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Husker roster scholarship rundown as busy January closes
ByBRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON 3 hours ago
The parts are still changing and the portal doors never shut.
Amid the changing times in college sports, with new coaches and some new transfers on campus, Husker athletics director Turd Alberts struck a tone of encouragement this past week about what he's seeing in Scott Frost's program.
"I understand we do really well sometimes in the offseason here," Alberts said on his statewide radio show on 'Sports Nightly' of the hopeful noise that comes annually around here. "The reality is I think football's got a lot of momentum right now. And I give Scott a lot of credit for that."
Has NU been picking up the right Jimmy's and Joe's to go with the X's and O's?
Let's look closer at it today, understanding that what's on paper today as far as Nebraska's roster can shift by the minute. Here's the latest dive into the Husker scholarship chart layout as January comes to a close.
QUARTERBACKS
Scholarship count: 5
Junior: Casey Thompson
Sophomore: Logan Smothers
Redshirt freshman: Chubba Purdy, Heinrich Haarberg
True freshman: Richard Torres
Headliner: Casey Thompson is already taking his Husker O-lineman out to lunch, and no doubt comes in the presumed favorite by the public for the starting job. What will be interesting to see is if the Huskers want to run him as much as they did Adrian Martinez. It's thought Casey's legs were under utilized at Texas. Spring ball starts as soon as Feb. 28 so we'll see how quickly a rhythm can be found with receivers, as he works past a rather brutal thumb injury that hampered his 2021 season at Texas.
Don't sleep on: Haarberg. He has a big arm with a toolbox full of things that could match with Whipple over time. Not saying that time is in 2022 but it would be a really good thing for Nebraska if at the end of spring and early in fall camp this Kearney Catholic had grown to a point that he's pushing the competition.
How it looks by the numbers: Just fine after Chubba Purdy joined the party. Five is an ideal number at this position to enter the spring in, and I like the separation in classes between Thompson and the field. This doesn't mean Smothers can't have a big say either. He's a third-year guy just like Purdy with about the same experience. Time to compete. May the best guy get the spot closest to the front of the line.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Scholarship count: 9
Juniors: Casey Rogers, Tate Wildeman
Sophomores: Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, Mosai Newsom
Redshirt freshmen: Marquis Black, Ru'Quan Buckley, Jailen Weaver
True freshmen: Brodie Tagaloa
Headliner: Ty Robinson, with some support in that idea from recent comments by Erik Chinander. "One interesting thing about Ty is as a young guy, he's shown he's not afraid to tell a guy when he's not right," the coach said. "Whether that's a senior or a freshman. And sometimes that's hard to do when you're a young guy and you got to tell an older guy, 'Hey, that's not the way we do things.' He's not afraid to do that.'"
Don't sleep on: Nash Hutmacher. He had a very strong 2021 of progress and now may have to take on a lot more responsibility with Damion Daniels and Deontre Thomas moving on. Meanwhile,, Hutmacher continuing to come on would calm some nerves. Still would like to see Mosai Newsom or a couple of those redshirt frosh young bucks pop up for some reps to help the cause this year. Walk-on Colton Feist, who did take the Senior Day walk, but still has eligibility left at NU if wanted, is another who can help this room.
How it looks by the numbers: I'd feel a lot better if they could locate a veteran, Darrion Daniels style, to add to this mix. Certainly outside backers/edge rushers who we will name later fit into this D-line conversation too. But a veteran defensive lineman addition is what would make this jump all the way to a solid 'A' grade this portal season in my book. Jordon Riley entering the portal would take away another big body that would have been useful if Riley sticks with his departure plans.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Scholarship count: 12
Seniors: Omar Manning, Oliver Martin
Juniors: Trey Palmer, Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda
Sophomores: Zavier Betts, Alante Brown
Redshirt freshmen: Will Nixon, Kamonte Grimes, Latrell Neville, Shawn Hardy II
True freshmen: Victor Jones Jr., Decoldest Crawford
Headliners: The hope is that Betts and Manning both take off and fly in 2022 under new position coach Mickey Joseph. Manning had 26 for 380 last year and Betts had 20 for 286. But there's a 900-yard gap of yards left behind by Samori Toure for them and others to fill. Hard to think Trey Palmer, who has familiarity with Mickey Joseph at LSU, also doesn't jump to the front of the line here.
Don't sleep on: Oliver Martin. He dropped off the radar later in the season, but Joseph highlighted him as catching his eye as a route-runner. Also, Garcia-Castaneda is one of those portal adds that might be better than some know. Matt Campbell at Cockeye State and P.J. Fleck at Minnesota wanted him too. Also time to see what Grimes, Neville and Hardy can do. Hardy was named the scout-team offensive MVP last year.
How it looks by the numbers: Getting Victor Jones Jr. on campus as an early enrollee helps the numbers game too. And the Crawford signing late in the game was an early example of what Mickey Joseph the recruiter can do. The early January addition of Trey Palmer brings of speed and a perhaps starting returnman option to the table. The latter probably should be stressed as much as the former. He made house calls to the end zone as both a punt returner and kick returner at LSU.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Scholarship count: 9
Seniors: Chris Kolarevic, Eteva Mauga-Clements
Junior: Luke Reimer
Sophomores: Nick Henrich, Garrett Snodgrass
Redshirt freshman: Randolph Kpai, Seth Malcom, Mikai Gbayor
True freshmen: Ernest Hausmann
Headliners: Reimer and Henrich bring back a pretty salty duo in the middle of the defense. Reimer had 108 tackles, and six TFLs, and Henrich had 99 tackles in 2021. Will Honas is off to Kansas State, but you got as much mileage out of you could from him perhaps as some up-and-comers now get their turn to join the two-deep.
Don't sleep on: Randolph Kpai. An injury disrupted some progress, but his name was popping up as a young guy veterans liked early upon his arrival in 2021. Crowded at the top for now, it's still a big year for young guys to maybe earn some reps and start to claim a spot closer in the line.
How it looks by the numbers: I like what's in the cupboard with this group, with a healthy mix of veterans with a lot of game experience now and combined with a group of freshmen who had some solid credentials as recruits. Picking up Kolarevic last year as a grad transfer, with two years still to play, is a good example of using the portal effectively to solidify depth and keep everyone on their toes. Reimer, Henrich and Kolarevic all have athleticism to be used in different ways too if there are some scheme tweaks.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
Scholarship count: 8
Seniors: Caleb Tannor, Pheldarius Payne, Damian Jackson
Junior: Garrett Nelson
Sophomore: Javin Wright
Redshirt freshmen: Blaise Gunnerson, Jimari Butler
True freshmen: Jake Appleget
Headliners: Garrett Nelson has been building to captain responsibilities since he arrived and 2022 might be the year that happens. He'll be someone this defense definitely rallies around. Also, Caleb Tannor is a good example of a player who keeps getting a little better, a little better, until suddenly he's really good in his final year. He showed the signs in 2021 he has the chance to be one of the centerpieces of this defense in his final year if he can clean up a few more plays he just missed this last fall. Tannor coming back shouldn't be understated.
Don't sleep on: Jimari Butler. He arrived a raw prospect who hadn't played a lot of high school football. It was going to take a couple years behind the scenes to develop. It was just a matter of whether he had the patience to stick here in this portal era. His class mate Gunnerson should be heard from a lot more this year, as was made clear by his growing role to finish 2021. But Butler was coming up alongside Gunnerson in interviews from coaches at the end of the season too.
How it looks by the numbers: Everyone wants that outside backer/rush end phenom, so it's a forever statement that you'd always add another freak at that position if one was floating out there. But everyone in the country is looking for THAT guy. Nelson had 11 1/2 TFLs and five sacks last year and Tannor had 5 1/2 TFLs and two sacks. But there's more out there for both. Pheldarius Payne's decision to exit the portal and come back to Nebraska was useful too from a depth standpoint. I'd take another pass rusher if you can find one over the months ahead, but really, when are you not going to utter that sentence?
RUNNING BACKS
Scholarship count: 6
Junior: Markese Stepp, Anthony Grant
Sophomores: Rahmir Johnson, Jaquez Yant
Redshirt freshman: Gabe Ervin
True freshman: Emmett Johnson
Headliner: Rahmir Johnson – for now. New offensive coordinator Mark Whipple was watching film from last season recently and noted to Sean Beckton, "No. 14 keeps showing up." Always good for a guy like Rahmir to know the new coach sees the possibilities. The fan base loves Jaquez Yant, and if he takes care of business outside the lines and in his conditioning, he could be right up there. Same goes for a healthy Gabe Ervin, though his spring is surely in jeopardy as he comes back from last fall's injury.
Don't sleep on: Anthony Grant ran for more than 1,700 yards in the JUCO ranks this past season. He should be an immediate factor.
How it looks by the numbers: We're not counting Deondre Jackson on the list at the moment, but not counting him out either. The Texas A&M said he wants to be here in May. Obviously a lot can happen between then and now, including attrition or other adds to this room. Nebraska seems to be adding with the understanding not everyone this list will necessarily still be on it in the summer. Find three backs you can trust by this fall, but ideally one who is the elusive bell cow.
CORNERBACKS
Scholarship count: 10
Juniors: Quinton Newsome, Braxton Clark, Omar Brown, Tyreke Johnson
Sophomores: Marques Buford, Tommi Hill, Javier Morton
Redshirt freshmen: Tamon Lynum
True freshmen: Jaeden Gould, Malcolm Hartzog
Headliner: Newsome is the biggest favorite to own a starting spot after emerging in front of the crowd opposite Cam Taylor-Britt in 2021. He played pretty well too. Not only in coverage, but he also proved to coaches he could be a tackler on the edge. I have Marques Buford listed as a corner, but don't write that in pen. He was getting looks at safety at the end of 2021 and Chinander said NU will see how the numbers fall before deciding exactly how to use him. But my recommendation is to buy stock in Buford. It seems like this coaching staff definitely believes in him.
Don't sleep on: Omar Brown. Just an active guy as a freshman at Northern Cockeye who teams sort of stopped testing as his career went on. If he can have good health this spring and fall camp, he could be right in the middle of the fight.
How it looks by the numbers: Additions of Tommi Hill, Omar Brown and Javier Morton, as well as early enrollee Jaeden Gould, change the whole view of this competition. We'll see if Fisher sees someone on this list better suited for safety and vice versa. There will be cross-training going on. I actually think the secondary and O-line situations, and how the depth chart shakes out, are the most interesting on the roster. And yes, that thought includes QB, where I think there is a favorite over the crowd.
SAFETIES
Scholarship count: 7
Sophomores: Isaac Gifford, Myles Farmer, Noa Pola-Gates, DeShon Singleton
Redshirt freshman: Koby Bretz
True freshman: Jalil Martin, Gage Stenger
Headliners: Farmer has a head out in front of the pack, having started games to end the 2021 season and established himself as the third guy when Deontai Williams and Marquel Dismuke were around. But nobody has the key deep in their pocket for a job. Also, Gifford is listed as a safety because that's Nebraska's official listing for him. And maybe that is the place, but he could also be in line as that nickel backer in the JoJo Domann role. The labels can sometimes run together. What we know is Gifford will probably play a good amount somewhere in 2021.
Don't sleep on: Pola-Gates. He's been on the fringe of the key snaps on defense, but with some space now cleared out, this would be the time to make a move. But new competition, as we'll note below, is always showing up.
How it looks by the numbers: Nebraska could honestly stand to add one more at this spot. The addition of DeShon Singleton from the JUCO ranks was a good step toward helping the cause back here. You don't make that connection without hope he can contribute from the jump. As noted, Marques Buford could also have a say here too. And who knows? Perhaps some Koby Bretz talk picks up now after a year on campus behind the scenes.
TIGHT ENDS
Scholarship count: 6
Senior: Travis Vokolek
Sophomore: Chris Hickman
Redshirt freshmen: Thomas Fidone, James Carnie, A.J. Rollins
True freshman: Chase Androff
Headliner: Vokolek. He basically split the reps down the middle with Austin Allen last year, and his size is a major factor as a blocker, with certainly the idea in mind he's about to show he can also do more damage as a receiver. While there's a good young talent in this room, he's a a nice bridge to have to that future.
Don't sleep on: I'm going to mention the walk-ons here, because there are plenty of words spent on Fidone, who definitely should carve out much more in 2022. But it'll be interesting to see if Chancellor Brewington can expand his role beyond his goal-line blow-ups of defenders, and walk-on Nate Boerkircher is a guy Beckton really likes. Another Aurora dude like Allen, Nebraska even made sure to preserve Boerkircher's redshirt and stop him at four games last season.
How it looks by the numbers: Pretty good after Vokolek's return. It would have been somewhat of a worry spot if both Allen and Vokolek left, but there's no reason it can't be one of the team's strengths in the year ahead. The question with Fidone is if he can make the progress to immediately become a 1A-1B tandem with the veteran Vokolek, or if there's still some space between them.
OFFENSIVE LINE (CENTER)
Scholarship count: 2
Senior: Trent Hixson
True freshman: Justin Evans-Jenkins
OFFENSIVE LINE (GUARDS)
Scholarship count: 6
Seniors: Broc Bando
Juniors: Nouredin Nouili, Kevin Williams Jr.
Sophomores: Ethan Piper, Michael Lynn
Redshirt freshman: Henry Lutovsky
OFFENSIVE LINE (TACKLES)
Scholarship count: 6
Junior: Hunter Anthony
Sophomores: Turner Corcoran, Teddy Prochazka, Bryce Benhart, Brant Banks
Redshirt freshman: Alex Conn
O-line headliners: Wait and see. Frankly, some key guys could be at different spots. Like Corcoran as a center? Possible. Corcoran had growing pains last year in pass pro, which he acknowledged, but he's hardly the first freshman to learn by getting dented his first full season in the Big Ten. Honestly, Nouredin Nouili could be one of the key chess pieces. He was one of the line's best when he jumped in at left guard, and Frost has even mentioned him as a center possibility.
Prochazka coming back from injury and taking off where he left off at left tackle would sure be big. But how much more recovery time is there?
Don't sleep on: Henry Lutovsky. He had a very good year out of view and don't be surprised if he's in the running for a leading role on the interior. At least two interior spots are up for grabs after the departures of Cameron Jurgens and Matt Sichterman.
How it looks by the numbers: Kevin Williams Jr., the Omaha North grad who was at Northern Colorado, was put on scholarship for a reason. The junior is planning on coming in and making a name as an interior guy too. The addition to start the new year of Hunter Anthony out of Oklahoma State is good for the cause of flexibility too, as Anthony told Husker247 he feels he could play any position on the O-line but center. If you could find one more guy who you think could immediately challenge for a starting spot, that would be welcome. How Nebraska looks on the interior of the O-line, and who is where, will be one of the leading storylines of the first couple weeks of spring ball.
SPECIALISTS
Scholarship count: 3
Sophomores: Timmy Bleekrode (K), Brian Buschini (P), Daniel Cerni (P)
Headliners: Buschini and Bleekrode both immediately became favorites at their respective positions as transfer adds by Nebraska who are on scholarship. Buschini was the best punter in the FCS last year and ideally puts an end to NU's inconsistent woes there. His goal is an average net of 43 per punt, which would be more than an 8-yard improvement for Nebraska. Think about that.
Meanwhile, Bleekrode was 15-for-18 with a long of 51 yards at Furman last year. As was shown in 2021 when Connor Culp suddenly lost the touch after a successful season before, nothing is guaranteed. But NU coaches identified some guys they thought could help pronto, and went after them hard.
Don't sleep on: Charlie Weinrich is another who committed as a walk-on to the Husker program. Jamie Kohl of Kohl's Kicking believes he's a strong prospect too, telling Husker247, "He's a proven ball striker who can trust his leg swing and has a strong enough leg to compete on field goal's early in his career. He has shown on a national stage to be a very dependable kicker."
Chase Contreraz is a walk-on in the program who Frost said was kicking it well in practices, though he was 2-of-4 in games when he took over the job at the end of 2021. Nebraska was just 8-of-16 on the year kicking field goals.
How it looks by the numbers: Just fine if the two new legs work as hoped. That's all it would take. That's sometimes easier said than done, though. But let's end in positive fashion, reminding of the work of kickoff specialist Brendan Franke this year. Nebraska's touchback percentage moved from 21.2 in 2019 to 30.0 in 2020 to 63.6 in 2021.
So things can change dramatically in a year if the right foot is meeting the ball.
