If you follow Nebraska football, then you probably have an opinion on who should be quarterback one. In fact, you probably have opinions on every position. So, if I said I was going to create a list like someone’s Top 40 Huskers for 24 or maybe 24 in ’24 Most Indispensable Huskers, you’d be like … what, you too?
But if I asked, what ten players will have the biggest role in the quarterback trotting down the field as the chains are being moved and the loudspeaker saying, “FIRST AND TEN, NEBRASKA.”
Would that pique your interest?
If so, then here are my “First and Ten, Nebraska” players.
The First
Quarterback: Dylan Raiola.
I’ve been reluctant to flat out say Raiola will be the starter. But the kid is just too talented to keep off the field. He lacks experience at this level and there will certainly be growing pains. But after what we witnessed last season, there is just too much upside for him not to be playing. Last year, using three different quarterbacks, Nebraska averaged 136 yards a game passing. Even if they only get 50 yards a game better, which I think they will exceed, that number would be over 2,200 yards for the season. I’ll get bold and say that if the season goes as everyone hopes, Raiola’s stats will resemble something like 2,500 yards passing, 18 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on the year. And remember, Rhule said it would take more than one quarterback this season.
The Ten
Offensive Tackles: Bryce Benhart and Teddy Prochazka.
How many times have we heard it starts with the offensive line? There is some truth in that, but this year, it all starts with Nebraska’s bookend tackles. Most players make a difference by making big plays, but Benhart and Prochazka just need to make the everyday plays. The less we hear about them, the better. They will be charged with protecting the edge and keeping Raiola upright. A must if Nebraska is to find success in the passing game.
Tight End: Thomas Fidone.
We’ve all been waiting for the Thomas Fidone that first arrived in Nebraska to finally show up. Injuries plagued the talented tight end until last year. Even with a struggling quarterback group last season Fidone finished with 25 receptions, 260 yards and 4 touchdowns. His four touchdowns were the most by a Nebraska tight end in 13 years. After a full offseason not going through recovery, Fidone goes into fall at 6’6”, 250lbs and running the forty in the mid 4’s. Look for Raiola to target Fidone far more than what we saw last year. If he can stay healthy, we may see some new tight end records.
Wide Receivers: Jahmal Banks, Isaiah Neyor, Jaylen Lloyd, Jacory Barney
Jahmal Banks brings something to Nebraska’s receivers’ room that is much needed. Experience. It’s clear this room is talented, but they are a group of young guys. Due to a lack of experience last season, they had trouble getting off the ball. Banks can show them how to do that, plus his size gives him the ability to be a possession type receiver and go up for 50-50 balls. He put up solid numbers while at Wake Forest and you can bet, he’ll be looking to do that again in his last year of college ball.
Before Nebraska, Isaiah Neyor had a breakout season at Wyoming. After transferring to Texas, he was injured and saw little time. Now fully recovered, Neyor’s speed seems to have returned, and with his size, 6’3” 215lbs, he’ll be difficult to defend. And as we saw in the spring game, he can take short swing passes and turn them into big plays.
Jaylen Lloyd only had 6 receptions last year but averaged 39.5 yards per catch. He and Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State were the only players in the Big 10 to each have three receptions over 50 yards. Lloyd also connected with Raiola for a long touchdown pass in the spring game. With Llyod’s speed and Raiola’s arm, look for this connection to show up multiple games during the season.
Occasionally, a talented freshman arrives on the scene and catches us all by surprise. Jacory Barney is that guy. While we knew he had potential, we didn’t know what we might have until the spring game. Barney would have returned a punt for a touchdown if not for a moment of confusion. There was also evidence Barney has a connection with Raiola, maybe the fact they are roommates has something to do with that. Just as Barney surprised us, look for him to surprise some people in the Big 10 as well.
Running Backs: Emmett Johnson, Dante Dowdell
Emmett Johnson is going into fall with new confidence. Late in the season last year Rhule told Johnson to hold his head up, he was the starting I-back at Nebraska, a school with a long history of gifted I-backs. Johnson responded with a 4.6-yard average per carry in 90 carries. He is the best every down back in the running back room. If he can hold on to the starting spot, he will be the leading ball carrier at the end of the season.
I’m high on the new guy, Dante Dowdell. The 6’2” 215lb transfer from Oregon has everything but experience. And after going through Corey Campbells winter conditioning program and a spring and summer of learning what’s required of him, he’ll be hungry. I look for him to come out in the fall firing on all cylinders. He can add a dynamic punch to Emmett Johnson’s jab, creating a 1-2 combination Nebraska hasn’t seen in years.
Punter: Brian Buschini
Buschini? I know, you’re asking yourself, what does the punter have to do with first and ten. Field position, field position, field position. With a young quarterback like Raiola, an open playbook will be vital. There will be times when Nebraska will be forced to pass from inside their own twenty and the young quarterback needs to know there isn’t pressure for him to produce every series, that if needed, Buschini can get them out of trouble. Buschini showed less consistency in 2023 than what we saw in 22. Nebraska needs him to return to his old ways or get even better if they are going to have the type of season they desire.
Overall Outlook
The addition of Glen Thomes makes not only the quarterback room better, but the offense overall.
Coach Raiola’s starting offensive line is one of the most experienced in the Big 10 and is deep with young talent. The development has started and will continue.
Marcus Satterfield taking over the tight end room is also an improvement, and the addition of Glen Thomas’s eyes will help slow things down for Satterfield on game day.
No room took a leap forward this year like the wide receiver room. With the older guys already in the room and the addition of young talent, look for multiple players to be in the rotation.
There is depth in the running back room, but until Gabe Ervin and Rahmir Johnson can show me, they are back and can keep the injury bug away, I’ m reluctant to count on them.
The theme for the start of the year was ‘Chasing Three’. Nowhere is that truer than in the special team’s room. Improvement will be needed if the chasing three goal is to be achieved.
In the past I’ve talked about keeping Husker fans’ exceptions from being too high. But in the writing of this column, mine are as high as anyone’s. People say, “don’t put undue pressure on the team, they don’t need that.” I’m sorry, this is Nebraska, our expectations are high, and they always will be.