ESPN Recruiting Nation Football

What was it that made Zach Hannon (Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst) choose Nebraska on Wednesday afternoon? The tradition of the football program? The relationship built with the coaching staff? The chance to play in the Big Ten Conference? The revered academic reputation?

For the 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive lineman, it was all of the above and then some. Hannon also admitted that part of his decision may have even been subliminal.

Hannon, a three-star lineman projected to be a guard, said he has always had the Cornhuskers high on his recruiting list, but that was aided by his aunt and uncle who live outside of Lincoln, Neb. Denise and Brad Fridel live in Wahoo, Neb., a town of roughly 4,500 that is 30 minutes north of Lincoln that's also loaded with fans of the Cornhuskers.

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The recruiting race for three-star offensive lineman Zach Hannon (Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst) is now a two-horse affair.

Hannon on Tuesday said Nebraska and Arkansas are the frontrunners in his recruiting process. While Kansas and Missouri also are being considered, the 6-foot-5, 295-pound lineman -- who has lined up at both guard and tackle for Rockhurst -- said he plans to verbally commit to either the Razorbacks or the Cornhuskers no later than the beginning of the season.

“Both said they want me at strong guard,” Hannon said of the two programs. “I’ll play wherever they want me. I’m thinking I’ll make a decision in the next two or three weeks. I’m still looking for that one thing that sticks out between the two.”

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Offensive guard Zach Hannon (Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst) knew the Oklahoma recruiting situation going into his unofficial visit to the Sooners' campus, but he didn’t care.

Hannon, 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds, said he was determined to see the OU campus in the spring and his mission was accomplished Friday.

But like the other interior linemen before him, Hannon left the campus with a lot of interest but no offer from the Sooners.

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Offensive lineman Zach Hannon (Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst) was beginning to think he simply wasn’t meant to see Oklahoma. Several times in the past, Hannon had invitations or plans to see what the OU campus is all about but things fell through every time.

So this week something like a little mis-communication wasn’t going to be enough to keep him from making the trip to Norman, Okla., especially since he can't make OU’s spring game on April 14 because he is taking the ACT.

Hannon, 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds, spoke with OU offensive line coach James Patton last week about visiting OU this weekend. Hannon initially thought it was to watch an OU scrimmage, but the Sooners are not practicing this weekend.

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Offensive lineman Zach Hannon (Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst) currently has seven offers, and his level of interest continues to improve. Just shy of 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Hannon is one of those linemen who can be effective anywhere on the line.

Hannon had plans to attend Oklahoma’s junior day on Saturday, but his trip to Norman, Okla., will have to be delayed. Hannon plays lacrosse for his school, and the Hawklets are practicing Saturday in preparation for a trip to Chapel Hill, N.C., for competition.

While Hannon maintains focus on lacrosse, he’s keeping tabs on football recruiting - particularly when more and more schools are contacting him. His first offer, from Arkansas, came late January. Most recently, he picked up an offer from Kansas State Wednesday night.

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