But will the effort have the desired result?

Nebraska has eight known members of its 2012 recruiting class, and it's fighting to keep a few of those guys on board. It's likely also that several uncommitted targets won't choose between NU and their other suitors for several more weeks.

"This year, philosophically, we made a decision that we were going to go after the guys that we wanted and that were high on our board," Papuchis said. "And we were going to be relentless in doing so."

The current contact period ends Saturday. Another one begins Jan. 4.

NCAA rules allow for schools to send seven coaches on the road to recruit at one time. Nebraska has been at that limit on most weekdays since Nov. 28, said Jeff Jamrog, the assistant athletic director for football.

The NU staff does return to Lincoln every weekend to update its recruiting plan and strategy. Targets get re-ranked. Areas of need are reprioritized. Travel itineraries are mapped out. They are "long meetings," Jamrog said.

According to Papuchis, the hope is that it will all pay off on the Feb. 1 signing day.

"Sometimes when you're trying to convince guys to come across the country to come to your school, it doesn't happen as quickly as maybe you'd like it to happen," Papuchis said. "We're in the battle with some guys that are really good players."

Offensive linemen Andrus Peat from Tempe, Ariz., and Ronnie Stanley from Las Vegas are two highly touted prospects being courted by Nebraska.

Eastern Arizona College cornerback Mohammad Seisay, considering NU, is expected to sign a national letter of intent when the mid-year juco signing period begins Wednesday.

Quanzell Lambert out of Sicklerville, N.J., is one of several linebackers on NU's radar. Pelini admitted earlier in the year that he wanted to increase depth at a position overlooked as the Huskers were building and molding their defense to match up against the spread offenses of the Big 12.

Then came the conference switch. Assistant coach Ross Els said the goal is to add four linebackers in this class.

"But if it's three or five, that's fine, too," Els said. "We just want to bring in guys that are quality enough that can play."

Easier said than done.

It's been a demanding December for the staff, which has received just one oral commitment — California linebacker Thomas Jones — since this strenuous stretch began.

Offensive coordinator Tim Beck hinted Wednesday, though, that more recruits might be leaning NU's way.

"The media knows what the players want them to know," he said.

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