Nebraska wrapped up another practice, inching closer to the start of the season. After Thursday's practice several Nebraska players met with the media.
Here's what they had to say:
— Running back Tre Bryant said his absence from practice was entirely for precautionary reasons. The running back is working again with the team and feeling good.
— Cornerback Eric Lee is experiencing the difficulties of lining up in the nickel position at times this August. The defender said he's occasionally slid inside, something he hasn't played a lot of thus far, which forces him to be more aware of his run game responsibilities. Equally difficult is getting used to the speed of the inside receivers, who have the option of going both directions now. Lee said he's been very impressed by redshirt freshman JD Spielman, who's probably given him the most difficulty from that position.
— Another receiver who drew praise from Lee was Tyjon Lindsey. The freshman is known for his quickness, but what Lee likes is how smooth the receiver's overall game is at this stage. Lee said Lindsey has a veteran's understanding and does a good job of disguising when he's going to turn it loose with the acceleration. The cornerback said it makes it harder to anticipate what Lindsey might be doing.
— Lee also talked about redshirting. The cornerback recalled how he found out that he was headed to the scout team and a redshirt year. "They stopped giving me reps late in fall camp," he quipped. Still, Lee said he found the experience to be valuable, and he was able to use it to his advantage. Lee called it a great learning opportunity and said he used the time to help become better in preparation and learn how to utilize his resources at Nebraska.
— Tight end Matt Snyder missed a few days of fall camp after landing awkwardly on his knee. The tight end said he knew it wasn't anything major, as he was able to finish practice that day, but the training staff felt it best to keep him out and let it heal with rest.
— Snyder said he knows the fan base isn't going to know what to expect with the tight end group, in part because there's a lack of experience. However, Snyder said the room feels confident it can meet the production of prior years, if not exceed it. That includes blocking, which will be a little bit of a speciality for Snyder, who's going to be called on to help set the edge.
— Nebraska head coach Mike Riley announced scholarships for center Cole Conrad, fullback Luke McNitt, tight ends Connor Ketter and Tyler Hoppes, wide receiver Gabe Rahn and wide receiver Brett Classen have been placed on scholarship.
— Riley said others are still under consideration for possible walk-on scholarships.
— Riley said Nebraska is still awaiting decisions on which freshmen might play in 2017. “It’s pretty defined,” Riley said. “There are still guys we’re not sure on.”
— Nebraska will lean on Tyjon Lindsey, Bryan Reimers, Conor Young and Gabe Rahn a lot this year at wide receiver.
— Wide receiver Keyan Williams was held out of practice on Thursday. Riley said Williams returned briefly to practice this week, but then re-aggrivated an injury. “He came back for maybe one, two minutes,” Riley said.
— Riley said Nebraska kept Tanner Lee out of throwing on Thursday. Lee ran alerts and running plays, but didn’t throw to rest his arm. That left the throwing to Patrick O’Brien and Tristan Gebbia. “I think we have good quarterbacking throughout,” Riley said. “Obviously the youth of Patrick and Tristan come forward. You see it once in awhile. I’d say both of them have the ability and make a lot of plays. What we’re looking for is more consistency throughout. I like those guys and I think they’re going to be good quarterbacks.”
— Riley said Lee will return to throwing on Friday.
Here's what they had to say:
— Running back Tre Bryant said his absence from practice was entirely for precautionary reasons. The running back is working again with the team and feeling good.
— Cornerback Eric Lee is experiencing the difficulties of lining up in the nickel position at times this August. The defender said he's occasionally slid inside, something he hasn't played a lot of thus far, which forces him to be more aware of his run game responsibilities. Equally difficult is getting used to the speed of the inside receivers, who have the option of going both directions now. Lee said he's been very impressed by redshirt freshman JD Spielman, who's probably given him the most difficulty from that position.
— Another receiver who drew praise from Lee was Tyjon Lindsey. The freshman is known for his quickness, but what Lee likes is how smooth the receiver's overall game is at this stage. Lee said Lindsey has a veteran's understanding and does a good job of disguising when he's going to turn it loose with the acceleration. The cornerback said it makes it harder to anticipate what Lindsey might be doing.
— Lee also talked about redshirting. The cornerback recalled how he found out that he was headed to the scout team and a redshirt year. "They stopped giving me reps late in fall camp," he quipped. Still, Lee said he found the experience to be valuable, and he was able to use it to his advantage. Lee called it a great learning opportunity and said he used the time to help become better in preparation and learn how to utilize his resources at Nebraska.
— Tight end Matt Snyder missed a few days of fall camp after landing awkwardly on his knee. The tight end said he knew it wasn't anything major, as he was able to finish practice that day, but the training staff felt it best to keep him out and let it heal with rest.
— Snyder said he knows the fan base isn't going to know what to expect with the tight end group, in part because there's a lack of experience. However, Snyder said the room feels confident it can meet the production of prior years, if not exceed it. That includes blocking, which will be a little bit of a speciality for Snyder, who's going to be called on to help set the edge.
— Nebraska head coach Mike Riley announced scholarships for center Cole Conrad, fullback Luke McNitt, tight ends Connor Ketter and Tyler Hoppes, wide receiver Gabe Rahn and wide receiver Brett Classen have been placed on scholarship.
— Riley said others are still under consideration for possible walk-on scholarships.
— Riley said Nebraska is still awaiting decisions on which freshmen might play in 2017. “It’s pretty defined,” Riley said. “There are still guys we’re not sure on.”
— Nebraska will lean on Tyjon Lindsey, Bryan Reimers, Conor Young and Gabe Rahn a lot this year at wide receiver.
— Wide receiver Keyan Williams was held out of practice on Thursday. Riley said Williams returned briefly to practice this week, but then re-aggrivated an injury. “He came back for maybe one, two minutes,” Riley said.
— Riley said Nebraska kept Tanner Lee out of throwing on Thursday. Lee ran alerts and running plays, but didn’t throw to rest his arm. That left the throwing to Patrick O’Brien and Tristan Gebbia. “I think we have good quarterbacking throughout,” Riley said. “Obviously the youth of Patrick and Tristan come forward. You see it once in awhile. I’d say both of them have the ability and make a lot of plays. What we’re looking for is more consistency throughout. I like those guys and I think they’re going to be good quarterbacks.”
— Riley said Lee will return to throwing on Friday.
