Nebraska's recruiting efforts continue to roll on full steam ahead, as head coach Tim Miles landed another verbal commitment on Tuesday night from 2016 Dixon (Ill.) wing Isaiah Roby.
HuskerOnline.com caught up with Roby shortly after his commitment for a Q&A session to see what made him decide to become a Husker, his relationship with Miles and lead recruiter Jim Molinari, and much more…
HOL: It's funny, because I just talked to you last week and kind of had a feeling something might be happening with you soon, but I wasn't thinking this soon. What made you decide to pull the trigger tonight?
IR: "I know I talked to you a few days ago, but I wanted to wait and do it in person. Coach Miles and Coach Mo came to my school (Tuesday) and watched me in open gym, and then we talked with my family afterward. I mean, the relationship that me and Coach Miles have is just, it's crazy. It's a great relationship. I was trying to think of what other coaches I would have that kind of relationship with. I just thought that was really special. Obviously the facilities, the University of Nebraska, it just all fit in perfectly with me and my family, and I just thought it was the right time to do it."
HOL: What were Coach Miles and Coach Molinari's reactions when you told them the news?
IR: "They both jumped out of their chairs. It was kind of crazy. Coach Miles said he thought Coach Molinari was going to have a heart attack or something. They jumped up super quick and they grabbed me and hugged me. They were super excited. When they showed up, I guess I was so relaxed when I was playing that Coach Molinari said he told Coach Miles that either I had already made my decision or I wasn't thinking about them anymore. That's how relaxed I was. They said they weren't ready for it. They were ready, but they didn't expect it. It was really cool."
HOL: You still have more than a full calendar year before you can officially sign with Nebraska. Was there a part of you that maybe wanted to let your recruiting process play out a little longer before committing?
IR: "I think the only time that I thought I wanted to let it play out was after my first visit. It was also right after I had been to Iowa the week before and Creighton the day before, and every time I went on a visit I felt like that was the school I wanted to go to. I went to Nebraska and I felt the same way again, so I knew I needed to think about it and talk to some other schools. That's what I did, and every time I talked to another school I was comparing them to Nebraska, because in the back of my mind I knew that was the school I wanted to go to. I just couldn't see myself going anywhere else other than Nebraska."
HOL: So should we assume that you're a solid commit?
IR: "Yeah, I would say so."
HOL: What type of player should Nebraska fans expect to see when you finally do take the court as a Husker for the first time?
IR: "Coach Miles wants me to come in and be what he calls a 'triple-double guy', which is somebody that comes in and gets double-digit points, double-digit rebounds, double-digit assists, blocks, steals. Just try to facilitate as much as I can, and that's probably what I'm best at, is facilitating my teammates and kind of being a point-forward out there. He wasn't sure what position he wants me in. He said whoever I can guard, that's what I'll play. So he has me anywhere from a point guard to a wing guy."
HOL: Now you're going to go through your junior high school season with a bit of a target on your back being one of the few high-major commits in the 2016 class. Are you ready for the increased attention that's going to come along with your commitment?
IR: "I was telling Coach Miles, I'm sure not a lot of fans know who I am. I'm only about a two-star on most websites, but I think now people will start to notice. My high school team is really good, and I'm sure people will know about us even more now. I'll probably have a target on my back, so it will be up to me to play to the standard that Coach Miles believes I can play at. If I do that, I should be fine."
HOL: You still haven't taken an official visit yet. Do you know when you might be back in Lincoln for that?
IR: "We talked about that, and we're planning on doing it during next football season."
HOL: Do you have any message you want to give to Nebraska fans now that you're a Husker?
IR: "I would just say thanks to all the fans that have followed me on Twitter and have already welcomed me to Nebraska. It sounds like a great place to be, and the fans are obviously crazy about their teams. They always travel well and come out to all the games, and I'm just looking forward to it and being in that environment."