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Former Husker Noah Vedral could start Rutgers' season opener vs. Michigan State

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

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Former Husker Noah Vedral could start Rutgers' season opener vs. Michigan State

Indiana vs. Nebraska, 10.26

Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16) escapes a tackle by Indiana linebacker Cam Jones (4) at Memorial Stadium in 2019.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo

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The Associated Press

The Rutgers quarterback competition is down to Nebraska graduate transfer Noah Vedral and redshirt sophomore Art Sitkowski.

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Column

Steven M. Sipple: Five takeaways from Nebraska football Zoom session as Frost names QB

Football

Frost: Adrian Martinez 'is going to be our quarterback'; Huskers feel like they have two starters

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Position-by-position breakdowns: These Huskers are coming to a screen near you

Quarterbacks

The cast

No. 2, Adrian Martinez, 6-2, 220, jr.; No. 7, Luke McCaffrey, 6-2, 200, rfr.; No. 8, Logan Smothers, 6-2, 190, fr.; No. 18, Matt Masker, 6-1, 220, so.; No. 14, Brayden Miller, 6-1, 210, rfr.

2019 cliffhanger

The quarterback room didn’t play as well as expected in 2019. Martinez took a step back in terms of efficiency and accuracy, and both he and McCaffrey dealt with injuries over the course of the season. There is always more to the puzzle than just the quarterbacks themselves, but it was not the fall that many expected under center.

The new cast

The only new addition to the mix is Smothers, a dynamic runner and promising prospect out of Alabama who verbally pledged to Nebraska all the way back in the summer of 2018 and held firm to his commitment through significant interest from some national power players.

Season preview

Nebraska has two quarterbacks it feels good about in Martinez and McCaffrey. Could both get worked into game plans on a weekly basis? Head coach Scott Frost isn't a big believer in playing multiple quarterbacks, but McCaffrey might force his hand if the electric athlete continues improving at a rapid pace. 

The star

Martinez was named the starting quarterback Oct. 19. He’s a year removed from preseason Heisman Trophy and now conversation about him usually features more questions than answers. However, he’s still a very talented player and a fast start to the season could lead to his stock — both in the Big Ten and nationally — taking off quickly again.

The keys for the Fresno, California native: Accuracy and decisiveness. If he delivers on those two, the rest of his game — including his ability as a runner — will fall into place.

SCOTT BRUHN, Nebraska Communications

Running backs

The cast

No. 26, Dedrick Mills, 5-11, 220, sr.; No. 14, Rahmir Johnson, 5-10, 185, rfr.; No. 25, Ronald Thompkins, 5-11, 195, rfr.; No. 24, Marvin Scott III, 5-9, 210, fr.; No. 28, Sevion Morrison, 6-0, 210, fr.; No. 43, Connor Ruth, 5-11, 225, so.; No. 46, Corbin Ruth, 6-0, 220, so.; No. 22, Cooper Jewett, 5-10, 190, rfr.; No. 31, Zach Weinmaster, 5-11, 190, rfr.; No. 23, Jaquez Yant, 6-2, 225, fr.; No. 34 Beau Psencik, 6-0, 190, fr.; No. 35 Trevin Luben, 6-0, 195, fr.; No. 37, Isaiah Harris, 5-9, 190, fr.

2019 cliffhanger

By the end of the season, Nebraska’s running game was starting to look good. Mills settled into NU’s zone-based scheme and averaged 116 yards over the final three games. Johnson showed well against Maryland. The Huskers, though, were short on depth for the second straight year following the departure of Maurice Washington, necessitating more carries than preferable for Wan’Dale Robinson.

The new cast

NU signed a pair of freshmen in Scott and Morrison, and is hoping that a healthy Thompkins can also be a contributor.

Season preview

Between those three and Johnson, at least two likely need to prove they can help take some of the week-to-week workload off of Mills’ shoulders.

The Huskers should be a deeper group overall, but exactly who fills what role remains to be seen. Johnson is considered a natural pass-catcher out of the backfield. Thompkins, if healthy, has a chance to be a significant story. Remember: He was one of the most heavily recruited backs in the country before knee injuries cut short both his junior and senior years of high school.

The star

Mills has played a lot of football in his career, but until last year, he had never been in an offense remotely resembling Nebraska’s spread, zone-based scheme. That showed at times, especially during the first half of 2019. As he settled in, though, the strengths showed through more and more. Mills is powerful and has good speed even if it’s not game-breaking. If his 5.2 yards per carry and 10 rushing touchdowns serve as the floor in 2020, that’s a good sign.

Journal Star file photo

Wide receivers

The cast

No. 5, Omar Manning, 6-4, 225, jr.; No. 1, Wan’Dale Robinson, 5-10, 185, so.; No. 3, Jamie Nance, 6-0, 180, rfr.; No. 10, Demariyon Houston, 6-0, 180, rfr.; No. 87, Chris Hickman, 6-6, 215, rfr.; No. 4, Alante Brown, 5-11, 190, fr.; No. 6, Marcus Fleming; 5-10, 170, fr.; No. 15, Zavier Betts, 6-2, 200, fr.; No. 12, Will Nixon, 5-11, 185, fr.; No. 45, Ty Chaffin, 6-5, 215, sr.; No. 88, Levi Falck, 6-2, 205, sr.; No. 81, Kade Warner, 6-1, 210, jr.; No. 36, Christian Banker, 6-0, 190, jr.; No. 89, Oliver Martin, 6-1, 200, jr.; No. 29, Bennett Folkers, 6-2, 205, so.; No. 38, Brody Belt, 5-8, 185, so.; No. 85, Wyatt Liewer, 6-3, 195, so.; No. 47, Austin Jablonski, 6-2, 215, rfr.; No. 17, Ty Hahn, 6-2, 195, fr.; No. 19, Barron Miles Jr., 6-0, 170, fr.; No. 41, Elliott Brown, 6-1, 180, fr.; No. 42 Broc Douglass, 6-0, 160, fr.; No. 84, Matthias Algarin, 6-0, 170, fr. 

2019 cliffhanger

The 2019 group as a whole lacked explosiveness and then the guy with 48% of the group’s yardage transferred in JD Spielman. Robinson clearly showed he’s an ascending player at NU and in the Big Ten, but he was also on job-sharing duties at running back and thus the staff couldn’t deploy him exactly the way it hoped to.

The new cast

You’d better take notes. The newcomers include heralded juco prospect Manning; a talented group of freshmen in Brown, Fleming, Betts, Nixon and Hahn; plus walk-on transfers Falck and Martin. Hickman, too, is new to the room after moving over from tight end.

Season preview

This is going to be a new-look group all along. The Huskers are hoping that the newcomers along with receivers coach Matt Lubick can engineer a quick turnaround. Brown has impressed from the first day he stepped on campus, and it’s possible even a couple of the new walk-ons like Falck — who had a productive 2018 at South Dakota before injuries cut last year short — and Hahn could contend for time.

The star

Robinson was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award — given to the most versatile offensive player in the country — and topped 1,000 all-purpose yards as a freshman despite missing two games and playing through the season with minor but lingering hamstring issues. A healthy offseason, and the Kentucky native should only be more explosive as a sophomore.

It will also help if he’s not needed as much as a running back. Robinson is most dangerous when he can be moved around, and at times last year NU had to stick him in the backfield and leave him there.

SCOTT BRUHN, Nebraska Communications

Tight ends

The cast

No. 86, Jack Stoll, 6-4, 260, sr.; No. 11, Austin Allen, 6-8, 260, jr.; No. 82, Kurt Rafdal, 6-7, 245, jr.; No. 83, Travis Vokolek, 6-6, 260, jr.; No. 80, Jared Bubak, 6-5, 245, sr.; No. 40, Brian Perez, 6-3, 230, sr.; No. 46, John Goodwin, 6-2, 255, rfr.; No. 49, Nate Boerkircher, 6-4, 220, fr.

2019 cliffhanger

For a veteran group, Nebraska’s tight ends didn’t have as much production as expected in 2019. They combined for 34 catches, 326 yards and just one touchdown. Stoll accounted for 25 and 234. The group’s 5.9 yards per target ranked well behind both the receivers and the running backs.

The new cast

The only addition to the room is a potentially big one in Vokolek, the Rutgers transfer who sat out last year to satisfy NCAA requirements.

Season preiview

This is a veteran room and one that needs to produce more than it has the past two years. Vokolek is the wild card. If he is as much of a threat in the passing game as he’s made out to be, he will be difficult to keep off the field. The others have all been in the same offense for three years now, so the production should only continue to rise.

The star

Stoll is a senior and can do a little bit of everything. He can also continue to evolve both as a receiver and a blocker. If he takes a solid step forward in both categories, he’s got a chance to be one of the best at Nebraska in recent years.

The Colorado native clearly has respect within the locker room. If he can grab the bull by the horns in a deep position group, tight ends coach Sean Beckton will be a happy man.

Journal Star file photo

Offensive linemen

The cast

No. 56, Boe Wilson, 6-3, 300, sr.; No. 65, Christian Gaylord, 6-6, 310, sr.; No. 71, Matt Farniok, 6-6, 330, sr.; No. 76, Brenden Jaimes, 6-6, 300, sr.; No. 70, Matt Sichterman, 6-4, 315, jr.; No. 73, Broc Bando, 6-5, 315, jr.; No. 75, Trent Hixson, 6-4, 320, jr.; No. 51, Cam Jurgens, 6-3, 290, so.; No. 68, Will Farniok, 6-3, 295, so.; No. 54, Bryce Benhart, 6-9, 330, rfr.; No. 57, Ethan Piper, 6-4, 300, rfr.; No. 72, Matthew Anderson, 6-6, 255, rfr.; No. 74, Brant Banks, 6-7, 305, rfr.; No. 77, Michael Lynn, 6-6, 290, rfr.; No. 78, Jimmy Fritzsche, 6-7, 290, rfr.; No. 69, Turner Corcoran, 6-6, 300, fr.; No. 79, Alex Conn, 6-6, 300, fr.; No. 59, Ian Boerkircher, 6-6, 275, so.; No. 63, Nouredin Nouili, 6-4, 320, so.; No. 66, Ezra Miller, 6-6, 325, so.; No. 53, Riley Moses, 6-2, 315, rfr.; No. 62, Noah Stafursky, 6-3, 340, rfr.; No. 65, Bladen Bayless, 6-3, 260, fr.; No. 71, Keegan Menning, 6-4, 330, fr.; No. 76, Eli Simonson, 6-5, 295, fr.

2019 cliffhanger

This group got better as the year went on. Jurgens grew into the center role as he learned on the fly, and by the end of the season, the unit overall was in a good place.

The new cast

Not so much a new cast as new roles this year for the Huskers. Matt Farniok is moving down to right guard from right tackle and Wilson flipped to left guard from right. The spot to fill still is right tackle, where Benhart is the current favorite.

Season preview

This should be among the offense’s strong points in 2020. The Huskers’ returning group has a combined 106 starts, led by Jaimes’ 33. The staff would prefer Benhart step in right away and nail down the right tackle job. If he can’t — he’s just a redshirt freshman, after all — some shuffling might be required, but the Huskers should be well-equipped to handle it.

The star

Jaimes stepped into the starting lineup four games into his freshman season and hasn’t left it since. He enters 2020 as the Huskers’ starting left tackle for a third straight season. Offensive line coach Greg Austin said Jaimes considered leaving for the NFL after the 2019 season, and NU could have lost him to transfer during the period the Big Ten was postponed. However, he’s back and he’s NU’s best chance at a first-team all-conference-type player in several years.

Journal Star file photo

Defensive linemen

The cast

No. 95, Ben Stille, 6-5, 295, sr.; No. 4, Keem Green, 6-5, 320, jr.; No. 55, Chris Walker, 6-6, 300, jr.; No. 87, Jordon Riley, 6-6, 330, jr.; No. 93, Damion Daniels, 6-3, 335, jr.; No. 97, Deontre Thomas, 6-3, 295, jr.; No. 92, Tate Wildeman, 6-5, 290, so.; No. 98, Casey Rogers, 6-4, 300, so.; No. 52, Mosai Newsom, 6-4, 285, rfr.; No. 89, Jamin Graham, 6-4, 240, rfr.; No. 99, Ty Robinson, 6-6, 310, rfr.; No. 72, Nash Hutmacher, 6-5, 330, fr.; No. 96, Marquis Black, 6-4, 310, fr.; No. 90, Ben Lingenfelter, 6-4, 290, jr.; No. 82, Colton Feist, 6-2, 280, so.; No. 80, Jacob Herbek, 6-5, 260, rfr.; No. 73 Baylor Brannen, 6-4, 260, fr.

2019 cliffhanger

A senior trio that led Nebraska in snaps and production is now in the NFL. Khalil and Carlos Davis and Darrion Daniels set the tone, with some of the returning group, including Stille, Damion Daniels and Deontre Thomas, also rotating in.

The new cast

Newcomers include junior college transfer Jordon Riley and freshmen Hutmacher and Black.

Season preview

Between the veterans — Stille, Daniels and Thomas — and the freshmen, there are several players who will help determine whether this group is a strength in 2020 or not. That includes Green, Rogers and Robinson primarily, and perhaps some other promising players like Newsom.

The star

Stille has been a fixture in the lineup for years and he is by far the most experienced player returning for defensive line coach Tony Tuioti. He’s a leader in the group and will also be counted on as, likely, a starting defensive end. Stille, the Ashland native, has played in 33 career games and has 21 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks to his ledger so far. Can he be a six- to eight-sack player and push toward double-digit TFLs? If so, he’ll be an anchor for Nebraska up front.

SCOTT BRUHN, Nebraska Communications

Outside linebackers

The cast

No. 13, JoJo Domann, 6-1, 230, sr.; No. 2, Caleb Tannor, 6-2, 230, jr.; No. 49, Pheldarius Payne, 6-3, 260, jr.; No. 32, Niko Cooper, 6-5, 225, so.; No. 44, Garrett Nelson, 6-3, 240, so.; No. 45, David Alston, 6-4, 235, so.; No. 33, Javin Wright, 6-3, 205, rfr.; rfr.; No. 24, Blaise Gunnerson, 6-6, 245, fr.; No. 35, Jimari Butler, 6-5, 230, fr.; No. 38, Damian Jackson, 6-2, 275, jr.; No. 34, Simon Otte, 6-1, 205, so.; No. 54, Ryan Schommer, 6-4, 260, so.; No. 81, Nick Leader, 6-1, 205, rfr.; No. 83, Sam Shurtleff, 6-3, 220, rfr.; No. 84, Eli Richter, 6-4, 240, rfr.; No. 85, John Bullock, 6-1, 215, rfr.

2019 cliffhanger

Nebraska got some big plays from Domann in 2019, but overall lacked consistency and explosiveness from the edge of the defense. Domann finished with nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, and the rest of NU’s returners combined for 4.5 and 2.5.

The new cast

Cooper and Payne join from the junior college ranks, and Gunnerson and Butler are a pair of promising players in the future.

Season preview

There are more questions than answers in Mike Dawson’s group, but that doesn’t mean the Huskers are devoid of options. The Huskers need a big jump from Tannor and continued playmaking — perhaps with an uptick in consistency — from Domann. At the same time, protecting the edge and playing the run has to remain a focus.

The star

Tannor, now a junior, will draw a lot of attention right from the start. He’s already halfway through his college career and has the physical tools to be an exciting player, but hasn’t quite put it all together yet.

Dawson, who returned to the staff this winter after coaching in the NFL last year, made a point this spring of saying that he was going to challenge Tannor to be more consistent. If that comes through this year, he could be an every down-type player.

Associated Press file photo

Inside linebackers

The cast

No. 3, Will Honas, 6-1, 230, sr.; No. 31, Collin Miller, 6-3, 240, sr.; No. 22, Eteva Mauga-Clements, 6-2, 220, jr.; No. 28, Luke Reimer, 6-1, 220, so.; No. 10, Jackson Hannah, 6-3, 220, rfr.; No. 41, Garrett Snodgrass, 6-3, 225, rfr.; No. 42, Nick Henrich, 6-4, 225, rfr.; No. 25, Zach Schlager, 6-0, 220, so.; No. 50, Jake Archer, 6-0, 215, so.; No. 58, Chris Cassidy, 6-1, 225, so.; No. 39, Garrett Hustedt, 6-2, 225, rfr.; No. 59, Caden McCormack, 6-0, 235, rfr.; No. 51, Braden Klover, 6-1, 220, fr.; No. 56, Grant Tagge, 6-2, 200, fr.; No. 57, Drew Monin, 6-1, 240, fr.

2019 cliffhanger

Mohamed Barry was a captain and the heart of Nebraska’s defense, and Miller and Honas played alongside in what was essentially an even rotation. Coach Barrett Ruud said his guys too often were up and down, as was the defense’s overall performance.

The new cast

The newcomers in this group more represent the players who are poised to join the rotation in Reimer and Henrich. Reimer, in particular, is an ascending player in the program, while there are high hopes for Henrich’s upside, too.

Season preview

In each of the past two seasons, NU ended up with essentially a three-man rotation. The Huskers would love to be able to push that to four with Henrich and Reimer joining Miller and Honas. Ruud thinks the group will be a better tackling unit, and there’s been a recruiting focus on injecting more athleticism into the room, too.

The star

Miller is finally good and settled in as an inside linebacker, and is poised to play a lot in the middle of the Husker defense. The Indiana native has talent and is bigger than most of the players in the room. If he can finally let loose and play fast, he’s got a chance to be one of the best players on the defensive side of the ball for Nebraska.

He finished tied for third on the defense last year with 67 total tackles and was second with 31 solo stops.

SCOTT BRUHN, Nebraska Communications

Specialists

The cast

Punter: No. 40, Daniel Cerni, 6-4, 220, fr.; No. 90, William Przystup, 6-4, 250, so.; No. 95, Grant Detlefsen, 6-3, 210, rfr.; No. 30, Sami Khawja, 5-11, 165, fr.; Place kicker: No. 33, Connor Culp, 5-10, 190, sr.; No. 36, Chase Contrerez, 6-1, 180, so.; No. 93, Gabe Heins, 6-0, 185, rfr.; No.32, Ryan Novosel, 6-0, 160, fr.; No. 98, Tyler Crawford, 5-10, 175, fr. Long snapper: No. 55, Brig Banks, 6-3, 245, jr.; No. 91, Cameron Pieper, 6-3, 250, so.; No. 94, Cade Mueller, 6-0, 215, so.; No. 96, Camden Witucki, 6-3, 220, fr.

2019 cliffhanger

Last year was not so much a cliffhanger but a drive off the cliff. The place-kicking game was bad, the kickoff operation was a liability and the punting unit was passable, which was better than the rest.

The new cast

Where to start? NU could have new specialists across the board, from place-kicking to punting to kickoff duties to long snapping. The most notable newcomers are Cerni, the scholarship punter, and Culp, the grad transfer walk-on place-kicker from LSU.

Season preview

It’s going to be a new-look group of specialists for the Huskers this year under first-year senior analyst Jonathan Rutledge and the rest of the coaching staff. If NU can just get decent place-kicking and regularly kick the ball into or through the end zone on kickoffs, that would be a big improvement.

The star

It might be a stretch to call Cerni’s role a starring one, but he’s the lone scholarship specialist on the roster. Nebraska liked his film from Australia enough to offer him a scholarship this spring and he jumped at the opportunity. He comes out of the heralded ProKick Australia group, which has produced several upper-level college and NFL punters.

SCOTT BRUHN, Nebraska Communications

Defensive backs

The cast

No. 7, Dicaprio Bootle, 5-10, 195, sr.; No. 8, Deontai Williams, 6-1, 205, sr.; No. 9, Marquel Dismuke, 6-2, 215, sr.; No. 5, Cam Taylor-Britt, 6-0, 205, jr.; No. 6, Quinton Newsome, 6-2, 180, so.; No. 11, Braxton Clark, 6-4, 210, so.; No. 16 Nadab Joseph, 6-2, 190, so.; No. 18, Myles Farmer, 6-3, 205, rfr.; No. 26, Noa Pola-Gates, 5-11, 180, rfr.; No. 0, Ronald Delancy III, 5-11, 185, fr.; No. 12, Tamon Lynum, 6-2, 180, fr.; No. 23, Isaac Gifford, 6-1, 195, fr.; No. 39, Bradley Bunner, 6-0, 195, jr.; No. 40, Darius Moore, 6-1, 185, jr.; No. 48, Lane McCallum, 6-2, 220, jr.; No. 37, Phalen Sanford, 6-0, 190, so.; No. 47, Tyson Guzman, 6-3, 210, rfr. No. 29, Ashton Hausmann, 6-0, 205, fr.; No. 43, Mason Niemann, 6-3, 200, fr.

2019 cliffhanger

Nebraska’s secondary took a promising step in 2019, but also dealt with injuries throughout the season. Taylor-Britt and Bootle both moved around to help make up the loss for Williams in Week 1.

The new cast

Delancy and Lynum both could be pushed toward action as freshmen depending on how the depth at cornerback shakes out, as could the juco transfer Joseph.

Season preview

Williams is back and should provide a big lift in the secondary, but Clark is out for the season with a shoulder injury and Newsome is working back from an offseason injury, too. There will be some newer names in the mix, whether it’s the above trio of corners or young safeties like Pola-Gates and Farmer.

The star

Bootle is a veteran, a potential captain this fall and is the kind of player who never backs down. He’s got a year left to put himself on the NFL’s radar and prove that he can be an upper echelon cover man in the Big Ten. The one bugaboo still on Bootle’s resume: He doesn’t have an interception in college over 36 career games, even though he’s in the top three nationally in forced incompletion rate, according to Pro Football Focus.

SCOTT BRUHN, Nebraska Communications

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Indiana vs. Nebraska, 10.26

Nebraska quarterback Noah Vedral (16) escapes a tackle by Indiana linebacker Cam Jones (4) at Memorial Stadium in 2019.

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