Here are some quick notes to pass along from Nebraska's full-padded practice on Monday afternoon inside the Hawks Championship Center and fields north of Memorial Stadium. Because Monday's practice was closed to media, there will be no observations posted today..
Click the link for our full Monday practice notebook...
***Defensive coordinator Mark Banker said the Huskers had nearly their entire base defense installed to this point, aside from some red zone situational stuff. Banker said NU also got working on its nickel package this weekend.
***As for which players have been working at that nickel back spot, Banker said Byerson Cockrell was the No. 1 nickel and Joshua Kalu was the No. 2 right now.
***Because of the unseasonably high temperatures on Monday, which hit as high as 90 degrees on the outdoor practice fields, Banker said the coaching staff had to be careful with making sure players stayed hydrated and weren't too overworked. That was especially the case positions with smaller depth like linebacker.
***Asked which players have stood out that he didn't get much of a chance to watch coming into spring, Banker said cornerback Trai Mosley's big day during Saturday's practice definitely caught his eye. Mosley intercepted Tommy Armstrong three times during that session.
***Banker said he's really been impressed with the play of linebackers Michael Rose-Ivey and Josh Banderas. He said Rose-Ivey has looked really good for a guy coming off an ACL injury, and Banderas has really taken charge as a leader on defense.
***LeRoy Alexander said he's using last season's year-long suspension (no reason was ever officially given) as motivation and a learning experience to be a better player and person off the field. He said his main focus, along with learning NU's new defense, was to just make better choices and not be afraid to ask for help.
***Banker said he's already started to develop a close bond with safety Nathan Gerry over the past few months. He said he and Gerry met one-on-one several times during the winter just to talk and get a feel for each other, and had another meeting just last week. Banker said makes sure to challenge Gerry as much as possible and knows Gerry will respond and take the coaching to heart to get better.
***Linebackers coach Trent Bray said the lack of depth at the position has allowed a few of the younger guys to stand out early. He mentioned Luke Gifford, who moved down from safety, and early enrollee Dedrick Young as players who have stood out.
***Bray said he thinks Banderas is playing much more freely in the new defense.
***Joe Keels said he weighed in at only 229 pounds for the spring game last season and his weight was a major issue for him all year long. He said he's at 260 now and thinks he can make an impact.
***Keels said he holds no ill will toward the previous staff, but said they would include him in game plans during the week and tell him he'd play a certain amount of reps then not follow through all the time on Saturdays.
***Kieron Williams said he intends to compete for a starting spot at safety. He loves playing special teams and would prefer to continue playing on those units even if he becomes a starter, but he made it clear he wants a starting role.
Click the link below for our full Monday practice notebook...
This post was edited on 3/16 7:40 PM by Robin Washut
Monday Notebook
Click the link for our full Monday practice notebook...
***Defensive coordinator Mark Banker said the Huskers had nearly their entire base defense installed to this point, aside from some red zone situational stuff. Banker said NU also got working on its nickel package this weekend.
***As for which players have been working at that nickel back spot, Banker said Byerson Cockrell was the No. 1 nickel and Joshua Kalu was the No. 2 right now.
***Because of the unseasonably high temperatures on Monday, which hit as high as 90 degrees on the outdoor practice fields, Banker said the coaching staff had to be careful with making sure players stayed hydrated and weren't too overworked. That was especially the case positions with smaller depth like linebacker.
***Asked which players have stood out that he didn't get much of a chance to watch coming into spring, Banker said cornerback Trai Mosley's big day during Saturday's practice definitely caught his eye. Mosley intercepted Tommy Armstrong three times during that session.
***Banker said he's really been impressed with the play of linebackers Michael Rose-Ivey and Josh Banderas. He said Rose-Ivey has looked really good for a guy coming off an ACL injury, and Banderas has really taken charge as a leader on defense.
***LeRoy Alexander said he's using last season's year-long suspension (no reason was ever officially given) as motivation and a learning experience to be a better player and person off the field. He said his main focus, along with learning NU's new defense, was to just make better choices and not be afraid to ask for help.
***Banker said he's already started to develop a close bond with safety Nathan Gerry over the past few months. He said he and Gerry met one-on-one several times during the winter just to talk and get a feel for each other, and had another meeting just last week. Banker said makes sure to challenge Gerry as much as possible and knows Gerry will respond and take the coaching to heart to get better.
***Linebackers coach Trent Bray said the lack of depth at the position has allowed a few of the younger guys to stand out early. He mentioned Luke Gifford, who moved down from safety, and early enrollee Dedrick Young as players who have stood out.
***Bray said he thinks Banderas is playing much more freely in the new defense.
***Joe Keels said he weighed in at only 229 pounds for the spring game last season and his weight was a major issue for him all year long. He said he's at 260 now and thinks he can make an impact.
***Keels said he holds no ill will toward the previous staff, but said they would include him in game plans during the week and tell him he'd play a certain amount of reps then not follow through all the time on Saturdays.
***Kieron Williams said he intends to compete for a starting spot at safety. He loves playing special teams and would prefer to continue playing on those units even if he becomes a starter, but he made it clear he wants a starting role.
Click the link below for our full Monday practice notebook...
This post was edited on 3/16 7:40 PM by Robin Washut
Monday Notebook
