LINCOLN — If not for a little faith in Nebraska and trust in Tom Osborne, linebacker Will Compton easily could be lining up across from the Huskers on Thursday night.

NU recruits were bailing out left and right in 2007, the majority because of the Huskers' swoon and impending changes to the coaching staff.

Compton understood why. Even kept his options open. Including a courtship from Missouri.

Then the highly touted player out of Bonne Terre, Mo., got a visit from Osborne, the Nebraska athletic director who had installed himself as interim football coach as the hiring of Bo Pelini unfolded.

“They assured me they were going to get somebody in here that I would like and I needed to have that patience,'' Compton said. “I committed here, so Nebraska deserved patience like that. I just had to wait and see who came in here. I didn't have to (sign) until February, so I wasn't going to rush anything.''

Compton had an idea it might be Pelini, who was wrapping up a third straight successful season as defensive coordinator at Louisiana State.

“When Coach Osborne said it would be somebody I like, I kind of thought that way, since Coach Bo was so defensive-minded,'' Compton said. “A few days later, I found out and was real excited about it.''

Compton's decision to remain part of that 2008 signing class hasn't taken long to benefit the Huskers. The redshirt freshman has started every game this season at middle linebacker and is tied for fourth on the team with 20 tackles.

The story behind his recruitment gets even better Thursday night. Compton will not only play for the first time against Missouri, but he will cross paths with Tigers quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

They were getting to know each other two years ago as potential Huskers before Gabbert decommitted from NU.

“We became pretty good friends,'' Compton said. “I'd go to his place for a weekend. He'd come to mine. We'd hang out, spend time with each other's families and, at the time, talk about Husker football. But it ended up being something different, so no hard feelings.''

Compton said Gabbert, from Ballwin, Mo., never tried to pull him toward Mizzou, “because he knew the situation.''

“We both did our own thing and decided to go elsewhere,'' Compton said.

They have talked some since opting for Big 12 North rivals, but the friendship never developed the way it might have. They texted each other after both made their first career starts to open this season.

“He had a pretty good game, so I thought I'd let him know he did a good job,'' Compton said.

Compton admits that he has high emotions for this game but is trying to treat it like any other week. Hometown people have told Compton that they will root for him but want to see a Tiger victory.

“I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere, Thursday night on national television,'' Compton said. “It doesn't get much better than that. Everybody will be watching.''

NU defensive coordinator Carl Pelini believes that Compton will handle it. The ability to play both the run and pass has made the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder the middle linebacker in the Huskers' base defense and likely the lone linebacker Thursday night when they go with their dime package.

That includes making calls and checks and maybe playing beyond his age.

“He's in control out there,'' Pelini said. “It's like having a veteran out there.''

Contact the writer: 444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

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