Kicker Niklas Sade of Raleigh (N.C.) Wakefield was hoping that this day would come, and Wednesday it arrived. The Nebraska commit received his official game jersey for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Now the talented kicker will be able to showcase his abilities in front of a national audience in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 8.
Niklas Sade has been following the Huskers closely this year.
Sade, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, discussed the selection process and his reaction.
"I found out I was invited about one, almost two weeks ago," he said. "I was very happy. I was hoping to get the invite. It means a lot, especially since so many people want to be on the team. It just means a lot to be one of a few."
Sade also gave his thoughts on the pressure of playing in the game and performing on national television.
"Obviously I'm just hoping to perform well on the national level and have a great experience," he said. "It should be fun and exciting."
Since he ended his recruitment back in June with a commitment to Nebraska, Sade has been paying special attention to the Cornhuskers this fall.
"They've been doing well," Sade said. "They had that one loss to Texas, and after that you can usually tell a lot about a team with how they bounce back, and I was happy with how they reacted."
Sade has yet to take his official visit to Nebraska, but that will change later this month.
"I'm planning on taking my official visit when they play Kansas (Nov. 13)," said Sade. "I'm excited to see the atmosphere and see how the gameday experience is. It should be crazy."
When he hasn't been paying attention to the Huskers this fall, he has been busy dealing with his own senior season at Wakefield.
"It's going well," said Sade. "We have a good team and we bond very well. We're having a good season and it's fun. I think I'm 7 of 8 in my field goal attempts. We're 9-2, have a bye week and then the playoffs start the week after that."
Sade has also noticed a marked improvement in his game since last season.
"Yeah, tremendously," he said. "Field goal-wise, it's my discipline, and mentally I'm better. On my kickoffs, my leg strength is better and more consistent."
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is in its 11th year and will be televised by NBC
....Nebraska will have a real presence at that game...Tevin Mitchel, Bubba Starling & Nik have been selected thus far....expect a few more before the selection is done....
