Bo Pelini Got a Top Offensive Line Recruit By Wrestling Him During a Home Visit

Bo Pelini is one of a kind. He survived a season under much scrutiny and criticism, after audio of a previous rant emerged early last season where he said of Nebraska fans, “[w]hat a bunch of [expletive] fair-weather [expletive]—they can all kiss my [expletive] out the [expletive] door.”

He can be colorful, inappropriate at times, and emotional. He can also ingratiate himself to a recruit by being a little different. Omaha.com has the story of the Nebraska recruiting class and the offensive linemen that were landed this year. The class includes Tanner Farmer, a country-strong guard from Highland, Illinois who shot up the recruiting rankings after being a 3-star recruit a year ago. (Illinois fans will not want to read how Tim Beckman lost him).

Farmer eventually decided on Nebraska after getting interest from many more teams over his senior year. One factor? Pelini challenging Farmer, also a wrestler, to a showdown in his parents’ living room.

"Pelini made his in-home visit recently. He promised Tanner nothing, Brian said, except an opportunity. Followers of Nebraska recruiting know that’s been Pelini’s style from the start. They know, too, that Pelini harbors a secret side for silliness. The Twitter jabs with Faux Pelini. The Harlem Shake dance. Add a wrestling match in the Farmers’ living room to the list. I bet you can’t take me down, Pelini joked with Tanner. Farmer hesitated. Pelini is pretty tall and in good shape. But he’s not a wrestler. Go on, boy, Brian told his son. If he wants to go, go. You scared to take me down? Pelini said to Tanner. The strongest player in Nebraska’s 2014 class got Pelini in a hold and lifted him up in the air. There, a potential takedown turned into a big hug between coach and player."

Hey, if he wants to go, go. I’m only questioning the authenticity of the story because no expletives were included in the exchange.