2025 Projected Starters

[inWV]

He was undersized as a traditional TE. He doesn't have any experience getting off coverage in the slot. While a big guy, he wasn't so big that safeties and OLBs were overmatched. IF he continues to put on size and is able to keep most of his speed, he could become a matchup problem, especially if he learns route running technique.

At the very least, Haarberg has to be competent enough at the TE psn that he isn’t a 1 or 2 note Johnny and easy to defend. He has skills as a downhill runner and I’d think they’d want to get him to spots with some blockers set up. I think this WR group will be more productive and DR is a year older. The TE room won’t lead, but they are going to have unexpected opportunities in the pass game. The guy we should be talking about is Lindenmeyer. That kid has to be bringing it every day to be getting the props he is from Holgerson.

 

[dinglefritz]

And you know this how?? By his stats as a TE last year? This strikes me as just yet more of the bizarre Haarberg promotion on this board by some posters. Seriously dingle, what has he ever really done or accomplished here? He sucked as a QB, only won games because our defense bailed us out in about four or five games a few years back. And last year how many catches did he have as a TE?? I just really do not get the Haarberg cult on here. He has good size, speed and a certain level of athleticism. I am not saying he is a terrible player. And, as I said, he has a big heart and loves to compete. But he is a B level talent at best. And I doubt he is our starter in single tight end sets.

He wasn't great as a QB but he whole offense sucked not just him. He is in FACT a gifted athlete who has shown he can catch the ball. He has good size for a pass catching TE. You can line him up anywhere from TE or as a WR. He's that fast. I think just from a bulk standpoint he'll be limited as an in line blocker, but he gives you options offensively that our other TEs don't.

I was realistic about his abilities as a QB. I don't get your disdain for him as a TE or player at any spot. I don't think you fully realize what a good athlete he is. He's shown he can catch the ball. Glad we have him. I'll add, living in Pennsylvania I don't think you fully appreciate how good it makes some of us feel to see a small town kid live out a dream many of us had.

 

[inWV]

He wasn't great as a QB but he whole offense sucked not just him. He is in FACT a gifted athlete who has shown he can catch the ball. He has good size for a pass catching TE. You can line him up anywhere from TE or as a WR. He's that fast. I think just from a bulk standpoint he'll be limited as an in line blocker, but he gives you options offensively that our other TEs don't.

I was realistic about his abilities as a QB. I don't get your disdain for him as a TE or player at any spot. I don't think you fully realize what a good athlete he is. He's shown he can catch the ball. Glad we have him. I'll add, living in Pennsylvania I don't think you fully appreciate how good it makes some of us feel to see a small town kid live out a dream many of us had.

Sean Callahan said that in the notes Whipple left for the next staff, he stated that he thought that Haarberg could be an effective tight end.

 

[Chuck003]

A former husker who is a family friend and sat in on a couple of practices, told me that if he can take care of some "ego issues", the breakout star on this team this year will be Williams Nwaneri.

 

[Big bo fan]

Sean Callahan said that in the notes Whipple left for the next staff, he stated that he thought that Haarberg could be an effective tight end.

Then why didn’t he have him in the room. Whipple was OC . You must learn that Sean is a dipshit and often claims stuff after the fact.

 

[Big bo fan]

Sean Callahan said that in the notes Whipple left for the next staff, he stated that he thought that Haarberg could be an effective tight end.

Sean doesn’t know his head from his ass. That being said it’s Exactly where Rhule had him against Minnesota last year. But Sims Blowing up and Chubba injured. Not really a choice. Bit HH playing TE/ Hybrid had nothing to do with Whipples notes.

 

[inWV]

Sean doesn’t know his head from his ass. That being said it’s Exactly where Rhule had him against Minnesota last year. But Sims Blowing up and Chubba injured. Not really a choice. Bit HH playing TE/ Hybrid had nothing to do with Whipples notes.

I’m sure Callahan was just reporting what he heard, which is too odd of a detail not to be true. And Rhule didn’t immediately stick HH in the TE room. But it’s pretty clear he saw the same stuff at Whipple did, but ended up needing HH as the starting quarterback one year in the back up quarterback the next.

 

[TruHusker]

good

if he's playing inside and has help over the top, he's one of our best playmakers in the secondary

nobody else even close in terms of forcing turnovers

And when did he get those INT's? When he was playing over the top/deep coverage as a safety, not one on one coverage. He simply cannot have two deep safety help all of the time. He was picked out and picked on way too much.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

He wasn't great as a QB but he whole offense sucked not just him. He is in FACT a gifted athlete who has shown he can catch the ball. He has good size for a pass catching TE. You can line him up anywhere from TE or as a WR. He's that fast. I think just from a bulk standpoint he'll be limited as an in line blocker, but he gives you options offensively that our other TEs don't.

I was realistic about his abilities as a QB. I don't get your disdain for him as a TE or player at any spot. I don't think you fully realize what a good athlete he is. He's shown he can catch the ball. Glad we have him. I'll add, living in Pennsylvania I don't think you fully appreciate how good it makes some of us feel to see a small town kid live out a dream many of us had.

All good points dingle and I am not here trying to toss shade for no reason at a fine young man. As I said, I really hope he proves me wrong because that would be a big help for this offense.
But I do not see a “gifted athlete”. I see a big, fast, athlete who is good enough to play D1 football. But “gifted”? I just don’t see that. And yes, he caught a few passes last year. But nothing to write home about and he still needs to prove he can be an inline blocker in order to be our starting TE.
My one and only point is in response to the OP listing him as our starting TE. I don’t think he will be. I don’t think he is better than Lindenmeyer, who, by the way, is also from small town Nebraska and started as a walk on. But I don’t see the cult of devotion around him I see on here for Haarberg. We also have that big transfer TE and Carter Nelson when he recovers from surgery. Haarberg might actually be only our third or fourth best TE if Nelson returns.

And as for me living in Pennsylvania and how I “don’t get” small town Nebraska love, all I can say is that you are wrong. I have tons of relatives who live in small town Nebraska. My sister raises horses in Greenwood. My brother and tons of my nephews and nieces live in Seward. My grandparents on my mom’s side came from Albion. I still have cousins there. My brother in law’s family still farms in DeWitt. And I visit Nebraska all the time. So no, my criticisms of the Haarberg cult have nothing to do with a loss of appreciation for small town Nebraska.

 

[dinglefritz]

All good points dingle and I am not here trying to toss shade for no reason at a fine young man. As I said, I really hope he proves me wrong because that would be a big help for this offense.
But I do not see a “gifted athlete”. I see a big, fast, athlete who is good enough to play D1 football. But “gifted”? I just don’t see that. And yes, he caught a few passes last year. But nothing to write home about and he still needs to prove he can be an inline blocker in order to be our starting TE.
My one and only point is in response to the OP listing him as our starting TE. I don’t think he will be. I don’t think he is better than Lindenmeyer, who, by the way, is also from small town Nebraska and started as a walk on. But I don’t see the cult of devotion around him I see on here for Haarberg. We also have that big transfer TE and Carter Nelson when he recovers from surgery. Haarberg might actually be only our third or fourth best TE if Nelson returns.

And as for me living in Pennsylvania and how I “don’t get” small town Nebraska love, all I can say is that you are wrong. I have tons of relatives who live in small town Nebraska. My sister raises horses in Greenwood. My brother and tons of my nephews and nieces live in Seward. My grandparents on my mom’s side came from Albion. I still have cousins there. My brother in law’s family still farms in DeWitt. And I visit Nebraska all the time. Soilw

My main point on Haarberg is that I believe he and Lindenmeyer are different types of TEs. Haarberg is a guy who can run by a lot of safeties and linebackers on pass routes. IMO, he has B1G starting athleticism as a pass catching TE. Lindenmeyer ain't that guy but he's probably a better in line run game TE. They're different dudes but I'm excited to see them both play this year. Who knows what Dana is going to want out of his TE and who ever runs out first isn't going to play every snap.

 

[inWV]

All good points dingle and I am not here trying to toss shade for no reason at a fine young man. As I said, I really hope he proves me wrong because that would be a big help for this offense.
But I do not see a “gifted athlete”. I see a big, fast, athlete who is good enough to play D1 football. But “gifted”? I just don’t see that. And yes, he caught a few passes last year. But nothing to write home about and he still needs to prove he can be an inline blocker in order to be our starting TE.
My one and only point is in response to the OP listing him as our starting TE. I don’t think he will be. I don’t think he is better than Lindenmeyer, who, by the way, is also from small town Nebraska and started as a walk on. But I don’t see the cult of devotion around him I see on here for Haarberg. We also have that big transfer TE and Carter Nelson when he recovers from surgery. Haarberg might actually be only our third or fourth best TE if Nelson returns.

And as for me living in Pennsylvania and how I “don’t get” small town Nebraska love, all I can say is that you are wrong. I have tons of relatives who live in small town Nebraska. My sister raises horses in Greenwood. My brother and tons of my nephews and nieces live in Seward. My grandparents on my mom’s side came from Albion. I still have cousins there. My brother in law’s family still farms in DeWitt. And I visit Nebraska all the time. So no, my criticisms of the Haarberg cult have nothing to do with a loss of appreciation for small town Nebraska.

The coaches have stated that Haarberg is one of the best athletes on the team. Up until a few months ago, he was a QB and NU had two NFL caliber TEs on the roster. Carter Nelson is on ice with an injury and is still in need of some development at the position. So I hope HH is a quick learner and his athleticism makes him a weapon at the psn.

 

[inWV]

My main point on Haarberg is that I believe he and Lindenmeyer are different types of TEs. Haarberg is a guy who can run by a lot of safeties and linebackers on pass routes. IMO, he has B1G starting athleticism as a pass catching TE. Lindenmeyer ain't that guy but he's probably a better in line run game TE. They're different dudes but I'm excited to see them both play this year. Who knows what Dana is going to want out of his TE and who ever runs out first isn't going to play every snap.

Lindenmeyer has blossomed at the position and it is abundantly clear that Holgerson is a fan of his effort. He is a solid, general purpose tight end. Haarberg expands the potential playbook options for the TE in the offense and that is also where Carter Nelson eventually fits in.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

My main point on Haarberg is that I believe he and Lindenmeyer are different types of TEs. Haarberg is a guy who can run by a lot of safeties and linebackers on pass routes. IMO, he has B1G starting athleticism as a pass catching TE. Lindenmeyer ain't that guy but he's probably a better in line run game TE. They're different dudes but I'm excited to see them both play this year. Who knows what Dana is going to want out of his TE and who ever runs out first isn't going to play every snap.

If Haarberg works out at TE I think he will be more of a receiving TE like Tracey Wistrom was. So I hope you are right. A TE who can stretch the field is a real bonus.

 

[HUSKERBILL]

I wish I truly believed it. But I honestly think they think much higher of Hartzog than any of us do. I think he plays nickel at worst this year. ..and I think as a team we will be worse for it. Hope I'm wrong..


Holla

I think you’re right.

 

[HoosierinNebraska]

I trust DH will be selective in how he uses Barney - that kid took some serious pops last year and showed great toughness in continuing to get right back up. I just don't want them to risk getting him too beat up, after all, with the capability he has proven, he can also be quite effective as a decoy. Sure do enjoy watching him work his magic in open space. Reminds me of what we all thought Tyjon Lindsey was supposed to be like.

 

[IM4NUalways]

Agreed. Haarberg has heart. But only backup type talent.

The hype on HH from TOS is unbelievable. Hopefully his is 80% of the hype they have n him They have him starting.

 

[TruHusker]

Being a willing blocker and being a talented blocker are two different things. Ideally you have both. Does Haarberg? Who knows? I just don’t understand how anyone can make predictions about his skill level at TE with the small sample set we have so far.
I just don’t get this whole phenomenon of Haarberg boners people have on here. It started with Kong a few years back trying to convince us all that HH was a great QB. Don’t hear that tune so much now since even our coaches now agree that HH is not suited to the QB position. It didn’t help when last year Rhule kept harping about what a gifted athlete HH is and how “we just gotta find ways to get him the ball”, only to have HH do next to nothing when he did get the ball. And so now we see on here those saying that HH is going to be a great TE. I guess that will be the new HH mantra.

If HH turns out to be a great TE I will happily come on here, eat crow, and admit I was wrong. I hope I am wrong. We haven’t had a great TE in a long time. But I have seen zero evidence that HH is going to be a stand out TE.

And when he doesn’t pan out, the mantra will be “the coaches didn’t use him right.”

The problem is people could watch film of a. good NAIA player and think they are “athletic” and are world beaters. Or the guy who makes a couple good plays in the spring game and his supporters wonder why he isn’t starting.

 

[inWV]

I trust DH will be selective in how he uses Barney - that kid took some serious pops last year and showed great toughness in continuing to get right back up. I just don't want them to risk getting him too beat up, after all, with the capability he has proven, he can also be quite effective as a decoy. Sure do enjoy watching him work his magic in open space. Reminds me of what we all thought Tyjon Lindsey was supposed to be like.

Last slot guy we had that could operate in space like that was DPE.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

And when he doesn’t pan out, the mantra will be “the coaches didn’t use him right.”

The problem is people could watch film of a. good NAIA player and think they are “athletic” and are world beaters. Or the guy who makes a couple good plays in the spring game and his supporters wonder why he isn’t starting.

Well said

 

[inWV]

And when he doesn’t pan out, the mantra will be “the coaches didn’t use him right.”

The problem is people could watch film of a. good NAIA player and think they are “athletic” and are world beaters. Or the guy who makes a couple good plays in the spring game and his supporters wonder why he isn’t starting.

Position switches fail just as much as they succeed. But the kid has the skill set to be an effective receiving TE, and he has an OC that is interested in playmaker driven offense, so the playbook will include opportunities for him. The question is whether he can cash in on those opportunities. By all accounts he’s a good practice player, so I expect he will put the work in. Will the tight end position fit for him as a football player?

 

[Walleye79]

And when he doesn’t pan out, the mantra will be “the coaches didn’t use him right.”

The problem is people could watch film of a. good NAIA player and think they are “athletic” and are world beaters. Or the guy who makes a couple good plays in the spring game and his supporters wonder why he isn’t starting.

Nobody is saying he is a world beater. But he is athletic. He made more than a couple good plays in a spring game. Sheesh the HH hate is strong with a few of you. If they scheme him correctly he will make plays and be an asset. As far as making excuses for not performing put in the coaches. Do you think they used Findone correctly? I have heard a lot of NFL teams like his intangibles. Tested out very well. A huge catch radius And yet ran screens for plays for him behind the line of scrimmage. I would say that is coaches scheming him incorrectly

 

[Walleye79]

Well said

Not really

 

[huntered]

the effort has been fine. the overall talent lacking. been that way for quite some time.