3 takeaways from first week of Nebraska spring ball

Week one of Nebraska football spring practice is in the books. The Huskers aren’t holding a spring game this season, but they have already held an open practice in addition to all the media sessions.

After the first week, there has been plenty of positive buzz. There always is this time of year. You don’t usually hear players and coaches say negative things when talking to reporters.

But there are legitimate reasons to have optimism about this Nebraska football team, and looking back at the past week of spring practice, here are three takeaways for the Huskers.

Dylan Raiola is going to be a dude

Raiola looks like he dedicated himself to getting better this offseason, which is exactly what every Nebraska football fan should want to see. The starting quarterback looks in better shape, and Dana Holgorsen said he was taking on more of a leadership role.

Looking back, Raiola did a stellar job as a true freshman. He was under considerable pressure and still helped deliver a winning season and a bowl victory.

This season, it’s time to take a leap. Raiola has said that means competing for a playoff spot, and that’s only going to happen if the sophomore is better than he was last season.

So far, so good, and with all of the weapons around him, as well as what should be an upgraded offensive line, the Huskers have all the pieces to have an explosive offense.

The defense might be better

Nebraska is losing two draft picks on the defensive line. It also lost some others who played tons of snaps, but Matt Rhule is excited about the defensive line, and it’s easy to see why.

Keeping Keona Davis out of the transfer portal was as important as landing former five-star Williams Nwaneri, which is interesting since Davis wasn’t a highly-touted recruit. However, he’s got a shot to be an NFL draft pick, just like Nwaneri should be.

Riley Van Poppel and Elijah Jeudy look the part. They need to be the beef in the middle, but the linebackers and secondary are what have me excited.

The Nebraska football wide receivers looked good in practice, at least the open portion, but the defensive backs did too. With Andrew Marshall, Donovan Jones, Amare Sanders, Aamir Hall, and of course, Ceyair Wright, it just feels like the Huskers have more playable depth in the secondary.

Nebraska has quality safeties, and Malcolm Hartzog is perfect as a nickel. The linebackers are deep and talented, too. Vincent Shavers is on the verge, and Dasan McCullough will be electric as a pass rusher. 

Many have assumed the defense won’t be as good as it was last season, but it could be better.

Running backs will be just fine

Rhule said it this week, but seeing is believing. All the reports have been positive about the running back room. Outside of Emmett Johnson, the other running backs have just a handful of carries.

Yet, you have to get experience to be experienced. The talent is obvious with Kwinten Ives, Mekhi Nelson, and Jamarion Parker.

As long as they have the kind of spring we expect and build on the first week, Nebraska football won’t need to add a running back from the portal. The Huskers just need to play the guys they have.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel. You can also find our podcast on Apple or Spotify.