Lydon Murtha

Offensive Line...6-8...305...Hutchinson, Minn. (Hutchinson)

Offensive lineman Lydon Murtha is one of two players from Hutchinson (Minn.) High School in Nebraska's 2004 recruiting class, joining wide receiver Nathan Swift. The two Hutchinson High products are the first players from the state of Minnesota to sign with Nebraska since 1995. Murtha is regarded as one of the nation's top offensive line propsects by several recruiting services. This past season, Murtha helped Hutchinson and Coach Andy Rostberg to a 9-4 record and a state runner-up finish in Class 4A (second-largest). Murtha helped pave the way for Swift to rush for more than 2,000 yards this fall as Hutchinson's starting tailback. Murtha was a first-team all-state selection by several outlets, including the Associated Press and earned first-team All-Missota Conference honors for the second straight year. He has also been an all-metro pick in the Minneapolis area each of the past two years and this past fall was named the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year. In his first two years as a starter, Hutchinson reached the state semifinals in his junior year and made the playoffs in 2001. Murtha is ranked as the nation's No. 1 offensive tackle prospect by ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, who lists the 6-8 Murtha as the nation's 31st-best overall prospect in 2004. Murtha was named an All-American by SuperPrep Magazine, which also lists him as the No. 7 overall recruit in the Midwest Region, the sixth-best offensive line prospect nationally and the No. 45 overall recruit in the country. Rivals.com is also high on Murtha, ranking him as the No. 42 overall recruit in the country and the fourth-best offensive tackle. Murtha is also listed as the top player in the state of Minnesota and the No. 8 player on Rivals' Midwest Major 50. The Insiders.com lists Murtha as the No. 40 overall recruit in the nation, while PrepStar placed him on its Dream Team, which includes the nation's top 100 players. Murtha is one of three Husker recruits who participated in the U.S. Army All-American Game in early January in San Antonio. Murtha chose Nebraska over his homestate Minnesota Gophers. Listed at 6-8 and 305 pounds, Murtha has the potential to be one of the largest players in Nebraska history. The Huskers' tallest letterman in school history was offensive tackle Tom Punt (1988-90), who also measured 6-8. In addition to his football honors, Murtha is also one of the state's top shot putters. In his first year of track competition in 2003, Murtha finished third at the state meet with a throw of 57-6. He also throws the discus. Off the athletic fields, Murtha has been an Honor Roll member the past two years and is a youth leader at his church. Lydon is the son of Bill and Kim Murtha and was born on Nov. 13, 1985.

Why Nebraska? ? "Nebraska is all about winning football and that is what I wanted. Coach Callahan has proven he's a good coach and all the assistant coaches are good coaches and good people."