Lincoln Christian linebacker Paulsen to walk on at NU

For a high school football player from Lincoln with aspirations of strapping on that white helmet with the red 'N', Devin Paulsen is pretty happy these days.


The Lincoln Christian linebacker informed coaches Sunday evening that he will accept their offer to join the program as a walk-on in the fall.


"I'm very excited. This was a goal of mine all along," Paulsen said. "Every kid that plays football in Nebraska wants to go there."


The 6-foot-2, 213-pound senior was a three-year starter at middle linebacker for the Crusaders and also started at quarterback.


"He's aggressive and a good tackler, and he's a smart kid with good instincts," said Lincoln Christian coach Matt Farup. "He's big and strong and can move really well. I think he'll do just fine."


Paulsen said he'd probably redshirt his freshman year, but that he's hoping to make an impact on special teams to start his career.


"Shoot, I think he'd be the holder if they asked him to," Farup said. "He would really like to play linebacker, but he'll do anything they
want him to."


After exchanging e-mails with the coaching staff, Paulsen said he was surprised to receive a phone call from tight ends coach Ron Brown about setting up a meeting. Paulsen and his parents met with Brown on Jan. 19 and then quickly decided that Nebraska was where he wanted to be.


Paulsen had received attention from Iowa State, Northwest Missouri State, UNO and South Dakota State, but he said once Nebraska made him
an offer it was an easy decision.


"We had taken visits to other places, and when we went there we compared everything to how it was at Nebraska," Paulsen said. "Going on other visits just didn't seem right. Paulsen said the coaching staff was a major reason for his decision.


"The Nebraska coaches are great. I really like where they're going and the way they approach the team and the attitude around it," Paulsen said.


With the addition of Paulsen, Nebraska now has at least four known commitments from walk-on players. Joining Paulsen are Millard South receiver Ty Kildow, Omaha Westside quarterback Ron Kellogg and Alliance lineman Broderick Nickens.


"This is his dream," Farup said. "He probably could have got scholarship offers and money from those schools but this is his dream, and he understands that he's on the team and he's going to get a chance."


maxolson@dailynebraskan.com