Originally published Feb. 7, 2008 in the Omaha World-Herald
Did you know?
Next season at Nebraska is set to mark the first time Steinkuhler and his brother, Ty, have played on the same team in any organized sport. Ty, a senior defensive tackle at NU, is 46 months older than Baker.
Coachspeak
"It's surprising when a person that big can move so well. When you see it in person, that's when you know you have something special." -- Mark King, Lincoln Southwest coach
The gurus say
Steinkuhler is a Parade All-American and the magazine's lineman of the year. He's a USA Today second-team All-American, the No. 8 player nationally by rivals.com and No. 20 by scout.com. Both Internet services award him the maximum five stars. Rivals also rates him as the nation's strongest player and No. 1 run blocker.
About Steinkuhler
At his size and with that bloodline, it's hard to envision Steinkuhler at any position other than left tackle. But he did play defense in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and may begin there next fall if the Huskers need his help. Make no mistake, Steinkuhler, twice a first-team All-Nebraska pick, can help right away. But even if he does play defense next year, he's probably destined to eventually protect the quarterback and open wide holes like his father, Dean, the 1983 Outland Trophy winner at Nebraska.
Our take
Every newcomer has obstacles to overcome. For Steinkuhler, though, they are smaller and more manageable than anyone in this class. He's the cornerstone recruit, as close to a sure thing as the Huskers signed this year -- maybe in the past several years.