a quality kid like this out of Nebraska. Terry