Here is how much Value Huskers put on O-line

[bomber89]

instead of getting into arguments on this message board I decided to find out why this happened to the Huskers. I am not a coach (even though the film doesn't lie about blocking, tackling, and drop passes.) What I can do is research and come up with solid factual evidence that I can then base a hypothesis around.

I decided to start with the Offensive line and then move to the defensive line. These to me are where you should start when building a team. Using Rivals and team pages I found how many scholarships were used on Offensive and defensive linemen starting in 2013 through the last recruiting year 2016. I then made sure all those players were still on the team, if not I used that data in a separate category.

Here is what I found.

Huskers 2013 6 offensive line commits (only 3 remain on team)
2014 4 offensive line commits (1 of which is now playing Defense M. Stoltenberg)
2015 4 offensive line commits (all still on team)
2016 4 offensive line commits (all on team)

A total of 18 scholarships in 4 years with an average of 3.1 stars by rivals
As of this moment there are only 14 still with team & playing Offensive line. Out of those 14 all of the 2016 class is redshirting so that leaves 10 recruited high school players on scholarship playing Offensive line for the Huskers.

THATS my point 10 ! We have just 10 players that we recruited out of high school that have a scholarship that are able to play for us this year. TEN!!! We have 5 offensive line positions with 10 high school recruits playing the most critical positions for an offense. TEN !!

I understand we added Hann on scholarship but we didn't give him one out of high school. Thank GOD FOR THE WALK ONS (which are just treading water at this point) otherwise we couldn't redshirt any of the true freshmen! I understand we need to recruit all positions but teams like Bama, Ohio State, LSU, Northwestern, and Penn State all have higher percentage of recruited high school scholarship offensive linemen on their team then we do. Heck since 2013 Bama has 20 offensive linemen on scholarship from its high school recruiting efforts and 15 can play this year. Five more doesn't sound like a lot but 5 is an entire offensive line!! I think its pretty clear how Nick Saban feels about O line ! Not to mention those 15 players from Bama average 4.2 stars compared to our 3.25 I understand its Bama and they are in the $EC and have it all but it proves the importance they put on the line. If it all starts up front on offense why aren't we putting our money where our mouth is??

Im convinced we will never get better until we build the trenches. This year we have 3 committed offensive line players. 3 !! If we dont get 6 offensive linemen we will NEVER compete with Ohio St, Michigan, Bama, and Penn State. I know its not an either/or type scenario but I would rather have 4 star offensive linemen and 2 star skilled players at least we can push the line three to four yds with a great line!

 

[RealHusker]

There is one piece of good news to take from your analysis - that's that all 8 of our OL recruits from the past 2 classes are still on the team. Further, 11 of the last 12 are still on the OL (with one moving to defense, as you indicated).

 

[little a]

There is one piece of good news to take from your analysis - that's that all 8 of our OL recruits from the past 2 classes are still on the team. Further, 11 of the last 12 are still on the OL (with one moving to defense, as you indicated).

It ALL starts with offensive and defensive lines, period.

 

[Bugeater]

So far, this is what a few B1G teams have in OL numbers:

Ohio State - 3 commits for 2017
Minn - 4
Penn State - 3
Mich - 4
MSU - 4
Neb - 3
I'm confident that Nebraska will secure two more linemen for 2017

 

[little a]

So far, this is what a few B1G teams have in OL numbers:

Ohio State - 3 commits for 2017
Minn - 4
Penn State - 3
Mich - 4
MSU - 4
Neb - 3
I'm confident that Nebraska will secure two more linemen for 2017

We need to probably shine more light on offensive and defensive lineman and stop salivating over WR and QB recruits that if they don't play immediately =transfer

 

[bigboxes]

We need to probably shine more light on offensive and defensive lineman and stop salivating over WR and QB recruits that if they don't play immediately =transfer

I wouldn't worry about this staff and recruiting OL/DL. I'm sure they have a plan. As far as skilled position recruits, you take them if they are available. Needs of the Cowboys didn't include RB, but when Ezekiel Elliot was available in the 1st round you take the best player that is available.

 

[spinner4]

The OP is spot on. Bo's recruiting o-lineman did this to the team. But the current staff did nothing to help. They didn't go to Jucos to add depth with upperclassmen. The numbers where there last year too. Red flags have been there.

And I give Cav a pass the first year in not recruiting Juco O-lineman but he should have this last year. Is the team supposed to wait until Raridon is a Jr. for Cav to have depth?

Again, this is on Bo, but some sort of action could have been attempted to help it. Little was done for the immediate future. I hope this all works out for Cav. He's a good guy. I mean nothing hateful. I just don't get not going after Juco depth

 

[OO Snipes]

instead of getting into arguments on this message board I decided to find out why this happened to the Huskers. I am not a coach (even though the film doesn't lie about blocking, tackling, and drop passes.) What I can do is research and come up with solid factual evidence that I can then base a hypothesis around.

I decided to start with the Offensive line and then move to the defensive line. These to me are where you should start when building a team. Using Rivals and team pages I found how many scholarships were used on Offensive and defensive linemen starting in 2013 through the last recruiting year 2016. I then made sure all those players were still on the team, if not I used that data in a separate category.

Here is what I found.

Huskers 2013 6 offensive line commits (only 3 remain on team)
2014 4 offensive line commits (1 of which is now playing Defense M. Stoltenberg)
2015 4 offensive line commits (all still on team)
2016 4 offensive line commits (all on team)

A total of 18 scholarships in 4 years with an average of 3.1 stars by rivals
As of this moment there are only 14 still with team & playing Offensive line. Out of those 14 all of the 2016 class is redshirting so that leaves 10 recruited high school players on scholarship playing Offensive line for the Huskers.

THATS my point 10 ! We have just 10 players that we recruited out of high school that have a scholarship that are able to play for us this year. TEN!!! We have 5 offensive line positions with 10 high school recruits playing the most critical positions for an offense. TEN !!

I understand we added Hann on scholarship but we didn't give him one out of high school. Thank GOD FOR THE WALK ONS (which are just treading water at this point) otherwise we couldn't redshirt any of the true freshmen! I understand we need to recruit all positions but teams like Bama, Ohio State, LSU, Northwestern, and Penn State all have higher percentage of recruited high school scholarship offensive linemen on their team then we do. Heck since 2013 Bama has 20 offensive linemen on scholarship from its high school recruiting efforts and 15 can play this year. Five more doesn't sound like a lot but 5 is an entire offensive line!! I think its pretty clear how Nick Saban feels about O line ! Not to mention those 15 players from Bama average 4.2 stars compared to our 3.25 I understand its Bama and they are in the $EC and have it all but it proves the importance they put on the line. If it all starts up front on offense why aren't we putting our money where our mouth is??

Im convinced we will never get better until we build the trenches. This year we have 3 committed offensive line players. 3 !! If we dont average 6 offensive linemen per year we will NEVER compete with Ohio St, Michigan, Bama, and Penn State. I know its not an either/or type scenario but I would rather have 4 star offensive linemen and 2 star skilled players at least we can push the line three to four yds with a great line!

1. Can't compete with Bama right now(no one can).
2. 4 quality lineman a year would be ideal, that's 4!!!!!!!!!. 6 is ridiculous. Quality not quantity is needed. Pelini simply missed on too many recruits

 

[HuskerWingman]

Anyone have insight on Jalin Barnet? I had high hopes for him and I was hoping he could crack the depth chart over a couple walk-ons.

 

[little a]

I wouldn't worry about this staff and recruiting OL/DL. I'm sure they have a plan. As far as skilled position recruits, you take them if they are available. Needs of the Cowboys didn't include RB, but when Ezekiel Elliot was available in the 1st round you take the best player that is available.

They drafted 3 first round offensive lineman and a probable fourth first rounder (Laell Collins-LSU as a gift free agent) -so there's that. And remember Darren McFadden was 4th in the NFL in rushing last year while only starting 10 games last year. My point is it all starts up front..... and I wonder how Ezekiel Elliot would do with the Jaguars or the Rams. God bless Todd Gurley- dude is averaging under 3 yds/carry!

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

If you take JUCOs where do you get the scholarships from? Do you not take a high school lineman? Do you not take a HS DB or WR? You still only have 85 scholarships. Do you have any research on the number of JUCO Olineman that have actually contributed? It's easy to say they needed to go the JUCO route, but for every JUCO player signed you need to give up a HS player in that class.

 

[bigboxes]

They drafted 3 first round offensive lineman and a probable fourth first rounder (Laell Collins-LSU as a gift free agent) -so there's that. And remember Darren McFadden was 4th in the NFL in rushing last year while only starting 10 games last year. My point is it all starts up front..... and I wonder how Ezekiel Elliot would do with the Jaguars or the Rams. God bless Todd Gurley- dude is averaging under 3 yds/carry!

Oh, I know how stacked the Cowboys are. I'm not a Cowboys fan. RAIDERS BABY!

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

1. Can't compete with Bama right now(no one can).
2. 4 quality lineman a year would be ideal, that's 4!!!!!!!!!. 6 is ridiculous. Quality not quantity is needed. Pelini simply missed on too many recruits

6 per year with a redshirt year would be 30 OL out of 85 scholarships. No redshirting 24 out of 85. I think 18 quality scholarship OL would provide plenty of depth. That's 3 deep at each position.

 

[little a]

Oh, I know how stacked the Cowboys are. I'm not a Cowboys fan. RAIDERS BABY!

Live in Arlington and a Raiders gan? Their OL looked good too. All I'm saying is if the staff is not going after the tier 1 OL and DL they need to start STAT and if they need to cut bait with juniors and sophomores that are non-contributiors and go after JUCO OL and DL- so be it!!

 

[little a]

Live in Arlington and a Raiders gan? Their OL looked good too. All I'm saying is if the staff is not going after the tier 1 OL and DL they need to start STAT and if they need to cut bait with juniors and sophomores that are non-contributiors and go after JUCO OL and DL- so be it!!

Fan not gan

 

[Nebraska Fan]

has this staff brought in walkons for the trenches?

 

[bigboxes]

Live in Arlington and a Raiders gan? Their OL looked good too. All I'm saying is if the staff is not going after the tier 1 OL and DL they need to start STAT and if they need to cut bait with juniors and sophomores that are non-contributiors and go after JUCO OL and DL- so be it!!

My wife is the native Texan. I've got people that remember me from Texas Stadium days as the lone person rooting for the Raiders. LOL

 

[TheLiberalHunter]

6 per year with a redshirt year would be 30 OL out of 85 scholarships. No redshirting 24 out of 85. I think 18 quality scholarship OL would provide plenty of depth. That's 3 deep at each position.

18 looks about right when u add in another 6 or so walk ons to it

 

[bomber89]

My point was they need 6 THIS YEAR. If I gave the impression in 6 every year that was a mistake.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

I guess my point would be that you don't take 6 just to take 6. That's how you get stuck in situations they are in now. Hannon and Johnson will be 5th year seniors. I am not sure either has played a snap and Johnson can't make the 105 fall camp roster. if they decide to leave, maybe you go to 6. But with them on the roster, counting against the 85, I think you have to go no more than 5 and probably 4.

 

[red rover 70]

We have depth problems across the board so all the positions have to be addressed simultaneously. Or you run into the problems we're having now down the road.

 

[red rover 70]

People sure do have short memories...
We had like 24 Walk-ons on the travel roster to Miami last year. We only have a limited number of scholarships and the positions have to be built up.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

People sure do have short memories...
We had like 24 Walk-ons on the travel roster to Miami last year. We only have a limited number of scholarships and the positions have to be built up.

I'm sorry I am confused on you point here.

 

[red rover 70]

I'm sorry I am confused on you point here.

Our talent level on the roster was so bad last year that we took 24 Walk-ons to Miami.

 

[red rover 70]

Our young suspect defensive line has endured because we've only had one player push through with an injury. Mick has battled but everyone else has stayed healthy. The same can't be said on the offensive line side. We're basically a one unit squad on the lines and the injury plague has taken out the offensive side.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Our talent level on the roster was so bad last year that we took 24 Walk-ons to Miami.

Gotcha. Agree when you have 85 scholarship players and travel rosters are in the 70 range, having 24 walk ons on the squad would be a bunch. My math says about 34-39 scholarship players were inactive for that game be it through redshirt, injury or ability.

 

[red rover 70]

Gotcha. Agree when you have 85 scholarship players and travel rosters are in the 70 range, having 24 walk ons on the squad would be a bunch. My math says about 34-39 scholarship players were inactive for that game be it through redshirt, injury or ability.

We've got some very talented players redshirting and will make a huge difference next year. We need to get to the point where we can rotate and not see much of a drop off. We have the talent but we don't have the depth right now.

 

[Cornicator]

The biggest issue is how some upper classmen like Hannon and Dwayne Johnson are just sitting there off the depth chart. Pelini did a really poor job evaluating their work ethics:

Dwayne Johnson played in a Pass happy spread system in high school. He rarely lifted and was long and lean. He always had good feet, but hated physicality and has no lift and transform himself into a Big Ten linemen. If you're going to sign a lean 6'6 265 lb Offensive tackle, you better know if he likes to lift and has the drive to get bigger. That was a colossal mistake and completely avoidable.

Hannon is a lot bigger, but that's because he has never met a buffett he didn't enjoy. I don't believe a kid just suddenly arrives in college and changes habits. Bo should've known this before he showed up on campus. Hannon had a lot of good offers because he's big strong and physical. But laziness doesn't just show up out of nowhere.

Lots of players leave programs thru transfer, injuries, grades, off the field issues. But when guys go 3 or 4 or 5 years without ever being productive, that's the result of terrible recruiting and organization.

 

[headcard]

The biggest issue is how some upper classmen like Hannon and Dwayne Johnson are just sitting there off the depth chart. Pelini did a really poor job evaluating their work ethics:

Dwayne Johnson played in a Pass happy spread system in high school. He rarely lifted and was long and lean. He always had good feet, but hated physicality and has no lift and transform himself into a Big Ten linemen. If you're going to sign a lean 6'6 265 lb Offensive tackle, you better know if he likes to lift and has the drive to get bigger. That was a colossal mistake and completely avoidable.

Hannon is a lot bigger, but that's because he has never met a buffett he didn't enjoy. I don't believe a kid just suddenly arrives in college and changes habits. Bo should've known this before he showed up on campus. Hannon had a lot of good offers because he's big strong and physical. But laziness doesn't just show up out of nowhere.

Lots of players leave programs thru transfer, injuries, grades, off the field issues. But when guys go 3 or 4 or 5 years without ever being productive, that's the result of terrible recruiting and organization.

Johnson and Hannon are both rJr's, do you think they will graduate and move on? Guys like Adam Taylor and Boaz Joseph would also be in this boat.

 

[Cornicator]

Johnson and Hannon are both rJr's, do you think they will graduate and move on? Guys like Adam Taylor and Boaz Joseph would also be in this boat.

Joseph and Taylor play a lot on Special teams. Joseph is actually a pretty damn good special teams player. Taylor and him will be back.

I believe Johnson will graduate and won't return. Not sure about Hannon.

 

[little a]

Joseph and Taylor play a lot on Special teams. Joseph is actually a pretty damn good special teams player. Taylor and him will be back.

I believe Johnson will graduate and won't return. Not sure about Hannon.

Johnson and Hannon are both rJr's, do you think they will graduate and move on? Guys like Adam Taylor and Boaz Joseph would also be in this boat.

I'm not against encouraging them to move on as they say...(i.e. Pulling a Saban). Tough times call for tough decisions on roster management.

 

[Hoosker Du]

The biggest issue is how some upper classmen like Hannon and Dwayne Johnson are just sitting there off the depth chart. Pelini did a really poor job evaluating their work ethics:

Dwayne Johnson played in a Pass happy spread system in high school. He rarely lifted and was long and lean. He always had good feet, but hated physicality and has no lift and transform himself into a Big Ten linemen. If you're going to sign a lean 6'6 265 lb Offensive tackle, you better know if he likes to lift and has the drive to get bigger. That was a colossal mistake and completely avoidable.

Hannon is a lot bigger, but that's because he has never met a buffett he didn't enjoy. I don't believe a kid just suddenly arrives in college and changes habits. Bo should've known this before he showed up on campus. Hannon had a lot of good offers because he's big strong and physical. But laziness doesn't just show up out of nowhere.

Lots of players leave programs thru transfer, injuries, grades, off the field issues. But when guys go 3 or 4 or 5 years without ever being productive, that's the result of terrible recruiting and organization.

That's why I still think 4-year scholarships are a bad idea. Players are allowed to become complacent, if they have that proclivity.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

That's why I still think 4-year scholarships are a bad idea. Players are allowed to become complacent, if they have that proclivity.

I can see that side.

But Nebraska has never been one to cut bait on a kid if the kid wants to stick around. So that really isn't a factor here. Under 4 year scholarships, kids can still leave if they want to, so actual effect for Nebraska is minimal.

Also believe all 4 players mentioned are on one year renewables.

 

[little a]

That's why I still think 4-year scholarships are a bad idea. Players are allowed to become complacent, if they have that proclivity.

Dude- every athletic scholarship is on a year to year basis. Biggest myth- my older brother was a Div.1 football recruit and when he signed paper it clearly stated scholarship is renewed at descrition of football coaches and athletic dept.

 

[shiftybeef]

Dude- every athletic scholarship is on a year to year basis. Biggest myth- my older brother was a Div.1 football recruit and when he signed paper it clearly stated scholarship is renewed at descrition of football coaches and athletic dept.

Didn't the Big 10 move to guaranteeing 4 year scholarships last year? Swear I remember reading that somewhere...

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Didn't the Big 10 move to guaranteeing 4 year scholarships last year? Swear I remember reading that somewhere...

Yes. Things are different now. 4 year scholarships are standard in Big Ten and elsewhere in P5 leagues.

 

[little a]

Yes. Things are different now. 4 year scholarships are standard in Big Ten and elsewhere in P5 leagues.

Well then that sucks for us.... even MORE reason to go after the very best and NEVER settle... and go JUCO if necessary

 

[kaz36]

Well then that sucks for us.... even MORE reason to go after the very best and NEVER settle... and go JUCO if necessary

If you are talking about going the JUCO route for OL, I wouldn't count on that. Nebraska traditionally hasn't been very successful going the JUCO route for OL. If you look at this last recruiting cycle, there are 7 OL in the JUCO top 50. Only 1 of those starts, and that is Garrett Bolles at Utah. So, going JUCO for OL help is generally not a quick fix.(Thanks to rkay on RSS for those numbers)

 

[little a]

If you are talking about going the JUCO route for OL, I wouldn't count on that. Nebraska traditionally hasn't been very successful going the JUCO route for OL. If you look at this last recruiting cycle, there are 7 OL in the JUCO top 50. Only 1 of those starts, and that is Garrett Bolles at Utah. So, going JUCO for OL help is generally not a quick fix.(Thanks to rkay on RSS for those numbers)

Talking more about DL- specifically DE---- we HAVE to get after the QB better

 

[GretnaShawn]

If you are talking about going the JUCO route for OL, I wouldn't count on that. Nebraska traditionally hasn't been very successful going the JUCO route for OL. If you look at this last recruiting cycle, there are 7 OL in the JUCO top 50. Only 1 of those starts, and that is Garrett Bolles at Utah. So, going JUCO for OL help is generally not a quick fix.(Thanks to rkay on RSS for those numbers)

In recent memory these are the JUCO o-linemen Nebraska has taken:

Finnin - 5.7 *** offers from Ohio State, Oklahoma, Baylor (2012)
Kondolo - 5.5 *** offers from BYU, Florida State, Tennessee (2012)
Hardrick - 5.9 *** offers from Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss (2010)
Henry - 5.5 *** offers from Colorado and Houston (2008)
Nicks - **** offers from Florida, Kansas, Louisville (2006)
Haines - *** offers from Duke, Hawaii (2006)

Henry was the only difference maker in the bunch. Nicks was lazy at Nebraska, but had a nice NFL career. Hardrick started. Looks to be about a 50% hit rate for true contributors. If I go back it hurst the numbers more, the 2005 class missed on JUCO OL hard.