Here's what the head coach had to say during tonight's interview on Sports Nightly:
- He’s currently in southern California, and he’s been all over the country the past week. Since last Sunday, he’s been to Michigan, Delaware, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Washington, and California.
- The staff feels very good about where they are with their current commits and the commits they’re after. Riley said they’re looking to add about six more to the current class and added that it will be a battle filling out the class.
- Riley heard a lot about possible bowl game destinations, but he didn’t really buy into the talk. He said he would be excited wherever they landed, and he thinks the general football fan will see Nebraska vs. Tennessee and like the matchup.
- “If they do it right,” Riley said they can almost treat bowl practice as a second spring practice. They want to get the younger guys some reps and send the seniors out on the right note. This week, they’ll do some skill work with the graduate assistants while the coaches are on the road.
- When Riley was deciding who to add to the coaching staff, he studied other staffs from around the country and came to the conclusion that Nebraska needed an extra defensive coach. “Recruiting is like your lifeline,” Riley said, but they also need coaches who are excellent teachers, and Donte Williams fits the bill.
- They were able to find Williams because people on the staff knew him and people around him from the recruiting trail and coaching circles, thus enabling them to reach out.
- If the NCAA passes a rule in the spring to allow ten coaches on staffs, Riley said that tenth coach would be on the offensive side of the ball. He stressed the importance of having five on both sides of the ball to “even out the student-to-teacher ratio.”
- Riley expressed uncertainty about quarterbacks Tommy Armstrong and Ryker Fyfe moving forward. He said it will be based on their comfort level if they can play in the bowl game. Neither were full strength for the Iowa game, and both were dealing with injuries that are “usually long-term in a normal situation.”
- When Nebraska hired Williams, Riley talked to him about the potential of cornerback Chris Jones, who announced his decision to stay for his senior season last week. Both coaches are excited about his high ceiling.
- Riley said he’s proud of receiver Jordan Westerkamp for his invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl, and said he deserved it. Reflecting on when he coached in the game, Riley said that “all the scouts in the country seem to be at that game” and that it will be a great chance for Westerkamp to improve his pro prospects.
- He’s currently in southern California, and he’s been all over the country the past week. Since last Sunday, he’s been to Michigan, Delaware, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Washington, and California.
- The staff feels very good about where they are with their current commits and the commits they’re after. Riley said they’re looking to add about six more to the current class and added that it will be a battle filling out the class.
- Riley heard a lot about possible bowl game destinations, but he didn’t really buy into the talk. He said he would be excited wherever they landed, and he thinks the general football fan will see Nebraska vs. Tennessee and like the matchup.
- “If they do it right,” Riley said they can almost treat bowl practice as a second spring practice. They want to get the younger guys some reps and send the seniors out on the right note. This week, they’ll do some skill work with the graduate assistants while the coaches are on the road.
- When Riley was deciding who to add to the coaching staff, he studied other staffs from around the country and came to the conclusion that Nebraska needed an extra defensive coach. “Recruiting is like your lifeline,” Riley said, but they also need coaches who are excellent teachers, and Donte Williams fits the bill.
- They were able to find Williams because people on the staff knew him and people around him from the recruiting trail and coaching circles, thus enabling them to reach out.
- If the NCAA passes a rule in the spring to allow ten coaches on staffs, Riley said that tenth coach would be on the offensive side of the ball. He stressed the importance of having five on both sides of the ball to “even out the student-to-teacher ratio.”
- Riley expressed uncertainty about quarterbacks Tommy Armstrong and Ryker Fyfe moving forward. He said it will be based on their comfort level if they can play in the bowl game. Neither were full strength for the Iowa game, and both were dealing with injuries that are “usually long-term in a normal situation.”
- When Nebraska hired Williams, Riley talked to him about the potential of cornerback Chris Jones, who announced his decision to stay for his senior season last week. Both coaches are excited about his high ceiling.
- Riley said he’s proud of receiver Jordan Westerkamp for his invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl, and said he deserved it. Reflecting on when he coached in the game, Riley said that “all the scouts in the country seem to be at that game” and that it will be a great chance for Westerkamp to improve his pro prospects.
