Comparison of where we were talent wise at the beginning of 2004, 2008, and 2015 - QB.
2004 - Joe Dailey, Jordan Adams, Beau Davis, Joe Ganz, Garth Glissman, Ryan Goodman, Zach Miller, Mike Stuntz
2008 - Patrick Witt, Zac Lee, Kody Spano, Joe Ganz, Beau Davis, Zac Ruiz,
2015 - Tommy Armstrong, Zac Darlington, AJ Bush, Tyson Broekemeier, Ryker Fyfe, Johnny Stanton
Sure, any analysis will be hard overall because we don't have 20/20 hindsight for the existing players. With that in mind.
I would say that we are probably better off now than in 2008 and WAY better off than in 2004.
In 2004, Nebraska didn't have a single QB on the roster who had ever taken a college football snap. Daily won the job by default because he was over three true freshman (one I believe was on a wrestling scholarship) and others who were all two star or less talents recruited to run the old Nebraska I-option offense. Dailey ended up transferring and couldn't play where he transferred to. The QB position in 2004, especially transiting to the WCO, was as bad as it could possibly be.
In 2008 we had Ganz, who would have a good senior year, but was an average talent. As opposed to 2004, at least Ganz has started several games the year before. The only other notable QB was Lee, who has some moments (2009 Holiday Bowl), but presided over the 125 yard performance against Texas, wasting one of the best defensive efforts in Husker history. Lee's career petered out with the emergence of TM and a hand injury his senior year. Safe to say, not too much talent in the room in 2008.
In 2015, even with all of the actual and alleged shortcomings, TA is essentially a 3rd year starter, has won a bowl game against an SEC opponent and put up 42 against USC. Andrew Luck or Drew Brees, no, but it's not out of the question that TA could make a large leap this year. He's 16-7 as a starter, a starter for Pelini. Guys like Darlington and Bush may be promising, but too early to tell, but probably more talented than the backups of the past.
Overall Riley has a pretty good edge over Pelini and Callahan. Next - Running Back
2004 - Joe Dailey, Jordan Adams, Beau Davis, Joe Ganz, Garth Glissman, Ryan Goodman, Zach Miller, Mike Stuntz
2008 - Patrick Witt, Zac Lee, Kody Spano, Joe Ganz, Beau Davis, Zac Ruiz,
2015 - Tommy Armstrong, Zac Darlington, AJ Bush, Tyson Broekemeier, Ryker Fyfe, Johnny Stanton
Sure, any analysis will be hard overall because we don't have 20/20 hindsight for the existing players. With that in mind.
I would say that we are probably better off now than in 2008 and WAY better off than in 2004.
In 2004, Nebraska didn't have a single QB on the roster who had ever taken a college football snap. Daily won the job by default because he was over three true freshman (one I believe was on a wrestling scholarship) and others who were all two star or less talents recruited to run the old Nebraska I-option offense. Dailey ended up transferring and couldn't play where he transferred to. The QB position in 2004, especially transiting to the WCO, was as bad as it could possibly be.
In 2008 we had Ganz, who would have a good senior year, but was an average talent. As opposed to 2004, at least Ganz has started several games the year before. The only other notable QB was Lee, who has some moments (2009 Holiday Bowl), but presided over the 125 yard performance against Texas, wasting one of the best defensive efforts in Husker history. Lee's career petered out with the emergence of TM and a hand injury his senior year. Safe to say, not too much talent in the room in 2008.
In 2015, even with all of the actual and alleged shortcomings, TA is essentially a 3rd year starter, has won a bowl game against an SEC opponent and put up 42 against USC. Andrew Luck or Drew Brees, no, but it's not out of the question that TA could make a large leap this year. He's 16-7 as a starter, a starter for Pelini. Guys like Darlington and Bush may be promising, but too early to tell, but probably more talented than the backups of the past.
Overall Riley has a pretty good edge over Pelini and Callahan. Next - Running Back
