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Ekeler and DL coach Terry Bradden PC 3-4-25

Yes he is and thank you. Matt knew his role and he was a great blocking TE. They brought in Trumane Bell and/or Eric Alford when they planned to pass (about 10% of the time back in those days). But when they needed a good blocker - they turned to Matt. He was a walkon starter and earned first team Academic All American honors his Sr year. He maximized his potential. So I’m proud and happy that you remember. Thank you!
Ha… I forget some guys don’t know you’re related. I have only seen that play maybe 40 times… but who’s counting
Between that game and the 95 fiesta bowl, that’s maybe 75 viewings for me between the 2.
I also have the 97 game vs Tennessee but have only rewatched that maybe 10 times
 
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We're going to actually return a punt.
While Mike Ekeler is setting that spreadsheet template and learning who's who on this Husker roster, it sounds like there have been some continual knocks on his door.

Literal or figurative, they want in.

That definitely includes some guys who think they'd make for a fine weapon at punt returner. Certainly new portal addition Andrew Marshall from Idaho is an intriguing name there to fans and media, since the defensive back took one back to the house last season both in the kick and punt return game.
But it appears various Huskers have done their research on the successes Ekeler's Tennessee teams had returning it.

"I can't even comment on it yet because I want to see all our guys," the coach said Tuesday when asked specifically about Marshall. "There's a bunch of guys out there that are banging down my door. They're like, 'Coach, man, I'm your guy.' Because the last five guys we've had have all gone to the NFL – five punt returners. So when you look at that, that's why they're in line."
Tennessee averaged 13.9 yards per punt return if you average the last four years under Ekeler's direction. That led the nation. The top punt returner in the SEC wore Tennessee colors in three of those four years. That includes 2021 Special Teams Player of the Year Velus Jones Jr., with Dee Williams shining in 2022 and Boo Carter in 2024. Jones and Williams are both punt returners in the NFL now.

The Vols had a nation-high 424 punt return yards a season ago. It was not a threat for Nebraska, which finished with 73 on 15 attempts. That ranked 103rd.
 
They're like, 'Coach, man, I'm your guy.' Because the last five guys we've had have all gone to the NFL – five punt returners. So when you look at that, that's why they're in line."
That’s a factor that has been missing on this team for almost a decade. Not enough guys going from NU to the NFL. We need that to attract high quality players here. We need that to motivate players while they are here.

Sounds like Robinson, Fidone, and Neyor will get drafted this year. Perhaps Hill and Nash as well.
 
That’s a factor that has been missing on this team for almost a decade. Not enough guys going from NU to the NFL. We need that to attract high quality players here. We need that to motivate players while they are here.

Sounds like Robinson, Fidone, and Neyor will get drafted this year. Perhaps Hill and Nash as well.
I’d give Nash a better chance of getting drafted than Neyor. Heck, Hill as well if he tests well on pro day.
 
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