Nebraska gears up for Signing Day 2012

It happens every year.

A row of hats bearing different college football logos sit on a table. A high school star grabs a hat, says something similar to what LeBron James said two years ago and chooses his college destination. Those packed into the high school gym applaud and the recruit puts on a big smile. These high school seniors have yet to play a down yet at the college football level, but, for a single day, the nation is intently watching.

Wednesday is national signing day when seniors are able to sign binding National Letters-of-Intent. Nebraska currently has 14 players in its 2012 class — 13 being verbal commitments and one a junior college transfer who enrolled at UNL in January. As of Tuesday, NU had the 34th-ranked 2012 class in the nation. with six of those recruits being four-star players, seven three-star and one two-star, according the 247sports.com.

The Huskers will look to improve their class standing Wednesday. Five players, who still have a Nebraska hat on their table of choices, will make their announcements today. The most high-profile player is Andrus Peat, a 6-foot-7, 305 pound offensive tackle from Tempe, Ariz. 247sports.com rates Peat as the No. 4 player at his position and the No. 64 player overall in the 2012 class. Nebraska could benefit from the depth that Peat would provide to an offensive line that lost starters at the tackler position in Yoshi Hardrick and Marcel Jones.  

Defensive tackle Aaron Curry, athlete Alonzo Moore, cornerback Devian Shelton and defensive tackle Vincent Valentine all still have Nebraska on their radars and will be making their decisions Wednesday.

sports@dailynebraskan.com