- Messages
- 22,901
- Likes
- 101,365
Reviewing the Husker transfer portal additions ... so far
ByBRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON 56 minutes ago
So what's the haul so far?
Nebraska isn't done adding just yet, but Scott Frost's team has already picked up nine scholarship additions from the transfer portal.
The search for immediate impact possibilities goes on and that includes the intrigue behind if the Huskers could still bank a second quarterback addition beyond Casey Thompson, with Chubba Purdy planning to visit Lincoln this weekend after a trip he's currently on to Oklahoma.
While waiting for the next headline noting an addition or subtraction to the roster – commonplace all over the map in college football in 2022 – let's review who the Huskers have so far secured from the portal, and the possibilities in front of them at their position groups.
HUNTER ANTHONY, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Years of eligibility left: 2 to play 2
Previous school: Oklahoma State
Resume: He was OSU's opening day starter in 2020 before suffering an injury in Week 1 that took away most of his season. He had started four games as a freshman in 2019, including work at guard. While he was a reserve for the top-10 Cowboys this past season, his versatility as a guard or tackle option
Why it makes sense: While he was a reserve for the top-10 Cowboys this past season, his experience as a starting option for a power-five program and versatility as a guard or tackle option makes him a good prospect to challenge for a starting job. Turner Corcoran and Nouredin Nouili are probably two starters up front, but jobs certainly there to be claimed.
ISAIAH GARCIA-CASTANEDA, WIDE RECEIVER
Years of eligibility left: 3 to play 2
Previous school: New Mexico State
Resume: A 6-foot, 185-pound target, Garcia-Castaneda had 578 yards receiving and four touchdowns on 37 catches with the Aggies, which made him a target of Cockeye State and Minnesota as well.
Why it makes sense: Mickey Joseph needs options as Nebraska tries to replace all the production left behind by Samori Toure. While Omar Manning, Zavier Betts and Oliver Martin are returners who could help lead the way, NU needs to get this rotation really rolling where there are six, seven, eight guys who are threats. He doesn't have a Toure resume coming in, but the list of other Midwest schools courting them tells you it was more than Nebraska who sees what could be.
KEVIN WILLIAMS JR., OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Years of eligibility left: 2 to play 2
Previous school: Northern Colorado
Resume: The 6-5, 330-pound Williams started 17 games on Northern Colorado's O-line as early as his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons in 2018-19. Because of the COVID year and other factors, he hasn't been able to play much football since, but his film as a tackle against Colorado at the start of the 2021 season looked good to Donovan Raiola's eye.
Why it makes sense: The Omaha North grad is another who could be a guard or tackle option, and the Omaha North grad frankly feels he has been under recruited his entire career and plans to show it.
"It's a good place to be in, especially with a new O-line coach and new OC," Williams said. "There's no advantages for anyone coming into spring. Coming into spring ball, to earn a spot it's an even playing field. Everybody has to learn the playbook and everybody has to learn the new O-line coach. I'm excited. It's the best fit. I get to stay at home. I get to wear the 'N' on my chest and represent us and come be part of the group that changes everything around."
TREY PALMER, WIDE RECEIVER/RETURNMAN
Years of eligibility left: 2 to play 2
Previous school: LSU
Resume: A four-star recruit from the 2019 class, Palmer could give the Huskers a jolt in the return game in addition to the receiving corps. Palmer had a 54-yard return for a touchdown as a freshman in 2019, a 93-yard kick return as a sophomore and had 117 punt return yards this past year. (Nebraska had 27 as a team in 2021). He also caught 30 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns and has a real tight bond with NU receivers coach Mickey Joseph.
How he fits in: Palmer perhaps becomes an immediate favorite as a returnman option, and his speed gives NU a potential dangerous weapon in the passing game. In the initial evaluation of him as a top high school player, 247Sports wrote, "Flashes impressive initial burst, which should translate to returns and the screen game. Shows good, sometimes effortless top-end speed. Quick off the line. Legitimate vertical threat."
TOMMI HILL, DEFENSIVE BACK
Years of eligibility left: 4 to play 3
Previous school: Arizona State
Resume: Hill had nine tackles in 11 games in a predominantly backup cornerback role for the Sun Devils, but that was just his first college season, and he was expected to be a lead candidate for a starting role this year. However, there was a staff shakeup at ASU and Hill had built up strong link with NU's coaching staff during his recruiting process in high school.
How he fits in: The 6-foot, 205-pound Hill should believe he's got an opportunity to start right off the bat, as Nebraska has to replace Cam Taylor-Britt at one corner spot. Quinton Newsome is a favorite for one job, and certainly Braxton Clark will have a say in matters. Also, there are others from previous classes like Marques Buford and Tamon Lynum and early enrollee Jaeden Gould who can make this a position of solid depth if enough guys have big offseasons.
BRIAN BUSCHINI, PUNTER
Years of eligibility left: 3 to play 3
Previous school: Montana
Resume: Nicknamed "Boomschini" by fans in Montana, he hit punts averaging 46 yards with a net of around 43 last season, earning FCS punter of the year honors. Not only that, 30 of his 69 punts were pinned inside the opponent's 20.
Why it makes sense: Because Nebraska's punting game was consistently inconsistent. Daniel Cerni, who dealt with an injury upon arrival, had his struggles and that mishit against Michigan State which proved costly. William Przystup hit some boomers, but would had some shanks pop up too. He entered the portal in recent weeks. So basically Buschini is the hand-picked guy to fix this punting problem. His goal is a net punt average of 43, which would be a more than 7-yard improvement for the Huskers from 2021 if accomplished. (Although a walk-on, long snapper transfer Brady Weas also deserves some mention as a guy who could be important to the operation with Buschini).
"It isn't that glamorous, but at the end of the day a 43-yard fair catch, you can't ask for anything more," said Buschini, who likes to study the methods of former Husker punter and current Baltimore Ravens punter Sam Koch. "If I did that all season I'd lead the country in net punting. So I'm trying to make the punt the most boring play in football by just forcing a fair catch all the time."
TIMMY BLEEKRODE, KICKER
Years of eligibility left: 3 to play 3
Previous school: Furman
Resume: Bleekrode hit 15-of-18 field goals with a long of 51 yards this past season, while also averaging 42.15 yards per punt. But his job at Nebraska, when he arrives in May after graduating from Furman with two years still to kick in college, has a singular focus. Give Nebraska a reliable leg between 20 and 50 yards again, please. The rest is gravy.
"With the 51 (I made), I can hit a long ball, but I wouldn't say I have the biggest leg like going 60-plus. But you don't kick those too often," Bleekrode said said. "So when I go out in practice, I mainly focus on shorter kicks and just working on my accuracy rather than just backing it up and seeing how far I can kick a ball."
Why it makes sense: Nebraska was just 3-of-7 on field goals between 30-to-39 yards, and 0-of-2 between 40-to-49 yards, with a miss of 29 yards this past season. Connor Culp's eligibility is done after a surprisingly rough year. Chase Contreraz missed a short one but still could be a candidate given the limited times we've seen him. NU also brought in some other walk-ons, including Charlie Weinrich from down in Kansas.
But Bleekrode is the guy the Huskers contacted less than a half hour after him entering the portal and offered a scholarship. That last part alone makes him the favorite, although scholarship or walk-on tags matter very little when it comes down to guaranteeing success at this spot.
CASEY THOMPSON, QUARTERBACK
Years of eligibility left: 2 to play 2
Previous school: Texas
Resume: Started 10 games this past year at Texas, and ripped out of the gates, including a 388-yard, five touchdown game against Oklahoma. He also suffered a thumb injury that was with him the rest of the season. He did still throw for 2,113 yards and lead the Big 12 in touchdowns with 24 of them, completing passes at a 63.2 percent clip. He threw nine interceptions, a total he'd no doubt like to slim down, with six of those coming in the final six games. Prior to last year, he was the back up for three years, although he showed he was ready to roll at the end of the 2020 season when brought off the bunch and he lit up Colorado's defense to the tune of five straight scoring drives.
Also, as a high school standout in Oklahoma, he not only for 9,829 yards and 107 touchdowns with only 26 interceptions, but he ran for 3,011 yards and 47 touchdowns.
How he fits in: The 23-year-old fifth-year junior has the experience edge over the field, and will publicly be considered the favorite as Nebraska's next starting QB given that background. Nebraska still could add another QB from the portal. It was known the Huskers would gain at least one, because you better have at least four scholarship quarterbacks going into a year. So Thompson's add should be no big shocker to those already in the program.
DEONDRE JACKSON, RUNNING BACK
Years of eligibility left: 4 to play 4
Previous school: Texas A&M
Resume: The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Jackson entered the transfer portal last week after being largely buried on the depth chart during his time at Texas A&M. He had three carries in five games during his two seasons in the program as he was playing behind a number of talented runners including Isaiah Spiller (considered to be potential first-round selection in the 2022 National Football League), Devon Achane (the most valuable player in the 2020 Capital One Orange Bowl), and freshmen Amari Daniels and LJ Johnson.
Why it makes sense: A Georgia native, Jackson has a connection with Husker assistant Sean Beckton, so Nebraska has a good scout from his high school days to know if Jackson might have the goods to find his rhythm at a new location. Nebraska also had five scholarship guys at the position previously, and it's not uncommon to want at least six. The Huskers might even add beyond this, and of course we don't know if everyone will stay put either – especially after spring as some things perhaps become more clear.
