It’s getting close to kick off and its time you learned who the Huskers are this year.
Rivals.com says this is the perfect time for Nebraska to move into the B1G since Ohio State won’t be at full strength. OSU (that’s not Oklahoma State, remember) is a recent 6 time winners of the Big Ten. But hey, this doesn’t mean it’s a sure thing for the Huskers. But myself, I would have loved to see the Huskers playing the fully armed Buckeyes in Memorial Stadium.
You can bet this will be a great exciting season. For sure, you can count on a good strong defense. But this is a defense that has be aligned against the spread offense. The B1G is a league noted for its pancake blocks and strong running while the Big 12 relied more on passing.. The B1G also has good passing , as last year 6 of the teams showed a higher passing offense than rushing offense, but not by a large margin.
NU returns a good strong D line and while we graduated some very good D backs, we also have a good number of experienced players who will fit right in. Leading the D will be Jared Crick on the line and Lavonte David in the LB slot Against the spread offense in the Big 12, which produced five of the top 20 passing attacks, departed DeJon Gomes and Eric Hagg often played the hybrid lineback/safety roles.
Three starters are gone from the secondary — Gomes, Hagg and the Thorpe Award finalist Prince Amukamara. But thanks to the scheme it used last season, Nebraska still has plenty of experience in the secondary. Senior cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, senior free safety Austin Cassidy and junior strong safety Courtney Osborne combined for 24 starts last season. Dennard teams with Crick and David to give Nebraska’s defense three legitimate preseason All-America candidates.
As you go down the list of Blackshirts, keep an eye on these.
Josh Williams will be starting for the first time, but he has worked hard to get himself into position to be a top-notch contributor for the Pelini Blackshirts. Of the defensive ends competing to replace the departed Pierre Allan, Williams has the most experience and appears the most ready.
Ciante Evans, a still wet behind the ears true frosh, was called into the game when cornerback Alphonso Dennard went down in the Missouri game with a head injury. But later in the game he showed why Bo had great confidence in him. The Tigers, trying to get back in the game were 1stand goal at the one. Tiger QB Gabbert ran a designed quarterback run play off tackle and was abruptly and violently stopped by Evans with a textbook tackle. Blaine Gabbert, meet Ciante Evans.
Dean, Ty and now Baker Steinkuhler. It’s like a family tradition hearing that name from the announcer of Husker games. Under the tutelage of the Pelini brothers., there is no doubt that the latest in the line of Steinkuhlers has the tools to become the next elite defensive tackle. And yes, there was a suspension for the Holiday Bowl, but that just might give extra incentive to match the records of his forerunners. There is a great possibility that Baker and Jared just might equal the combination of Suh and Jared.
Now here is a new one to watch for.
Daimion Stafford’s his value is unknown to many. But as Nebraska’s other recent JUCO recruits have revealed, Bo Pelini doesn’t pursue such prospects unless he’s sure they can contribute right away. And he certainly knows how to recognize them. At safety Stafford showed great speed, strength and instincts in junior college, and he could be the surprise of the 2011 defense. Apparently the Florida Gators and USC Trojans thought so as well, as both made a late push for the California prospect
Eric Martin’s move from linebacker to defensive end may be just perfect for him. Martin seemed to be wasting a bit on the depth chart at linebacker so a move to defensive end gets that motor and physical presence on the field. Martin’s “all out, like a missile, just go hit someone” play some times caused him to be out of position, so the change to defensive end could be a nice fit.
Three starters are gone from the secondary — Gomes, Hagg and Thorpe Award finalist Prince Amukamara. But thanks to the scheme it used last season, Nebraska still has plenty of experience in the secondary. Senior cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, senior free safety Austin Cassidy and junior strong safety Courtney Osborne combined for 24 starts last season. Dennard teams with Crick and David to give Nebraska’s defense three legitimate preseason All-America candidates.
On the offensive side, Coach Beck has changed the style of the Huskers inserting a simpler style. This is just one of the reasons Cody Green decided to go else where. He felt this game style is more suited to the west coast offense. His departure follows the announcement from Kody Spano, the oft injured good player who decided to hang it up due to his repeated injuries.
Starting at the QB spot, NU will be short on experienced players. Taylor Martinez is alone as the experienced starter, but there is no guarantee he will be the starter although the odds are in his favor. One main question remains, and that is health.
Slowing him down the remaining part of the season was the ankle injury which still wasn’t fully healed for the spring game. The coaches feel that with the summer care and the conditioning he should be in top shape come fall practice.
There is going to be a lot of heat directed toward TM from two freshman. Last year, Nebraska had no Plan B when Taylor Martinez struggled. Early in the bowl game against Washington, Nebraska fans may remember Martinez scrambling and attempting another spur-of-the-moment flip pass as he neared the line of scrimmage. Making better decisions will be a key point of his retaining the position.
Brion Carnes , red-shirt in the Spring Game appears to have secured the backup quarterback. Carnes demonstrated both the arm and the legs to suggest he could fill in for Martinez without the offense bogging down as it did in 2010. Last year he led the fodder team. You know the team that always imitates the next opponent against the Blackshirts and he did all right against them.
The other frosh is Bubba Starling. Bubba was just picked in the baseball draft by Kansas City, his home state. Although this outstanding athlete has said he wants to play football at UNL, the question of how the signing fee might change that. Starling has great athletic ability and has earned a great record as a high school QB. He will start fall camp and will be competing for the starting job at quarterback. He’s big, he’s smart, and reports have him being as fast as Martinez.
Now we do have three guys who can throw the ball. How about guys who can catch the ball.
Quincy Enunwas, WR was one of a few true freshmen playing last year. While he only caught one 10 yard pass and would have probably caught more if the passing game hadn’t struggled. The sophomore’s 6’2″, 205-pound frame makes him a mismatch against smaller cornerbacks, and he could excel in an offense that will most likely consist of shorter, quicker passes, as well as simpler routes. He has good athleticism and could be a primary end-zone target as well.
Stanley Jean-Baptiste, WR is a very talented individual himself. As the fourth prospect from Fort Scott Community College to commit to the Big Red since Bo Pelini took over. “SJB” is measured at 6’3″, 205 pounds, and although he has yet to record any stats after red shirting, the sophomore will look to compete immediately for a starting job across from his Fort Scott counterpart, Brandon Kinnie who is probably our best receiver.
Kenny Bell, WR was one of the most exciting players throughout spring practice. But according to teammates, his emergence wasn’t just this spring. Bell reportedly used his blazing speed to give the starting defense fits in practice from a scout team position, and that was just as a true freshman. When you realize how good Nebraska’s secondary was in 2010, you start to wonder about this kid.
Jamal Turner’s, WR/ATH faith of the fans must have increased exponentially after his spring game. Turner is the big new thing in Lincoln after his electrifying performance on April 16. Maybe some of you true diehards memorized his stat line after seeing it everywhere in the media, but just in case, here it is: Four catches, 92 yards, one touchdown, a punt return for 59 yards, and one kick return for 52 yards. Coming from Arlington, Texas this very gifted player can fill three different spots: quarterback, running back along with his proven receivership and punt returns.
Kyler Reed, TE led the 2010 team with eight touchdown catches. He was a solid deep threat for much of the season before rounding out his game towards the end of the year.
What made Reed’s game unique was his combination of size and speed. Firing off the line, defenders were caught off guard by his athleticism, and linebackers could not match up with his speed. Over the last few games, Reed was able to get open on the shorter routes as well and began looking like a complete pass-catching tight end. If the coaches utilize the 6’3″, 230-pound speedster correctly, he’ll have a breakout year and be an All-Big Ten selection.
Passing will still be a big part of the Husker attack, but Coach Beck will also be increasing the amount of running this year since there are a bunch of very good runners.
Rex Burkhead leads this list of promising Huskers because he will be stepping in as the only experienced back in 2011—and unlike recent seasons, he’ll have it all to himself. Burkhead rushed for 951 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging well over five yards a carry as a mere sophomore. And when the rest of the offense was failing in 2010, Burkhead showed great leadership by taking command in the wildcat and picking up chunks of yardage. Now that he is in the spotlight, the 5’11″, 210-pound Burkhead will be counted on to be the heart of the Cornhusker offense.
An outstanding feature of his character is his leadership skills. Never one to hold back on praise to another, he remains a very humble person. He has led by example ever since he arrived in Lincoln as a freshman in 2009. Rex, last two seasons he has played a little behind Helu but later has stood toe to toe with him. Does this mean we only have one strong running back?. No, by no means. Take a look at these.
Aaron Green is the headliner of the 2011 class, simply too talented to keep of the field in ’11. He was one of three very impressive running back recruits in this year’s class, the other two being Braylon Heard and Ameer Abdullah of Alabama. Green is arguably the most talented of the three, and in Nebraska’s multiple back offense, he will be one of the primary back-ups to Burkhead.
The Texas native has great speed and acceleration to go along with unbelievable elusiveness. Green has good size to complement his elite agility, a trait Rivals rated “As Good As It Gets”. He’s shown good pass-catching ability out of the backfield as well.
In a new run-based offense, coaches will try to get Green out in space, where he is at his best. If they can do that, he might remind some people of Reggie Bush. Because of that, Green will probably be one of the top contenders for kick-off and/or punt return duties.
Oh, by the way, if that name sounds a little familiar, it should since they are related.
Braylon Heard a 5’11″, 190-pound speedster is from Ohio. Originally a 2010 recruit, Heard failed to academically qualify for Nebraska and had to take a year off from football. However, through perseverance, the Youngstown native got the necessary scores to qualify and will begin participating with the football team this summer.
Ameer Abdullah is a small, quick Jacquizz Rodgers-type. Based on what most perceive the new offense will be based upon, there should be a lot of work to go around for the running backs. Abdullah is one that has a great chance to contribute right away. He has the speed, agility and pass catching ability to be a great fit for the offense Tim Beck is planning to run.
Now you can have good running/throwing quarterbacks, hard running and agile backs, receivers who know how to get open, but that is all for not if the OL can’t hold their own.
Some sports writers have considered the 2011 Husker offensive line as the position that will determine Nebraska’s overall success. While Jeremiah Sirles, Marcell Jones and Yoshi Hardrick return at the tackle positions, O-line coach Barney Cotton likes to rotate his big men.
Tyler Moore is an absolute beast at the tackle position and could find his way into the two-deep rotation by the time the season starts. An explosive and surprising quick lineman for his size, Moore already looks the part of a seasoned Division I player. If he can improve on his pass-protection skills, Moore and Sirles could become bookends on the Husker offensive line for the next couple of years.
Moore is a prototypical tackle at 6’6″ and 290 pounds out of Florida. Like Jamal Turner, Moore got a jump on the other 2011 signees by enrolling early and participating in spring practice. Moore was a highly rated prospect by Rivals.com, and coaches have remarked that he has been adapting seamlessly to the college game. His combination of size, strength and nimble feet make him a great fit at offensive tackle, and with a few inconsistent players at that position (Jermarcus Hardrick, Marcel Jones and Jeremiah Sirles), he will have a good shot at making his mark this season.
While most expect Sirles to start at left tackle, the right tackle job is still up in the air. If Jones can stay healthy and Hardrick can continue reshaping his body, Nebraska will probably be well set at the position. But if Jones and Hardrick do not step up, there’s a chance we could have a true freshman starting at right tackle.
Ryne Reeves, an in-state recruit from Crete, has the potential to be Nebraska’s best offensive line recruit from this class. He has the versatility to play either tackle or center. The center position, specifically, is tough to fill, and Reeves has the potential to fill that role for NU in the years to come, as well as fill out the offensive line right away.
And one other key to the offensive powers is the PK, and that doesn’t stand for preacher’s kid. Alex Henery is off to a promising career in the NFL and already holds a place in Husker lore. Now, one of the least talked about and most important holes to fill is place-kicker—and Henery left some huge shoes to fill.
Mauro Bondi will most likely take over for the “Skinny Assassin” in 2011, and while there may be some bumps in the road, he looks like a sure-footed talent in the making. Bondi has a strong leg and has time to develop into the next great Husker kicker—he booted a 51-yard field goal as a high school junior.
OK Husker pals, we still have a long time to wait till we hear that refs whistle and here that thud of the first kick off, but that’s the fate of us ardent Cornhusker fans.
Roger
The Red Clad Coot in the Desert.
