3 Nebraska football players set to breakout on offense

We are less than 100 days away from the start of the Nebraska football season. The optimism is apparent and that first game against UTEP can’t come soon enough.

This spring, we got a glimpse of what Nebraska football can be. Of course, we have to be careful not to overreact. The Huskers have looked good in the spring before. They have also had good offseasons that still ended up with a team that didn’t make a bowl game.

I have a hard time believing that will happen again. Matt Rhule nearly had Nebraska football in a bowl game last season. He’ll deliver in 2024 and with his history of second-year win improvements, it’s not even overly optimistic.

The key is going to be the quarterback. Running the ball is important too, but this offense needs some explosiveness. Nebraska ran the ball as well as anyone in the Big Ten. The Huskers averaged more yards per game and attempt than Michigan last season.

Big plays often come from a passing game, mirrored with an effective run for (play-action). The Huskers have the potential to be lethal in that area and with that in mind, here are three offensive players due for breakout seasons in 2024.

Thomas Fidone, TE

Fidone started to look like a former top-100 recruit last season, but he’s got much more in the tank. Yet, even with a rough QB situation, he caught 24 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns.

However, after getting through a full season completely healthy, Fidone seems poised to take off. He will also have a quarterback capable of feeding him the ball.

They say that a tight end is a quarterback’s best friend. That’s especially true for young quarterbacks. Dylan Raiola and Fidone should have a great connection and I feel strongly that Fidone will catch 40-50 passes for 500 yards this season.

Last season got his feet wet and in 2024, we’ll finally get to see the real Fidone.

Emmett Johnson, RB

I spent much of this post talking about the passing game, however, a running game is a friend to every quarterback and you can bet that Matt Rhule still wants to pound the rock.

Rhule’s fourth-quarter formula is all about running the ball. That’s how you salt away wins and Nebraska football has to be better in those situations next season.

Yet, with an actual threat at quarterback, plus some receivers who can take the top off the defense, the running game shouldn’t be faced with eight or nine-man boxes constantly.

For Emmett Johnson and the other backs, that’s huge. I’ve already said I think Johnson will start next season. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry on 90 attempts last season. He’s bigger, stronger, and was impressive this spring. Dante Dowdell also shined in the spring game.

But Johnson, behind an offensive line that should be even better, feels to me, like he’ll be Nebraska’s leading rusher. He might not get enough attempts to hit 1,000 yards — it will be a back-by-committee approach — but I think Johnson leads the Huskers in yards, carries, and rushing touchdowns in 2024.

Jaylen Lloyd, WR

Speaking of explosive plays, Jaylen Lloyd delivered a few last season for Nebraska football. In fact, he was one of two players — Marvin Harrison Jr. being the other — to catch three touchdown passes of 50 yards or more in the Big Ten. Lloyd scored a 66-yard touchdown, a 58-yard touchdown, and a 73-yard touchdown last season.

The kid can absolutely fly. He’s continued to show this spring how impressive he is as a jumper too with the track and field team. On the football field this spring, Lloyd also dominated.

It seemed like he was creating a highlight-reel player per practice. He even caught a deep ball for a touchdown from Dylan Raiola, which was closer to 70 yards than 50.

The two of them are going to be fun to watch. Lloyd should absolutely dominate in the slot this season. I’m pumped about Jahmal Banks and Isiah Neyor. Both will start and make big contributions, but Lloyd could easily lead this team in receiving yards.

Lloyd should lead the Huskers in plus 20-yard receptions and I don’t think a projection of 750-1,000 receiving yards this season is crazy. The dual-sport athlete is that talented.

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