Forgotten Huskers **Updated 1/1**

[bob5150]

In another thread, it is being discussed how many kids sign here and then leave, never to be heard from again. Some kids quietly leave the game, while others move on to lower levels. I thought I would go back through the Rivals Database and see if I could find guys that signed here and either quit the game entirely, or moved to lower levels. Sarasota Husker had a cool series similar to this. Here's a snapshot of three players from the 2002 signing class:

Antoine Bagwell was a 3* recruit as a defensive back. He ended up not qualifying out of high school and attended California University of Pennsylvania. He starred at running back, eventually being inducted into that school's athletic hall of fame.

Brandon Greeson was a 3* recruit at DT. He ended up transferring from NU to North Carolina A+T in 2004 after playing sparingly. Currently working in the Guilford, NC school system as a student intervention coordinator and assistant football coach.

Jemayel Phillips was a 3* OT recruit. He stayed on the football team into the fall of 2003, then quit football. I was on a tour of the football facilities in the winter of 2005, and according to the tour guide, "Big Smooth" was still on campus as a student. He has since lived in Kansas City, and returned to his hometown of Winnfield Louisiana. He got married in 2018.

 

[Laner2]

Nice thread.👌

 

[Charlie Marlow]

Whatever happened to that Yant fellow

 

[inWV]

Whatever happened to that Yant fellow

FAMU in Tallahassee. Seems not to have played in 2024.

 

[Dean Pope]

Another 2002 commit, David Horne was actually getting playing time at Nebraska but transferred to Northern Iowa. Rushed for over 1,000 yards there. Lives in Omaha and is an assistant football coach at Omaha Central last I heard.

 

[PeliniTheCrutch]

Any news on Nick Povendo?

 

[RedBaloneyPony]

How bout Quentin Castille? Guy had a neck as thick as an oak tree.

 

[RedMyMind]

I remember getting Thunder Collins signature

 

[bob5150]

I remember getting Thunder Collins signature

Sat next to him on a flight to LA in 2001. He was quiet, but engaging, and very nice to have a conversation with. I never would have guessed what was coming, because I didn't understand that life, and I still don't.

 

[bob5150]

Another 2002 commit, David Horne was actually getting playing time at Nebraska but transferred to Northern Iowa. Rushed for over 1,000 yards there. Lives in Omaha and is an assistant football coach at Omaha Central last I heard.

When I coached youth basketball, he was working his way up as a referee. Very good to the kids, and always calmly told kids what they could do differently if they were called for a foul. Some coaches were annoyed by this, but it was 8-10 year old kids, and I thought it was cool of him to do that.

 

[northtexashusker]

I'm trying to remember the players name, but we had a defensive player transfer to D2 West Texas A&M.

I went to a game and drew some interest being a former NU player. He proceeded to remove his helmet after a play and beat an opposing player with it. I think that ended his career.

 

[NYC-Husker]

Thanks for posting, I do remember all of those players.

It's also a good reminder that so many of the kids that sign out of high school just don't go on to have the impact we all hope for and project, sometimes due to injury, bad decisions, or just plain bad luck.

 

[NebChicago]

I'm trying to remember the players name, but we had a defensive player transfer to D2 West Texas A&M.

I went to a game and drew some interest being a former NU player. He proceeded to remove his helmet after a play and beat an opposing player with it. I think that ended his career.

Mason Wald… left to become Samford U. legend

 

[SickOfPractice]

I was nervous about clicking on this thread. I thought it would be a list of posters who passed away in '24.

 

[bob5150]

I'm trying to remember the players name, but we had a defensive player transfer to D2 West Texas A&M.

I went to a game and drew some interest being a former NU player. He proceeded to remove his helmet after a play and beat an opposing player with it. I think that ended his career.

Former Husker Signees Simi Kuli (DT) and Steve Allen (ILB) played at West Texas A&M. Kuli was a 5* recruited by Osborne after the firing of Callahan. Never made it to campus. Allen was a Callahan recruit as well. Not sure if he made it to campus or transferred out.

 

[Charlie Marlow]

How about Marvin Scott III?

 

[Charlie Marlow]

Or who was that player that smashed Ortiz? over the head with a bottle? Sure he went on to something good

 

[inWV]

How about Marvin Scott III?

FAU after NU. 80 yards from scrimmage.

 

[3fingershomer]

Another 2002 commit, David Horne was actually getting playing time at Nebraska but transferred to Northern Iowa. Rushed for over 1,000 yards there. Lives in Omaha and is an assistant football coach at Omaha Central last I heard.

Horne as well as Keyou Craver listed as assistant coaches for Central for 24-25.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

Or who was that player that smashed Ortiz? over the head with a bottle? Sure he went on to something good

Ernest Suttles. Hit David Santos with a beer bottle at a party and dismissed by Pelini in July 2013. Santos was attempting to break up a fight between Suttles and Thomas Brown who was also released from the team.
Seemed like a pretty good player for Memphis, but charged with rape in October 2017 and immediately dismissed from the team.
Apparently did not play football anywhere else and ended up getting a Masters Degree from Memphis.
The rape case was dismissed in 2019 due to lack of evidence. The plaintiff had been his live-in girlfriend for several months before the incident.
Currently resides in Memphis and is looking for a job as a "Logistics Manager".

 

[bob5150]

Here are your Forgotten Huskers from the Class of 2003. Again, these are guys that quit football or transferred out without any impact on the program.

Andy Birkel was a wide receiver who came into the program with a fair degree of acclaim. He was a local kid who set state records in track at Lincoln Southeast. Transferred out to Northern Colorado where he was a three year starter and twice was picked as an all-conference selection. Now in the Nebraska high school sports Hall of Fame. The unique thing that I remember about Birkel's departure was that he was outwardly not complimentary of Coach Bill Callahan's professional style of managing the team. This was before social media, so he and his dad both had some quotes for the newspaper. As a fan, I remember that there was widespread outrage that a local kid could be allegedly treated so poorly.

Steve Craver was a 3* DB recruit and the younger brother of Husker stud DB Keyo Craver. Don't think he ever made it to campus. Spent two years at Kilgore CC before transferring to Tulsa where he started at Safety for two seasons. As of 2021, he was a head high school football coach in Muskogee, OK.

Adrian Turner was a 3* DB recruit who redshirted his first year on campus and transferred out. He ended up at East Texas A+M Commerce where he became a situational player and reserve defensive back. He made the Terrell, TX high school hall of fame in 2023. Currently works as a concrete truck driver.

Ryan Schuler was a 4* OL recruit out of Sioux Falls, SD. He was highly coveted as a recruit, and was looking to see time as a true freshman. Then, he had issues with blood clots that had plagued him since junior year of high school. He sat out his freshman season and was advised to go on medical hardship, ending his career at NU. He was given a second chance to play football thanks to a cutting edge surgery he was offered at the Mayo Clinic. After two years off, he transferred to Northern Iowa. Then, the next year, to Utah, and in 2007, he finished his football career at the University of Sioux Falls. Spent the 2008 season as an OL Coach under one Kalen DeBoer.

 

[kakdawg]

In another thread, it is being discussed how many kids sign here and then leave, never to be heard from again. Some kids quietly leave the game, while others move on to lower levels. I thought I would go back through the Rivals Database and see if I could find guys that signed here and either quit the game entirely, or moved to lower levels. Sarasota Husker had a cool series similar to this. Here's a snapshot of three players from the 2002 signing class:

Antoine Bagwell was a 3* recruit as a defensive back. He ended up not qualifying out of high school and attended California University of Pennsylvania. He starred at running back, eventually being inducted into that school's athletic hall of fame.

Brandon Greeson was a 3* recruit at DT. He ended up transferring from NU to North Carolina A+T in 2004 after playing sparingly. Currently working in the Guilford, NC school system as a student intervention coordinator and assistant football coach.

Jemayel Phillips was a 3* OT recruit. He stayed on the football team into the fall of 2003, then quit football. I was on a tour of the football facilities in the winter of 2005, and according to the tour guide, "Big Smooth" was still on campus as a student. He has since lived in Kansas City, and returned to his hometown of Winnfield Louisiana. He got married in 2018.

I know I'm old because I remember all 3 of those young men lol.


I thought Bagwell ended up being a RB.

Definitely remember big Trees on.

Finally big Smooth would frequent one of the message boards I was on at the time. Dude was 6'7 350+ I think.

Good times




Holla

 

[NebChicago]

Ernest Suttles. Hit David Santos with a beer bottle at a party and dismissed by Pelini in July 2013. Santos was attempting to break up a fight between Suttles and Thomas Brown who was also released from the team.
Seemed like a pretty good player for Memphis, but charged with rape in October 2017 and immediately dismissed from the team.
Apparently did not play football anywhere else and ended up getting a Masters Degree from Memphis.
The rape case was dismissed in 2019 due to lack of evidence. The plaintiff had been his live-in girlfriend for several months before the incident.
Currently resides in Memphis and is looking for a job as a "Logistics Manager".

Remember when santos stole a bicycle? Maybe he got confused after getting hit in the head with a bottle

 

[Baxter48]

Sat next to him on a flight to LA in 2001. He was quiet, but engaging, and very nice to have a conversation with. I never would have guessed what was coming, because I didn't understand that life, and I still don't.

I ain’t no snitch

 

[We_USE_To_Be_Good]

this thread made me look a look player from my hometown(Copperas Cove) TJ Hollowell....Last time i saw he was on staff at Michigan State...then just now looked it up and since Aug he's been on Nebraska's staff....i didn't know he came back Lincoln....Thanks for sharing guys

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thollowelljr040881

 

[TheLongBlackVeil]

How bout Quentin Castille? Guy had a neck as thick as an oak tree.

I believe he played a couple of years at Montana State

 

[mel mains]

Who can forget Andy Bilanzich, the 1995 punter recruit who had just one eye, but his falsie had an N logo on it? Sells billboards in LA now.

 

[Laner2]

Who can forget Andy Bilanzich, the 1995 punter recruit who had just one eye, but his falsie had an N logo on it? Sells billboards in LA now.

So many pirate jokes to be had.......

PIRATE: Ahoy, Lass, would ya care to shiver me timber?
HOOKER: I'm N.


PIRATE: Ahoy, Lass, would ya care to shiver me timber?
HOOKER: Wood eye!


PIRATE: Ahoy, Lass, would ya care to shiver me timber?
HOOKER: Is that a shillelagh in yer pocket or are ye just happy to see me?

 

[Dr_Alan_Grant]

I remember getting Thunder Collins signature

Maybe don't display that on the mantle....

Unfortunate. Young me thought his name was amazing.

 

[Spinner45]

A 20th anniversary of the 2005 class would be good. Can’t believe it’s been 20 years!!!

Lots of guys he fizzled in that class.

Leon Jackson was a big time recruit that transferred to Hawaii and now coaching HS in Washington

 

[mkbrkloster]

Who can forget Andy Bilanzich, the 1995 punter recruit who had just one eye, but his falsie had an N logo on it? Sells billboards in LA now.

I need pics for that one...

 

[huskerfan66]

Where's Truhusker been lately. He kinda went Mia

 

[SkulzNBonz]

Here are your Forgotten Huskers from the Class of 2003. Again, these are guys that quit football or transferred out without any impact on the program.

Andy Birkel was a wide receiver who came into the program with a fair degree of acclaim. He was a local kid who set state records in track at Lincoln Southeast. Transferred out to Northern Colorado where he was a three year starter and twice was picked as an all-conference selection. Now in the Nebraska high school sports Hall of Fame. The unique thing that I remember about Birkel's departure was that he was outwardly not complimentary of Coach Bill Callahan's professional style of managing the team. This was before social media, so he and his dad both had some quotes for the newspaper. As a fan, I remember that there was widespread outrage that a local kid could be allegedly treated so poorly.

Steve Craver was a 3* DB recruit and the younger brother of Husker stud DB Keyo Craver. Don't think he ever made it to campus. Spent two years at Kilgore CC before transferring to Tulsa where he started at Safety for two seasons. As of 2021, he was a head high school football coach in Muskogee, OK.

Adrian Turner was a 3* DB recruit who redshirted his first year on campus and transferred out. He ended up at East Texas A+M Commerce where he became a situational player and reserve defensive back. He made the Terrell, TX high school hall of fame in 2023. Currently works as a concrete truck driver.

Ryan Schuler was a 4* OL recruit out of Sioux Falls, SD. He was highly coveted as a recruit, and was looking to see time as a true freshman. Then, he had issues with blood clots that had plagued him since junior year of high school. He sat out his freshman season and was advised to go on medical hardship, ending his career at NU. He was given a second chance to play football thanks to a cutting edge surgery he was offered at the Mayo Clinic. After two years off, he transferred to Northern Iowa. Then, the next year, to Utah, and in 2007, he finished his football career at the University of Sioux Falls. Spent the 2008 season as an OL Coach under one Kalen DeBoer.

Another one I can't quite wrap my head around him quiting football as there were no injuries involved, was Ross Pilkington and that dude was a badass.

 

[bob5150]

Another one I can't quite wrap my head around him quiting football as there were no injuries involved, was Ross Pilkington and that dude was a badass.

Pilkington's situation was both similar and different to Birkel's. He didn't take to the Callahan way. Birkel and his dad ran to the newspapers and there were two schools of thought: A) How dare the new coach treat a Nebraska kid like shit. B.) This kid is a whinetit.
Pilkington, on the other hand, left quietly. He had already tried his hand at professional baseball. Its possible that his mindset was different having seen other guys. He'd seen guys get chewed up and spit out by the business of professional baseball, and perhaps knew what was coming around the corner.

Side Note and unpopular take: Coach Callahan was and is an offensive genius and cutting edge OLine coach. A relationship builder he was not. A player that I am aware of who played for both Callahan and Pelini never heard a word from Coach Callahan for two years, even though he was coming up the depth chart all the time. He'd lost a lifelong friend shortly after Pelini took the job. Pelini called him the day after and established a relationship that helped him to maximize his abilities at NU.

When Harrison Beck left, I though he was a bitch. Based on what I know now about trauma and how it affects young children, I definitely think that if Coach Callahan would have handled Beck literally with kid gloves, he'd have stuck around. Would we have seen the rise of Joe Ganz, I dunno. But had he stayed and built some healthy relationships, we sure as hell wouldn't have needed the services of Sam Keller. But, as they say, everything happens for a reason. This is why the immortal Throw God exists today.

 

[goldencohusker]

Three of the most mostly highly touted RB recruits the program landed in the 80s and 90s left NU before their eligibility was up. These were all guys that would have been high 4 to 5 star recruits if those existed back then.

• Novell Jackson - out of Havre de Grace, Maryland. Had trouble staying academically eligible - not sure if he ever played at the varsity level for NU or any other school.
• Terry Rodgers - son of you know who. Highly touted recruit out of SoCal. Blew out his knee at NU and I think took medical hardship. At his size, probably should have played WB like his dad.
• DeAngelo Evans - well known story. Broke Barry Sanders high school rushing records and looked like a future star after frosh season, then got hurt and pouted and ended up at Emporia State

 

[SkulzNBonz]

Three of the most mostly highly touted RB recruits the program landed in the 80s and 90s left NU before their eligibility was up. These were all guys that would have been high 4 to 5 star recruits if those existed back then.

• Novell Jackson - out of Havre de Grace, Maryland. Had trouble staying academically eligible - not sure if he ever played at the varsity level for NU or any other school.
• Terry Rodgers - son of you know who. Highly touted recruit out of SoCal. Blew out his knee at NU and I think took medical hardship. At his size, probably should have played WB like his dad.
• DeAngelo Evans - well known story. Broke Barry Sanders high school rushing records and looked like a future star after frosh season, then got hurt and pouted and ended up at Emporia State

DeAngelo was not liked by anyone and was told to leave. Expecially after the incident that happened in College Station in the locker room after the game in 98.

 

[goldencohusker]

Pilkington's situation was both similar and different to Birkel's. He didn't take to the Callahan way. Birkel and his dad ran to the newspapers and there were two schools of thought: A) How dare the new coach treat a Nebraska kid like shit. B.) This kid is a whinetit.
Pilkington, on the other hand, left quietly. He had already tried his hand at professional baseball. Its possible that his mindset was different having seen other guys. He'd seen guys get chewed up and spit out by the business of professional baseball, and perhaps knew what was coming around the corner.

Side Note and unpopular take: Coach Callahan was and is an offensive genius and cutting edge OLine coach. A relationship builder he was not. A player that I am aware of who played for both Callahan and Pelini never heard a word from Coach Callahan for two years, even though he was coming up the depth chart all the time. He'd lost a lifelong friend shortly after Pelini took the job. Pelini called him the day after and established a relationship that helped him to maximize his abilities at NU.

When Harrison Beck left, I though he was a bitch. Based on what I know now about trauma and how it affects young children, I definitely think that if Coach Callahan would have handled Beck literally with kid gloves, he'd have stuck around. Would we have seen the rise of Joe Ganz, I dunno. But had he stayed and built some healthy relationships, we sure as hell wouldn't have needed the services of Sam Keller. But, as they say, everything happens for a reason. This is why the immortal Throw God exists today.

Something that the NU AD who hired him should have known after his "dumbest team in America" rant a month before he became coach at NU.

 

[SkulzNBonz]

Something that the NU AD who hired him should have known after his "dumbest team in America" rant a month before he became coach at NU.

What I thought was funny was, when Jon Gruden and his Buccaneers stomped a mudhole in Clownahan and his former Raiders team's arse in the Superbowl,

 

[Baxter48]

Robin Miller was supposed to be a great running back out of Washington state a Frank recruit and Collin’s okafor from Omaha had a great spring game I don’t think he ever saw the field