Huskers after Louisiana playmaker

Zachary, Louisiana wide receiver Donald Gage has been committed to the University of Houston since Easter Day 2012, but with all the late jostling by college programs trying to fill out the remainder of their 2013 classes he has drawn the attention of some new suitors lately.

Gage confirmed that one of those recent schools is Nebraska who just offered him this morning.

"Yes sir, I talked to Coach Terry Joseph about 9-ish this morning for first time," the 6-foot, 175-pound Gage told HOL.com. "He had been trying to reach me since Friday but I was busy with track.

"He said they wanted to sign three receivers and they were really interested in me and liked my film. He said they need playmakers, they have a fast paced offense, and that they play eight or nine receivers every game. That interested me and could give me the opportunity for early playing time and exposure."

Gage said that though he sees himself still pledged to Houston, he was considering taking one last official visit for comparison's sake before National Signing Day.

He had a slotted an official to Texas Tech for Feb. 1, and Kentucky was trying to get him to visit them instead, but if he does take a late official he believes it will be to Nebraska.

"I just cut off that visit to Texas Tech and told Kentucky the same thing -- that I wasn't going to visit them.

"I am trying to [officially] visit Nebraska, and I should have the final word on that tonight or early tomorrow morning after talking to my parents."

Gage was asked why he preferred to visit the Cornhuskers instead of the Red Raiders or Wildcats.

"I know that Bo Pelini is a great guy and a great coach. He was the defensive coordinator at LSU and he did a great job," Gage explained.

"I'd also say the chances of me visiting Nebraska are pretty strong because my dad's favorite college team growing up was Nebraska. His favorite pro team is the [Oakland] Raiders, but Nebraska has been his favorite college team because of their tradition."

After his senior season Gage earned first team all-district and all-state honorable mention honors as a receiver, and second-team all-state honors by the coaches as a kick and punt returner.

"My stats are with my coach, but I'd estimate that I had 15-16 receiving touchdowns with maybe 800 yards because we ran a lot of screens. I also had four punt returns for touchdowns. I didn't have any kick return touchdowns, but I averaged about 30-40 yards per return."

Gage also competes in the long jump and 4X200 in track. He has won the last two state indoor titles in the long jump and was third in the state in the same event outdoors.

"I long jumped 23-2 on Saturday which qualified me for state. My personal best was 23-6 last year at the state meet. I ran a 4.41 hand held forty at LSU's camp last summer and my vertical is consistently in the 35-36 [inch] range."

Gage said that he's on the precipice of being fully qualified academically.

I was on the A-B honor roll last semester with a 3.3 GPA and am doing well this semester," Gage shared.

"I currently have a 2.33 core GPA. I scored 17.5 on the ACT, but I'm taking it one more time. I need just one more point on it to be completely qualified."