The deal is it was the usual suspects that were complaining. I think they'll keep on complaining no matter what happens. If we win it all they'll just blow away like dust in the wind.
Fall camp..time to get dialed N!!
- Thread starter HBK4life
- Start date
The deal is it was the usual suspects that were complaining. I think they'll keep on complaining no matter what happens. If we win it all they'll just blow away like dust in the wind.
I remember it a bit differently. Some were comparing him to Ahman Green, others scoffed at that.
His film looks good, but its tough to get a good feel for how good he due to the competition. But his stats are on par for great high school backs. If his explosiveness and speed measure up at this level he could be really good. Hopefully the mental aspect is there as well.
It was all of the above. Some questioned his talent due to a lack of offers and only 2 star rating, others questioned his competition, and some did compare him to the next ahman, while others compared him to Collins Okafor.
Tyjon Lindsey and JD Spielman are the popular names right now, but don't sleep on Keyan Williams. He'll make an impact in the slot. #Huskers
3:49 PM - Aug 3, 2017
I was told that Wilbon is doing a much better job w/ the playbook. If true, I'll have to adjut my thoughts on that RB group. #Huskers
10:40 AM - Aug 5, 2017
Husker great Roy Helu Jr visits with @Coach_Riley and NU President @hankbounds at Saturday practice #huskerspic.twitter.com/4R25Sq6Vbc
True and many fired that back, I did mention Johnny Rodgers and others were from the Metro. Bradley was killing some good teams his senior year.
Brian Rosenthal @GBRosenthal
#Huskers finish 86-play scrimmage Saturday; roughly 25 plays for top units, Mike Riley said. Defense with more good plays than offense.
1:55 PM - Aug 5, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
#Huskers finish 86-play scrimmage Saturday; roughly 25 plays for top units, Mike Riley said. Defense with more good plays than offense.
1:55 PM - Aug 5, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
Brian Christopherson @Husker247BC
Mike Riley mentioned Ben Stille and Sedrick King as some guys (some wouldn't first think of) who have had a good first week of practice.
1:53 PM - Aug 5, 2017
Mike Riley mentioned Ben Stille and Sedrick King as some guys (some wouldn't first think of) who have had a good first week of practice.
1:53 PM - Aug 5, 2017
Nebraska conducted an 86-play scrimmage. Riley highlighted the work of the first-team defense. Also thought JD Spielman looked really good.
1:58 PM - Aug 5, 2017
Riley loves new assistant Scott Booker. "The enthusiasm for the work, the galvanizing of the players into a unit has been outstanding."
2:09 PM - Aug 5, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
On defense, Riley the secondary "definitely made some plays," and that coaches tried to get the cornerbacks "lots of turns today." #Huskers
2:02 PM - Aug 5, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
Riley also confirmed walk-on WR Kade Warner (son of Kurt) is out of fall camp with broken hand. Replaced on 105 by walk-on WR Ty Chaffin.
1:59 PM - Aug 5, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
Riley said Ben Stille (defensive end), JD Spielman (WR), Sedric King (LB), Bradley (RB) are young players who've stood out in first week.
1:56 PM - Aug 5, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
A few notes from today's #Huskers practice. Linebackers coach Trent Bray says Tyrin Ferguson has made a push at "dog" or outside LB spot.
12:18 PM - Aug 8, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
Brian Rosenthal @GBRosenthal
Bray also says linebackers Marcus Newby and Luke Gifford are both "playing at a high level." In particularly, said Gifford stepping up.
12:22 PM - Aug 8, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
Bray also says linebackers Marcus Newby and Luke Gifford are both "playing at a high level." In particularly, said Gifford stepping up.
12:22 PM - Aug 8, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
John Parrella backs up Mike Riley's words on Ben Stille making push at defensive end. “Ben’s been flying around, getting better every day.”
12:39 PM - Aug 8, 2017 · Lincoln, NE
If the same Luke Gifford that's been terrorizing practices shows up for the season Nebraska might have an exciting defensive playmaker.
12:52 PM - Aug 8, 2017
Evan Bland @EvanBlandOWH
DaiShon Neal on DE/LB Damian Jackson (Navy SEAL): "He's a real quiet guy. That's what makes him scary - you never know what he's thinking."
1:03 PM - Aug 8, 2017
DaiShon Neal on DE/LB Damian Jackson (Navy SEAL): "He's a real quiet guy. That's what makes him scary - you never know what he's thinking."
1:03 PM - Aug 8, 2017
Khalil Davis eager for this D to go public. Thinks it can do many different things. "It's going to be pretty scary to see what we can do."
12:49 PM - Aug 8, 2017
Trent Bray told me that Luke Gifford has been the best pass-rushing LB so far, and seemed very emphatic about it. Big potential. #Huskers
1:35 PM - Aug 8, 2017
...AND IM OFFICIALLY OVERLY-EXCITED AGAIN.
Almost every season it happens, almost. Feels good but it sucks when your dreams are shattered and castles tumble like a fat Jake Cotton.
Lets hope it doesn't happen like that this year.
Almost every season it happens, almost. Feels good but it sucks when your dreams are shattered and castles tumble like a fat Jake Cotton.
Lets hope it doesn't happen like that this year.
Here are some quick notes and observations to pass along from Nebraska’s full-pads practice on Tuesday morning…
***Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said there has been good progress at the cornerback position thus far, but the reality was that no one in that group would be able to make a big jump until they start playing games. As much as the staff tries to simulate a game environment, there is no way to replicate that experience, he said.
***Diaco was pretty vague with his analysis of Saturday’s first fall camp scrimmage, though he did say Mike Riley’s comments about the concerning number of missed tackles in space were “appropriate”.
***Diaco said the competition between Marcus Newby and Luke Gifford wasn’t being viewed as a position “battle”, but more as a “cooperative performance” to make the Dog (outside) linebacker spot as good as possible.
Gifford agreed with Diaco, saying it doesn’t matter to either him or Newby who gets the starting job, because they both know they’re going to play a lot and have big roles on the defense.
***Diaco and defensive lineman Khalil Davis said true freshmen Damion Daniels and Deontre Thomas are both capable of playing right away this season, as long as they continue to develop mentally. They said both freshmen were more than ready to contribute physically.
***Chris Weber said that freshman Avery Roberts was definitely the No. 2 behind him at inside linebacker, and that he’s taken Roberts under his wing to get him up to speed as quickly as possible.
***Mohamed Barry said anyone who likes to hit people is a friend of his, and that Roberts definitely likes to hit people.
***Linebackers coach Trent Bray said Tyrin Ferguson has really made a jump the past couple weeks working at the Dog linebacker spot. Bray said Ferguson has made a lot of plays in practice and is really coming into his own.
***Defensive line coach John Parrella said freshman Ben Stille has been focusing on using his hands better after moving from linebacker to defensive end this fall. Parrella said Stille might be a better fit at DE since that’s where he played in high school.
***Gifford said he’s been getting some work in as a pass rusher off the edge this fall, something he’s really enjoyed. He said he’s been working with Parrella to help improve his pass rushing technique and is excited for another opportunity to potentially help the team.
***Gifford said he’s currently weighing around 240 pounds, crediting the S&C staff for helping him get into the shape he needed to be as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
***Davis said he’s been playing “everywhere” on the defensive line this fall. He said he probably feels more comfortable at nose tackle right now, but he’s working to improve as an end be an all-around lineman.
***Receiver Keyan Williams did not practice on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury, and cornerback Chris Jones is no longer wearing a protective brace on his injured knee.
***Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said there has been good progress at the cornerback position thus far, but the reality was that no one in that group would be able to make a big jump until they start playing games. As much as the staff tries to simulate a game environment, there is no way to replicate that experience, he said.
***Diaco was pretty vague with his analysis of Saturday’s first fall camp scrimmage, though he did say Mike Riley’s comments about the concerning number of missed tackles in space were “appropriate”.
***Diaco said the competition between Marcus Newby and Luke Gifford wasn’t being viewed as a position “battle”, but more as a “cooperative performance” to make the Dog (outside) linebacker spot as good as possible.
Gifford agreed with Diaco, saying it doesn’t matter to either him or Newby who gets the starting job, because they both know they’re going to play a lot and have big roles on the defense.
***Diaco and defensive lineman Khalil Davis said true freshmen Damion Daniels and Deontre Thomas are both capable of playing right away this season, as long as they continue to develop mentally. They said both freshmen were more than ready to contribute physically.
***Chris Weber said that freshman Avery Roberts was definitely the No. 2 behind him at inside linebacker, and that he’s taken Roberts under his wing to get him up to speed as quickly as possible.
***Mohamed Barry said anyone who likes to hit people is a friend of his, and that Roberts definitely likes to hit people.
***Linebackers coach Trent Bray said Tyrin Ferguson has really made a jump the past couple weeks working at the Dog linebacker spot. Bray said Ferguson has made a lot of plays in practice and is really coming into his own.
***Defensive line coach John Parrella said freshman Ben Stille has been focusing on using his hands better after moving from linebacker to defensive end this fall. Parrella said Stille might be a better fit at DE since that’s where he played in high school.
***Gifford said he’s been getting some work in as a pass rusher off the edge this fall, something he’s really enjoyed. He said he’s been working with Parrella to help improve his pass rushing technique and is excited for another opportunity to potentially help the team.
***Gifford said he’s currently weighing around 240 pounds, crediting the S&C staff for helping him get into the shape he needed to be as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
***Davis said he’s been playing “everywhere” on the defensive line this fall. He said he probably feels more comfortable at nose tackle right now, but he’s working to improve as an end be an all-around lineman.
***Receiver Keyan Williams did not practice on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury, and cornerback Chris Jones is no longer wearing a protective brace on his injured knee.
https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/tuesday-notes-newby-gifford-pushing-each-other-at-olb
Daniels, Thomas in line to potentially make immediate impacts
As Nebraska’s defensive line continues its major transition in its new 3-4 scheme, the window of opportunity remains open for some new faces to make an immediate impact this season.
Two true freshmen joined the mix on the d-line this fall in Damion Daniels and Deontre Thomas, and according to their coaches and teammates, both have a chance to play a role in 2017.
“Pleased, pleased. Really, really good,” Diaco said of Daniels and Thomas. “I’m not sure who’s going to participate or not; Coach Riley’s in charge of the personnel. But given that they’re all trying hard and possession the traits to do the job, all of those guys that came in in that new class all possess good traits to do the job as we ask them to do.”
Sophomore defensive lineman Khalil Davis knows all about how difficult the jump is going from high school to the Big Ten, and he said both Daniels and Thomas came in with the perfect mentality for how to adapt as quickly as possible.
“Deontre and Damion, both of them were eager to learn,” Davis said. “As soon as they got here they were asking us for the playbook and what they can do to help us. They were ready to work from the beginning. That’s what I like about them. They’re always asking questions and they’re always looking to get better.”
That’s why Davis said it wouldn’t surprise him one bit if both freshmen made their way onto the field at some point this season.
“They both can play, to me,” Davis said. “They both have that potential. Right now it’s just to keep working and learning.”
- Robin Washut
Daniels, Thomas in line to potentially make immediate impacts
As Nebraska’s defensive line continues its major transition in its new 3-4 scheme, the window of opportunity remains open for some new faces to make an immediate impact this season.
Two true freshmen joined the mix on the d-line this fall in Damion Daniels and Deontre Thomas, and according to their coaches and teammates, both have a chance to play a role in 2017.
“Pleased, pleased. Really, really good,” Diaco said of Daniels and Thomas. “I’m not sure who’s going to participate or not; Coach Riley’s in charge of the personnel. But given that they’re all trying hard and possession the traits to do the job, all of those guys that came in in that new class all possess good traits to do the job as we ask them to do.”
Sophomore defensive lineman Khalil Davis knows all about how difficult the jump is going from high school to the Big Ten, and he said both Daniels and Thomas came in with the perfect mentality for how to adapt as quickly as possible.
“Deontre and Damion, both of them were eager to learn,” Davis said. “As soon as they got here they were asking us for the playbook and what they can do to help us. They were ready to work from the beginning. That’s what I like about them. They’re always asking questions and they’re always looking to get better.”
That’s why Davis said it wouldn’t surprise him one bit if both freshmen made their way onto the field at some point this season.
“They both can play, to me,” Davis said. “They both have that potential. Right now it’s just to keep working and learning.”
- Robin Washut
Cornerback development can only go so far before season starts
The process of getting Nebraska’s young cornerbacks up to speed following the injury to senior Chris Jones has been an ongoing development during fall camp.
Head coach Mike Riley said the staff made it a point to get guys like Lamar Jackson, Eric Lee, and Dicaprio Bootle more reps in Saturday’s first fall camp scrimmage than any other first-string position group in an effort to get as much work under their belts as possible.
While the Huskers are doing all they can to get those young corners ready, Diaco said there’s only so much they can do in practice.
“They’re going to need to play in the games,” Diaco said. “You only get markedly better when you play in the games, so really, none of those guys have played in the games…
“There’s just a difference to a game that can’t be simulated at any other time. We do the best job we can preparing at game speed and also maintaining safe drills and proper drills through the grind of a camp…
“But there’s nothing like playing in the games. Players make the biggest gains when they get an opportunity to participate.”
- Robin Washut
The process of getting Nebraska’s young cornerbacks up to speed following the injury to senior Chris Jones has been an ongoing development during fall camp.
Head coach Mike Riley said the staff made it a point to get guys like Lamar Jackson, Eric Lee, and Dicaprio Bootle more reps in Saturday’s first fall camp scrimmage than any other first-string position group in an effort to get as much work under their belts as possible.
While the Huskers are doing all they can to get those young corners ready, Diaco said there’s only so much they can do in practice.
“They’re going to need to play in the games,” Diaco said. “You only get markedly better when you play in the games, so really, none of those guys have played in the games…
“There’s just a difference to a game that can’t be simulated at any other time. We do the best job we can preparing at game speed and also maintaining safe drills and proper drills through the grind of a camp…
“But there’s nothing like playing in the games. Players make the biggest gains when they get an opportunity to participate.”
- Robin Washut
True freshman Roberts continuing to impress
Nebraska’s linebacking corps is full of capable players, many of whom are rising through the ranks and beginning to make a name for themselves. One such player is true freshman Avery Roberts.
The young inside linebacker came to Lincoln as an early enrollee last winter and has become a player that senior Chris Weber has taken under his wing as his primary backup.
Weber has liked what Roberts has shown early on in his career, as has sophomore inside linebacker Mohamed Barry, who has been playing alongside him in the middle so far during fall camp.
“He’s looking real good,” Barry said. “I’m surprised as a freshman how he learned it and how he’s put his flavor into it. He’s making plays, flying around and that’s a great thing to see from a freshman.”
Barry says Roberts’ mental maturity combined with his physical style of play are what stand out the most about the true freshman.
“He’s mentally tough is what I would say,” Barry said. “He’s a mentally tough kid, he doesn’t get down on himself and hold his head down. That’s one thing that I do like about him. I feel like he’s going to prosper if he keeps that mentality.
“I think he’s a smash-mouth player. I would like to say he’s smash-mouth, he’s calm and I like it. He loves to hit and anyone who loves to hit is my friend.”
-Nate Clouse
Nebraska’s linebacking corps is full of capable players, many of whom are rising through the ranks and beginning to make a name for themselves. One such player is true freshman Avery Roberts.
The young inside linebacker came to Lincoln as an early enrollee last winter and has become a player that senior Chris Weber has taken under his wing as his primary backup.
Weber has liked what Roberts has shown early on in his career, as has sophomore inside linebacker Mohamed Barry, who has been playing alongside him in the middle so far during fall camp.
“He’s looking real good,” Barry said. “I’m surprised as a freshman how he learned it and how he’s put his flavor into it. He’s making plays, flying around and that’s a great thing to see from a freshman.”
Barry says Roberts’ mental maturity combined with his physical style of play are what stand out the most about the true freshman.
“He’s mentally tough is what I would say,” Barry said. “He’s a mentally tough kid, he doesn’t get down on himself and hold his head down. That’s one thing that I do like about him. I feel like he’s going to prosper if he keeps that mentality.
“I think he’s a smash-mouth player. I would like to say he’s smash-mouth, he’s calm and I like it. He loves to hit and anyone who loves to hit is my friend.”
-Nate Clouse
Ferguson quietly having a strong camp
There’s obviously a lot of talk about the position battle between Gifford and Newby, but lost in that discussion has been the elevated play of sophomore Tyrin Ferguson.
The New Orleans native is quietly having a very strong camp for the Big Red according to linebackers coach Trent Bray.
“The guy that’s really stepped up his game is Tyrin Ferguson,” Bray said. “He’s really adding more depth to that dog position. That’s the guy from out of spring that’s really stepped up his game the most as to opposed to a guy that we weren’t really seeing pushing those other guys. Now he definitely is and he’s doing a good job.”
Bray said a lot of it is just Ferguson getting comfortable with his role in the defense.
“During the off-season, he was working really hard, watching film all the time and asking questions,” Bray said of Ferguson. “He’s just been very productive, especially in the last three or four practices his production has skyrocketed. We are liking what we are seeing from Tyrin and he gives us that extra depth that if things happen to move guys around.”
-Sean Callahan
There’s obviously a lot of talk about the position battle between Gifford and Newby, but lost in that discussion has been the elevated play of sophomore Tyrin Ferguson.
The New Orleans native is quietly having a very strong camp for the Big Red according to linebackers coach Trent Bray.
“The guy that’s really stepped up his game is Tyrin Ferguson,” Bray said. “He’s really adding more depth to that dog position. That’s the guy from out of spring that’s really stepped up his game the most as to opposed to a guy that we weren’t really seeing pushing those other guys. Now he definitely is and he’s doing a good job.”
Bray said a lot of it is just Ferguson getting comfortable with his role in the defense.
“During the off-season, he was working really hard, watching film all the time and asking questions,” Bray said of Ferguson. “He’s just been very productive, especially in the last three or four practices his production has skyrocketed. We are liking what we are seeing from Tyrin and he gives us that extra depth that if things happen to move guys around.”
-Sean Callahan
One of the most intriguing position battles during spring practice was at the “Dog” outside linebacker position, where senior Marcus Newby and junior Luke Gifford essentially split first-team reps all the way through the Red-White game.
That competition has picked up right where it left off this fall, as Newby and Gifford continue to be neck-and-neck in the race for the starting job come Sept. 2.
But as far as defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is concerned, the idea of the title of “starter” is really a non-issue, as both players will have big roles for the Huskers regardless of where they are on the depth chart.
“Very, very good,” Diaco said of the work Newby and Gifford have done this offseason. “Both players are really doing a wonderful job. My only hesitation was I’m not sure we’re seeing that so much as a battle as (we are) a cooperative performance between the two of them to put together the very best outside linebacker overhang position and production.
“I think they’re going a beautiful job getting ready and cooperating. I don’t feel a lot of angst and anxiety with the competition at that spot.”
Gifford echoed that sentiment when asked his take on the competition with Newby this fall.
“We work so well together, honestly,” Gifford said. “We watch film together, we bounce things off each other. If I don’t know something, then he knows it. If he doesn’t know something, then I know it.
“It’s really nice being able to coach each other and work together, because Dog’s not an easy position. We’re out there in space and we’ve got a lot of jobs to do, so we use each other as much as we can.”
So regardless of which player takes the field first at the Dog, it’s clear there will be a heavy regular rotation all season long.
“At the end of the day, we’re both going to help the team win,” Gifford said. “When he’s in there, there’s no drop-off when I come in, and when I’m out there, there’s no drop-off when he comes in. It’s nice to have that.”
- Robin Washut
That competition has picked up right where it left off this fall, as Newby and Gifford continue to be neck-and-neck in the race for the starting job come Sept. 2.
But as far as defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is concerned, the idea of the title of “starter” is really a non-issue, as both players will have big roles for the Huskers regardless of where they are on the depth chart.
“Very, very good,” Diaco said of the work Newby and Gifford have done this offseason. “Both players are really doing a wonderful job. My only hesitation was I’m not sure we’re seeing that so much as a battle as (we are) a cooperative performance between the two of them to put together the very best outside linebacker overhang position and production.
“I think they’re going a beautiful job getting ready and cooperating. I don’t feel a lot of angst and anxiety with the competition at that spot.”
Gifford echoed that sentiment when asked his take on the competition with Newby this fall.
“We work so well together, honestly,” Gifford said. “We watch film together, we bounce things off each other. If I don’t know something, then he knows it. If he doesn’t know something, then I know it.
“It’s really nice being able to coach each other and work together, because Dog’s not an easy position. We’re out there in space and we’ve got a lot of jobs to do, so we use each other as much as we can.”
So regardless of which player takes the field first at the Dog, it’s clear there will be a heavy regular rotation all season long.
“At the end of the day, we’re both going to help the team win,” Gifford said. “When he’s in there, there’s no drop-off when I come in, and when I’m out there, there’s no drop-off when he comes in. It’s nice to have that.”
- Robin Washut
Stille comfortable at defensive end
Following Saturday’s scrimmage head coach Mike Riley singled out redshirt freshman defensive end Ben Stille as a standout early in fall camp.
Stille moved from outside linebacker to defensive end before camp started, and defensive line coach John Parrella has been impressed with his overall transition.
“I think the first week he was flying around and he had a good pass rush and his technique was better,” Parrella said. “We are excited about his potential for the future.”
Parrella also feels like Stille is the type of player that will do whatever you ask of him.
“Ben is a hard working kid and obviously he was recruited here for a reason,” Parrella said. “We just have to continue to develop him so he can help us somewhere on the defensive line.”
- Sean Callahan
Following Saturday’s scrimmage head coach Mike Riley singled out redshirt freshman defensive end Ben Stille as a standout early in fall camp.
Stille moved from outside linebacker to defensive end before camp started, and defensive line coach John Parrella has been impressed with his overall transition.
“I think the first week he was flying around and he had a good pass rush and his technique was better,” Parrella said. “We are excited about his potential for the future.”
Parrella also feels like Stille is the type of player that will do whatever you ask of him.
“Ben is a hard working kid and obviously he was recruited here for a reason,” Parrella said. “We just have to continue to develop him so he can help us somewhere on the defensive line.”
- Sean Callahan
