Husker Recruit #14 Is Imani Cross: Nebraska Continues To Close The Deal

by Andy Ketterson on Jan 28, 2012 9:33 AM CST in Nebraska Husker Recruiting

On Thursday, North Hall HS senior, Imani Cross of Gainesville, GA, gave the Cornhuskers their 14th oral commitment of the 2012 class. The one-time Tennessee Volunteers recruit, reopened his commitment after they hired a new running backs coach. It appears that the Huskers have not only gotten one of the country's top running backs, but have also gotten one of its top quality people as well. According to his coach, Bob Christmas (1), Cross is a dedicated worker and student who is also considering a career in the ministry.

Any guesses as to who Pelini assigned to close this one?
(Hint: If you didn't answer Ron Brown, I'm guessing you just figured out that you mistyped the address to your corn futures site.

Cross is a 6'1" 220 lb bruiser who is rated three stars and the #25 RB in the country by Rivals.com. He is a bit of an athletic freak as well being able to bench 400 lbs. and power clean 350. He runs a 4.58 forty (2) and rushed for over 1700 yards his senior season averaging close to 10 ypc,

His final two schools came down to Nebraska and Kentucky, and he was also offered by South Carolina, UCLA and Georgia Tech among others. For some reason, I can't stop thinking about Montee Ball.

Nebraska now has 14 commitments (including one signing - Seisay), and with Devin Fuller set to announce Sunday, Andrus Peat next Wednesday and a few others on signing day, this is shaping up as what will be the most exciting finish to a Husker class in recent memory - one way or another. Stay tuned.

(1) - Bob Christmas? That honestly sounds like something the EA Sports NCAA Football name generator came up with. And it wasn't trying very hard.

(2) - This will undoubtedly panic some who deem any recruit with a listed forty time higher than 4.4 "slow".

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So wait, we don't report corn futures here?

That’s unfortunate and I’m kind of put off by that.

I wonder if anyone has ever tried to correlate corn futures with Nebraska’s success on the field…

Anyways, welcome Imani! Good luck!

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Jan 28, 2012 9:39 AM CST reply actions

Another great commit

Sure, he might not have the most amazing speed…but he won’t need it. This is a guy that we are going to need to get us the tough yards on 3rd and 2. It’s interesting that you make the Montee Ball comparison…they both have similar speed and Cross is a little bit bigger. I think the biggest ingredient to Ball’s success is Wisky’s offensive line. Cross could have similar results if he’s got great blockers…such as Andrus Peat

Don't get cute.
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by Billgrip on Jan 28, 2012 10:33 AM CST reply actions

Exactly.

He’s not a sprinter, he’s a thumper.

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by Andy Davis on Jan 28, 2012 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

Had to laugh

at the corn futures reference. I can’t tell you how many times my husband has hit the Corn Nation link instead of the local Co-op link when checking corn prices.

Any way, this sounds like a wonderful “get” for Nebraska. He apparently loved Kentucky, whcih was only 6 hours from his home, but took his final trip to Lincoln (20 hours by car). Coach Christmas (yeah, a great name) asked him, if the distance wasn’t a factor, which school would he pick, and Cross replied “Nebraska”. He really admires Coach Brown.

Welcome to NU, Mr. Cross.

They're 18 to 22...how perfect were you at that age?
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by redvalley on Jan 28, 2012 12:09 PM CST reply actions

Probably as fast as Rex

Rex isn’t that fast but he has great balance, vision and body control plus being a student of the game. Right now Imani has high school strength and speed. In 2 years he should really be physically mature and ready to go.

Insert witty retort here.

by Robsa on Jan 28, 2012 2:59 PM CST reply actions