Mavs Sign 14 Recruits, 4 Transfers
The 2004 University of Nebraska at Omaha football recruiting class has a heavy Nebraska flavor to it, but signees from six other states give it a broader look than normal.
"I feel that we were able to really help ourselves in two critical areas," said Maverick Head Coach Pat Behrns, who is preparing for his 11th season in charge of the UNO program. "I think that we have a good group of offensive linemen and we recruited two high school cornerbacks, which is a very highly-recruited position."
The class includes 14 high school national letter of intent signees, who turned in their paperwork on Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period for football. In addition, four junior college transfers will join the Maverick roster, each with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The Mavs have six offensive lineman, five of them high school recruits, five defensive backs, two defensive linemen, two running backs, one outside linebacker, one wide receiver and one quarterback.
"We have several players with very good speed, such as Brady Nolan, James Lucas, Kyle Bedore and Trent Lyons," Behrns said. Lyons, a defensive back who also was an exceptional kicker/punter, could eventually do both for the Mavericks, Behrns said.
Three of the high school recruits -- Josh Cemper, Nolan and Lyons -- were named to the All-Nebraska team by the Omaha World-Herald, and six in all made all-state teams in their classes in Nebraska.
There are some familiar names among the newest class of Mavs as well. Jeff Finochiaro, an offensive lineman from Omaha Skutt, and Jake Skow, a defensive lineman from Arlington, Tex., are both following in their fathers' footsteps as Mavs. Jeff Finochiaro Sr., was an offensive lineman for the Mavs in 1979-80, while Jerry Skow was a standout defensive tackle from 1980-83 and a key member of the Mavs' first NCC championship team when he was a senior.
UNO was 8-3 last season and finished second in the North Central Conference with a 5-2 record.
"I feel that we were able to really help ourselves in two critical areas," said Maverick Head Coach Pat Behrns, who is preparing for his 11th season in charge of the UNO program. "I think that we have a good group of offensive linemen and we recruited two high school cornerbacks, which is a very highly-recruited position."
The class includes 14 high school national letter of intent signees, who turned in their paperwork on Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period for football. In addition, four junior college transfers will join the Maverick roster, each with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The Mavs have six offensive lineman, five of them high school recruits, five defensive backs, two defensive linemen, two running backs, one outside linebacker, one wide receiver and one quarterback.
"We have several players with very good speed, such as Brady Nolan, James Lucas, Kyle Bedore and Trent Lyons," Behrns said. Lyons, a defensive back who also was an exceptional kicker/punter, could eventually do both for the Mavericks, Behrns said.
Three of the high school recruits -- Josh Cemper, Nolan and Lyons -- were named to the All-Nebraska team by the Omaha World-Herald, and six in all made all-state teams in their classes in Nebraska.
There are some familiar names among the newest class of Mavs as well. Jeff Finochiaro, an offensive lineman from Omaha Skutt, and Jake Skow, a defensive lineman from Arlington, Tex., are both following in their fathers' footsteps as Mavs. Jeff Finochiaro Sr., was an offensive lineman for the Mavs in 1979-80, while Jerry Skow was a standout defensive tackle from 1980-83 and a key member of the Mavs' first NCC championship team when he was a senior.
UNO was 8-3 last season and finished second in the North Central Conference with a 5-2 record.
