Stevie Tu’ikolovatu

[DudznSudz]

Has anyone heard anything yet? 247 Sports just said yesterday that Alabama is waiting on him to decide between them, us, and USC.

If anyone has an tips on this one, I'd love for them to share, because we could REALLY use a 300+ pound hog like this guy on our line in 2016.

 

[northeastNebraska]

Nate Clouse and other felt last week that they liked Nebraskas chances due to the depth here. He would be an instant starter here no doubt.

He should be making his decision this week so he can get to his new school and start workouts.

 

[red rover 70]

I think he's N. At least I think his heart is but the bureaucracy could be a whole nother matter.

 

[DudznSudz]

Man, I hope you guys are right!

Reasons why he could be N:
1.) He would start immediately and have a huge impact working under a D-line coach with very fresh NFL contacts. If he wants to go pro, it's hard to beat an argument for playing here.

Reasons why he could not be N:
1.) Alabama wants him, and they just had a recruit not qualify academically. That guy was going to be a freshman, but still, it is super hard to out-recruit Alabama right now.
2.) USC wants him, but I don't see that being a factor unless he is just hell bent on staying in the Pac 12.

 

[WoesBeGone]

Never count out the $EC.

 

[northeastNebraska]

I don't see him heading to USC. Doubt he would want to play against his old team in Utah.

 

[Kleitusbpn]

Sometimes it isn't as simple as "that team is better i want to go there".

He'd move the needle here and he'll go against run-based offenses virtually every week. that's not true at 'bama. I think some of Saban's sales pitches come back to bite him occasionally -- he overrecruits and everyone knows it so in these one-year sales pitches i think he can be at a bit of a disadvantage over some random 4* out of high school.

Biggest question mark with 'bama vs us is playing time. Saban is pretty famous for saying one thing and then moving on VERY quickly if things don't play out like he said. Yeah, IF he plays bama might get him drafted in the first or second round as a NT. But he's guarunteed to play here and there's something to be said about taking a different path than the "obvious" one -- and there's nothing that says he won't be drafted as highly here. absolutely nothing.

Truth is we've got a pretty good history of NT/DT being drafted or overperforming and it goes back a long, long time (glover, noonan, smith, suh, etc. and the obvious one that would be his position coach). It isn't like we're a johnny come lately as a program -- just down compared to the last several decades. and two 3rd rounders at his position this last year is nothing to sneeze at.

point being -- i don't think we're in a bad position here. it all comes down to what this guy is comfortable with -- that's parella's job.

 

[jlb321]

I seem to recall that our admissions department dropped the ball or was a barrier in a few similar cases in the past - hope this is not the case here

 

[northeastNebraska]

I seem to recall that our admissions department dropped the ball or was a barrier in a few similar cases in the past - hope this is not the case here

That was more so with kids coming out of high school. Grad transfer paperwork isn't hard. If he has a degree and we have a graduate program Utah doesn't, he can enroll here.

 

[Tyante]

Man, I hope you guys are right!

Reasons why he could be N:
1.) He would start immediately and have a huge impact working under a D-line coach with very fresh NFL contacts. If he wants to go pro, it's hard to beat an argument for playing here.

Reasons why he could not be N:
1.) Alabama wants him, and they just had a recruit not qualify academically. That guy was going to be a freshman, but still, it is super hard to out-recruit Alabama right now.
2.) USC wants him, but I don't see that being a factor unless he is just hell bent on staying in the Pac 12.

I think USC lost their top 4 DL to graduation. He'd see immediate playing time there as well. Hopefully he likes what Nebraska has to offer.

 

[leodisflowers]

I think if you wanted to come back and play, you would go somewhere that is going to potentially win a title. No info, but I'd say Bama for the chance at a title.

 

[red rover 70]

I think if you wanted to come back and play, you would go somewhere that is going to potentially win a title. No info, but I'd say Bama for the chance at a title.

If he was going to Bama he'd of announcement already I gotta believe. And I think your going to be surprised at our meteoric rise this year.

 

[leodisflowers]

If he was going to Bama he'd of announcement already I gotta believe. And I think your going to be surprised at our meteoric rise this year.

I think we are definitely going to have a rise Rover, but I'm not kidding myself into thinking we contend for the title. Big 10 Title maybe, but we aren't elite yet.

 

[Scrunge68]

I think if you wanted to come back and play, you would go somewhere that is going to potentially win a title. No info, but I'd say Bama for the chance at a title.

Titles are great....but if his goal is to make the pros...Winning a title does nothing for that if he is sitting on the bench. Not saying he wouldn't start but I think his chances of doing it here are much much higher.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

If he was going to Bama he'd of announcement already I gotta believe. And I think your going to be surprised at our meteoric rise this year.

I like your optimism about our season, but I don't see the grounds for it. We have the least talented and thinnest defensive line than I can remember going back years. You can't win in the B1G with a perennial second teamer (Maurice) and a couple of unproven redshirt freshman (Davis twins). We may have some sleeper talent at defensive end, but the tackle spots are a real weakness. And the coaches know it. That is why they are after graduate transfer and Juco tackles. I would be WAY more optimistic about this year if the defensive tackle spot were not a train wreck right now

 

[leodisflowers]

Titles are great....but if his goal is to make the pros...Winning a title does nothing for that if he is sitting on the bench. Not saying he wouldn't start but I think his chances of doing it here are much much higher.

You are right, a lot of getting to the pro level is how you perform on the field, but there is a lot that goes on at the combine and other meetings with teams that will drive his ability to get to that level as well. I'm in agreement that the best place to come in and start is NU, but winning a title is huge. He could have probably tested the pro level this year if there wasn't something else driving his decision. At the end of the day who knows what the kid is thinking. My opinion is based on what I would do if in his position.

 

[Husker Sledge]

I like your optimism about our season, but I don't see the grounds for it. We have the least talented and thinnest defensive line than I can remember going back years. You can't win in the B1G with a perennial second teamer (Maurice) and a couple of unproven redshirt freshman (Davis twins). We may have some sleeper talent at defensive end, but the tackle spots are a real weakness. And the coaches know it. That is why they are after graduate transfer and Juco tackles. I would be WAY more optimistic about this year if the defensive tackle spot were not a train wreck right now

I really feel that Maurice is going to have a great year. The exciting thing is the athleticism on the d-line will be off the charts. I do agree the lack of experience and depth is going to be hard to overcome this year. Getting this big dude in for one year would be huge!!!

 

[Scrunge68]

You are right, a lot of getting to the pro level is how you perform on the field, but there is a lot that goes on at the combine and other meetings with teams that will drive his ability to get to that level as well. I'm in agreement that the best place to come in and start is NU, but winning a title is huge. He could have probably tested the pro level this year if there wasn't something else driving his decision. At the end of the day who knows what the kid is thinking. My opinion is based on what I would do if in his position.

Possibly...but this was also a banner year for DT coming out and it was an incredibly deep draft class. Who knows what his motivations are. Here is to hoping it involves Nebraska.

 

[northeastNebraska]

I like your optimism about our season, but I don't see the grounds for it. We have the least talented and thinnest defensive line than I can remember going back years. You can't win in the B1G with a perennial second teamer (Maurice) and a couple of unproven redshirt freshman (Davis twins). We may have some sleeper talent at defensive end, but the tackle spots are a real weakness. And the coaches know it. That is why they are after graduate transfer and Juco tackles. I would be WAY more optimistic about this year if the defensive tackle spot were not a train wreck right now

The 2012 DL wasn't much better with Thad Randle, Jay Guy, Chase Rome and Cam Meredith playing DT. Those guys were upperclassmen too.

I'd rather have a group of talented and unproven freshman then guys like listed above along with a proven DT in Maurice.

 

[GeauxBigRed]

Yeah I don't agree there is a lack of talent. I thought I heard that coaches have decided not to go the Juco route at DT? They must like what they see.

 

[tharland]

Never count out the $EC.

BAG MEN of the $EC have a high closing ratio

 

[Kleitusbpn]

Yeah I don't agree there is a lack of talent. I thought I heard that coaches have decided not to go the Juco route at DT? They must like what they see.

Grad Transfer, not JUCO.

Here's his stats last year :

http://www.utahutes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/stevie_tuikolovatu_843599.html

Here's Valentine and Collins' as a point of comparison (hint: he compares extremely favorably in a league that runs less)

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205371832 (valentine)
http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=206288967 (collins)

 

[Pennsyhusker]

I really feel that Maurice is going to have a great year. The exciting thing is the athleticism on the d-line will be off the charts. I do agree the lack of experience and depth is going to be hard to overcome this year. Getting this big dude in for one year would be huge!!!

The athleticism will be off the charts??? Based on what? Hype for certain unproven players coming from Sipple and other local writers? We have Maurice who is a good, but not great, tackle. We have Stoltenberg (yawn). Decent player but nothing special and certainly untested. We have the Davis twins who are athletic. Do either of them shave yet? How old are they? 19? Remember, even Suh was nothing special as a sophomore, let alone a redshirt freshman.

 

[Dean Pope]

I like your optimism about our season, but I don't see the grounds for it. We have the least talented and thinnest defensive line than I can remember going back years. You can't win in the B1G with a perennial second teamer (Maurice) and a couple of unproven redshirt freshman (Davis twins). We may have some sleeper talent at defensive end, but the tackle spots are a real weakness. And the coaches know it. That is why they are after graduate transfer and Juco tackles. I would be WAY more optimistic about this year if the defensive tackle spot were not a train wreck right now

I'll disagree on your assessment of the tackle position. We are unproven there, but not lacking talent. Maurice is a play maker. The Davis boys are very talented and Stoltenberg is a beast. Now none of those four have proven a lot on the field so that is why a grad transfer would be a great fit for the coming season. But I don't feel near as pessimistic as you do about the interior defensive linemen. In fact, we may prove to be better off without a senior whose heart wasn't in it anymore (McMullen) and a malcontent (Williams) taking up space near the top of the depth chart.

 

[Kleitusbpn]

I'll disagree on your assessment of the tackle position. We are unproven there, but not lacking talent. Maurice is a play maker. The Davis boys are very talented and Stoltenberg is a beast. Now none of those four have proven a lot on the field so that is why a grad transfer would be a great fit for the coming season. But I don't feel near as pessimistic as you do about the interior defensive linemen. In fact, we may prove to be better off without a senior whose heart wasn't in it anymore (McMullen) and a malcontent (Williams) taking up space near the top of the depth chart.

We may not be better off this year but next year and the year after we will be.

 

[mkbrkloster]

I'll disagree on your assessment of the tackle position. We are unproven there, but not lacking talent. Maurice is a play maker. The Davis boys are very talented and Stoltenberg is a beast. Now none of those four have proven a lot on the field so that is why a grad transfer would be a great fit for the coming season. But I don't feel near as pessimistic as you do about the interior defensive linemen. In fact, we may prove to be better off without a senior whose heart wasn't in it anymore (McMullen) and a malcontent (Williams) taking up space near the top of the depth chart.

Proven depth is the problem at DL.

 

[red rover 70]

I'll disagree on your assessment of the tackle position. We are unproven there, but not lacking talent. Maurice is a play maker. The Davis boys are very talented and Stoltenberg is a beast. Now none of those four have proven a lot on the field so that is why a grad transfer would be a great fit for the coming season. But I don't feel near as pessimistic as you do about the interior defensive linemen. In fact, we may prove to be better off without a senior whose heart wasn't in it anymore (McMullen) and a malcontent (Williams) taking up space near the top of the depth chart.

We are young but boy do we have some studs!

 

[otismotis08]

Just let me know when he signs.

 

[red rover 70]

The athleticism will be off the charts??? Based on what? Hype for certain unproven players coming from Sipple and other local writers? We have Maurice who is a good, but not great, tackle. We have Stoltenberg (yawn). Decent player but nothing special and certainly untested. We have the Davis twins who are athletic. Do either of them shave yet? How old are they? 19? Remember, even Suh was nothing special as a sophomore, let alone a redshirt freshman.

Have you seen this young studs??? They're all men!

 

[TheBeav815]

Telling you guys... take it easy on the kool aid on these young DTs.

 

[Husker Sledge]

The athleticism will be off the charts??? Based on what? Hype for certain unproven players coming from Sipple and other local writers? We have Maurice who is a good, but not great, tackle. We have Stoltenberg (yawn). Decent player but nothing special and certainly untested. We have the Davis twins who are athletic. Do either of them shave yet? How old are they? 19? Remember, even Suh was nothing special as a sophomore, let alone a redshirt freshman.

Athleticism and being a great overall player are two different things you know. There is another pretty athletic Davis at DE. Also, Freedom. I think Maurice will be a much better player for us this year than Valentine ever was.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

We are young but boy do we have some studs!

I hope you are correct. I agree about McMullen and Williams. Not so sure Stoltenberg is a "stud"

 

[iROOT4nu]

My biggest thing with our young d-line is not how we come out the gates, but if they get better each week. That's how we find out how good Coach P is. I have faith and won't over sip the red stuff, but if his impact as coach is anywhere near Trent's from last year, look out. GBR.

 

[red rover 70]

I hope you are correct. I agree about McMullen and Williams. Not so sure Stoltenberg is a "stud"

That is a 6'5" 290 pound man right there. And he's a sophomore! This Nebraska kid is gonna be a good one.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

If we don't get the Utah kid, it could be a long season on that side of the ball. Hope I'm wrong, but I suspect our d-line is going to flash awesomeness from time to time but at the end of the day the NCAA is going to measure our rushing defensive stats in miles, not yards this year. Going forward I suspect they'll be great, but it might be asking a little much this season.

 

[Dean Pope]

I hope you are correct. I agree about McMullen and Williams. Not so sure Stoltenberg is a "stud"

Gretna kid. Played on the same field, same program as Janovich and would have had monster stats if not for an injury. Great athlete for his size. Only question mark in my mind is injuries. I think he's an upgrade over Williams starting this season.

 

[DudznSudz]

Thanks for the update on Stoltenberg's stats! 6'5 and 290 as a sophomore is pretty savage, I'm not gonna lie. I agree with most of the sentiment expressed above though, that we have a lot of young bucks who on paper at least seem great, but young is young and playing on the lines rewards skill, size, and experience.

I feel like Stoltenberg on D, and David Knevel on Left Tackle, are going to impress a lot of people this year. In Knevel's case, the guy is 6'9 and weighs well over 300 pounds. I don't care what kind of defensive end you are, if Knevel has any kind of speed, that would be like running into a brick wall.

 

[TheBeav815]

Nobody is saying the kids we have at DT can't be good. The thing is they're young and inexperienced. Even Jason Peter was a backup as a RS-Fr and didn't start til he was a soph. As it's been pointed out, Suh was nothing special til his junior year.

These kids may well end up in the NFL. Right now they're untested and raw and adjusting to a new coach. Look at it this way: If they didn't need any DTs, they wouldn't be talking to this dude from Utah.

 

[GeauxBigRed]

Grad Transfer, not JUCO.

Here's his stats last year :

http://www.utahutes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/stevie_tuikolovatu_843599.html

Here's Valentine and Collins' as a point of comparison (hint: he compares extremely favorably in a league that runs less)

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205371832 (valentine)
http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=206288967 (collins)

Should have clarified, I'm aware of this kids situation but I know the staff was looking at Juco DTs pretty hard pre spring but that seems to have fallen to the side. Grad Transfer makes sense but I don't think we need a Juco for the 2017 season with the amount of young talent getting reps this year.

 

[TheBeav815]

Should have clarified, I'm aware of this kids situation but I know the staff was looking at Juco DTs pretty hard pre spring but that seems to have fallen to the side. Grad Transfer makes sense but I don't think we need a Juco for the 2017 season with the amount of young talent getting reps this year.

Thought they had been targeting a JUCO DT and possibly an end as well? They do need them, especially DE.