NFM

Matt Rhule reinstated a tradition during his first year at Temple by giving single-digit jersey numbers to the nine toughest players who proved themselves during the offseason.

It looks like he is starting off his first season at Nebraska the same way.

The weekend we have all been waiting for is finally here. A pair of 5-stars and 13 4-stars headline a monster weekend. Hit the link for the visit preview.

The Huskers hosted a slew of visitors for practice yesterday. Coach Matt Rhule said before spring practices began that he wanted as many prospects as possible to get on campus and see how his staff operates.

One of the more intriguing storylines of the offseason was offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield saying that the team will utilize a fullback in the offense. Stromsburg, Nebraska, native Izaac Dickey is the first fullback the team hosted.

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"It was amazing! I got to talk to Coach Barthel a ton about what he is looking for in a fullback," Dickey said. "I definitely want to get back on campus as soon as possible. The environment that this coaching staff has brought to Lincoln is truly something special."

Kids from the state know about the rich history of the fullback at Nebraska. It's why Dickey feels so strongly about the potential to fill that role for Rhule.

"It’s honestly crazy to think about," Dickey said. "There hasn’t been a true fullback recruited since the late 1900s. To be the first one back on campus makes me hold my head high for a position that hasn’t seen the light of day in a long time. Now i’ve just got to prove to the coaches that i’ve got what it takes to bring the fullback back."

As we noted in our practice observations on Thursday practice was intense. There was a lot of intentional movement and tough on the fly coaching happening. That was also something that Dickey noticed while watching practice number three under Rhule.

"Practice was electric to say the least the coaches were bringing the energy and the players alike were too," Dickey said. "I stuck around the running backs most of the time but from what I could tell there definitely is a difference in the culture. The guys want to be great not just average. Coach Rhule and his staff also made sure to not waste anytime they went from one drill to another."

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QB - Dylan Raiola
RB - Ajay Allen / Gabe Irvin / Rahmir Johnson / Kwinten Ives / Stud recruit (Barthel is a beast of a recruiter)
FB - Ruth

WR - Zavier Betts / Malachi Coleman / Garcia-Castaneda / Jaidyn Doss / Jaylen Lloyd / Brice Turner (Olympic sprinter speed)

TE - FIdone / Arik Gilbert / AJ Rollins / Jake Appleget


...

Goodness

Historic night for the Huskers. Hit the link.

With a new defense and position coach, Nebraska corner Quinton Newsome is making adjustments. Even as a player who's started 24 straight games, he knows his starting job isn't just going to be handed to him.

Newsome had good things to say about a couple other defensive backs who have caught his attention this spring, too:

@jansencoburn grabbed a couple photos at the baseball game.

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“Ultimately, that’s what comes with it, especially when you’re looking forward to going to the next level."

I asked Billy Kemp IV if it's hard to learn all the roles he played at Virginia, and likely will at Nebraska. He didn't think it's difficult at all, it's all part of the job.

I don't think there's more of a sure thing in the Husker offense than Kemp. Here's more:

Back in Haymarket Park for the first time since last Tuesday as Nebraska (11-7-1) opens Big Ten play against Illinois (10-7) in first game of a three-game series this weekend at Hawks field. Huskers are looking to shift their focus and take care of business after dropping a 6-5 walk-off defeat to in-state rival Creighton on Tuesday in Omaha. Still plenty of question marks for this Nebraska team as we head into conference play such as the Sunday starter and the trusted arms within the bullpen.

Friday could become a pitching dual as it will be LHP Emmett Olson (3-1, 3.34 ERA, 29.0 IP) vs. RHP Riley Gowens (1-0, 4.33 ERA, 27.0 IP)

Tonight's crowd is expected to be rowdy tonight as Nebraska retires the first three jerseys in program history as Alex Gordan, Shane Komine and Darin Erstad will all return and each throw out the game's first pitch. Additionally, with a huge junior day weekend upon us for football, most of those visitors are expected to be in attendance including 2024 No. 1 overall prospect Dylan Raiola.

Shifting back to baseball, here's what we learned from baseball's press availability:


Plus, the series preview:

Well looks like he regrets picking Florida

Spoke to Nash for the first time in a while. Hit the link.

Breathing easier this morning ND is hiring Shrewsberry from Penn State.

Absolutely loaded lineup now, recently have added bill Busch, Kenny Wilhite, Adam carriker, and ahman green, can’t wait to football season

There was so much happening this morning that it might have gotten lost in the shuffle that Omaha Central 2024 offensive lineman Caleb Pyfrom visited campus today.

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I caught up with the lineman briefly who told me that he enjoyed the visit to campus.

"I liked the energy of everyone and physical contact that was happening in every drill," Pyfrom said.

He's been on campus before having visited for the win over Indiana last season. Pyfrom was happy to get back around offensive line coach Donovan Raiola and see him coaching his guys again. He didn't get a chance to speak with Matt Rhule today but they are developing a good relationship.

"I didn’t get to speak with him today but i’ve spoken to him before and I like him," Pyfrom said. "I'm excited to see what he can do for this next season."

The Omaha native will be in Norman this weekend visiting Oklahoma and then he will return to Nebraska on April 1.

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The NC game with #2 Florida. Wow, the game has changed. Florida's first touchdown was caught with the guys foot on the sideline and would have been overturned on replay today. NU consistently mugged FL receivers that would have been called today. Both teams were guilty of at least one outrageous late hit out of bounds that didn't get called (Tommie ended up in the kicker's net on one). And don't get me started on the numerous tackles and blocks that would now be flagged for targeting. I'm not saying changes made for safety are bad, but the game was sure different back then.

Garrett Nelson punched a hole through a wall when he found out he didn't get an invitation to the NFL Combine.

Well, he may have been joking.

The guy isn't going to stop chasing his dream, though. Here's more on that, as well as a couple more nuggets from Trey Palmer, Chancellor Brewington, Travis Vokolek and Caleb Tannor:

Great game tonight. I gave him crap a few days ago, but he had a great outing tonight. Keep up the hard work.

Should never been there in the first place.
What a sad mess.

It is a terrible, low grade product even at it's best ... I just can't see it lasting more than a year or two, even with the unfestered Saudi $$

Dominic and boys are here. I wasn’t going to say anything but he ended up sitting in the empty seat next to me waiting to board. Just had a brief conversation. Nice guy. I will say Dylan is much taller than I thought and definitely looks the part of a big time QB.

Some old boy with more nerve than me said, need to get those boys to Nebraska and Dom said, “I’m doing my part”.