Nebraska recruit Marcus McWilson: I have to listen to Justin Bieber before games

Nebraska commit Marcus McWilson is regarded as one of the best defensive back prospects in the country, mostly because of his combination of speed, size and toughness. But the four-star recruit apparently has a soft side.

During a recent interview with USA Today, McWilson discussed his pregame routine. Some might consider it to be a bit embarrassing, but 12-year-old can completely understand where the young man from Ohio is coming from.

“OK, I’ll just admit it; I have to listen to Justin Bieber before I hit the field before a game,” McWilson explained. “That’s right, I said it. I listen to his song ‘Baby’ and I love it. I know I’ll get a lot of flack over this, but that’s just my thing. I’ve gotta do it. I just don’t feel right if I don’t hear it before the game.”

Any reason in particular?

“I just love the song,” he said. “I know most of my teammates like the hard rock and rap songs, but I just like to mellow out before I play. It’s more relaxing and that makes me more loose. I play better when I hear Bieber. That’s just how it is.”

As long as being heckled by Division-I opponents about his love for the Biebs won’t bother him, more power to McWilson. A lot of athletes are superstitious and many of them wouldn’t be comfortable enough to admit what those superstitions entail. We’ve seen Olympic gold medalists and MLB pitchers catch Bieber fever, so I’m sure McWilson isn’t the only college recruit out there who has a case. He’s just one of the few who are willing to admit it.

Helmet smack to Dr. Saturday