It’s Nebraska for Dailey, St. Peter’s Prep standout
All-State QB expected to compete for starting spot
By tim morris
Staff Writer
It may not have been love at first sight. However, after being courted by several big-time Division I football programs, it didn’t take long for Freehold Township’s Joe Dailey to discover after visiting the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, that he and the Cornhuskers were a perfect fit.
Dailey, the all-state quarterback of Union County powerhouse St. Peter’s Prep of Jersey City, signed his letter of intent to Nebraska earlier this month. It ended a long recruiting process that had included trips to Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., (where he made a verbal commitment) and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.
"It’s strictly business there [at Nebraska]," said Dailey. "Football is life there, along with academics. That’s exactly what I was looking for."
To Dailey, who will major in exercise science, Nebraska was the lone college he visited where they take their football as seriously as he does.
Dailey made himself a prized recruit this year with a record-setting season at St. Peter’s. He led the Marauders to the Union County championship, a trip to the state playoffs, a 10-1 record overall and the No. 7 ranking in New Jersey. St. Peter’s was ranked 10th in the Madison Square Garden Tri-State Poll.
"My senior year I wanted to go out with a bang like everyone does," Dailey explained. "I felt there was pressure on me. I did everything physically possible to get to that next level."
The proof was there, as Dailey indeed took his game to a new level. He accounted for 32 touchdowns last year and more than 2,100 yards from scrimmage. Dailey passed for 1,378 yards and 19 touchdowns and he ran for 773 more and 13 TDs.
The football scholarship to Nebraska was a result of his decision three years ago to attend St. Peter’s Prep. Part of the attraction was that his best friend, Rich Hansen Jr., a fellow Freehold Township resident, was attending the prep school and his father Rich Hansen, who knew Dailey from his Pop Warner days, is the head football coach at St. Peter’s.
"It’s a tremendous place," he pointed out. "They demand a lot. They make you work hard every day and that forces you to grow up. I’m glad I made the choice."
Dailey grew up in the classroom and on the football field, becoming a confident on-field leader.
"Off the field I’m shy," said Dailey. "On the field, my teammates look to me for leadership."
For his part, Coach Hansen believes that Dailey and Nebraska will be good for each other. Dailey’ strong arm can provide the Huskers with the vertical game they have been missing.
"It’s a great fit," he said. "What Nebraska does is set up for him.
"He was the only quarterback recruited by Nebraska," Hansen added. "Joe can throw the ball downfield and run the power running game. Our offense mirrors what they do."
Dailey worked hard in every facet of the game during his four years at St. Peter’s, maturing mentally and physically. He hit the weight room hard (he’s 6-1, 205).
"He’s one of the strongest players ever at St. Peter’s," Hansen noted.
Dailey’s hard work didn’t stop in the weight room. He worked just as hard in the film room.
"Joe is a student of the game," Hansen noted. "He spends a lot of time at meetings watching film and breaking a game down."
Shortly after graduation in June, Dailey will head out to Lincoln. He has been given the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback position right out of high school.
"I’m going there confident in my ability, but I’m not cocky," said Dailey. "I’m going to work hard to reach my potential."