Jared Bubak Decommits From Nebraska, Expected To Commit With Arizona State

As somewhat expected but still surprising, Lincoln Christian TE Jared Bubak, the #1 recruit in the state of Nebraska, announced through the Omaha World-Herald Saturday evening that he has decommitted from the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Once #Huskers TE commit Jared Bubak from Lincoln Christian has opened up his recruitment: http://t.co/nNCCDe1rhf pic.twitter.com/nOEsgoxGkj

— World-Herald Big Red (@OWHbigred) June 27, 2015

Bubak, who committed to Nebraska back in September of last year, has been flirting with the Arizona State Sun Devils lately this Spring, taking unofficials. It's been common that Arizona State has gone after Nebraska recruiting, with every offer Nebraska seemingly had one-upped by Todd Graham, in some cases the very next day and without any other contact at all.

Bubak told the OWH, who's Jon Nyatawa broke the story on Saturday, that while Nebraska did everything they could, he sees himself a fit better at ASU:

Riley and the NU coaches had told Bubak that they’d be honoring the scholarship offer originally extended by the old staff. He had an unofficial visit to Nebraska in March. He attended a spring practice, went to the Red-White game and was at a Big Red Weekend recruiting event in June.

"I have the upmost respect for all of the coaches at Nebraska. They’re all great guys," he said. "But I think by that time, it was just that I think I fit more at Arizona State."

There’s absolutely no ill-will, Bubak said. He’s still a fan of the Husker program. He said the manner in which Riley and Thompson — with patience and kindness — handled his recruitment will always stick out.

There has been some talk in how both staffs will handle Bubak, and that was probably part of the discussion. The word is that Nebraska had him more of a blocking type, while ASU would spread him out more under Mike Norvell's system.

There is a thought that Nebraska losing the Number 1 player in the state after Mike Riley has made locking down local kids a priority is a bad look. At the same time, Nebraska did everything in their control and made it known how Bubak was going to work out.

Plus, it's not like the Tight End outlook is a bad thing. With Jack Stoll and JoJo Domann options at TE with Noah Fant being a top target, Nebraska can withstand this and come out in a similar and/or better outlook. Matter of factly, losing Bubak and adding Fant would be one position down in the 247 National Ranking. Bubak didn't make the class, he helped it but he didn't make the class.

Go ahead and wish the young man well, hope he enjoys being a Sun Devil, and we plod on. But losing the best player in the state will ruffle some feathers.