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Click here for complete coverage of 2012 Husker signing day
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LINCOLN -- The momentum that Nebraska saw building Wednesday morning took a hit a few hours later as the national signing day decisions continued.
And a big hit.
Highly-ranked offensive tackle Andrus Peat of Tempe, Ariz., announced on ESPNU that he was signing with Stanford. It cost the Huskers a possible punctuation mark to its 2012 recruiting class that would have included some national recognition.
In picking Stanford, the 6-foot-7, 305-pounder also turned down the opportunity to join his brother at NU. The Huskers signed defensive tackle Todd Peat a year ago and Peat redshirted last season.
“It was really tough,” Andrus Peat said. “Me and Todd, we've had a really strong relationship. And I really have a lot of respect for Coach Pelini and what they're doing over there.
“I just thought Stanford was the best fit for me -- as a person and in the classroom and on the field as well.”
NU head coach Bo Pelini had started Wednesday by getting signatures from defensive tackle Aaron Curry of Keller, Texas, and athlete Alonzo Moore of Winnfield, La. Shortly after the Peat announcement, the Huskers also added defensive tackle Vincent Valentine of Edwardsville, Ill.
To be sure, it put 2012 right there with 2010 in terms of high signing-day drama for the Huskers. Two years ago, the first Wednesday in February included Nebraska snagging quarterback Brion Carnes and safety Corey Cooper, but losing out on defensive end Owa Odighizuwa to UCLA in a nationally televised announcement.
As the Wednesday events unfolded, Nebraska climbed from No. 34 to No. 28 in the 247Sports team rankings for the 2012 class. The last three additions gave NU a total of 17 signees.
Curry, from Fossil Ridge High in Keller, said he decided on Sunday and called Pelini, defensive coordinator John Papuchis and assistant coach Rick Kaczenski on Sunday night. And it was Kaczenski who might have played the biggest part in the 6-foot-2, 275-pounder becoming a Husker.
Curry was being recruited by Kaczenski when he was the defensive line coach at Iowa. Kaczenski then was hired to fill the same position at Nebraska in December when Papuchis was elevated to defensive coordinator.
“It just worked out that Coach K left and I had a good relationship with Coach K,” Curry said. “I visited Nebraska and I was sold.”
Curry made 59 tackles, including three sacks, during his senior season at Fossil Ridge. He is a three-star prospect according to 247Sports, which also ranks him as the No. 57 defensive tackle and the No. 127 player out of Texas.
But Curry also believes he can be a sleeper in this NU class.
“I'm good with my quickness and feet, and just attacking the quarterback and running down backs,” Curry told The World-Herald. “I know Coach K and Coach Pelini and Coach J.P. can bring the best out of me.”
Curry also was considering TCU and Missouri. Along with quarterback Tommy Armstrong, it marks the 12th straight year that Nebraska has signed at least one player out of Texas.
Moore is a 6-2, 175-pounder who can play cornerback, safety, receiver and quarterback. He is ranked as the No. 50 receiver and No. 16 prospect in Louisiana by 247Sports.
Moore ran for 1,347 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, and also returned kicks for Winnfield High. His list of finalists included Nebraska, Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State.
Among others still on NU's board Wednesday, four-star cornerback Devian Shelton of Inglewood, Calif., picked Southern Cal.
Valentine came down to NU, Illinois and Florida. The 6-4, 313-pounder is ranked as the No. 49 defensive tackle by 247Sports and the No. 13 prospect in Illinois.
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• Click here for complete coverage of 2012 Husker signing day
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