Observations from Nebraska's Tuesday practice
by:
HuskerOnline Staff14 minutes ago
Nebraska linebacker Vincent Shavers (Photo: Casey Fritton/HuskerOnline)
Nebraska opened up roughly the first 20 minutes of Tuesday’s practice to the media, marking the final viewing opportunity of fall camp.
Here are some of the main observations and takeaways the HuskerOnline staff had from the practice…
Nebraska injury update
***Safety
DeShon Singleton wore a green no-contact jersey but was in pads on the field.
***Running back
Kwinten Ives, linebacker
Pierce Mooberry, defensive lineman
Gabe Moore, receiver
Jackson Carpenter, and running back
Isaac Dickey remain limited with yellow jerseys.
***Running back Jamarion Parker is still out as he recovers from a knee injury. He didn’t suit up on Tuesday.
***Offensive lineman
Turner Corcoran is full-go after practicing on a limited basis through much of fall camp.
***Wide receiver
Dane Key, who was limited with a minor injury last week, was also full-go on Tuesday.
***Ives continues to recover from the hamstring injury he suffered in Nebraska’s opening fall camp practice.
He attempted to go into a running back drill where they were jumping over bags and running through a blaster, and position coach
EJ Barthel stopped him right before he was about to take off. They clearly don’t want him to rush his way back on the field.
Some of that might have to do with how things have played out in camp.
Mekhi Nelson has significantly improved over the last several months.
Isaiah Mozee has also put himself in a great position to play a big part this season. All the reports we are hearing suggest he’s had an outstanding camp.
The latest on some notable position battles
***Based on the brief window we saw, Nebraska’s offensive line groupings on Tuesday were:
LT –
Elijah Pritchett/
Gunnar Gottula
LG –
Henry Lutovsky/
Jason Maciejczak
C –
Justin Evans/
Sam Sledge
RG –
Rocco Spindler/
Gibson Pyle
RT –
Teddy Prochazka/
Tyler Knaak
***
Mekhi Nelson and
Isaiah Mozee remained the top running backs behind starter
Emmett Johnson. However, it was notable that receivers
Janiran Bonner and
Hayes Miller took some snaps at RB during one drill.
***Along with contributing heavily on special teams,
Vince Genatone could be a factor as a short-yardage back this season. His frame is among the biggest in the unit, and he runs with power behind his pads.
***If Genatone is as fast as
Matt Rhule says he is – and there’s no reason to doubt the coach – it surely makes sense that Genatone is excellent on special teams and could be used at running back at times. The 6-foot Genatone carries 225 pounds exceptionally well.
***Another name that flies under the radar is cornerback
Jamir Conn, since he missed the spring with an injury. Not only will he play a role on special teams, but look for him to battle for snaps at nickel.
***Keep your eyes on
Quinn Clark, as he’s really put himself in a position to earn a spot in Nebraska’s top six receiver group.
Sights and Sounds
***It was cool to see Nebraska’s newest single-digit jersey recipients, DL
Riley Van Poppel (5) and Key (6), wearing their new numbers. Of note, quarterback
Dylan Raiola was still wearing his usual No. 15 on Tuesday.
***Good to see
Heinrich Haarberg hammering away in a combo-block drill with the offensive linemen. Haarberg looked very willing to engage. Make no mistake, this is a critical period for the former starting quarterback as he makes the transition to tight end.
***
Donovan Raiola’s loud intensity is always striking to many onlookers.
******Mozee might cause one to do a double-take if you’re seeing him for the first time. Definitely has a running back’s body type. The 6-foot, 210-pounder would’ve been a physical-looking receiver, is another way to put it.
***Offensive coordinator
Dana Holgorsen was intently watching RB drills.
***One of the toughest drills for defensive linemen has to be taking on a double team. Imagine taking on the 6-5, 295-pound Van Poppel and 6-5, 320-pound
Dylan Parrott by yourself. There’s key technique involved, as
Terry Bradden emphasized Tuesday.
***There’s no doubt
David Hoffken (6-7, 285) is physically ready to play. If he doesn’t play much this season, it’s because he’s still learning technique and other fine points of the game.
***Prochazka, listed at 6-10 and 320, has to be in the best shape of his life. Just has to be. He came to camp ready to win the RT job.
***1890 Nebraska founder
Shawn Peed and his entire family were guests at Tuesday’s practice. They were escorted by multiple senior members of NU’s development and fundraising team. It’s no secret that the Peed family plays a significant role and is of overall importance to the football program.