Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has announced a 26-player recruiting class that analysts consider more talented the one he signed in 2012 and perhaps the best of the six he’s assembled for the Cornhuskers. 12 players on offense, 13 on defense and a long snapper.

The Huskers are a consensus third in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and Michigan. Scout.com has the Huskers’ class ranked 11th in the nation after listing Nebraska 50th a year ago. Rivals.com ranked Nebraska 17th and ESPN.com and 247sports.com each have the Huskers 23rd.

ESPN recruiting analyst Jeremy Crabtree says the Huskers are adding depth at linebacker and running back and have their quarterback of the future in Johnny Stanton of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.

While announcing the addition of 26 new players, Pelini also announced the departure of 2 current Huskers, says that running back Braylon Heard and defensive tackle Chase Rome…both sophs…have left the program and plan to transfer after finishing the spring semester at Nebraska.

Rome quit the team for a week in Sept, with Pelini saying at the time that Rome’s “personal goals and personal perception of where he should be on this football team doesn’t match the team goals.”  Rome started 3 of 11 games and made 19 tackles.

Heard appeared in 12 games last fall, rushing 52 times for 348 yards and 3 touchdowns.