Newby felt at home with Nebraska

Heading into the recruiting process North Potomac (Md.) Quince Orchard linebacker Marcus Newby's family was really leaning toward him staying on the East Coast.

However, after strong visit to Lincoln in June for the Big Red Weekend, and the Quince Orchard connections at Nebraska, that was enough to turn the tide for the Huskers.

Both Nebraska defensive coordinator John Papuchis and junior starting defensive end Jason Ankrah are Quince Orchard alumni, and that played a big factor in Newby's decision to commit to the Huskers on Monday morning.

"Basically it was between Nebraska and Penn State," Newby said. "The one thing I liked about Nebraska when I visited there is the facilities and what they had to offer. Everything is close and nearby. You can just walk to everything in 30 seconds and you will be there.

"I also have a really good connection with Jason Ankrah and Coach (John Papuchis) also went to Quince Orchard, so I feel a very high connection to them and we talk a lot. The coaching staff is great to me, I love them when I visited there. It was like a family and that's what I liked. I just loved it there."

The four-star Newby is the 12th verbal commitment in Nebraska's class of 2012, and the third linebacker to commit to the Big Red, joining Lincoln (Neb.) Southwest's Josh Banderas and Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney's Courtney Love.

Newby said head coach Bo Pelini plans to play Newby at either a strong or a weak side linebacker.

"I just called Coach (Pelini) this morning and told him me and my family made a decision that I want to be a Husker," Newby said. "He's excited and thrilled. He said Husker Nation will be crazy today. That made me feel great."

Getting the chance to meet Pelini at the Big Red Weekend was also a big factor in Newby's final decision.

"He's just a good guy," Newby said of Pelini. "He's a real guy and he'll tell you what you need to be told. He'll tell you the truth and that's what I like about a coach - somebody that will tell me the truth and where I stand. That's one thing I really liked about him and he's also about finishing and working hard. Those were all things he was telling me."

Newby said while he was in Lincoln for the Big Red Weekend, he was very close to pulling the trigger and committing.

However, he needed some more time to talk to his family and get them on board with his decision.

"My family always wanted me to stay close and I went down there and I fell in love with Nebraska," Newby said. "I came back and I told my mom 'I loved it down there.' Then my family started all talking and my mom wanted me to stay home, but now she understands after she talked to the coaches. She realized it was best for me and my decision."