It's no secret that Nebraska needs every stud cornerback commitment they can get for the 2014 cycle.
With Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Ciante Evans, Andrew Green and Mohammed Seisay all slated to depart following next season as of now, only five scholarship players at the position would remain.
The Huskers are making no bones about wanting to wrap up the finest athletes in the nation. That's where Naijiel Hale, son of late rapper Nathaniel Dwayne Hale a.k.a. Nate Dogg, comes in.
Currently ranked the nation's No. 32 cornerback overall by the 247Composite Index, the 5'11" 175-pound senior-to-be from Bellflower, CA is taking the process slow.
"I’m seeing how many offers I’ll get. I don’t want to make an early decision, so I’m just sitting back," Hale said.
He currently has offers from Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California and Washington State, naming the Cornhuskers and Wildcats as his top two teams at this time.
That could all change in a heartbeat should the Quack Attack from Eugene come calling.
Hale said that if Oregon offered, they'd shoot to "instant number one" status. Why such interest in the Ducks?
"Not only the uniforms, but because of talking to a player there and how he’s enjoyed it. Growing up, it was always Oregon, playing NCAA, I play with Oregon."
The player he chats with? De'Anthony Thomas, the Ducks' speedy Swiss Army knife.
The Huskers are in it to win it with Hale. As mentioned in a previous piece announcing his offer, Nebraska defensive backs coach Terry "#BOOM" Joseph is on the case.
"Coach Terry has been sending me clips on Facebook. I like how things go there before games, it pumps me up. On Twitter, I have so many Nebraska fans already and they just show me so much love and I feel it. It gets me amped."
Hale mentioned that Joseph wants to get him to Lincoln this spring, so a Red-White Spring Game trip offer seems likely.
When asked about any schools sitting back, waiting to see how he performs during his senior season, Hale's enjoyed how his current suitors are approaching his recruitment.
"Schools are just being up front. I talked to Oregon (on Tuesday). They said they’re doing background checks and then the offer will come. They’re just telling me to be patient."
Any schools waiting to jump on the bandwagon may want to reconsider. Should anyone offer him after his senior season's begun, "they’re kinda late," Hale said.
While Arizona and Oregon may look favorable simply based on weather, Nebraska's location doesn't penalize them according to Hale.
"I can’t really rule a location out, because if I get to the next level, there’s not too many teams that have weather like we do out here."
As Hale breaks down what schools can offer him throughout his recruitment, he'll be evaluating two specific topics at every stop
"A program would have to have not only a great coaching staff, but coaches that look past athletics that will help me with life lessons. My father passed when I was 15. Ever since then, my high school coaches have been helping me through life."
and join us on Facebook