This Weekend Proof There's No Place Like Nebraska

Randy York's N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

Blogging is an inexact science at best. In the middle of summer, when you think you're connecting strategic priorities with timely reading, an incredible thought suddenly surfaces and invites itself to ask a legitimate question: Is Nebraska football recruiting experiencing Christmas in July?

You can't help but feel it, think about it and go to unlikely extremes when you see NFL receivers flock to Nebraska on their own dime, so second-year Husker receiver coach Keith Williams can teach, motivate and coach them beyond where they already are.

You can't help but feel it when you go down to the Ndamukong Suh Strength and Conditioning Complex and see Chase Haslett, an offensive assistant on Nebraska's football team, throwing spirals so fast it makes your own hands hurt.

Former Huskers Ameer Abdullah and Kenny Bell are catching those bullets, along with nine-year NFL veteran James Jones of the Green Bay Packers and De'Anthony Thomas, a former Oregon All-American in his second season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jones spent three seasons learning from Williams at San Jose State and makes it a point to learn from Williams every chance he gets.

Haslett Calls Haymarket Unbelieveable and Husker Facilities Outstanding

During a Friday workout session, I run into Jim Haslett, Chase's father, in his 30th NFL season, including nine as a player and 21 as a coach. Haslett, now the linebacker coach for the Cincinnati Bengals, spent six years as head coach for the New Orleans Saints (2000-2005). He also was head coach for the St. Louis Rams for the last 12 games of the 2008 season.

Haslett was in town to see Chase, an offensive assistant on Nebraska's football team who welcomed his father back to Lincoln and elevated my mind about Nebraska's accelerated recruiting efforts in Mike Riley 's second season as head coach.

“I remember coming to Lincoln when Trev Alberts was playing here,” Jim Haslett told me. “Chase showed me around the Haymarket Thursday. It was packed and the kids aren't even in school yet. It's unbelievable, just like everything else here. The facilities here are outstanding. Now I understand why Nebraska's recruiting so well.”

Why? “Because they have two full grass fields, two turf fields and an outstanding coaching staff that's so good, even the pros come back to learn from a college staff,” Haslett said.

“This whole place is impressive. I've been all over the country and seen a lot of great facilities but this place just blows me away.”

Former NFL Head Coach Says 'Once You Get Here, You Don't Want to Leave'

Haslett thinks Nebraska's coaches' offices and tiered group meeting rooms across the hallway are the best he's seen. “When I found out they're making them even bigger, that was outstanding because if you want to be a championship team, you have to keep updating your facilities.

“I know this. Once you get here, you don't want to leave,” Haslett said. “This is a great destination point, and easier to get to than State College, Ann Arbor and Columbus.”

Combine all that with Nebraska's overall approach to the recruiting process and you understand the magnetic pull Nebraska is creating. “Nebraska likes to lead in every possible way,” Haslett said. “Who gets 3,700 people inside their stadium for Pokemon? This place has a lot of energy.”

That, perhaps, explains why NFL standouts journey to Lincoln in the middle of the summer to learn the nuances of their craft.



Green Bay Receiver: Williams the Best Position Coach, Changes Kids' Lives

A nine-year player at Green Bay, Jones tries to visit Williams twice a year in Lincoln. Jones told Lincoln CBS affiliate 10/11 that Williams is “the best receiver coach in the land" and hopes he "doesn't leave Nebraska to go to the NFL because I feel like he's changing a lot of these kids' lives.”

Unlike Jones, the Chiefs' Thomas never played for Williams, but was drawn to him through his reputation and enthusiasm for coaching wide receivers. “He's amazing,” Thomas said of Williams. “I just like his personality and his drive. The passion he has is just incredible.”

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