Under the radar players

[leodisflowers]

Who are your sleepers for this years team to have a big year:

DB - Larry Tarver. Talked with someone who watched practice and said he looks pretty damn good for a frosh
DL - Kai Wallin. Played a decent amount last year at the end and I think this kid has a bright future. Kind of was looking Jared Crickish. My opinion is the future could be bright for this kid.
LB - Shavers isn't really a sleeper at this point as he is getting a lot of pub. Gonna go with Genatone only for the fact he is a Nebraska kid and mad a "freaks" list.

QB - No under the radar
OL - Seagren or Brix. Just don't trust TC and think we are going to need someone off the radar. Gottula probably fits here as well.
RB - Mekhi Nelson. Just have zero trust with anyone outside of EJ
TE - Heinrich Haarburg. I feel like he is going to make the switch at some point and is too athletic to keep of the field. We are in good shape at TE, but he runs better than all of them by far.
WR - Bonner. So much attention on so many other WR's and the kid seems to just be a solid football player all around. Have heard he may get used like Deebo Samuel and just line up everywhere including RB.

K - John Hohl. Wouldn't be surprised if he replaces Alvano early. Hopefully TA gets it together, but feel like we have a good one with Hohl and it sounds like Nico looks decent as well
P - Koch. Same as above. I feel like BB is going to have a short leash as well. Either punt like you should or get the **** out.

 

[Dylman]

Wonderful list sir! I would love to see HH at a position switch. Dude is just a natural athlete.

 

[drubendall]

Who are your sleepers for this years team to have a big year:

DB - Larry Tarver. Talked with someone who watched practice and said he looks pretty damn good for a frosh
DL - Kai Wallin. Played a decent amount last year at the end and I think this kid has a bright future. Kind of was looking Jared Crickish. My opinion is the future could be bright for this kid.
LB - Shavers isn't really a sleeper at this point as he is getting a lot of pub. Gonna go with Genatone only for the fact he is a Nebraska kid and mad a "freaks" list.

QB - No under the radar
OL - Seagren or Brix. Just don't trust TC and think we are going to need someone off the radar. Gottula probably fits here as well.
RB - Mekhi Nelson. Just have zero trust with anyone outside of EJ
TE - Heinrich Haarburg. I feel like he is going to make the switch at some point and is too athletic to keep of the field. We are in good shape at TE, but he runs better than all of them by far.
WR - Bonner. So much attention on so many other WR's and the kid seems to just be a solid football player all around. Have heard he may get used like Deebo Samuel and just line up everywhere including RB.

K - John Hohl. Wouldn't be surprised if he replaces Alvano early. Hopefully TA gets it together, but feel like we have a good one with Hohl and it sounds like Nico looks decent as well
P - Koch. Same as above. I feel like BB is going to have a short leash as well. Either punt like you should or get the **** out.

Keelan Smith will be a dude. I predict he will make an early impact. There is no way he doesn’t understand what big time athletics is.

 

[king_kong_]

Keelan Smith will be a dude. I predict he will make an early impact. There is no way he doesn’t understand what big time athletics is.

Top of my list, too

 

[konaki]

Wonderful list sir! I would love to see HH at a position switch. Dude is just a natural athlete.

I'm sure Haarberg will see the field in every game and not all of his game action will be as a QB, you will most likely see him in the backfield next to Dylan Raiola or in the slot. When you see Haarberg in as QB he will most likely be Nebraska's wildcat QB during goal line situations, in this I have little doubt.

 

[cubsker]

I hope Koch is good enough to take the P spot.

 

[leodisflowers]

I hope Koch is good enough to take the P spot.

Amen!

 

[SickOfPractice]

I'm loving this thread.

I'm gonna go with HH at QB. I hope DR is everything we're expecting, and more, and along with that I'm hopeful HH has upped his QB game from a year ago and contributes substantially this year.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

I'm sure Haarberg will see the field in every game and not all of his game action will be as a QB, you will most likely see him in the backfield next to Dylan Raiola or in the slot. When you see Haarberg in as QB he will most likely be Nebraska's wildcat QB during goal line situations, in this I have little doubt.

Don't bet on it.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

I agree with Kong, in that you aren't going to risk getting your backup QB hurt playing TE or WR on a regular basis. Especially with the depth in the QB room right now. IF at some point Kaelin or someone else steps up to be a satisfactory 3rd string, maybe at that point you could see Haarberg at TE or on the field at another position other than QB

 

[king_kong_]

I agree with Kong, in that you aren't going to risk getting your backup QB hurt playing TE or WR on a regular basis. Especially with the depth in the QB room right now. IF at some point Kaelin or someone else steps up to be a satisfactory 3rd string, maybe at that point you could see Haarberg at TE or on the field at another position other than QB

I think that time will come next season when HH is a RS Sr

he may even do a full-time position switch next offseason if the guys behind him are in a place where the coaching staff can put them out there and win games should we need them to.

 

[scarletred]

Who are your sleepers for this years team to have a big year:

DB - Larry Tarver. Talked with someone who watched practice and said he looks pretty damn good for a frosh
DL - Kai Wallin. Played a decent amount last year at the end and I think this kid has a bright future. Kind of was looking Jared Crickish. My opinion is the future could be bright for this kid.
LB - Shavers isn't really a sleeper at this point as he is getting a lot of pub. Gonna go with Genatone only for the fact he is a Nebraska kid and mad a "freaks" list.

QB - No under the radar
OL - Seagren or Brix. Just don't trust TC and think we are going to need someone off the radar. Gottula probably fits here as well.
RB - Mekhi Nelson. Just have zero trust with anyone outside of EJ
TE - Heinrich Haarburg. I feel like he is going to make the switch at some point and is too athletic to keep of the field. We are in good shape at TE, but he runs better than all of them by far.
WR - Bonner. So much attention on so many other WR's and the kid seems to just be a solid football player all around. Have heard he may get used like Deebo Samuel and just line up everywhere including RB.

K - John Hohl. Wouldn't be surprised if he replaces Alvano early. Hopefully TA gets it together, but feel like we have a good one with Hohl and it sounds like Nico looks decent as well
P - Koch. Same as above. I feel like BB is going to have a short leash as well. Either punt like you should or get the **** out.

Be nice to see both Tarver and Benning get some quality playing time as true freshman..

 

[leodisflowers]

I agree with Kong, in that you aren't going to risk getting your backup QB hurt playing TE or WR on a regular basis. Especially with the depth in the QB room right now. IF at some point Kaelin or someone else steps up to be a satisfactory 3rd string, maybe at that point you could see Haarberg at TE or on the field at another position other than QB

No trust in Bode Soukup?

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

I think that time will come next season when HH is a RS Sr

he may even do a full-time position switch next offseason if the guys behind him are in a place where the coaching staff can put them out there and win games should we need them to.

I would just as soon NAIN kid beat him out for the #2 QB spot this fall. We already know what HH can and can't do, but the NAIA kid is still unknonw, although, I'm hearing good things about how well he's doing.

It's great that HH is willing to do what is best for the team, but his future is not at QB, and if he can take a bunch of snaps at another position, it just helps him down the road. Comparatively, HH has enough speed where he can really bulk up and fit the mold of what they lookf for at that next level.

I don't think Kaelin is anywhere near ready, but hopefully that changes in the next year or so.

At any rate, its just effing time to win. Even that issue at LT can take a look at either Scott or Mazzucca since they both have played that position before. I think Scott started several games in his career at LT.. He's aggressive and nasty enough that he might be an improvement on what they have there right now.

 

[king_kong_]

I would just as soon NAIN kid beat him out for the #2 QB spot this fall. We already know what HH can and can't do, but the NAIA kid is still unknonw, although, I'm hearing good things about how well he's doing.

It's great that HH is willing to do what is best for the team, but his future is not at QB, and if he can take a bunch of snaps at another position, it just helps him down the road. Comparatively, HH has enough speed where he can really bulk up and fit the mold of what they lookf for at that next level.

I don't think Kaelin is anywhere near ready, but hopefully that changes in the next year or so.

At any rate, its just effing time to win. Even that issue at LT can take a look at either Scott or Mazzucca since they both have played that position before. I think Scott started several games in his career at LT.. He's aggressive and nasty enough that he might be an improvement on what they have there right now.

I don't expect anything from the NAIA kid - his coverage has been rather purdy-esque during camp, which tells me he's at best a 3rd teamer.

the last practice report I saw had Benhart taking snaps at LT while corc was banged up (again) and Gottula taking 1st team snaps at RT

take that for what it's worth

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

I don't expect anything from the NAIA kid - his coverage has been rather purdy-esque during camp, which tells me he's at best a 3rd teamer.

the last practice report I saw had Benhart taking snaps at LT while corc was banged up (again) and Gottula taking 1st team snaps at RT

take that for what it's worth

It shouldn't take the coaches long to decide if Granstad is going to be any factor at all. If not Granstad, then likely no other QB figures in the mix at # 2 other than HH. If Granstad isn't gonna be viable, I think its stupid to subject HH to potential injury by playing another position, cause if DR goes down, then where are we at?

Personally, I don't care who they install at LT as long as they are at least serviceable, and able to avoid injury for more than a couple games. Raiola has to find the right combination between serviceable and durable, so we can get off this merry go round at LT and have a functioning unit.

 

[Sodakred]

I'm loving this thread.

I'm gonna go with HH at QB. I hope DR is everything we're expecting, and more, and along with that I'm hopeful HH has upped his QB game from a year ago and contributes substantially this year.

Hoping HH holds a clipboard all year, unless DR gets hurt. It’s a long season and we will likely need a healthy backup at some point.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Hoping HH holds a clipboard all year, unless DR gets hurt. It’s a long season and we will likely need a healthy backup at some point.

NU has to be a helluva lot better than 10 TD passes and 16 INT's this year.

NU has to get past the Piper/Corcoran turnstile at LG between whiffs and injuries, as well as LT with Teddy/Corcoran taking turns being injured. The right side has become serviceable but the left side has been atrocious. How do you build a unit with often injured LT/LG? You can start by putting guys here who have a history of answering the call virtually every Saturday.

 

[Laner2]

From what I have read HH is throwing much better so my hopes for him are high. Seems to have a solid understanding of the offense and if other teams are forced to account for his improved passing it should open his game a lot, especially if we have a good running game to keep defenses honest.

 

[Laner2]

NU has to be a helluva lot better than 10 TD passes and 16 INT's this year.

NU has to get past the Piper/Corcoran turnstile at LG between whiffs and injuries, as well as LT with Teddy/Corcoran taking turns being injured. The right side has become serviceable but the left side has been atrocious. How do you build a unit with often injured LT/LG? You can start by putting guys here who have a history of answering the call virtually every Saturday.

This. Donovan can't be accurately judged as an Oline coach until we see what HIS recruits do.

 

[king_kong_]

This. Donovan can't be accurately judged as an Oline coach until we see what HIS recruits do.

it's year 3 for him. he's our longest tenured assistant.

thus far, his hs recruits have not been able to beat out frost's

signing ZERO OL in his first year here didn't help

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Hoping HH holds a clipboard all year, unless DR gets hurt. It’s a long season and we will likely need a healthy backup at some point.

Inserting a healthy HH with fresh legs in the middle of the 3rd or 4th quarter against a tired defense could pay dividends.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

This. Donovan can't be accurately judged as an Oline coach until we see what HIS recruits do.

I agree, I'm not dogging Raiola, I'm just saying LT has been a verry go round with guys having a history of injuries. I'd rather have a guy who isn't top notch, but has some aggressiveness and has a history of staying healthy.

 

[Laner2]

it's year 3 for him

thus far, his hs recruits have not been able to beat out frost's

signing ZERO OL in his first year here didn't help

Good Oline recruits weren't going to sniff NU with the shit show under Floss.

 

[king_kong_]

Good Oline recruits weren't going to sniff NU with the shit show under Floss.

he's our longest tenured assistant.

we're still starting frost's players (recruited pre-Uncle Donnie) at both tackle positions.

 

[GBRforLife1]

I'm loving this thread.

I'm gonna go with HH at QB. I hope DR is everything we're expecting, and more, and along with that I'm hopeful HH has upped his QB game from a year ago and contributes substantially this year.

Share. Your. DRUGS!!!!

 

[GBRforLife1]

From what I have read HH is throwing much better so my hopes for him are high. Seems to have a solid understanding of the offense and if other teams are forced to account for his improved passing it should open his game a lot, especially if we have a good running game to keep defenses honest.

To be fair he didn't have anywhere to go but up...

 

[GBRforLife1]

Keona White or however you spell his name. Allegedly he will be good.

 

[JabroniBlvd]

Janiran Bonner
Nate Boerkircher
Koby Bretz
Justin Evans
Gage Stenger

 

[inWV]

I agree with Kong, in that you aren't going to risk getting your backup QB hurt playing TE or WR on a regular basis. Especially with the depth in the QB room right now. IF at some point Kaelin or someone else steps up to be a satisfactory 3rd string, maybe at that point you could see Haarberg at TE or on the field at another position other than QB

How much run Haarberg gets at wildcat or operating as a receiver will depend on whether the Gramstad kid is actually a reliable backup. HH has obvious athletic talent and it would be a shame to limit it to wearing a headset and carrying a clipboard.
If NU wants to get creative, guys like Bonner, Nelson and Haarberg present matchup problems for opposing defenses. Big guys that can really move.

 

[konaki]

I agree with Kong, in that you aren't going to risk getting your backup QB hurt playing TE or WR on a regular basis. Especially with the depth in the QB room right now. IF at some point Kaelin or someone else steps up to be a satisfactory 3rd string, maybe at that point you could see Haarberg at TE or on the field at another position other than QB

Look any player can get hurt at any position (especially the line) and Haarberg is not going to stand on the sideline carrying a clipboard. What will happen when we have a blowout game is Rhule going to hold Haarberg out because he doesn't want to risk injury? I don't think so. Look I'm not knocking your post and you have every right to your opinion as do I we just see playing time in different ways. In my opinion Haarberg is too good to stand on the sideline and in my opinion he will see playing time in most every game in some position.

 

[Huskers123456]

Inserting a healthy HH with fresh legs in the middle of the 3rd or 4th quarter against a tired defense could pay dividends.

No reason to take out the best player in the 2024 class and get gimmicky. Ride or die with DR.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Look any player can get hurt at any position (especially the line) and Haarberg is not going to stand on the sideline carrying a clipboard. What will happen when we have a blowout game is Rhule going to hold Haarberg out because he doesn't want to risk injury? I don't think so. Look I'm not knocking your post and you have every right to your opinion as do I we just see playing time in different ways. In my opinion Haarberg is too good to stand on the sideline and in my opinion he will see playing time in most every game in some position.

If you read what I wrote I clearly stated a position other than QB.

Also thank you for the permission to have an opinion that is different than yours. I also don't care if you knock my my post.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Look any player can get hurt at any position (especially the line) and Haarberg is not going to stand on the sideline carrying a clipboard. What will happen when we have a blowout game is Rhule going to hold Haarberg out because he doesn't want to risk injury? I don't think so. Look I'm not knocking your post and you have every right to your opinion as do I we just see playing time in different ways. In my opinion Haarberg is too good to stand on the sideline and in my opinion he will see playing time in most every game in some position.

First thing is, NU hasnt blown people out since the 90's. That being the case, Rhule will show his hand in that type event, likely the UTEP game. I think you have HH rated way too high, its not like he's Brook Berringer.

Until the football fortunes of this program change, the 2nd string QB is 2nd string for a reason. The QB position accounted for 10 TD passes and 16 INT's a year ago, not exactly something to shout about.

 

[Laner2]

To be fair he didn't have anywhere to go but up...

Greg Austin disagrees.

he's our longest tenured assistant.

we're still starting frost's players (recruited pre-Uncle Donnie) at both tackle positions.

You're just not adding in the context.

(1) Greg Austin has a job now, but he was a steaming pile as an Oline coach and even Floss came to acknowledge that if the rumors of their arguments are true. DR had to work with the shitty clay he inherited, so the longest-tenured assistant thing (by one season!) is a straw man.

(2) DR inherited a culture that was, for lack of a better word, flabby. There was no toughness on that line. That culture flip just doesn't happen in a season. DR seems to be no-excuses with his linemen, as witnessed last season when after a practice the players were asked to say something funny about their position coach. To a man, the Olinemen refused to do it. Culture, culture, culture.......if you don't acknowledge that, it's just lazy thinking to justify criticism.

(3) Injuries to tackles he inherited. How the heck does DR keep TC from getting injured? Even then, TC played injured at just about every line position when Teddy went down, when Benhart went down, when Henry went down. TC is a guard who was forced to play a position that wasn't natural for him. Result, whiffed blocks. Is TC simply not that good? Maybe, but DR didn't recruit him and had no way to force other linemen from not getting injured.

(4) DR inherited linemen who were conditioned by that wizard Duval. Whether any a lineman was healthy or not, they couldn't hang with teams with a pulse because Duval was living in the past.


Look, it may be that DR is not the answer but irrational disdain for him AT THIS POINT is just silly, which is why I say he needs three years with HIS recruits before he can be accurately judged. When Rhule retained DR he said he looked at the prior season's games and was a fan of DR's coaching philosophy, and while some say Rhule kept him just to get Dylan, consider the illogic of that: Dylan comes to NU because of Donovan, but winds up being crushed by a line that can't protect him? How does make sense? It doesn't.

After three years of Donovan's recruits you and I should revisit this and if I'm wrong you won't have to ask me to fess up. I'll willingly do it, and I think you would man up if you turn out to be wrong. Agreed?

 

[king_kong_]

Greg Austin disagrees.

You're just not adding in the context.

(1) Greg Austin has a job now, but he was a steaming pile as an Oline coach and even Floss came to acknowledge that if the rumors of their arguments are true. DR had to work with the shitty clay he inherited, so the longest-tenured assistant thing (by one season!) is a straw man.

(2) DR inherited a culture that was, for lack of a better word, flabby. There was no toughness on that line. That culture flip just doesn't happen in a season. DR seems to be no-excuses with his linemen, as witnessed last season when after a practice the players were asked to say something funny about their position coach. To a man, the Olinemen refused to do it. Culture, culture, culture.......if you don't acknowledge that, it's just lazy thinking to justify criticism.

(3) Injuries to tackles he inherited. How the heck does DR keep TC from getting injured? Even then, TC played injured at just about every line position when Teddy went down, when Benhart went down, when Henry went down. TC is a guard who was forced to play a position that wasn't natural for him. Result, whiffed blocks. Is TC simply not that good? Maybe, but DR didn't recruit him and had no way to force other linemen from not getting injured.

(4) DR inherited linemen who were conditioned by that wizard Duval. Whether any a lineman was healthy or not, they couldn't hang with teams with a pulse because Duval was living in the past.


Look, it may be that DR is not the answer but irrational disdain for him AT THIS POINT is just silly, which is why I say he needs three years with HIS recruits before he can be accurately judged. When Rhule retained DR he said he looked at the prior season's games and was a fan of DR's coaching philosophy, and while some say Rhule kept him just to get Dylan, consider the illogic of that: Dylan comes to NU because of Donovan, but winds up being crushed by a line that can't protect him? How does make sense? It doesn't.

After three years of Donovan's recruits you and I should revisit this and if I'm wrong you won't have to ask me to fess up. I'll willingly do it, and I think you would man up if you turn out to be wrong. Agreed?

so, in year 5 we can judge? because he, of course, did not sign a recruit in his first year.

worth noting the '24 season is the final year of his contract. also worth noting Corc has been practicing and playing tackle for 5 years now in college and all 4 years in high school (not natural, LOL).

this sentence not only makes perfect sense, it's probably the most likely outcome this season to any who dare take an objective look at our '24 forecast:

Dylan comes to NU because of Donovan, but winds up being crushed by a line that can't protect him

DR staying upright and healthy all year long with this line in front of him would be a major, major statistical outlier

I just hope we can keep him in Lincoln in '25 and beyond should the most likely outcome come to fruition.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

so, in year 5 we can judge? because he, of course, did not sign a recruit in his first year.

worth noting the '24 season is the final year of his contract. also worth noting Corc has been practicing and playing tackle for 5 years now in college and all 4 years in high school (not natural, LOL).

this sentence not only makes perfect sense, it's probably the most likely outcome this season to any who dare take an objective look at our '24 forecast:

Dylan comes to NU because of Donovan, but winds up being crushed by a line that can't protect him

DR staying upright and healthy all year long with this line in front of him would be a major, major statistical outlier

I just hope we can keep him in Lincoln in '25 and beyond should the most likely outcome come to fruition.

I think we'll see more short, quick passes this year than we've seen in forever.

 

[king_kong_]

I think we'll see more short, quick passes this year than we've seen in forever.

I do, too.

we will be doing everything we possibly can to keep him on his feet.

but that brings the playcaller(s) to the forefront

the last time Satt had a QB of Dylan's caliber he was sacked 31 times on 399 attempts. and that was with at least one NFL draftee on the OL in front of him.

all 3 of our QBs last year combined for 30 sacks on just 261 attempts. (yikes)

30 sacks allowed last year ranked in the top 20 in the country. 261 attempts was the least of any D1 football team outside of the military academies.

@Laner2

 

[GBRforLife1]

I think we'll see more short, quick passes this year than we've seen in forever.

Well it'll help to have a QB who can throw them to our team...

 

[Sodakred]

Look any player can get hurt at any position (especially the line) and Haarberg is not going to stand on the sideline carrying a clipboard. What will happen when we have a blowout game is Rhule going to hold Haarberg out because he doesn't want to risk injury? I don't think so. Look I'm not knocking your post and you have every right to your opinion as do I we just see playing time in different ways. In my opinion Haarberg is too good to stand on the sideline and in my opinion he will see playing time in most every game in some position.

Blowout game? What’s that? I love it. Planning for blowout games used to be a common NU situation in the 70s-90s. I guess we should have a couple big margin wins but I sure wouldn’t bet ten cents on it happening.