Mohler will be a 'Husker
FOOTBALL: Orange Coast linebacker, who starred at CdM, will play this season for the Pirates before joining Nebraska.
By Barry Faulkner
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Orange Coast College outside linebacker Shaun Mohler, who led the Mission Conference in tackles (108), solo tackles (60) and tackles for loss (15 1/2 ) in 2006, has verbally committed to accept a full football scholarship from the University of Nebraska, he confirmed Wednesday.
Mohler, the 2005 Newport-Mesa Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Corona del Mar High, will play the 2007 season for OCC, which finished 7-4 last season and played in the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl.
Somewhat undersized at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds last season, Mohler accumulated five sacks and forced four fumbles, on his way to earning first-team All-Mission Conference National Division honors.
He enters his season at 6-3, 225 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds.
Mohler had verbally committed to Cal in May, but changed his mind after taking an official visit to Lincoln, Neb. in June.
"I visited Nebraska and loved it," Mohler said. "All the coaches were nice and seemed genuine. I didn't really feel that way about Cal. They weren't calling me as much as the Nebraska coaches were."
Mohler said he also received scholarship offers from Colorado, Washington State and San Diego State and was contacted by dozens of other Division I schools.
Mohler said Nebraska's four starting linebackers this season are all expected to move on to the NFL. It's a path Cornhuskers Coach Bill Callahan, a former NFL head coach, thinks Mohler could also follow, Mohler said.
"I'm excited to be playing at a big-time program like Nebraska," Mohler said. "It's a school with great tradition."
With Mohler leading the way, the Pirates' defense led the conference in fewest points allowed (16.5 per game in the regular season) last season.
Mohler was first-team All-Southern Section (all 13 divisions) as a senior inside linebacker at CdM, where he also played quarterback, running back and receiver.
Mohler was a first-team All-Southern Section Division IX honoree, helping the Sea Kings earn their first CIF playoff victory in 10 seasons.
He plans to remain at OCC through the 2008 spring semester and is on pace to earn his associate arts degree in May. He will then have three years to exercise his two remaining seasons of eligibility, but he has no plans to redshirt.