3 thoughts on commitment of NAIA QB Jalyn Gramstad to Nebraska football

There has been plenty of talk about Nebraska football adding another quarterback this offseason and on Thursday, the Huskers finally did it, landing the commitment of NAIA Player of the Year Jalyn Gramstad.

Gramstad is transferring from Northwestern College in Iowa, a program that finished as the NAIA runner-up last season. Gramstad said he grew up a Nebraska football fan and earned an offer after showing up to a recent post-graduate camp hosted by the Huskers.

Now, his addition to the roster is official. Most believe he will join as a walk-on with a supplement of NIL money to cover the tuition costs. On the field, it adds another quarterback to a crowded three-man QB battle, and here are three thoughts on the commitment of Jalyn Gramstad to Nebraska football.

Can never have enough QB depth

I’ll be honest, I don’t love this commitment as much as some of the other Nebraska football pundits. I don’t love the idea of Daniel Kaelin getting fewer reps.

I understand this could help preserve his redshirt, but I still don’t love the idea of Kaelin getting fewer reps, at least with the top groups because of another quarterback.

It’s possible that Heinrich Haarberg will be moved from the quarterback room, and maybe that solves that issue. Gramstad would be the veteran backup to Dylan Raiola, while Haarberg could play somewhere else.

However, I think QB is the best position for Haarberg to help Nebraska. That being said, you still have to like this addition for the simple fact of adding another quality arm.

One assistant coach at the camp where Gramstad earned his offer said that he was better than any quarterback Nebraska had last season, which included Haarberg.

I don’t see Gramstad starting over Dylan Raiola, but he’s going to get this chance and it’s very interesting to add another QB to the competition this late in the process. Gramstad wants to play. He’s walking away from being the Player of the Year at an NAIA power. You don’t do that with the intention to sit, but Raiola is the five-star freshman and it shapes up to be an interesting battle.

Dylan Raiola will still be the starting quarterback

If all goes according to plan, Gramstad will only see the field in garbage time and even then, I wouldn’t mind Danny Dimes getting those snaps as long as he doesn’t go over four games.

Kaelin and Raiola are the future. Gramstad could have two seasons to play if he redshirts one, and I don’t hate the idea of having a veteran backup if needed for two seasons, but overall, I don’t see this changing much in the QB room over the next few years.

Raiola is going to be the guy this fall and for the next three seasons. Unless there is an injury. After that, it will be up to Daniel Kaelin and TJ Lateef to determine who will be the next starter, so while this move is making headlines, Gramstad won’t see the field unless something unexpected happens.

Haarberg moving isn’t a no-brainer

Call me crazy but I wouldn’t move Heinrich Haarberg from the quarterback position. I get the appeal of moving him to tight end. He caught one pass last season, but this tight end room is different. It has Thomas Fidone AND Carter Nelson.

I’d be alright with Haarberg splitting time but Nebraska should still use him as a running quarterback this season. He throws well enough to keep defenses honest and he’s the only quarterback on the roster who can run.

He was an X-factor last season on the ground before he got too beat up. He can be that again, in certain scenarios such as short-yardage or goal-line sort of like Tim Tebow during his first season at Florida.

That’s a better role for Haarberg in my opinion. Nebraska has some quality tight ends. Maybe he could be an H-back or fullback but he’s not a running back.

Maybe he can become a stellar blocker — it wouldn’t surprise me — but I don’t buy that he can be moved and star at another position, especially after he spent the entire spring playing nothing but quarterback.

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.