Omaha Central DE gives Huskers commit No. 9

Nebraska's annual Red-White Spring Game, which is this weekend, is usually one of the biggest recruiting events of the year for the Huskers.

Things got off to an early start though for the Huskers as they reeled in a commit from Omaha (Neb.) North offensive lineman Michael Decker this evening and then hours later added another in Omaha (Neb.) Central defensive end Daishon Neal.

Many had been expecting Decker to commit, but Neal's decision came out of the blue as he had only had an offer from Nebraska for a matter of hours before making things official. Neal said he didn't have to spend much time thinking about things as it is a dream come true to be able to play for his home state school.

"(Omaha Central head coach Jay Ball) had come and pulled me out of class in my eighth hour and told me that coach Barney Cotton had wanted me to call him and I could just tell by the look on Coach Ball's face that they were going to offer me," Neal said of how he found out about his Nebraska offer this afternoon. "When I talked to Coach Cotton he said that they had went back and looked at my film and they were very, very impressed with my athleticism and that they can use my length as a defensive end and that they were looking forward to me playing as a Husker."

The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Neal said that he has been working hard for this very moment and that his decision was fairly easy.

"Me and my dad discussed it and this is a dream come true," Neal said. "I always wanted to have Nebraska offer me and so we just decided to go with it. So I called Coach Cotton and told him and he was very excited. He said that he was looking forward to me being in the Husker family and that they are very excited and looking forward to having me come in and helping the football team.

"I am blessed, this is a dream come true. I've been working hard for this moment right here and it's truly a dream come true. My dad has been pushing me, telling me to get in the weight room to prepare as an athlete to be able to get where I want to be. I'm very honored and excited about this."

Central high's coach Ball told HuskerOnline.com this winter that he believes Neal has tremendous upside.

"He has lot of upside I believe," Ball said of Neal. "He really improved a lot from his sophomore to junior year. He has a really high motor and he's a really hard working young man and a good student. We'll see what happens. I think he's going to have a really good senior season."

Neal gives Nebraska a total of nine commits for their 2015 recruiting class which is currently ranked No. 9 in the nation. He committed to NU over early offers from Ohio, Illinois State, South Dakota, South Dakota State and was thought to be close to receiving offers from Oklahoma State and Iowa among others.