Huskers have Lightbourn supremacy

Nebraska was the first college program to offer Caleb Lightbourn out of Camas, Wash., and it meant a lot to him. The talented punter and kicker is rated a five-star prospect by Kohl's Kicking & Punting Academy.

He was visited by a Nebraska assistant Thursday and it further proved to him what a high priority he is in this recruiting class for the Husker staff.

"Yeah, it was Coach Bruce Read, the special teams coach from the University of Nebraska," the 6-foot-2 and 215-pound Lightbourn confirmed. "He was just here to watch me practice, really. He offered me maybe two months ago."

Though he has yet to acquire additional offers, Lightbourn said that plenty of others school continue to pursue him.

"I've had a lot of attention, but Nebraska is the only one who has given me a full offer so far," Lightbourn said. "There are a lot of schools recruiting me. I've been contacted by over 23 Division I schools. I think maybe the University of Washington is also close to offering me, but I really like Nebraska."

Lightbourn stressed that it will take a lot for another college to overcome his affinity he has developed for the Huskers.

"I really like Nebraska's coaches," Lightbourn offered up. "They're just really nice. They really care about their players and they have great chemistry. I met Mike Riley and Bruce Read when they were at Oregon State. Basically, that's when they first made contact with me and they have followed me when they went to Nebraska.

"I feel like it will be a good fit for me there. I'm used to that type of weather, so it would be nice to go there. They are primarily recruiting me for punting and kickoffs, and potentially field goals. My kickoffs are probably my strongest suit, but my punting is also top level."

A preseason injury may have prompted some colleges to take a wait and see approach with Lightbourn. He injured his medial meniscus in practice before his senior season started and had to have arthroscopic surgery to repair it. He has just returned to punting for the Papermakers in the last three weeks.

Camas is still undefeated this season with an 11-0 record and they will be playing Sammamish Skyline in the second round of the state playoffs Saturday afternoon.

As soon as his team's playoff run ends, Lightbourn will be taking an official visit to Lincoln. He added that, if his official goes well, he could definitely see himself becoming a Cornhusker.

"I'm very interested in them and I like them a lot," Lightbourn stressed. "I like and admire the coaches, and I feel it will be just a natural fit for me there."

Kohl's Kicking & Punting said of Lightbourn:

"Lightbourn is a D1 scholarship punter. He has as superior athleticism and overall power. His dad was an Olympic high jumper for Jamaica. Lightbourn has a vertical leg swing and can drive a ball as well as anyone in the 2016 class. He can also kick off and kick FG but his greatest strength is his punting. He should continue to develop in the months and years to come. He is a special punter/kicker who had a big Scholarship Camp on FG, KO, and also did well in punting. Lightbourn has impressive natural talent."

Lightbourn has a 3.4 GPA and he has recorded an ACT score of 27.