Huskers close the deal on DE McClain
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The city of Jacksonville has been good to Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini in 2014.
Besides winning the Gator Bowl over Georgia on New Year's Day, the Huskers added a commitment from Sandalwood cornerback Chris Jones shortly after. On Saturday the Big Red picked up another commitment from Sandalwood, this time from defensive end Blake McClain.
"I committed because I feel this is the best place for me," McClain said. "It just doesn't get any better than this place right here - especially with the people that I'm surrounding myself with. It's a success driven place and it's where I need to be."
The 6-foot-3, 285 pound McClain was once a Florida State commitment dating back to March, but parted ways with the Noles on Wednesday and that's when the Huskers came in. McClain became the 24th commitment in NU's 2014 recruiting class.
NU wide receivers coach Rich Fisher and secondary coach Charlton Warren conducted an in-home visit with him and his family Wednesday night and convinced him to get on a plane to Lincoln Friday.
The Huskers were able to hold off several other top programs trying to get a late visit, including South Carolina. The Gamecocks conducted an in-home visit with McClain Friday and it appeared he may extend his decision after signing day.
That all changed for McClain though once he got to Lincoln.
"(Head coach Bo Pelini) seemed really excited when I committed and he was ready to get the ball rolling," McClain said.
"The thing that stood out to me the most had to be the Life Skill Center. I thought that was pretty impressive."
Another thing that stood out to McClain was what Nebraska was able to do with defensive linemen like former All-American and current All-Pro Ndamukong Suh.
"That was part of the reason," McClain said when looking at Nebraska as a whole. "Suh is one of my favorite players and he went to Nebraska and had a lot of success. I know if I apply myself I know I can do the same. I figure Nebraska will be the place that will get me there."
Getting the chance to play with his teammate Jones in Lincoln, along with possibly wide receiver DeSean Blair has McClain excited for the future. Blair currently remains undecided between NU, Louisville and Missouri.
"It's going to be great to have some of my former teammates with me at Nebraska," McClain said. "That's going to be good to have them there to bring some of the chemistry to the team and everything. It will be great."
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