UNL Football program scores two promising players

In college football recruiting, there are verbal commitments and signed letters of intent.

And then there's Tyler Moore's commitment.

Moore, a top offensive tackle prospect from Countryside High School in Clearwater, Fla., pledged his commitment to join Nebraska's 2011 class last Friday after NU's thrilling 27-12 win over Missouri on ESPN a day prior.

"I've just always wanted to be a Husker," Moore said. "I've always been a Husker fan, and I like where the program's going."

For Moore, a kid living on Florida's scenic Gulf coast, following Nebraska isn't as hard as it may seem.

That's because Moore has Husker red running through his veins.

Moore's father, Brian, lettered as a tight end at NU in 1985, and his cousin, Jay, started at defensive end for the Blackshirts from 2004-06.

Moore said his decision was based "about 50-50" on his own personal decision and on his family's legacy at Nebraska.

Another deciding factor for Moore was his growing relationship with Husker offensive line coach Barney Cotton. Moore said he first got to work with Cotton during a camp last summer and was impressed with his intensity and enthusiasm for teaching football.

"He's a great guy," Moore said, adding that he likes "the way he handles his players and works with them."

An already impressive prospect at 6 feet 6 inches and 290 lbs., the high school junior has compiled quite a list of scholarship offers, including one from the Florida Gators – the defending national champions in his own state.

With all of these offers on the table and more to come, Moore originally planned to wait to give his verbal commitment. But after taking his initial visits and seeing first-hand how much interest programs have in him, he decided it was time to make his decision public.

"His dad played at Nebraska; he's grown up a Cornhusker fan," Moore's head coach John Davis said. "I don't know if there was anybody else in the ballpark. It's a dream come true."

Davis, who also coached ex-Husker quarterback Harrison Beck at Countryside, said Moore is a self-motivated weight room enthusiast who is always doing the right things to better himself and his chances of success.

"His upside is unbelievable," Davis said. "He moves extremely well and is very athletic for a big guy like him."

Moore, who is expected to receive a five-star ranking from Rivals.com when he is a senior, wasn't the only verbal commitment Nebraska picked up over the weekend. The other came from a familiar place – Columbia, Mo.

Chase Rome, a Rivals.com four-star defensive end from Columbia's Rock Bridge High School, reneged on his verbal to Oklahoma State and pledged to NU's 2010 class after the Huskers handled his hometown Tigers.

While some players waffle back and forth on their commitments, Moore's appears rock-solid. He said he plans to bring his lunch-pail attitude with him to Lincoln when his time comes.

"I'm going to work as hard as I can to help this program," Moore said.

In fact, Moore's hard-working persona may pay off sooner rather than later for NU. He plans to make calls to other recruits who have the potential to join him in the Huskers' 2011 class.

Davis, who has been a high school football head coach for 14 years, has sent plenty of players onward to the college ranks – including one to Nebraska – but said none quite stack up to Moore.

"When you've been doing this as long as I have, you get some good ones, and he's as good as anybody," Davis said.

"Hopefully, by next year, he'll be better than any I've had. I think Nebraska is getting a steal here."

EVANCOTTEN@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM