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Mario Goodrich commit: What does it mean for Nebraska?

Nebraska's Class of 2018 continues to quickly fill up with new commitments before the summer even starts. Rivals250 athlete Mario Goodrich out of Lee's Summit (Mo.) West became the 11th known verbal commit.

Here are some quick takes and analysis on what Goodrich's commitment means to the Huskers.

Rivals250 athlete Mario Goodrich out of Lee's Summit (Mo.) West became Nebraska's 11th known verbal commit.
Rivals250 athlete Mario Goodrich out of Lee's Summit (Mo.) West became Nebraska's 11th known verbal commit. (Nate Clouse)
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1. Goodrich is a special talent. Three years ago NU football and baseball signee Monte Harrison told me Goodrich would be the next big multi-sport star to come out of the Kansas City area and he was right. Not only is Goodrich one of the top overall athletes in the nation as far as football prospects go, but he's garnered Division I interest as a basketball player. He's a true multi-sport star.

2. On the football field, Goodrich stars as a wide receiver, cornerback and kick returner on special teams for Lee's Summit West which is traditionally one of the top programs in the Kansas City metro area as well as in the state of Missouri. Nebraska sees him as a cornerback in their system and his commitment fills the last remaining need at the position for the 2018 class.

3. Goodrich gives Nebraska another tall, lengthy cornerback to add to its secondary. He's physical enough to come up and lay a hit in run support and athletic enough to turn his hips and run with receivers down the field. He has terrific ball reactions which combined with his size and length make him a pass break-up and interception machine. He recorded seven interceptions and 12 break-ups as a junior.

4. Goodrich shows tremendous body control and hand-eye coordination on the football field. That body control and overall ball skills allow him to make highlight reel plays look easy.

5. More speed, play making ability and overall versatility are now added to Nebraska's 2018 class with the addition of Goodrich. So many of NU's skill position commits could legitimately play on either side of the football on the next level and Goodrich is no exception. He makes game-breaking plays in all three phases of the game. He runs extremely well and whether it's after an interception, catch or kick return, Goodrich shows great agility and vision before routinely outrunning his opponents.

6. Nebraska cornerbacks coach Donte Williams did a great job of recruiting Goodrich as well as his family. The two of them developed a strong relationship which almost led to a commitment following the Red-White spring game, but at the time, Goodrich's father didn't want him rushing into a decision. Williams obviously overcame that temporary hurdle and ultimately sealed the deal before the summer even hit.

7. Landing Goodrich is big for the Huskers because he's not only an elite athlete that fills a need in this class, but he also comes from the 500-mile radius and from a school NU has traditionally done well at joining Harrison and offensive lineman Boe Wilson as players Nebraska has signed from Lee's Summit West. Goodrich currently has 15 offers to his name from schools such as Michigan, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Ole Miss, Kansas and Kansas State to name a few.

8. 2018 Nebraska commit breakdown

5/23/2017 - Mario Goodrich - ATH - 6-foot-2, 180 - Lee's Summit, MO - 4 Stars

5/7/2017 - Cameron Brown - WR - 6-foot-1, 175 - St. Louis, MO - 3 Stars

5/2/2017 - Barret Pickering - K - 6-foot, 185 - Hoover, AL - NR

4/23/2017 - Chase Williams - CB - 6-foot-1, 175 - Corona, CA - 4 Stars

4/16/2017 - Tate Wildeman - DE - 6-foot-6, 245 - Parker, CO - 3 Stars

4/15/2017 - Manuel Allen - WR - 6-foot-1, 175 - Corona, CA - 4 Stars

4/14/2017 - Brendan Radley-Hiles - CB - 5-10, 175 - Bradenton, FL - 4 Stars

4/8/2017 - Will Farniok - OL - 6-3, 260 - Sioux Falls, SD - 3 Stars

1/18/17 - Eric Fuller - ATH - 5-9, 160 - Los Angeles, CA - 4 Stars

6/17/16 - Masry Mapieu - DT - 6-5, 290 - York, NE - 3 Stars

8/7/15 - Cameron Jurgens - ATH - 6-3, 235 - Beatrice, NE - 4 Stars

9. 2018 commits by position

0 - Quarterback

0 - Running back/fullback

2 - Wide receiver

0 - Tight end

1 - Offensive linemen

1 - Defensive tackle

1 - Defensive end

0 - Linebacker

0 - Safety

2 - Cornerback

3 - Athlete

1 - Special teams

10. Where are they from?

4 - California (Radley-Hiles counts towards California)

2- Missouri

2 - Nebraska

1 - Alabama

1 - Colorado

1 - South Dakota

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