Imani Cross - Smile for the camera!
On Thursday, North Hall HS senior, Imani Cross of Gainesville, GA, gave the Cornhuskers their 14th oral commitment of the 2012 class. The one-time Tennessee Volunteers recruit, reopened his commitment after they hired a new running backs coach. It appears that the Huskers have not only gotten one of the country's top running backs, but have also gotten one of its top quality people as well. According to his coach, Bob Christmas (1), Cross is a dedicated worker and student who is also considering a career in the ministry.
Any guesses as to who Pelini assigned to close this one?
(Hint: If you didn't answer Ron Brown, I'm guessing you just figured out that you mistyped the address to your corn futures site.
Cross is a 6'1" 220 lb bruiser who is rated three stars and the #25 RB in the country by Rivals.com. He is a bit of an athletic freak as well being able to bench 400 lbs. and power clean 350. He runs a 4.58 forty (2) and rushed for over 1700 yards his senior season averaging close to 10 ypc,
His final two schools came down to Nebraska and Kentucky, and he was also offered by South Carolina, UCLA and Georgia Tech among others. For some reason, I can't stop thinking about Montee Ball.
Nebraska now has 14 commitments (including one signing - Seisay), and with Devin Fuller set to announce Sunday, Andrus Peat next Wednesday and a few others on signing day, this is shaping up as what will be the most exciting finish to a Husker class in recent memory - one way or another. Stay tuned.
(1) - Bob Christmas? That honestly sounds like something the EA Sports NCAA Football name generator came up with. And it wasn't trying very hard.
(2) - This will undoubtedly panic some who deem any recruit with a listed forty time higher than 4.4 "slow".
0 recs | 18 comments
So wait, we don't report corn futures here?
That’s unfortunate and I’m kind of put off by that.
I wonder if anyone has ever tried to correlate corn futures with Nebraska’s success on the field…
Anyways, welcome Imani! Good luck!
Salt Creek and Stadium - January 28, 2012
Another great commit
Sure, he might not have the most amazing speed…but he won’t need it. This is a guy that we are going to need to get us the tough yards on 3rd and 2. It’s interesting that you make the Montee Ball comparison…they both have similar speed and Cross is a little bit bigger. I think the biggest ingredient to Ball’s success is Wisky’s offensive line. Cross could have similar results if he’s got great blockers…such as Andrus Peat
Billgrip - January 28, 2012
Exactly.
He’s not a sprinter, he’s a thumper.
Andy Davis - January 28, 2012
Had to laugh
at the corn futures reference. I can’t tell you how many times my husband has hit the Corn Nation link instead of the local Co-op link when checking corn prices.
Any way, this sounds like a wonderful “get” for Nebraska. He apparently loved Kentucky, whcih was only 6 hours from his home, but took his final trip to Lincoln (20 hours by car). Coach Christmas (yeah, a great name) asked him, if the distance wasn’t a factor, which school would he pick, and Cross replied “Nebraska”. He really admires Coach Brown.
Welcome to NU, Mr. Cross.
redvalley - January 28, 2012
Probably as fast as Rex
Rex isn’t that fast but he has great balance, vision and body control plus being a student of the game. Right now Imani has high school strength and speed. In 2 years he should really be physically mature and ready to go.
Robsa - January 28, 2012
High School strength
benching 400 lb’s…omg,he’s going to be a BEAST
Omahusker - January 28, 2012
I certainly hope so
but sometimes strength doesn’t translate into athleticism. Hopefully his does, but I’m always leary about HS numbers…
SccrHskr - January 30, 2012
I am
thrilled for NU to get a great commit and especially one that sounds like such a stand up young man. But how many young running backs do we have room for. Or is it a possiblity that he would play something else?
Huzkerfan - January 28, 2012
Redshirt
Morrow should be ready next year. Give this kid to the scout team and give him a year to learn and grow
Conspiracy* - January 28, 2012
Scout team battles
We have a three star rb from Kansas city walking on to NU. They could push each other.
Conspiracy* - January 28, 2012
That good
for a year but what about after that.
Huzkerfan - January 29, 2012
After that
Green, heard, and Abdullah are juniors and this kid is a redshirt freshman…leaves him two solid years of the starring role if he’s legit.
Conspiracy* - January 29, 2012
Message boards are buzzing that Braylon Heard is a CB now.
Nothing official anywhere yet
Andy Ketterson - January 29, 2012
Athletes on defense
Andrew green came into his own last season. Add seisay and those are our starters next year. Wonder what the game plan for SJB is…
We need more help at safety than we do at cb IMO.
Conspiracy* - January 29, 2012
Not to mention
I am still hopeful for raymond ford and a few other 4 star corners for the 2012 class.
Conspiracy* - January 29, 2012
If the move has been made...
..then it might signal that we’re getting Ford or Shelton, but probably not both.
Andy Ketterson - January 30, 2012
One more thought on Mr. Cross...
Could he be a long awaited cross between Dan Alexander and Corey Ross? Looking at his picture, he’s more Corey, but his weight stats lean more toward the Danimal.
This kid has me very excited.
redvalley - January 28, 2012
Any Possibility Of Getting A Player That Draws Dan Alexander Comparisons
Certainly has me excited. He was always one of my favorite players to watch.
UltimaRatioRegum - January 29, 2012
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