Spring Football Thread

[vailhusker]

Thank you for posting this. The irony in the original post was lost on me.

Yeah I had no idea what was going on either until I found the original.

 

[HuskerPAC]

Pro move, knowing you’re on camera and breaking the banana into bites to eat instead of deep throating it.

 

[SOHusker11]

Thats a big BJ...

Pro level.

I knew you dirty sumbitches wood like that. Gawwdamm preverts.

 

[BluesBucksNHuskers]

Pro move, knowing you’re on camera and breaking the banana into bites to eat instead of deep throating it.

It apparently takes Heinrich 45 minutes to eat a banana. Funny shit

 

[Juro]

Really disappointing they didn't have Kool-Aid in that bowl. Missed opportunity.

Edit: Should have been a corncob instead of a banana as well.

 

[Carm]

Observations from Nebraska's Thursday spring practice​

by:HuskerOnline Staff•about 1 hour

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule (Photo: Casey Fritton/HuskerOnline)
Nebraska opened up roughly the first 20 minutes of Thursday morning’s spring practice to the media. Here are some of the HuskerOnline staff’s immediate impressions of the 2025 Huskers…

Nebraska injury update​

***Here are the players wearing sitting out with yellow jerseys and those wearing green no-contact jerseys:




YELLOW

Gabe Moore

Maverick Noonan

Jackson Carpenter

GREEN

Sua Lefotu

Roger Gradney

Evan Taylor

Dawson Merritt

Henry Lutovsky

Teddy Prochazka

***Kicker John Hohl also did not practice, though he wore his normal red jersey.

New coaches have plenty of fire​

***In our first look at Mike Ekeler back on the Nebraska sidelines, it was almost as if he never left. Ekeler was the same guy he was during his first go-around the Huskers, commanding the special teams drill work with as much intensity as anyone.

***Terry Bradden also has plenty of fire to him. From the beginning of practice, he set the tone for his group and was very particular in how he wanted every rep executed.

***Phil Snow was heavily involved during the portion we saw. He was specifically working with the safeties.

Early spring roster takes​

***With roster cuts looming after spring ball, you can just sense the intensity and pressure for how important every rep is for some guys. There’s always a high level of this, but we could sense it even more knowing what must happen after spring ball.

***If you saw Dylan Raiola on Thursday, it wouldn’t even enter your mind that there was a discussion about his weight. He looks excellent physically. It’s a non-issue at this point, at least in our minds.

***Elijah Jeudy looked every bit of the 300 pounds head coach Matt Rhule said he was up to on Tuesday. He looks plenty suited to hold his own on the interior defensive line.

***Heinrich Haarberg was also noticeably bulked up. He no longer looks like a quarterback playing tight end. He’s a TE all the way now.

The wide receiver room is impressive​

*** It’s hard not to be excited about Nebraska’s wide receiver room. That group is loaded with impressive athletes and speed. We got a taste of what that group could be during some one-on-one passing drills with the DBs.

Jacory Barney, Cortez MiIls, and Isaiah Mozee all had some nice plays during the session.

***We got our first look at Kentucky transfer wide receiver Hardley Gilmore. You can just sense the confidence he already carries himself and that he’s come here ready to play.

***Jaidyn Doss made a nice catch on a slant against tight coverage from transfer corner Andrew Marshall. Doss, a sophomore, is back at receiver after trying DB last season.

***If you’re picking guys to get off the bus first – to impress people – you might start with Quinn Clark. The redshirt freshman receiver is listed at 6-5 and 205 and is all of that.

Running backs and d-line​

*** Nebraska’s running backs also impressed with their route running and catching out of the backfield. Emmett Johnson, Mekhi Nelson, and Kwinten Ives put linebackers on skates during their one-on-one work.

***Freshman running back Jamarion Parker caught a pass over the middle and looked good doing it. He’s listed at 5-11 and 175. That’s not big enough. But Rhule said he’s now 190. That is big enough or at least getting close to big enough. Bottom line, he looks big enough but with room to grow, obviously.

***Transfer DL Williams Nwaneri (6-7, 255) is physically impressive. But not so imposing when standing next to redshirt freshman David Hoffken, who’s listed at 6-7, 255 but appears to be much bigger than 255

***It was hard to get a good look at Gabe Moore and just how big he is. The official Nebraska roster we got on Thursday lists him only at 250 pounds. His previous listed weight at Mississippi State was 290.

***Jordan Ochoa, a redshirt freshman who came on strong late last season, was working with the Jack linebackers. That group also has transfer Dasan McCullough and Willis McGahee. In other words, it is a position of strength. Ochoa seemingly is rising in the program.

Offensive line talk​

***Elijah Pritchett, Nolan Fennessy, Grant Seagren, Tyler Knaak, Grant Brix, and Brock Knutson worked with the offensive tackle group on Thursday morning. The rest of the linemen were separated as an interior group.

***Just off first look, there isn’t a lineman on the team anywhere near the physical stature of Pritchett in terms of getting off the bus.

***One notable offensive line grouping was:

LT – Elijah Pritchett

LG – Jason Maciejczak

C – Justin Evans

RG – Rocco Spindler

RT – Tyler Knaak

Again, the o-line unit is pretty limited right now due to injuries, but that might be one of the primary groupings this spring.

 

[Carm]

A few observations from Nebraska's Thursday morning practice​

A few things we saw during Thursday's open practices.​

Michael Bruntz15 minsVIP0



A couple odds and ends from the opening part of Nebraska's third practice of the spring on Thursday in Memorial Stadium.

>>> We saw about 30 minutes or so of practice — some individual work and one-on-ones. My side of the field had Nebraska's defensive line and some defensive backs.

Among the injured and limited guys in the pit on Thursday: JACK Maverick Noonan, kicker John Hohl, wide receiver Jackson Carpenter and defensive line Gabe Moore. Defensive lineman Sua Lefotu was in a green jersey, but was doing some work with the defensive line group during individual periods.

Other green jerseys I noticed: defensive back Evan Taylor, linebacker Dawson Merritt, linebacker Roger Gradney.

>>> I largely stuck down by the one-on-ones, with wide receivers going up against DBs and then linebackers going one-on-one in passing drills against running backs. We've talked about this at length on the podcast, but there will be a bigger role catching passes for Nebraska's running backs in Dana Holgorsen's offense — part of that is because the scheme will invite it, but also because Nebraska has the running backs to create problems in space. Generally, the one-on-ones are tough matchups for linebackers, but Emmett Johnson made at least one cut in running a route that drew an 'oooh' from players watching the drill. Mekhi Nelson found the end zone multiple times on passes and Jamarion Parker beat Christian Jones on a route over the middle.


I thought the defensive backs held up well in the one-on-ones, though some were drills were holding likely could have been called. Of the wide receivers, Isaiah Mozee ran a nice route to get into the end zone, and walk-on Hayes Miller made a diving one-handed catch.

>>> Tight end Heinrich Haarberg looks the part of a tight end now. He's listed at 6-foot-5, 225, which I would have guessed to be on the light side.

>>> Got our first look at defensive end transfer Williams Nwaneri, who looked the part of a former five-star prospect. Terry Bradden was demanding in drill work and had guys re-doing the drills if it wasn't to his liking. It will be a big spring for a lot of those guys along the defensive line, especially those who haven't yet had to step into a contributing role.

>>> Would be curious to know how much ground John Butler covers during a practice. He was active, running after defensive backs and safeties after a rep — both good or bad.

>>> Certainly, Mike Ekeler was noticeable for his energy as he worked technique with player on special teams. Associate head coach Phil Snow was also coaching a group of young players on technique, I noticed, before the one-on-ones got going. Snow is going to be extremely active on the defensive side of the ball, and his expertise should help at a number of positions.

 

[Carm]

Things seen and heard at Husker practice​

VIP
Reply

Back To Topics

• 
  
  BChristophersonStaff
  
  As always we won't turn the oven up too high with takes.
  
  There was some Thursday morning practice access for a few stations inside Memorial Stadium on a beautiful Thursday morning in Lincoln.
  
  We did see receivers and defensive backs go 1-on-1 on a few routes, which is always fun. I'd say the DBs got the better of it for the most part, but the QBs/receivers had their moments. Cortez Mills is fluid and won a couple routes while we watched, including a near highlight one we'll get to that drew a flag. Probably because I was focused on watching him more but I get why Mills was even mentioned the other day by Emmett Johnson. OK, turning the oven back down a few degrees now.
  
  Isaiah Mozee snagged one too. Other side of the field from me but walk-on Hayes Miller one-handed one that had the offensive guys fired up.
  
  Jacory Barney also won an inside route easily that would've moved the sticks or scored in the red zone. Dane Key highlighted Barney's movement a couple weeks ago and you saw the quick feet at work there.
  
  Janiran Bonner is a guy everyone always talks over but just is a put together dude who I could see Dana Holgorsen getting involved sort of like he did at USC. When he's lining up for a rep, you know it's going to be a professional rep as they say. Bonner just moved Marques Buford out of his way to make a short catch on one route.
  
  Buford, though, was definitely a leader. Vocal and coaching young guys up after reps. There's a reason Matt Rhule had him up as one of the first guys in front of the media this spring. And Buford won another matchup against Bonner, if you could say that. It was hard to tell if throws were always in a place to be caught. No big QB takes from that brief viewing. The quick stuff with the backs did have some rhythm to it.
  
  When the backs ran passing routes, Mike Schaefer had his eyes on it and told me he didn't know that Emmett Johnson lost a rep. Remember, 24 catches in those last four games for Johnson. That pass catching 'weapon,' which is the word he used the other day, is going to be as important as him running it.
  
  Kenneth Williams – spring story or more? We'll see. He had a nice catch too. Also why you can't count out him from being something more if he proves good in the passing game. The running back got a mention from Rhule the other day about his speed. And some might remember he was the kick returner in the Pinstripe Bowl.
  
  Ceyair Wright looked like a returning starting corner in how he carried himself and we got a big dog v. big dog matchup with him and Key on one route. Wright covered it really well. Dylan Raiola immediately came over and dapped up his receiver Key after the play. Just one route but Wright came up and jammed the hell out of him at the line of scrimmage.
  
  I watched the O-line for about five minutes. Big Elijah Pritchett was working on his footwork as a left tackle. Not a big surprise there, and it's just a snippet, but both Donovan Raiola and Keith Williams were giving up close attention.
  
  Pritchett was very focused between his reps going over his steps and hand placement.
  
  I liked watching Grant Brix and Brock Knutson do work on the other side. Knutson is a guy to keep in mind this spring. The O-line bodies as a whole looked good. Rhule mentioned how Jay Foreman told that to him the other day, and Brix looks the part as was mentioned. Brix had a dynamite rep working like a rightside lineman where Raiola proved his footwork and fundamentals with the block. Grant Seagren fits right in as much as anybody looks wise. And Tyler Knaak was over there with that group too. Healthy with a little bit of a college experience edge over others so he could be in the running as a 2-deep guy too if he has a good offseason.
  
  Intense but encouraging coaching was sort of the theme by the staff. John Butler is dialed in every rep. See the comments from Marques Buford on a board post about how involved he is in every meeting. He was loving up his guys when they did it right. Really noticed his appreciation for some coverage work by linebacker Jacob Bower on one play.
  
  Phil Snow was working with some younger DBs like Bryson Webber and coaching them like it was August. He came here for the on-field part and he dives into the details.
  
  D-line coach Terry Bradden was all about the technique specitces between each rep. Elijah Jeudy had one that wasn't quite the standard and they ran it back. Good teaching going in between each set.
  
  No big surprises to me with D-line. Eyes are drawn to Riley Van Poppel and Keona Davis body-wise but that's a group that has put in the winter work and now needs that on-field development to stack on top of that..
  
  Back to the receivers/DB matchups. Mills almost one-handed a catch that had people "ahhing." It was a fun rep. Andrew Marshall got up and waved his arms with some jubilance that it was incomplete. I kind of like Marshall's pizazz on a couple reps we saw. Not shy out there. He had pretty sticky coverage but a ref threw a flag.
  
  "Hey, you good," Buford could be saying to Marshall. "You good, baby."
  
  It was good to see some footballs up for grab again in Memorial Stadium too.

 

[Carm]

Nebraska Football: Observations from open practice 3-27-25

Steve Marik • InsideNebraska
Staff Writer
@Steve_Marik

The sun shine was splashing half of Tom Osborne Field inside Memorial Stadium on Thursday morning as echos of coaches' orders and players' shouts and cheers bounced off the cement walls.

There was a slight chill in the air, something all football fans known the feeling of. Sort of felt like fall. But it's not. This is March, and this is spring ball at Nebraska.

For the first time since spring practices began on Monday, local media members were allowed to view about 30 minutes of practice inside the stadium. Here are a few quick observations:

> First, the players seen in yellow jerseys. On stationary bikes getting conditioning in were receiver Jackson Carpenter, Jack linebacker Maverick Noonan, defensive lineman Gabe Moore and kicker John Hohl, who was wearing a red jersey.

> Seen in green jerseys were defensive lineman Sua Lefotu, Dawson Merritt and defensive back Evan Taylor, as well as all the quarterbacks.

> Defensive line coach Terry Bradden brought the energy during his first press conference, and he was bringing more at practice. "FEET. HIT. RELEASE!" Bradden shouted after a good rep from defensive lineman David Hoffken. Technique was a key part of Bradden's drills. "Good! That's what you gotta do, rip through!" after Cam Lenhardt's make-up rep.

> Keona Davis and Williams Nwaneri look as if they were built in a football lab somewhere. Certainly first-guy-off-the-bus material. Davis is listed at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, but looked bigger than 255. Nwaneri, listed at 6-7, 255 pounds, has certainly filled out his frame working with strength coach Corey Campbell and nutritionist Kristin Coggin. Bradden was coaching those two hard.

> Referees were invited to make sure the skill players and defenders were playing the correct way. Malcolm Hartzog was flagged for pass interference trying to cover Jacory Barney Jr., for example. On another rep, tight end Luke Lindenmeyer was flagged for offensive pass interference for pushing off as he made his out cut to the sideline against defensive back Rex Guthrie. Didn't matter to defensive coordinator John Butler, though, who was heard yelling at Guthrie — "He's bullying you! He's bullying you!"

> During one 1v1 rep, Blye Hill used his length to bat down a pass intended for Cal transfer Nyziah Hunter. When Hill can defend a receiver in front of him, he's hard to deal with.

> "Yeah, bro! Yeah, bro!" Dylan Raiola shouted after true freshman receiver Isaiah Mozee burned sophomore defensive back Mario Buford on a fade route. Raiola was pumped, and for good reason. Mozee was impressive.

> Also seen on 1vs1s, one battle between the 6-5 Quinn Clark and the 6-foot Jeremiah Charles. Clark was given a jump ball, but Charles was able to bat it down using his extreme wingspan. This is a big spring for Charles, who's entering his third year.

> On another rep, big-bodied hybrid receiver Janiran Bonner released off the line of scrimmage, put his shoulder into the chest of veteran DB Marques Buford Jr. and exploded at a 90-degree angle to the sideline. The throw was on target, and Bonner made the catch. Great route from a physical 220-pound athlete who can do a little blocking and catching.

> "That a way, Donnie!" was heard after one pass breakup. No, offensive line coach Donovan Raiola wasn't the one who broke up a completion against Hunter. Instead, it was the other Donnie — Donovan Jones, a redshirt freshman who had a strong end of the season in 2024.

> Over at the offensive line, Donovan Raiola had something to tell his players after each rep, whether it was good or bad. The position coach, known for being fiery, was more reserves on Thursday, at least when the media was in attendance.

> Heard from Raiola was "Good, Seag. Good, Seag" after a strong pass protection rep from the pride of Oakland-Craig High School, Grant Seagren.

> Thursday was the first look media members got of Alabama transfer Elijah Pritchett. A physical freak, he sure looks like at 6-6, 310 pounds. During one rep, which would've been at left tackle — don't make too much of that, as all the linemen were taking reps at all positions — Pritchett did exactly what you'd expect against walk-on Nolan Fennessy. Pritchett didn't give up an inch backward.

 

[Cornicator]

John Hohl not practicing.
Tristan Alvano can barely walk.

 

[SOHusker11]

 

[SOHusker11]

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]

 

[vailhusker]