Husker Notes

[DNOMYAR_5791]

The biggest news coming out of spring camp is that "incumbent" #1 running back and the Big 12's leading rusher from last year IB Dahhran Diedrick 6-0 225 4.6 has now lost his starting job to JR IB Josh Davis 5-10 215 4.5. They are now listed as co #1s on the depth chart with Davis having a slight lead. Davis was the NU kick returner last year and had some spot duty at the IB spot.

NU JR Qb Jamaal Lord 6-2 215 4.59 has clearly established himself as the man to beat during practices with crisp execution and heady decisions. No longer is he carrying the tag of "loafer" in practice and he has gained the staffs confidence so much that he is wearing the green jersey for all live drills. The biggest dilemna at the QB position however is what to do with their 2 solid backups in SO Mike Stuntz 6-1 195 4.72 and Super Frosh Recruit Curt Dukes 6-2 205 4.75. Both players are running neck and neck. Dukes looks very smooth running the option and conjures up images of Scott Frost. Stuntz is NU's best pure thrower and the better overall athlete. NU would like to redshirt the player who does not come out on the #2 position. Stay tuned for that. Keep your eyes open for Marquess Simmons IB 5-8 190 4.45(2ND fastest man on the team). He is constantly breaking big plays and looks to be a big weapon out of the back field catchign passes. #2 IB Thunder Collins has been moved to Wingback in an attempt to get the best players all on the field at the same time for NU.

OLINE: With the loss of G Toniou Fonoti, outsiders feel that the NU line will be the worst shape it has been in quite sometime. However insiders say that this OLINE will be the best since Solich has taken the helm. Ready to step in will be the ultra versatile superstrong outspoken Richie Incognito 6-2 295 FR. RFR Nick Povendo 6-3 300 and SR Wes Cody 6-3 305 (whom tied the school record with a 500lb bench press) have also impressed. They are still working on their consistency as a whole but the talent level has definitely jumped. C John garrison 6-4 295 SR remains solid.


I will have some defensive notes soon.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Willie Amos injured

Willie Amos injured

The Link

 

[DNOMYAR_5791]

That is a bad break for us Monk. I found out about that about an hour after it happened from one of my spies that got to watch the practice. He is our teams fastest player and was adjusting nicely to the corner position from his switch of safety. Hopefully he can come back. The only reason that his injury is not crippling, because we do have some very good players at that position. Incoming Freshman CB Fabian Washington from Bradenton Fla may have won one of the starting jobs anyway and this guy is gonna be a stud.

I will put up some defensive notes this week and give a full spring synopsis of NU shortly after the spring game.

 

[DNOMYAR_5791]

Husker Defense notes

Husker Defense notes

Many times in spring practice the defense is ahead of the offense for a variety of reasons that I really don't feel like typing right now but will answer the questions if people have them.

However, the weak, fat slow Husker Defensive line that you saw get bitch slapped by the likes of Colorado and Miami are gone.

As a whole the defensive line has been disruptive and their measurables are considerably better than their predacessors. The main man to watch is Redshirt Freshman DT Seppo Evwaraye who is from Finland. 6-5 305 This dude ran an electronic 4.95 40 yard dash on field turf (not hand held) and has a 32" vertical jump. He also tested out very well in all physical categories. He has been absolutely unblockable and getting many sacks from teh DT position. He will definitely bring a presence that Nebraska has not had down low since Steve Warren or Jason Peter.

DE Benard Thomas 6-4 275 JR 4.75 has really picked it up a notch this spring. A guy who has always had all the talent is finally picking up his technique and really terrorizing the offense. The guy has 10 plus sack potential. His biggest problem was that he was getting beat at the point of attack and getting handled by much bigger offensive players but that is no more.

Keep your eyes open for Le Kevin Smith 6-3 305 lbs RS Freshman 4.95. He is another physical freak that NU beat out Florida State and Auburn out for on signing day last year. He has torn his ACL in a freak accident, but was unblockable in the practice time he has garnered and brings another physical intimidating presence. He and Evwarawaye are easily the best athletes NU has on the D Line as both have tremendous speed, strenght and quckness.

At linebacker NU looks to be much better as well.

SO Demorrio Williams 6-1 205lbs. 4.65 A Juco transfer from Nu's recruiting class this year is paying dividends. The #2 ranked JUCO player in the country has been all around the ball and conjures up injuries of a former playmaker at the same WLB position Terrell Farley. SO LB Jason Richenberger NU's best athlete at any LB position who has been held back by numerous position changes 6-2 240 4.6 is settlling in at SLB and is another guy who has been termed "unblockable" very instincive and physical who is goig to be a significant upgrade from anyone Nu put out there last year.

I will have other defensive notes later on.