Kernels from the Cob
There are too many things to talk about, and you can really go down some rabbit holes if you spend too much time on one topic, so, I’ll highlight a few and try to move on.
2027 Commitments
This week Nebraska received another commitment for the 2027 class. It came from defensive lineman Jayden Tavers. What makes this one interesting is Tavers had an offer from Michigan who, as we know, is amidst turmoil. As of now the 2027 class is ranked in the top five in the nation. Much of the credit can be given to QB commit Trae Taylor. He’s peer recruited like no one we’ve ever seen. I love this kid and can’t wait to see him wearing the ‘N’ and on the field. He is a prime example of why assistant coaches must be retained at all costs. As of now the 2027 class appears as follows:
Trae Taylor – QB, 6’3” 186lbs, Mundelein, IL 4-Star
Tory Pittman III – ATH, 6’0 180ilbs, Omaha, NE 4-Star
Jabari Watkins – WR, 6’2”180lbs, Thomasville, GA 4-Star
Antayvious Ellis – WR, 6’0” 175lbs, Crowley, TX 3-Star
Amir Brown – RB, 5’10” 200lbs, Rolesville, NC 3-Star
Matt Erickson – OT, 6’8” 280lbs, Omaha, NE 3-Star
Jayden Travers – DL, 6’4” 260lbs. Baltimore, MD 3-Star
January 2nd Transfer Portal
The portal officially opens January 2nd. As of now Nebraska has had two players submit their names. I anticipate that number to increase, but not until after the Las Vegas Bowl. If you are a player, why wouldn’t you wait until after the bowl game and when the portal officially opens. Getting to travel to a bowl and experience all that comes with it, meeting the new coaches, and potentially putting your talents on film are too much to pass up. Plus, why make a rash decision, the experience may change your mind. As of now the two entries are as follows:
Caden VerMaas – DB, 6’0” 190lbs, Freshman, Omaha, NE
Jamarion Parker – RB, 5’11” 200lbs, Freshman, St. Louis, MO
Las Vegas Bowl Depth Chart
If the bowl game were today the depth chart would appear as follows:
Quarterback
TJ Lateef, Freshman, 5 games, 3 starts
Jalyn Gramstad, Senior, 3 games, 0 starts
Marcos Davila, R-Freshman, 2 games, 0 starts
With Daylan Raiola out, Lateef gets the opportunity to start his fourth game. He tweaked a hamstring against Iowa and hamstring injuries can be touchy. As of now HC Matt Rhule reports he is practicing, that’s good news for the Huskers. However, with Lateef’s scrambling ability, the chances of him being reinjured aren’t unimaginable. In that case, I think you’ll see both backups, Gramstad and Davila. Gramstad is experienced, but I’m not sure he has the arm strength needed. Davila is inexperienced and protecting the ball would be a must, but I’d like to see what he is capable of.
Running Back
Isaiah Mozee, Freshman, 12 games, 0 starts
Mekhi Nelson, R-Freshman, 9 games, 0 starts
Kwinten Ives, Sophomore, 5 games, 0 starts
Emmett Johnson had a record season for the Huskers, and in doing so got most of the carriers. The trio behind him only had a combined 34 carries on the season. I expect all three running backs to see action, and if one guy gets hot, they’ll go with him as needed. Emmett Johnson had only one fumble on 297 touches.
Wide Receiver
Dane Key, Senior, 50 games, 46 starts
Jacory Barney, Sophomore, 25 games, 15 starts
Nyziah Hunter, Sophomore, 24 games, 20 starts
Quinn Clark, R-Freshman, 13 games, 0 starts
Cortez Mills, Freshman, 12 games, 0 starts
Keelan Smith, R-Freshman, 9 games, 0 starts
I consider this one of the best position groups on the team. Dane didn’t have a big season as I anticipated. But he’ll want to show what he’s got in the bowl game as he tries to make the next level. I also think it’s important for Barney and Hunter to get multiple touches in this game to show their value. Both player’s productions faltered toward the end of the season, something they can’t be happy with.
Tight End/Fullback
Luke Lindenmeyer, Junior, 38 games, 19 starts
Heinrich Haarberg, Senior, 12 games 1 Start
Carter Nelson, Sophomore, 25 games, 0 starts
Cayden Echternach, Sophomore, 12 games, 0 starts
The question here will be does Holgorsen do what’s best for the team or does he try to get Haarberg touches to show what he can do from the TE position. I love the kid’s heart, but he was less than impressive from the QB position against Iowa. Personally, I’d like to see what Nelson and Echternach can do.
Offensive Line
Elijah Pritchett, Junior, 41 games, 20 starts
Henry Lutovsky, Senior, 50 games, 27 starts
Justin Evans, Junior, 37 games, 30 starts
Tyler Knack, Junior, 37 games, 0 starts
Turner Corcoran, Senior, 40 games, 31 starts
Jason Maciejczak, Sophomore, 20 games, 0 starts
Grant Brix, R-Freshman, 2 games, 0 Starts
Preston Taumua, R-Freshman, 2 games, 0 starts
Jake Peters, R-Freshman, 2 games, 0 starts
Sam Sledge, Sophomore, 10 games, 0 starts
The seniors will get to play in this one, but you can bet new O-Line coach Geep Wade will want to see what he has at the tackle position and what some of the young guns can do in live action against a good Utah front.
Defensive Line
Willimas Nwaneri, R-Freshman, 16 games, 8 starts
Elijah Jeudy, Senior, 37 games, 12 starts
Keona Davis, Sophomore, 24 games, 11 starts
Cam Lenhardt, Junior, 35 games, 13 starts
Riley Van Poppel, Sophomore, 28 games, 2 starts
Kade Pietrzak, Freshman, 12 games, 1 start
Gabe Moore, Sophomore, 10 games, 1 start
David Hoffken, R-Freshman, 11 games, 0 starts
Jaylen George, Junior, 30 games, 23 starts
New Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich runs a 4-2-5. Phil Snow will be the interim DC for the bowl game. Will he run Aurich’s defense so Aurich can see what he’s got? I think the talent on the defensive line is better suited for a four-man front. I’d like to see what Keona Davis and Willimas Nwaneri can do from the end position.
Linebacker
Vincent, Shavers, Sophomore, 25 games, 13 starts
Javin Wright, Senior, 44 games, 13 starts
Desan McCullough, Senior, 32 games, 19 starts
Marques Watson-Trent, Senior, 60 games, 41 starts
Dylan Rogers, Sophomore, 16 games, 1 start
Dawson Merritt, Freshman, 8 games, 2 starts
Jacob Bower, Sophomore, 18 games, 0 starts
Of all the positions on defense, I think this is where Nebraska really needs to concentrate on the portal. Three seniors are leaving, but Nebraska still has good talent here, it’s just young. If anything, they need to get faster.
Defensive Backs
DeShon Singleton, Senior, 36 games, 30 starts
Andrew Marshall, Junior, 38 games, 26 starts
Ceyair Wright, Senior, 48 games, 30 starts
Donavan Jones, R-Freshman, 17 games, 10 starts
Rex Guthrie, R-Freshman, 12 games, 8 starts
Jamir Conn, Junior, 32 games, 11 starts
Justyn Rhett, Sophomore, 11 games, 0 starts
Marques Buford, Senior, 42 games, 29 starts
Amare Sanders, R-Freshman, 11 games, 0 starts
Caleb Benning, R-Freshman, 13 games, 0 starts
Jeremiah Charles, Sophomore, 27 games, 1 start
The Blackshirts will lose two seniors that were a big part of the defense this season, Ceyair Wright and Deshon Singleton. They won’t be easy to replace, but there is a ton of talent in this room, and Rhule was adamant about keeping DB coach Addison Williams.
Of the 53 players listed on the depth chart, 33 are either freshman, redshirt freshman, or sophomores. Nebraska is truly a young team.
Teams who have Opted Out of Bowl Games
It’s unimaginable to think teams are refusing to play in bowl games. Are bowl games going to come to an end? For years Nebraska coveted the bowl games because it provided players with extra practices and was a precursor for spring ball. Missing bowls was often pointed to as a reason Nebraska faltered so badly over the last ten years. Now teams seem to see no value in them, saying they don’t have time as they are too busy with new head coaches, staff changes, preparing for the portal, and recruiting. And when I say recruiting, I mean the players that are already on the roster. But why are any of the players at any of the programs. It’s to play ball, and bypassing games surely isn’t doing that. The only team that doesn’t have a legitimate excuse for not playing is Notre Dame. The Irish think too much of themselves and just got butt hurt. If you don’t like missing the playoffs, then either win your games or join a conference so you have lobbying power. The following teams said no to playing in a bowl:
Notre Dame 10-2
Iowa State 8-4
Kansas State 6-6
Baylor 5-7
Rutgers 5-7
Florida State 5-7
Auburn 5-7
Temple 5-7
UCF 5-7
Kansas 5-7
GO BIG RED!!
Photo courtesy of The Falls City Journal
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