Tuesday morning was the only open practice the media will have access this spring for pictures, video, and observations. We got to see 30 minutes of Tuesday's full-padded practice. Here are some observations from the HuskerOnline Staff.
Sean Callahan's observations
***Just watching the defensive line in action, Mick Stoltenberg was out on Tuesday, so Peyton Newell, Damion Daniels, and Ben Lingenfelter were working at nose tackle. Sedrick King was also not practicing on the defensive line.
***Just watching the quarterbacks, Adrian Martinez was a lot thicker than I even realized. His lower body is pretty filled out, and he looks as good physically as any of the quarterbacks.
***No surprise, but Noah Vedral operates with a cool, calm, collective demeanor. He looked comfortable with everything they were doing.
***The biggest surprise to me was watching Andrew Bunch. He is a much better fit for this offense than Mike Riley's. He looks like a fit in this system going forward, and he's going to have a future here under Frost. His mobility also was impressive watching him run around. I'm not saying he's going to win the job or anything, but more that he's probably going to be a guy at the spring game most fans will walk away impressed with.
***The running backs split out wide a lot. I noticed several of the backs like Wyatt Mazour and Mikale Wilbon lined up at wide-out. Greg Bell was not practicing on Tuesday.
***I mentioned Hunter Miller as a walk-on to watch a few weeks back, and it appears he's already impressed the new coaching staff. Miller was taking the No. 1 center reps on Tuesday, but Cole Conrad was back on the practice field. Michael Decker remains out. Miller was set to make the 105 man roster last year as a walk-on before hurting his shoulder. He's smart, explosive and powerful.
***Offensive lineman Boe Wilson looked slim and trim. He was the only offensive lineman I saw that had his shirt rolled up showing off his stomach.
***When stretching was over, the entire team lined up on the goal line. Will Honas came up with a football and simulated a snap, and every player sprinted to the 40. The level of intensity and style of practice is much different. High energy, loud music and guys running around everywhere.
***When stretching was over, both side of the ball lined up for a good on good live team session...with to the ground tackling. Haven't seen that for a long time. Especially in a non-scrimmage situation.
***When stretching was over, a group of players got in the middle of the team and led them through a clapping routine. Ben Stille and Jerald Foster were two of the players I saw in the middle leading it. I couldn't make out the others.
***The music on Tuesday was up-tempo hip-hop. The days of country music and 80's rock being blared at practice appear to be done. The music is also louder than I can ever remember. When you walk by the speakers your ears ring it's so loud.
Robin Washut's observations
***Here are the players who did not practice on Tuesday with various injuries:
Mick Stoltenberg
Greg Bell
Michael Decker
Tre Bryant
Luke Gifford
JoJo Domann
Sedrick King
Jordan Ober
***Senior offensive lineman Cole Conrad is back after missing the first week of spring ball with a shoulder injury.
***With Ober out, Nebraska was working Chase Urbach, Jackson Walker, and Damian Jackson at long snapper.
***When the team broke into offense and defense groups, Tristan Gebbia was the first quarterback out there.
***Walk-on Hunter Miller continues to get reps with the top offensive groups at center. Matt Farniok, Tanner Farmer, Miller, Jerald Foster, and Brenden Jaimes looked to be the main first o-line group.
***Freshman Justin McGriff is one of the longest receivers I’ve seen at Nebraska in some time. Depending on how NU uses him, he could be a matchup nightmare on the perimeter vs. smaller cornerbacks.
***The first rep of the team offense vs. defense portion of practice was a 20-plus yard completion from Andrew Bunch to Stanley Morgan along the sideline on an out route.
***It’s a very small thing, but I noticed that the team is no longer separated half and half by offense and defense during the warmup portion of practices. They’re still broken up by position, but the offensive line is next to the defensive backs, the quarterbacks are next to the defensive line, eliminating that division between the two sides of the ball.
***Walk-on linebacker Jordan Paup was getting some reps with the top defensive groups during the O vs. D session.
***As Sean noted, Honas is well on his way to being a fixture for the defense at linebacker. He looks every bit the part and seems to be already taking on a leadership role.
***With Stoltenberg out, Peyton Newell was getting a lot of the reps with the top defensive group. He will battle with Damion Daniels all offseason for that No. 2 nose tackle spot.
Sean Callahan's observations
***Just watching the defensive line in action, Mick Stoltenberg was out on Tuesday, so Peyton Newell, Damion Daniels, and Ben Lingenfelter were working at nose tackle. Sedrick King was also not practicing on the defensive line.
***Just watching the quarterbacks, Adrian Martinez was a lot thicker than I even realized. His lower body is pretty filled out, and he looks as good physically as any of the quarterbacks.
***No surprise, but Noah Vedral operates with a cool, calm, collective demeanor. He looked comfortable with everything they were doing.
***The biggest surprise to me was watching Andrew Bunch. He is a much better fit for this offense than Mike Riley's. He looks like a fit in this system going forward, and he's going to have a future here under Frost. His mobility also was impressive watching him run around. I'm not saying he's going to win the job or anything, but more that he's probably going to be a guy at the spring game most fans will walk away impressed with.
***The running backs split out wide a lot. I noticed several of the backs like Wyatt Mazour and Mikale Wilbon lined up at wide-out. Greg Bell was not practicing on Tuesday.
***I mentioned Hunter Miller as a walk-on to watch a few weeks back, and it appears he's already impressed the new coaching staff. Miller was taking the No. 1 center reps on Tuesday, but Cole Conrad was back on the practice field. Michael Decker remains out. Miller was set to make the 105 man roster last year as a walk-on before hurting his shoulder. He's smart, explosive and powerful.
***Offensive lineman Boe Wilson looked slim and trim. He was the only offensive lineman I saw that had his shirt rolled up showing off his stomach.
***When stretching was over, the entire team lined up on the goal line. Will Honas came up with a football and simulated a snap, and every player sprinted to the 40. The level of intensity and style of practice is much different. High energy, loud music and guys running around everywhere.
***When stretching was over, both side of the ball lined up for a good on good live team session...with to the ground tackling. Haven't seen that for a long time. Especially in a non-scrimmage situation.
***When stretching was over, a group of players got in the middle of the team and led them through a clapping routine. Ben Stille and Jerald Foster were two of the players I saw in the middle leading it. I couldn't make out the others.
***The music on Tuesday was up-tempo hip-hop. The days of country music and 80's rock being blared at practice appear to be done. The music is also louder than I can ever remember. When you walk by the speakers your ears ring it's so loud.
Robin Washut's observations
***Here are the players who did not practice on Tuesday with various injuries:
Mick Stoltenberg
Greg Bell
Michael Decker
Tre Bryant
Luke Gifford
JoJo Domann
Sedrick King
Jordan Ober
***Senior offensive lineman Cole Conrad is back after missing the first week of spring ball with a shoulder injury.
***With Ober out, Nebraska was working Chase Urbach, Jackson Walker, and Damian Jackson at long snapper.
***When the team broke into offense and defense groups, Tristan Gebbia was the first quarterback out there.
***Walk-on Hunter Miller continues to get reps with the top offensive groups at center. Matt Farniok, Tanner Farmer, Miller, Jerald Foster, and Brenden Jaimes looked to be the main first o-line group.
***Freshman Justin McGriff is one of the longest receivers I’ve seen at Nebraska in some time. Depending on how NU uses him, he could be a matchup nightmare on the perimeter vs. smaller cornerbacks.
***The first rep of the team offense vs. defense portion of practice was a 20-plus yard completion from Andrew Bunch to Stanley Morgan along the sideline on an out route.
***It’s a very small thing, but I noticed that the team is no longer separated half and half by offense and defense during the warmup portion of practices. They’re still broken up by position, but the offensive line is next to the defensive backs, the quarterbacks are next to the defensive line, eliminating that division between the two sides of the ball.
***Walk-on linebacker Jordan Paup was getting some reps with the top defensive groups during the O vs. D session.
***As Sean noted, Honas is well on his way to being a fixture for the defense at linebacker. He looks every bit the part and seems to be already taking on a leadership role.
***With Stoltenberg out, Peyton Newell was getting a lot of the reps with the top defensive group. He will battle with Damion Daniels all offseason for that No. 2 nose tackle spot.
