Like everyone else, while I'm concerned about running back, I have a lot of hope. How does a team replace a player like Ameer Abdullah? The answer is it doesn't. Ameer is not only a great athlete, he has the tenacity of a bear. His work ethic, confidence and drive to succeed are unmatched by anyone on the team.
Still, there's a lot of reason for hope in Nebraska's backfield. My personal favorites of the running backs is Imani Cross. I personally think Imani gets a little of a bad rap because of his size. Many see him as a short yardage back only. Based on what I've seen, that's not fair. Imani has the ability to break out long runs. I recall one such run when he was a sophomore against MSU. Unfortunately, I can't find a video of that run, but he took the ball on about the 50 and scampered to the end zone with the likes of Darqueze Dennard. I believe he had a similar run against Iowa. He also busted one for 70 yards against Fresno State last season. He didn't do too well when Ameer was injured last year, but I believe he was also injured. IIRC he didn't play in the Holiday bowl because of that and had surgery. That said, I don't think Imani is an every down back. Nor has he established himself as the go to back this season. He had a decent Spring game, busting at least one longer run. Clearly, he doesn't have the break away speed of some of the other backs. Also, one of the knocks on Imani, which I believe is a legitimate criticism, is that he doesn't have a low enough pad level when he hits the line of scrimmage. It also remains to be seen how decent he will be as a receiver coming out of the backfield. He could also use some work in pass protection.
Terrell Newby seems to be the favorite to be the starter, although Wilbon is definitely pushing him. It seems to me that Newby has had a difficult time adjusting to the college game but that may be changing. To me, Newby tries too hard to bust everything outside. In high school that worked because he simply was faster than most defenders. Although I didn't think he was the best back in the Spring game, he had a good Spring by all accounts and seems to have adjusted to the pace of the college game. He definitely has potential to be a great one. I admire him for his work ethic and learning the new playbook. Like a lot of backs, I think he struggles somewhat in pass pro but also has the potential to be a decent receiver out of the backfield. I'm confident that's something on which Coach Davis is working with him.
Mikale Wilbon appears to be making his mark this fall. I thought he had a decent game this Spring. He bumped outside on a zone/read play and with the aid of a couple good blocks by Matt Finnin and Lane Hovey, popped a nice run. There was much debate on the Scrolls about that run this summer. Many felt that had Marcus Newby played the run better, he would have stuffed Wilbon. I like how Wilbon uses his feet and can accelerate quickly. Of the running backs I've seen, he is the best at pass pro and at making cuts, although Newby makes good cuts as well. He also appears to be a viable option as a receiver. He will score a number of tds as a Husker over the next three years.
Like anyone else, I'm guessing on Jordan Stevenson. I've seen his high school film and I'm duly impressed. He has the ability to get to a hole quickly and once he hits it, he can fly. He also appears to be powerful and I like how he uses his feet. He also makes good cuts. Conditioning and adjusting to college ball are my biggest concerns (no surprise there). I'm also concerned about his pass pro abilities, but few freshmen are good at that. I believe he'll play this fall and may do very well.
Jordan Nelson is one back I think doesn't get enough consideration. IMHO, he had the best game of any back in the Spring. He uses his feet very well, taking baby steps until he sees the hole. Then he explodes through the hole. He also has good power and isn't afraid to mix it up in the middle. Finally, I think he's a heady player with good vision who knows the playbook. In all honesty, I think he could be a starter at another D1 school. But, it will be hard for him to crack the rotation here despite his abilities because he doesn't have the break
away speed of Newby, Wilbon or Stevenson.
In the final analysis, I think the true battle is between Newby and Wilbon. Newby was clearly the favorite of the coaches coming out of Spring ball but Wilbon has demonstrated that he's not ready to concede the position just yet. It will be exciting to watch the rest of fall camp and see how this all shakes out. If my money were on line, I'd say it's still Newby's position to lose, but Wilbon won't go away quietly. Cross will get his share of carries, but like I said, I don't think he'll be the starter or will develop into an every down back in this offense. Depending on how quickly Stevenson adapts to the college game and gets in shape will dictate how much or whether his number is called this fall.
Still, there's a lot of reason for hope in Nebraska's backfield. My personal favorites of the running backs is Imani Cross. I personally think Imani gets a little of a bad rap because of his size. Many see him as a short yardage back only. Based on what I've seen, that's not fair. Imani has the ability to break out long runs. I recall one such run when he was a sophomore against MSU. Unfortunately, I can't find a video of that run, but he took the ball on about the 50 and scampered to the end zone with the likes of Darqueze Dennard. I believe he had a similar run against Iowa. He also busted one for 70 yards against Fresno State last season. He didn't do too well when Ameer was injured last year, but I believe he was also injured. IIRC he didn't play in the Holiday bowl because of that and had surgery. That said, I don't think Imani is an every down back. Nor has he established himself as the go to back this season. He had a decent Spring game, busting at least one longer run. Clearly, he doesn't have the break away speed of some of the other backs. Also, one of the knocks on Imani, which I believe is a legitimate criticism, is that he doesn't have a low enough pad level when he hits the line of scrimmage. It also remains to be seen how decent he will be as a receiver coming out of the backfield. He could also use some work in pass protection.
Terrell Newby seems to be the favorite to be the starter, although Wilbon is definitely pushing him. It seems to me that Newby has had a difficult time adjusting to the college game but that may be changing. To me, Newby tries too hard to bust everything outside. In high school that worked because he simply was faster than most defenders. Although I didn't think he was the best back in the Spring game, he had a good Spring by all accounts and seems to have adjusted to the pace of the college game. He definitely has potential to be a great one. I admire him for his work ethic and learning the new playbook. Like a lot of backs, I think he struggles somewhat in pass pro but also has the potential to be a decent receiver out of the backfield. I'm confident that's something on which Coach Davis is working with him.
Mikale Wilbon appears to be making his mark this fall. I thought he had a decent game this Spring. He bumped outside on a zone/read play and with the aid of a couple good blocks by Matt Finnin and Lane Hovey, popped a nice run. There was much debate on the Scrolls about that run this summer. Many felt that had Marcus Newby played the run better, he would have stuffed Wilbon. I like how Wilbon uses his feet and can accelerate quickly. Of the running backs I've seen, he is the best at pass pro and at making cuts, although Newby makes good cuts as well. He also appears to be a viable option as a receiver. He will score a number of tds as a Husker over the next three years.
Like anyone else, I'm guessing on Jordan Stevenson. I've seen his high school film and I'm duly impressed. He has the ability to get to a hole quickly and once he hits it, he can fly. He also appears to be powerful and I like how he uses his feet. He also makes good cuts. Conditioning and adjusting to college ball are my biggest concerns (no surprise there). I'm also concerned about his pass pro abilities, but few freshmen are good at that. I believe he'll play this fall and may do very well.
Jordan Nelson is one back I think doesn't get enough consideration. IMHO, he had the best game of any back in the Spring. He uses his feet very well, taking baby steps until he sees the hole. Then he explodes through the hole. He also has good power and isn't afraid to mix it up in the middle. Finally, I think he's a heady player with good vision who knows the playbook. In all honesty, I think he could be a starter at another D1 school. But, it will be hard for him to crack the rotation here despite his abilities because he doesn't have the break
away speed of Newby, Wilbon or Stevenson.
In the final analysis, I think the true battle is between Newby and Wilbon. Newby was clearly the favorite of the coaches coming out of Spring ball but Wilbon has demonstrated that he's not ready to concede the position just yet. It will be exciting to watch the rest of fall camp and see how this all shakes out. If my money were on line, I'd say it's still Newby's position to lose, but Wilbon won't go away quietly. Cross will get his share of carries, but like I said, I don't think he'll be the starter or will develop into an every down back in this offense. Depending on how quickly Stevenson adapts to the college game and gets in shape will dictate how much or whether his number is called this fall.
