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A closer look at Huskers with big 2022 decisions
ByBRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON 55 minutesIt's #Decision2022 time.
The races have already been called in the Austin Allen and Cam Taylor-Britt districts, as well as in those occupied by Matt Sichterman and Deontre Thomas.
But what about the rest? What about the QB so often the center of discussion in Nebraska? What about some other key cogs who have been around a while, maybe even five years, but have one more season to try to help turn the program if they so desire.
"I don't think they need to be sold. I think each one just needs to make a decision that's best for them," Husker head coach Scott Frost said after Friday's game about his discussions to come with those players on the fence. "There's some that probably need to go give it a shot at the next level. There's others that can use another year. My senior year, a couple guys came back that could have got drafted real high, but they wanted to see this through. I think we'll have some like that, and some that want to go take the next challenge.
"But the guys that are going to be back need to bond together and take the next step."
Let's take a closer look at some of the key names who are yet to decide, as well as those above who have decided – and why they made the decisions they did.
DAMION DANIELS: MADE THE WALK, BUT HASN'T CONFIRMED
If you were to rank Husker "juniors" you'd want back in 2022, I'd put Damion Daniels at the top of my list. That's also why he might not be back after a strong 2021 that unfortunately ended in injury.While there still could be room for Daniels to grow his game, his climb has been steep the last two years both in his snap count total and ability to wreck shop for offenses. The Huskers missed having him big-time against Cockeye, and in the second half against Wisconsin. Don't even worry about his stats. He set up a lot of things for others that the numbers don't show.
There was a point way back in the spring when Daniels slipped in a line about how he'd feel blessed to keep playing for the Huskers through 2022. And I know there's a thought from a person or two within the program that thinks he could really benefit from one more year, and perhaps boost that stock further. I don't disagree, while also understanding why the big man could possibly lean toward making the jump now.
Daniels has as much or more on tape as Vincent Valentine when he left early some years back, and Valentine got drafted in the third-round after some "What are you doing?" reaction after his initial announcement. There's high value to big bodies like that, if a player has got himself in shape and was healthy.
Daniels did make the walk on Senior Day, and had an emotional moment with defensive coordinator Erik Chinander before it. He's been in the program five years too. One of his D-line mates Ben Stille just took the six-year route though. It'd be a monster deal for Nebraska if Daniels decided the same.
CAM TAYLOR-BRITT: PRO BOUND
Many assumed all year Cam Taylor-Britt would be playing his last year as a Husker cornerback unless there were injury or the Monstars suddenly took his skills.While it was a bit of a rough start to the season, more so as a punt returner than a cornerback, his work on guys like David Bell and Chris Olave is going to be real good tape for him with NFL personnel.
Still, it was interesting to hear him say after the loss to Cockeye "it was the last game, probably" when he finally knew for sure what he was going to do for 2022. You can assume what you want, but sometimes these decisions aren't as cut and dried as we assume.
"Just grew up a lot while I was here, and got so much knowledge from Coach Fish and the coaches, man. We started from the bottom with this whole program and built everything up, and I just felt it was that time. I did come back this year to fulfill my dreams and help this team become better," said Taylor-Britt, who certainly had teams interested in trying to scoop him away from Nebraska after last year. "I feel so bad that I couldn't help do that, but I tried my hardest."
AUSTIN ALLEN: PRO BOUND
Austin Allen started all 12 games in a record-breaking final season at Nebraska, catching 38 passes for 602 yards, the most season receptions and season receiving yards by a tight end in program history. And it felt like he could have had even more.Early last week Allen described how the ways he could be torn in his 2022 decision, but he announced by last Tuesday this would be his final year at Nebraska. The Aurora native had spent five seasons in the program, continually growing a bigger role each year.
"It didn't really hit me until pregame..." Allen said of the final game in the Nebraska uniform. "But that last one in the stadium, the fans showed up and they were loud and proud ... It means a lot to me as a player as a guy from the state at the support that they showed for a 3-9 football team."
A frustrating season team-wise, but Allen was going to leave with his head high. He'd talked to family and coaches about his decision.
"I think now's the time. I have to take my shot. Yes, there's benefits to staying and getting bigger, faster and stronger. But I think with how the season played out for me personally, it's time to train, it's time to take my shot."
TRAVIS VOKOLEK: NO WALK, NO EARLY SIGNS OF LEAVING
Allen and Travis Vokolek often are spoken about as a package deal, since they split so many reps and are the two-headed monster of the tight end attack.But while Allen has already announced his plans to pursue pro aspirations, Vokolek didn't offer any signs of leaving during the final game of 2021. That doesn't mean he couldn't change course, but there could be the appeal of staying one more year and being the clear top dog at the position. The 6-6, 260-pounder is known for his blocking but could use another year to polish some of his receiving skills and show that off to scouts. He had 11 catches for 127 in eight games this past year.
It's not like there isn't hope for the tight ends room regardless of Vokolek's decision, given that Thomas Fidone, Chancellor Brewington, Chris Hickman, Nate Boerkircher (who Sean Beckton likes a lot too), James Carnie and A.J. Rollins are all in that room. But guys like Vokolek are what I like to refer to as critical "bridge" players from one era of guys to another. Him coming back would give a veteran presence as the youth gets served more reps and then hopefully is ready to handle it all by themselves in 2023.
WILL HONAS: LOOKING FOR A WAIVER; CHRIS KOLAREVIC: ANOTHER YEAR IF WANTED
The Husker middle linebacker who suffered a season-ending knee injury back in the final week of spring ball wants to play one more year of college football."He's still been in the locker room, a big piece for us on the team," Frost said last week of Honas, confirming that the backer still has hopes of returning for another year. "It was really tough to see that happen to him last spring. He loves football and he loves the guys so he's wanted to be around. He's done a good job helping."
Honas is a strange eligibility story. He was signed out of JUCO in the Frost staff's first recruiting class in 2018, with two years to play. He's still here. He was coming on in 2018, but suffered a season-ender after four games which put a redshirt on it. Then he was a constant starter in 2019, ranking second on the team with 73 tackles, including six for losses. The 2020 year, his senior year, didn't count because of COVID so he came back for another round in 2021, only to have the injury in the spring.
In the meantime, Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich perhaps solidified themselves as the middle backers this year, and grad transfer Chris Kolarevic has another year if he wants it. Not to mention the Huskers signed a batch of linebackers in the last class who will push the competition this year.
DEONTRE THOMAS: MOVING ON TO THE NEXT STEP
Deontre Thomas is another "junior" who has been in the program five years and appears ready for his next step in life, whether it involves football or anything else.There were injuries throughout his career after he was forced into nose tackle duty as a true freshman in Mike Riley's last year. It probably wasn't a fair fight given to him at that point, but the native of Mustang, Oklahoma stuck with things, graduated, and was starting against Cockeye in his last game.
He played the best ball of his career this year, with a career-high 23 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks. Some of his best work was in the first half against Oklahoma. Thomas would be a nice depth piece to have back in 2022, but it's understandable if he feels it's time to move on. He had a social media post Friday night that suggested that was the plan after making the Senior Day walk.
THE OUTSIDE BACKERS TANNOR, PAYNE AND JACKSON: POSITIVE SIGNS OF A RETURN
Throw Caleb Tannor on that list of "get them back, please" guys.It was a big step forward season for Tannor, and defensive coordinator Erik Chinander noted how the junior really turned the corner as a teammate too. He played some great ball against Cockeye, and his tackle from behind on a screen pass in the fourth quarter showed you what type of player he can be when he's on.
“When I first got here at outside linebacker, he would miss meetings or be late and not give 100 percent at practice," said teammate Garrett Nelson. "When Coach (Mike) Dawson came in, he taught him a way to turn over that leaf and how to be mature as a person, how to be a leader, how to set a precedent in practice and he turned himself into one of the hardest working guys in practice and in the film room with what he does."
Tannor has been in the program four years but one more year could be really good for him, and he may just become one of the focal points of this defense too if continues to elevate.
Meanwhile, Pheldarius Payne arrived as a JUCO recruit two years ago, but gets another crack at it if he wants it. It would seem a wise move. He plays a part in the moving pieces at outside backer, and there's more of his pass-rushing potential that can still come out.
Then there's Damian Jackson. The former Navy SEAL doesn't play a ton of snaps, but he did help the cause. More so, he is an important leader that guys answer to off the field. He said earlier this month he plans to stay in the program another year.
MATT SICHTERMAN: OFF TO THE NEXT THING
The starting right guard for the Huskers confirmed on Saturday he is moving on. Having been in the program five years, he has a software engineering degree and headstart on a professional career that looks full of promise if he wants to put an end to football completely.He can take pride that he battled up the depth chart to start all 12 games in 2021. Who takes his spot next year? Well, let's figure a few other things out before we dive too deep into that discussion, though young guys like Henry Lutovsky on the interior could enter the fray.
ADRIAN MARTINEZ: THE BIG DECISION
We all know the biggest decision out there.There may be a different opinion at every street corner on if Adrian Martinez should return, and if it's good for Nebraska and him for that to happen. But Scott Frost has always seemed like he'd sure like him back.
The last we heard from Frost on it was last week when he said, "I don't think that decision will take too long. I want what's best for the program, and I definitely want what's best for Adrian too. I'm sure he and I will have some more conversations."
The Huskers would ideally portal hunt a QB to add to the competition regardless. If Martinez doesn't return, Logan Smothers suddenly becomes the favorite, although that's where hopefully heavy competition in the offseason would make him have to keep growing to own that job.
BANDO, HIXSON, WALKER, RILEY: VETERANS IN THE TRENCHES TO WATCH
Broc Bando and Trent Hixson are two fifth-year juniors on the offensive line who could definitely help depth purposes by returning. Bando was getting key snaps at right guard when Sichterman was injured against Cockeye. Hixson was considered the backup center to Cameron Jurgens. So while those guys haven't been top-line guys, they certainly matter to the numbers game on the roster.Speaking of numbers game, Chris Walker was a scholarship recruit who hasn't played much on the D-line. He made the senior walk on Friday, suggesting he might be done. Jordon Riley is a junior who still has one more year left. He didn't play as much as maybe some guessed going into this year, but is a big body on the D-line as young guys like Ru'Quan Buckley and Jailen Weaver continue to grow.
CAMERON JURGENS: AN IMPORTANT GUY TO HAVE BACK
Cameron Jurgens, who will still only be a junior by label in 2022, could make himself eligible for the draft this year if he wanted after four years in the program.The smart money probably is that he'd stay and try to build up this O-line and his draft stock some more, but he's a guy with a skill set the NFL will love. And for all the talk about his snap issues in past years, that wasn't a big topic this year. Jurgens also had to clean up the messes of some of those around him, helping out his tackles by pulling around on plays to disrupt the pass rush.
Don't under appreciate him. Nebraska needs this Cam around another year.
WALK-ONS FEIST AND LIEWER: BOTH MADE THE WALKS FRIDAY
A couple sophomore walk-ons who showed up in the Senior Day presentation were wide receiver Wyatt Liewer and defensive lineman Colton Feist.Liewer began the year as one of the top-line receivers on the depth chart, but his playing time dwindled as the year went along. He still started four games, with four catches for 24 yards.
Feist dealt with injuries, but is a guy Tony Tuioti thought could be part of the rotation in fall camp. He's a guy with a motor who would be nice for NU to have back. Both perhaps want to explore their options before a final call.
MANNING AND MARTIN: ANOTHER YEAR IF THEY WANT IT
It's a long offseason ahead, but guys you'd want to see pop back to keep that receiver room competition popping are Omar Manning and Oliver Martin.Manning ranked third on the team with 25 catches for 380 yards, including a long of 40 against Cockeye. He ended up starting seven games. It feels like one more year of college ball is needed for him to put on tape his pro potential, and the Huskers should want it to be in Lincoln.
Oliver Martin looked like he might be a breakout receiver for NU after the opener against Illinois, in which he caught six passes for 103 yards. But he had some injuries and then didn't see as many snaps late in the year, finishing with nine catches for 147 on the season. He's been around the college game a while now, having played at Michigan and Cockeye too. Another fall would be his third season in Lincoln, and some youth at the position (like Latrell Neville, Shawn Hardy, Kamonte Grimes, Will Nixon and Alante Brown) will try to push their way in.
But a new receivers coach is going to want as much talent as possible on hand, and then sort it out from there.
Also, let's be honest, some guys might be waiting to see who the coaches are that are arriving before making a call. Wouldn't you?
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