The Roster

[GretnaShawn]

Let's look at Penn State. They are just coming off sanctions and I would consider them on Nebraska's level.

Here is their depth chart. (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp) And here is a list of their walk-ons on their depth chart.

Albert Hall - 3rd string OG - walk-on
Carl Nassib - 1st string DE - walk-on
Von Walker - 2st string LB - walk-on


Here is Nebraska's (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp?Year=2013&Team=NEBRASKA).

Fyfe - 2nd String QB
Reilly - 1st string WR
Hovey - 2nd String WR
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter).
Utter - 1st string OG
Dzuris - 2nd String DE
Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)
Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB
Janovich - 1st string FB


We have 3 times the walk-ons in our depth chart than Penn State, who just came off sanctions. We do have a better walk-on program, but come on. Bo has pretty well put us on sanctions with his recruiting effort.

NOTE: I chose Penn State arbitrarily and used them because they are in our conference, they just came off sanctions and they are a similar program with prestige, history and current situation.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Let's look at Penn State. They are just coming off sanctions and I would consider them on Nebraska's level.

Here is their depth chart. (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp) And here is a list of their walk-ons on their depth chart.

Albert Hall - 3rd string OG - walk-on
Carl Nassib - 1st string DE - walk-on
Von Walker - 2st string LB - walk-on


Here is Nebraska's (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp?Year=2013&Team=NEBRASKA).

Fyfe - 2nd String QB
Reilly - 1st string WR
Hovey - 2nd String WR
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter).
Utter - 1st string OG
Dzuris - 2nd String DE
Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)
Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB
Janovich - 1st string FB


We have 3 times the walk-ons in our depth chart than Penn State, who just came off sanctions. We do have a better walk-on program, but come on. Bo has pretty well put us on sanctions with his recruiting effort.

NOTE: I chose Penn State arbitrarily and used them because they are in our conference, they just came off sanctions and they are a similar program with prestige, history and current situation.

Nobody wanted to listen when those that know the situation pointed out our self-imposed sanctions. I said it was like being on Penn-State level sanctions, and this is further proof. Just freaking sad.

 

[dinglefritz]

Let's look at Penn State. They are just coming off sanctions and I would consider them on Nebraska's level.

Here is their depth chart. (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp) And here is a list of their walk-ons on their depth chart.

Albert Hall - 3rd string OG - walk-on
Carl Nassib - 1st string DE - walk-on
Von Walker - 2st string LB - walk-on


Here is Nebraska's (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp?Year=2013&Team=NEBRASKA).

Fyfe - 2nd String QB
Reilly - 1st string WR
Hovey - 2nd String WR
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter).
Utter - 1st string OG
Dzuris - 2nd String DE
Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)
Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB
Janovich - 1st string FB


We have 3 times the walk-ons in our depth chart than Penn State, who just came off sanctions. We do have a better walk-on program, but come on. Bo has pretty well put us on sanctions with his recruiting effort.

NOTE: I chose Penn State arbitrarily and used them because they are in our conference, they just came off sanctions and they are a similar program with prestige, history and current situation.

Most Husker fans love a feel good walk on story but when the number of walk ons reach that level on your depth chart you really have to pause and evaluate what was done previously in your recruiting of scholarship players. I posted many times that Bo's on and off field issues were hurting us horribly in recruiting and I believe it slammed the door on us for lots of talented players. We ended up with quite a few kids with issues many of which are no longer on the team. My expectations are that those types of problems are going to be much less prevelant going forward with Riley's scholarship athletes.

 

[SnohomishRed]

Let's look at Penn State. They are just coming off sanctions and I would consider them on Nebraska's level.

Here is their depth chart. (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp) And here is a list of their walk-ons on their depth chart.

Albert Hall - 3rd string OG - walk-on
Carl Nassib - 1st string DE - walk-on
Von Walker - 2st string LB - walk-on


Here is Nebraska's (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp?Year=2013&Team=NEBRASKA).

Fyfe - 2nd String QB
Reilly - 1st string WR
Hovey - 2nd String WR
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter).
Utter - 1st string OG
Dzuris - 2nd String DE
Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)
Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB
Janovich - 1st string FB


We have 3 times the walk-ons in our depth chart than Penn State, who just came off sanctions. We do have a better walk-on program, but come on. Bo has pretty well put us on sanctions with his recruiting effort.

NOTE: I chose Penn State arbitrarily and used them because they are in our conference, they just came off sanctions and they are a similar program with prestige, history and current situation.[/QU

Here are the numbers of recruits over last 4 years
NU - 86
WI - 74
Minn - 91
PSU - 86
MSU - 78
OSU - 99

I think the issue of class size was somewhat fixed over the last 3 years or so - Now to tell why we do not have some warm bodies you would have to look close at attrition - (what were the reasons some of this kids are not on roster) and whether or not the walk - on is just a better player than other recruited players in that instance walk ons are a good thing - for example look at our WR's you list two players and yet we still have DPE,Morgan and Turner - so it is not like we not talented at this position it is just that a couple of guys worked hard and are beating out a recruited player

Just because we have walk ons does not make it a bad thing - If we are playing walkons because we have no one else then yes its a problem - and we have holes at DE and LB which are problems - however this was caused by players leaving and maybe talent evaluation that just not signing players

 

[timnsun]

Nobody wanted to listen when those that know the situation pointed out our self-imposed sanctions. I said it was like being on Penn-State level sanctions, and this is further proof. Just freaking sad.

I freely admit I was one who said to let Bo recruit, he'll get his players... I was one who didn't want to listen. This is painful to see. But also pretty obvious where things are at.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

I freely admit I was one who said to let Bo recruit, he'll get his players... I was one who didn't want to listen. This is painful to see. But also pretty obvious where things are at.

Think how many of those "scholarship" players were last-minute scrambles.

 

[timnsun]

Think how many of those "scholarship" players were last-minute scrambles.

There were plenty that I was hoping would pan out...

 

[suhnami]

There were a lot of us who were very vocal about Bo not taking the full allotment every year. Multiple times we compared how teams like Alabama effectively had an entire extra class of recruits over 4 years compared to Nebraska.

 

[StrongArm517]

Unfortunately, those that cried "Callahan destroyed the walk on program" sure got what they wanted with Bo

 

[timnsun]

There were a lot of us who were very vocal about Bo not taking the full allotment every year. Multiple times we compared how teams like Alabama effectively had an entire extra class of recruits over 4 years compared to Nebraska.

As an eternal optimist, I didn't fully realize til Wisconsin last year (embarrassing, I know) that Bo was not the guy. It sounded good that we would have some extra scholarships for the best walkons. I didn't want to see that the recruiting efforts in many ways were so poor.

The approach Riley has taken has shown me how much more can be done, and I am hoping that over time (especially starting next year) we will see evidence of improved recruiting.

 

[JHball]

How many players have left or have been kicked off in the last 2-3 years? That may have something to do with it. Defense may look a little better with Leroy, Santos and Moss

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

How many players have left or have been kicked off in the last 2-3 years? That may have something to do with it. Defense may look a little better with Leroy, Santos and Moss

If those players could have: stayed off the juice, stayed academically eligible, and not commit crimes worthy of going on the sex offender registry.... I totally agree. We all know Bo only recruited good kids, who do good in school. At least that is what the ambulance chaser claims.

 

[CC_Lemming]

Could use Moss for sure right now.

 

[dinglefritz]

If those players could have: stayed off the juice, stayed academically eligible, and not commit crimes worthy of going on the sex offender registry.... I totally agree. We all know Bo only recruited good kids, who do good in school. At least that is what the ambulance chaser claims.

Bo had to reach on some kids that he knew had some character and academic issues to fill his class in part because of his own character flaws. Let's face it, first Carl's and then Bo's shenanigans slammed the door on NU with a bunch of moms and recruits. We're going to get some of those kids now that we didn't before.

 

[JHball]

Not trying to bring Bo into this discussion. I am actually interested in how many we have lost for one reason or another.

 

[huskerhomie]

Let's look at Penn State. They are just coming off sanctions and I would consider them on Nebraska's level.

Here is their depth chart. (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp) And here is a list of their walk-ons on their depth chart.

Albert Hall - 3rd string OG - walk-on
Carl Nassib - 1st string DE - walk-on
Von Walker - 2st string LB - walk-on


Here is Nebraska's (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp?Year=2013&Team=NEBRASKA).

Fyfe - 2nd String QB
Reilly - 1st string WR
Hovey - 2nd String WR
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter).
Utter - 1st string OG
Dzuris - 2nd String DE
Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)
Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB
Janovich - 1st string FB


We have 3 times the walk-ons in our depth chart than Penn State, who just came off sanctions. We do have a better walk-on program, but come on. Bo has pretty well put us on sanctions with his recruiting effort.

NOTE: I chose Penn State arbitrarily and used them because they are in our conference, they just came off sanctions and they are a similar program with prestige, history and current situation.

Good list, you forgot to add Jordan Harrison who is our 2nd string FB to the walk ons, but FB doesnt really matter that much as you will find a lot of folks that have walk ons at the FB position.

To compare us to another team in the B10, Michigan State....

Michigan State has 3 players on their 2 deep that are walk ons and 2 of them, are at the full back position. (which like I stated is normal) while we have 11 players that are walk ons by comparison.

We have 8 more walk ons on our two deep than Michigan State is, and on paper we have out recruited MSU the last 4 years.

People that are on the bubble with the new staff, or not liking the new staff should really take these numbers into consideration before being too critical of our new staff for whatever reason. The new staff took over, with in a sense one arm tied behind their back with how thing we were at some critical spots, as having 11 walk ons in our two deep will attest to that fact.

I have a hard time believing that you will find any top 25 team or even any B10 team right now that is going to have anywhere close to as many walk ons on their two deep as we do. Just let that sink in for a moment before you start to tear this staff a "new one".

Dont get me wrong, I am not stating that any of our walkons are bad players or anything like that, but at a blue blood school and at a school with as much tradition and history we should NEVER have this many walk ons having to contribute as much as they are. Walk ons are a luxury, they are not supposed to be starting and playing on your 2nd string or being relied upon as much as we are doing right now.

 

[dinglefritz]

Not trying to bring Bo into this discussion. I am actually interested in how many we have lost for one reason or another.

You can't talk about the busts or departures without talking about the guy that reached on recruits because of his own laziness and problems. The attrition from Bo's last few classes especially at DE and Linebacker has been a big problem.

 

[jay-cheese]

Too many walkon's or not enough? What is the exact happy medium here? Is there such a thing?

 

[mkbrkloster]

Too many walkon's or not enough? What is the exact happy medium here? Is there such a thing?

The key is whether you are using walkons to fill weak depth because you have available scholarships, or did they truly rise and beat out talented players (that are still here).

 

[Cornicator]

Let's look at Penn State. They are just coming off sanctions and I would consider them on Nebraska's level.

Here is their depth chart. (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp) And here is a list of their walk-ons on their depth chart.

Albert Hall - 3rd string OG - walk-on
Carl Nassib - 1st string DE - walk-on
Von Walker - 2st string LB - walk-on


Here is Nebraska's (https://bwi.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp?Year=2013&Team=NEBRASKA).

Fyfe - 2nd String QB
Reilly - 1st string WR
Hovey - 2nd String WR
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter).
Utter - 1st string OG
Dzuris - 2nd String DE
Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)
Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB
Janovich - 1st string FB


We have 3 times the walk-ons in our depth chart than Penn State, who just came off sanctions. We do have a better walk-on program, but come on. Bo has pretty well put us on sanctions with his recruiting effort.

NOTE: I chose Penn State arbitrarily and used them because they are in our conference, they just came off sanctions and they are a similar program with prestige, history and current situation.

I'm getting tired of this stupid point. I'm not trying to defend Bo, but the needs for walk ons are only hurting Nebraska at 2 positions:

DE and LB.


Reilly - 1st string WR - Would start or be a major contributor for virtually every Big Ten Team including Penn State
Hovey - 2nd String WR- Would be a contributor for every Big Ten Team
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter). - This is a silly. Sutton is #2 Sam Cotton is basically 3rd. Foster played a bunch becuase of suspensions and Sutton going down. Lots of teams are subjected to a walk on as their #4 TE.

Utter - 1st string OG - Penn State's Offensive line is a dumptster fire. Utter would be a starter there easily. He would start for at least 8 Big Ten teams. Utter is also starting in front of a HS All-American in DJ Foster and a Top 100 player in Tanner Farmer. If you want to argue whether he deserves to start, thats one thing, but its not by default.


Dzuris - 2nd String DE- Problematic.. He has a great mustache, but should not be a contributor for a Power 5 Defense.

Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)- High motor guy and effort player. He should be a situational player and would not start for most Power 5 Teams.

Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB - Definitely not a Big Ten player
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB - Should be a special teams player only

Janovich - 1st string FB - would be the starting full back for any Big Ten team that uses a fullback.

 

[huskerhomie]

I'm getting tired of this stupid point. I'm not trying to defend Bo, but the needs for walk ons are only hurting Nebraska at 2 positions:

DE and LB.


Reilly - 1st string WR - Would start or be a major contributor for virtually every Big Ten Team including Penn State
Hovey - 2nd String WR- Would be a contributor for every Big Ten Team
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter). - This is a silly. Sutton is #2 Sam Cotton is basically 3rd. Foster played a bunch becuase of suspensions and Sutton going down. Lots of teams are subjected to a walk on as their #4 TE.

Utter - 1st string OG - Penn State's Offensive line is a dumptster fire. Utter would be a starter there easily. He would start for at least 8 Big Ten teams. Utter is also starting in front of a HS All-American in DJ Foster and a Top 100 player in Tanner Farmer. If you want to argue whether he deserves to start, thats one thing, but its not by default.


Dzuris - 2nd String DE- Problematic.. He has a great mustache, but should not be a contributor for a Power 5 Defense.

Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)- High motor guy and effort player. He should be a situational player and would not start for most Power 5 Teams.

Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB - Definitely not a Big Ten player
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB - Should be a special teams player only

Janovich - 1st string FB - would be the starting full back for any Big Ten team that uses a fullback.

LOL Saying: "We we ONLY have problems at two spots LB and DE is just funny. Essentially what you are saying is: "Well we ONLY have a problem with 2/3rds of our defense so that is no big deal.
You also left off a huge big deal as far as a walk on in our 2 deep and that is with our back up QB. That is a HUGE potential hole.

Foster played over Sutton last year, and he did this year as well and was listed ahead of him on the depth chart even before Sutton went down. In fact Foster has been listed ahead of Cotton on the depth chart every single week, so please lets not get it twisted either as to where Sutton is on the depth chart. Go look at a depth chart right now and you will find Foster number 1, then Cethan then Cotton. It is not like Sutton was a highly regarded 4 star or even 3 star recruit, he was barely a 2 star and was what one would call pretty close to being one of those dudes who probably should have been a walk on. So stating that Foster and Sutton were close is fine, but remember just what you are talking about, especially with an offense that was going to feature the TE more. So yes we have a problem at TE as well with the walk ons.

Hovey is a complimentary player, but we should/could do better at the WR spot with a scholly player.

So lets put your argument into proper perspective:

The walk ons are "only" a problem for 2/3rds of our defense, our TE position and our QB position.

Yet you dont think that is much of a problem, or not hurting us that much as far as the overall product and talent on the field? Sorry, I disagree with ya here.

Then in addition to all the walk ons, we also need to add all the Frosh that are starting at key spots as well so that further puts us behind the 8 ball.

We were the ONLY top 25 team and only B10 team in week 1 that started 3 Frosh and 2 True Frosh on D. WE still have a few Frosh starting, which also shows how we are lacking in the depth department at VERY key spots.

As it stands vs Miami, we had to play 2 injured Linebackers and start them and their backups were a walk on and a Freshman.

UCLA on the other hand, just lost their all american stud linebacker and his backups are 2 three star guys one from LB poly and the other with major offers from Oregon, Stanford, Arky, A&M, etc.... So when you say we are only having a "little bit" of a problem at LB, you are simply understating how bad the situation really is.

 

[SilentCommit]

I'm getting tired of this stupid point. I'm not trying to defend Bo, but the needs for walk ons are only hurting Nebraska at 2 positions:

DE and LB.


Reilly - 1st string WR - Would start or be a major contributor for virtually every Big Ten Team including Penn State
Hovey - 2nd String WR- Would be a contributor for every Big Ten Team
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter). - This is a silly. Sutton is #2 Sam Cotton is basically 3rd. Foster played a bunch becuase of suspensions and Sutton going down. Lots of teams are subjected to a walk on as their #4 TE.

Utter - 1st string OG - Penn State's Offensive line is a dumptster fire. Utter would be a starter there easily. He would start for at least 8 Big Ten teams. Utter is also starting in front of a HS All-American in DJ Foster and a Top 100 player in Tanner Farmer. If you want to argue whether he deserves to start, thats one thing, but its not by default.


Dzuris - 2nd String DE- Problematic.. He has a great mustache, but should not be a contributor for a Power 5 Defense.

Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)- High motor guy and effort player. He should be a situational player and would not start for most Power 5 Teams.

Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB - Definitely not a Big Ten player
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB - Should be a special teams player only

Janovich - 1st string FB - would be the starting full back for any Big Ten team that uses a fullback.

I almost always agree with your posts, and you always make a lot of sense. However, we've lost five of our last seven games, spanning 2 different coaching staffs. A small sample size, to be sure, but my thought is: at what point do we accept that the roster is a problem? I'm not saying that we have terrible players, we do indeed have many good players. We're razor thin at positions of need, and injuries only tell part of the story. 5 of the last 7 games, guys. I don't know if it's talent alone, injuries, coaching, player development, whatever. That's who we are as a team right now.

 

[timnsun]

I'm getting tired of this stupid point. I'm not trying to defend Bo, but the needs for walk ons are only hurting Nebraska at 2 positions:

DE and LB.


Reilly - 1st string WR - Would start or be a major contributor for virtually every Big Ten Team including Penn State
Hovey - 2nd String WR- Would be a contributor for every Big Ten Team
Trey Foster - 2nd String TE (they have him listed as 1st, but he is a backup to Carter). - This is a silly. Sutton is #2 Sam Cotton is basically 3rd. Foster played a bunch becuase of suspensions and Sutton going down. Lots of teams are subjected to a walk on as their #4 TE.

Utter - 1st string OG - Penn State's Offensive line is a dumptster fire. Utter would be a starter there easily. He would start for at least 8 Big Ten teams. Utter is also starting in front of a HS All-American in DJ Foster and a Top 100 player in Tanner Farmer. If you want to argue whether he deserves to start, thats one thing, but its not by default.


Dzuris - 2nd String DE- Problematic.. He has a great mustache, but should not be a contributor for a Power 5 Defense.

Gangwish - 1st String DE (not listed due to injury)- High motor guy and effort player. He should be a situational player and would not start for most Power 5 Teams.

Brad Simpson - 3rd string LB - Definitely not a Big Ten player
Chris Weber - 2nd string LB - Should be a special teams player only

Janovich - 1st string FB - would be the starting full back for any Big Ten team that uses a fullback.

I have respected your breakdowns and your opinions a ton... With that in mind, even if we are only hurting at linebacker and D end, how much does it affect our defense? I don't think you are saying very little, so can you put it in perspective how we should be viewing this defense?

 

[Cornicator]

LOL Saying: "We we ONLY have problems at two spots LB and DE is just funny. Essentially what you are saying is: "Well we ONLY have a problem with 2/3rds of our defense so that is no big deal.
You also left off a huge big deal as far as a walk on in our 2 deep and that is with our back up QB. That is a HUGE potential hole.

Foster played over Sutton last year, and he did this year as well and was listed ahead of him on the depth chart even before Sutton went down. In fact Foster has been listed ahead of Cotton on the depth chart every single week, so please lets not get it twisted either as to where Sutton is on the depth chart. Go look at a depth chart right now and you will find Foster number 1, then Cethan then Cotton. It is not like Sutton was a highly regarded 4 star or even 3 star recruit, he was barely a 2 star and was what one would call pretty close to being one of those dudes who probably should have been a walk on. So stating that Foster and Sutton were close is fine, but remember just what you are talking about, especially with an offense that was going to feature the TE more. So yes we have a problem at TE as well with the walk ons.

Hovey is a complimentary player, but we should/could do better at the WR spot with a scholly player.

So lets put your argument into proper perspective:

The walk ons are "only" a problem for 2/3rds of our defense, our TE position and our QB position.

Yet you dont think that is much of a problem, or not hurting us that much as far as the overall product and talent on the field? Sorry, I disagree with ya here.

Then in addition to all the walk ons, we also need to add all the Frosh that are starting at key spots as well so that further puts us behind the 8 ball.

We were the ONLY top 25 team and only B10 team in week 1 that started 3 Frosh and 2 True Frosh on D. WE still have a few Frosh starting, which also shows how we are lacking in the depth department at VERY key spots.

As it stands vs Miami, we had to play 2 injured Linebackers and start them and their backups were a walk on and a Freshman.

UCLA on the other hand, just lost their all american stud linebacker and his backups are 2 three star guys one from LB poly and the other with major offers from Oregon, Stanford, Arky, A&M, etc.... So when you say we are only having a "little bit" of a problem at LB, you are simply understating how bad the situation really is.

What the hell are you talking about?

Are you talking about Walk Ons, or roster problems?

I''m saying the need for Walk Ons ONLY hurts the team at LB and DE. That's my point. If you want to complain about the rest of the roster, that's another argument.

I'm not going to listen to people claim Brandon Reilly's walk on status is bad for this team when he would be a major contributor for any team in the Big Ten.

Dylan Utter is starting over Tanner Farmer and DJ Foster. Both players were major recruits and both players have shown flashess of greatness in practice. In fact, plenty of people believe Farmer and Foster should be starting over Utter and Chongo.



Walk ons didn't cause Miami to beat Nebraska. Its a stupid excuse.

 

[Cornicator]

I almost always agree with your posts, and you always make a lot of sense. However, we've lost five of our last seven games, spanning 2 different coaching staffs. A small sample size, to be sure, but my thought is: at what point do we accept that the roster is a problem? I'm not saying that we have terrible players, we do indeed have many good players. We're razor thin at positions of need, and injuries only tell part of the story. 5 of the last 7 games, guys. I don't know if it's talent alone, injuries, coaching, player development, whatever. That's who we are as a team right now.

Pinning losses all on talent is somewhat misguided. I think you probably need to seperate 2014 from 2015 because the staffs and teams are different.

But... I'm not trying to prop up an argument about Nebraska's grand personnel. I'm just trying to deflect the absurdity of this "walk on" excuse.

Bo and staff left the team some major holes at LB and DE. Nebraska and Riley are now forced to run a Quarters 4-3 defense without the ability to put a lot of pressure on the QB. Out of default Nebraska is turning to walk ons for depth at linebacker and starters at DE.

I agree with anyone who says guys like Chris Weber or Dzuris shouldn't be in the 2 deep. I get it, and its problematic. Its also an issue that young scholarship guys like Gifford and Dedrick Young need to fill big roles. Ideally, at DE, a guy like Gangwish would be a 3rd down situational guy and not even a starters. But when healthy, they need him at #1.


But... stop acting like Utter or Brandon Reilly or Hovey or Janovich are harming this team. They are all worthy players and Reilly is potentially an All Big Ten HM caliber player because his Yards Per catch number is excellent.

 

[GBR_Atlanta]

As an eternal optimist, I didn't fully realize til Wisconsin last year (embarrassing, I know) that Bo was not the guy. It sounded good that we would have some extra scholarships for the best walkons. I didn't want to see that the recruiting efforts in many ways were so poor.

The approach Riley has taken has shown me how much more can be done, and I am hoping that over time (especially starting next year) we will see evidence of improved recruiting.

I am right with you. So much so that I could've written the same post. I really thought everything was going to be fine. It wasn't until I was off the Bo bandwagon (last year's Wiscy game) that I really started to look at recruiting. Even after that, I didn't know it was going to be this bad.

 

[GretnaShawn]

Pinning losses all on talent is somewhat misguided. I think you probably need to seperate 2014 from 2015 because the staffs and teams are different.

But... I'm not trying to prop up an argument about Nebraska's grand personnel. I'm just trying to deflect the absurdity of this "walk on" excuse.

Bo and staff left the team some major holes at LB and DE. Nebraska and Riley are now forced to run a Quarters 4-3 defense without the ability to put a lot of pressure on the QB. Out of default Nebraska is turning to walk ons for depth at linebacker and starters at DE.

I agree with anyone who says guys like Chris Weber or Dzuris shouldn't be in the 2 deep. I get it, and its problematic. Its also an issue that young scholarship guys like Gifford and Dedrick Young need to fill big roles. Ideally, at DE, a guy like Gangwish would be a 3rd down situational guy and not even a starters. But when healthy, they need him at #1.


But... stop acting like Utter or Brandon Reilly or Hovey or Janovich are harming this team. They are all worthy players and Reilly is potentially an All Big Ten HM caliber player because his Yards Per catch number is excellent.

That is what I meant. My post wasn't meant to demean Reilly, Janovich, Utter, etc. It was to show how bad the depth is at certain spots, DE, LB and QB.

 

[NikkiSixx]

geez, someone needs to have a snickers bar

 

[GBR_Atlanta]

geez, someone needs to have a snickers bar

WHAT IF THAT'S BEEN BO'S PROBLEM THIS ENTIRE TIME????

 

[SnohomishRed]

Pinning losses all on talent is somewhat misguided. I think you probably need to seperate 2014 from 2015 because the staffs and teams are different.

But... I'm not trying to prop up an argument about Nebraska's grand personnel. I'm just trying to deflect the absurdity of this "walk on" excuse.

Bo and staff left the team some major holes at LB and DE. Nebraska and Riley are now forced to run a Quarters 4-3 defense without the ability to put a lot of pressure on the QB. Out of default Nebraska is turning to walk ons for depth at linebacker and starters at DE.

I agree with anyone who says guys like Chris Weber or Dzuris shouldn't be in the 2 deep. I get it, and its problematic. Its also an issue that young scholarship guys like Gifford and Dedrick Young need to fill big roles. Ideally, at DE, a guy like Gangwish would be a 3rd down situational guy and not even a starters. But when healthy, they need him at #1.


But... stop acting like Utter or Brandon Reilly or Hovey or Janovich are harming this team. They are all worthy players and Reilly is potentially an All Big Ten HM caliber player because his Yards Per catch number is excellent.

I wonder why we are light at DE right now - For example what happened to these guys

Keels - JC 2013 5.7 3 star - very long offer list with P5 schools
King -= 2014 5.5 3 star - decent P5 offer list
Natter - 2013 5.7 3 star - almost every Big10 offered and recruited him

Sometimes people make it sound like we one recruited player with 5 walkons behind him - that I do not believe to be the case. Now there were certainly some misses and then also losing a DE, Santos and Love who who all be starting or greatly contributing that hurt

 

[GretnaShawn]

I wonder why we are light at DE right now - For example what happened to these guys

Keels - JC 2013 5.7 3 star - very long offer list with P5 schools
King -= 2014 5.5 3 star - decent P5 offer list
Natter - 2013 5.7 3 star - almost every Big10 offered and recruited him

Sometimes people make it sound like we one recruited player with 5 walkons behind him - that I do not believe to be the case. Now there were certainly some misses and then also losing a DE, Santos and Love who who all be starting or greatly contributing that hurt

I saw Keel and Natter in mop up duty vs USA. Have no idea why they haven't progressed.

 

[Cornicator]

I wonder why we are light at DE right now - For example what happened to these guys

Keels - JC 2013 5.7 3 star - very long offer list with P5 schools
King -= 2014 5.5 3 star - decent P5 offer list
Natter - 2013 5.7 3 star - almost every Big10 offered and recruited him

Sometimes people make it sound like we one recruited player with 5 walkons behind him - that I do not believe to be the case. Now there were certainly some misses and then also losing a DE, Santos and Love who who all be starting or greatly contributing that hurt

Bad luck with Natter - Injuries took its toll. He should probably move inside.
King doesn't seem to be putting on any weight and gets pusshed around. Its a shame as well. He's easily the most explosive pass rusher on the team.

Keels is still injured but seems to lack motivation.


I also know these coaches will not play guys who struggled in class last Spring. I wonder if King or Keels fit that mode.

 

[SnohomishRed]

Not doubting the coaches decision - but there is more to our depth issues than we just did not sign enough players

 

[red rover 70]

Unfortunately, those that cried "Callahan destroyed the walk on program" sure got what they wanted with Bo

The walk-on program should be used to add that special few players every year.

 

[SnohomishRed]

This whole thing is getting blown out of porportion - if you want to defend Riley use another line of reasoning

For the years 2012.2013 2014 - we signed the following recruits at DE

Mcmullen
Moss
Gregory
Mixon
Natter
Suttles
Keels
King
newell
Wills

Thats 10 kids how many players do you guys think we should have signed at DE? - now if you want to make a case we missed on a bunch of guys, then maybe but the majority of these players were highly recruited players coming in

 

[huskerbaseball13]

This whole thing is getting blown out of porportion - if you want to defend Riley use another line of reasoning

For the years 2012.2013 2014 - we signed the following recruits at DE

Mcmullen
Moss
Gregory
Mixon
Natter
Suttles
Keels
King
newell
Wills

Thats 10 kids how many players do you guys think we should have signed at DE? - now if you want to make a case we missed on a bunch of guys, then maybe but the majority of these players were highly recruited players coming in

Their offers mean nothing once they step foot on campus. Either the previous staff failed to develop the position or they mismanaged the position. Maybe both.

 

[huskerhomie]

Their offers mean nothing once they step foot on campus. Either the previous staff failed to develop the position or they mismanaged the position. Maybe both.

This ^^^^

I dont give a rip if they recruited 20 guys at the DE or LB spot, the only thing that matters is what we have there NOW, and what our current coaches have to work with, which is not a heck of a lot. So yes it is all on Bo and the previous staff for whatever reasons it was...Missed on players, players didnt develop etc.

We should NOT BE USING 11 Walk ons on our 2 deep PERIOD> End of story. I dont give a shite if a few of them are good contributors. You are not going to sell me that we couldnt be upgraded with schollie players at MOST of those post, because we would. This is not to chop down the walk ons we have because they are giving it their all, but you are NOT going to win a lot of games in this day and age by having as many walk ons on our 2 deep as we have now PERIOD>

 

[rrthusker]

This ^^^^

I dont give a rip if they recruited 20 guys at the DE or LB spot, the only thing that matters is what we have there NOW, and what our current coaches have to work with, which is not a heck of a lot. So yes it is all on Bo and the previous staff for whatever reasons it was...Missed on players, players didnt develop etc.

We should NOT BE USING 11 Walk ons on our 2 deep PERIOD> End of story. I dont give a shite if a few of them are good contributors. You are not going to sell me that we couldnt be upgraded with schollie players at MOST of those post, because we would. This is not to chop down the walk ons we have because they are giving it their all, but you are NOT going to win a lot of games in this day and age by having as many walk ons on our 2 deep as we have now PERIOD>

Gotta agree with you here.

 

[barney44]

I almost always agree with your posts, and you always make a lot of sense. However, we've lost five of our last seven games, spanning 2 different coaching staffs. A small sample size, to be sure, but my thought is: at what point do we accept that the roster is a problem? I'm not saying that we have terrible players, we do indeed have many good players. We're razor thin at positions of need, and injuries only tell part of the story. 5 of the last 7 games, guys. I don't know if it's talent alone, injuries, coaching, player development, whatever. That's who we are as a team right now.

USC was one of those games we lost of the last seven and one would say their roaster is loaded with talent sitting behind talent yet we didn't exactly get curb stomped like the roster differences would indicate. I'm not saying we're all fine and dandy but I don't think we're hurting nearly as bad as some would assume nor are we sitting as well as some would like to assume. I'd say we're more in the middle with some thin areas to fill.

 

[dinglefritz]

USC was one of those games we lost of the last seven and one would say their roaster is loaded with talent sitting behind talent yet we didn't exactly get curb stomped like the roster differences would indicate. I'm not saying we're all fine and dandy but I don't think we're hurting nearly as bad as some would assume nor are we sitting as well as some would like to assume. I'd say we're more in the middle with some thin areas to fill.

Depth and talent deficiencies at ONE position on your defense can be a killer and we have a problem with basically FOUR positions out of 11 on our defense. A few years ago Washington lost their senior linebacker before we played them and they had to start a freshman. He was lost out there and it cost them several games until they got their starter back. In the bowl game rematch that senior linebacker was everywhere and almost single handedly shut us down. We say we're short at linebacker and DE but really its BOTH DEs and 2 linebacker spots at least. You can't start freshmen linebackers and play a 3 rd string DE without expecting a huge drop off in your defense. Just the way it is. Freedom looks like he is going to be a good one, but he's still young and inexperienced. The whiffs on DEs or at least the lack of the development there of Bo's recruits is disappointing to say the least. Even last year it sounded to me like the old staff questioned a couple of those guys' "want to" once they got on campus. That would have been nice to know before they game them scholarships.