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Spring Game 2024 Review

by | Apr 29, 2024 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

This offseason offered up a ton of questions, and Saturday’s spring game hosted just as many answers. The only inquiry left is on the defensive side of the ball. The Huskers sat out multiple starters on defense to keep them healthy and prevent injury. Even with multiple key players sitting out the defense still looked above average, and when those key pieces are turned loose this defense could look fantastic. With the injury to Blye Hill’s knee we are left with a spot in the defensive backfield since Blye was projected to be a starter. With plenty of young talent or the transfer portal that may be remedied rather quickly. Being very difficult to scrimmage as a defensive player, the tampering of emotions and the want to keep your teammates safe tend to have a large effect on slowing down the defense. That being said the defense still looked on par with what we were expecting and is something to be excited about.

Offensively, The Huskers have looked better than I can remember in recent history. Dylan Raiola looked exactly as advertised. A strong presence in the pocket and an arm that is beyond his age, Dylan is definitely well on his way to becoming a standout quarterback in the Big 10. Raiola’s footwork was also impressive, from stepping up in the pocket to rolling out to extend the play he seemed very poised and under control. The other two quarterbacks that got the most playing time were Daniel Kaelin and Heinrich Haarberg. Kaelin looked adequate at the quarterback spot for a freshman and is definitely a solid back-up option at this time. With some experience he seemingly could grow into a starter. Haarberg has matured as a passer, which is a testament to the coaching staff and his work ethic. His throwing motion could still use a bit of work but his accuracy has gone up and his decision making ability has increased as well.

The running back room is looking like a Husker running back room. With multiple backs who could start, Donte Dowdell got a lot of action in the spring game and could very well be named the starter before the first game. Dowdell looked smooth but powerful. At 6’2, 215lbs Dowdell impressed me with his versatility. Reminding me of former Georgia running back Nick Chubb. Dowdell is not afraid of contact but has a good enough vision to avoid it. In this conference teams need multiple serviceable running backs to compete due to the wear and tear it takes on the body. It looks like the 2024 Huskers will have just that.

Nebraska’s wide receiver room is loaded with talent. Although we did not see much of Jahmal Banks who is projected to lead the team in receiving this year, the receiving core looked strong. With Jahmal Banks, Alex Bullock and Isaiah Neyor along with a stacked tight ends room giving quarterbacks the ability to throw across the middle it will undoubtedly open Raiola and company up for some deeper balls just as we saw on Saturday. Jaylen Lloyd, Malachi Coleman and Jacory Barney Jr will be able to take the top off defenses which in return will benefit the run game immensely by not allowing defenders to back the box.

The Huskers looked very well rounded on Saturday. This looks like a well coached, well developed young team. A team that not only has the potential to make a run at the Big Ten title in the future, but one that could shake things up in 2024. The more I see this team, the more I believe that a ten win season in 2024 isn’t out of the question.