Sutton, David

David Sutton, an All-Nebraska pick, signed with Nebraska but plans to delay his enrollment until January 2012 as a grayshirt, meaning he will not participate in team-related activities next fall.

“Growing up in Lincoln, I just always wanted to play for Nebraska. It’s just down the street from me," Sutton said. "I didn’t think I was going to have that opportunity to get a scholarship, but I’m really excited.”

Sutton, 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, earned all-state honors as a defensive linemen for his 12 sacks last fall. He also caught four touchdowns as a tight end. Nebraska coaches plan to let him pick his position.

"He's got options," Southeast coach John Larsen said. "That's what really got him."

Sutton is not ranked as a prospect by any of the major recruiting services. He earned first-team All-Nebraska honors as a defensive lineman.

Sutton was considering a scholarship offer from Ohio before NU presented its pitch, and was recruited by Nebraska offensive line coach Barney Cotton.

Sutton recorded 12 sacks as a senior and caught four touchdown passes.

Our take: The Huskers are taking a calculated risk with Sutton, the level of prospect often snagged by NU as a walk-on. But Sutton shows enough upside that the Huskers didn’t want to risk losing him to Ohio. Good move, because he could grow into a solid tight end — a position at which the Huskers need to explore alternative methods of player development.

Photo Credit: Mark Davis/The World-Herald