4 promising developments for Nebraska football offense this spring

There are just two weeks left of Nebraska football spring practice. This year’s edition feels different, because there won’t be a game at the end, yet we have still learned plenty about the Huskers in the past few weeks.

We have broken down some of the things we have learned about Nebraska football so far this spring, as well as some of the key takeaways. But as we get closer to the end of spring ball, here are four promising developments for the Huskers on the offensive side of the ball.

Kwinten Ives locking down RB2

Running back depth was a concern heading into the spring. Outside of Emmett Johnson, Nebraska football has fewer than 10 combined carries in its running back room.

That’s a worrisome position heading into the Big Ten season. One back simply isn’t going to hold up, especially one on the lighter side. Nebraska was always going to need more depth, whether it was developed internally or added via the transfer portal.

However, Matt Rhule endorsed the running back room earlier this spring. Dana Holgorsen did the same this week, and also named Kwinten Ives as the No. 2. He said Ives took a step back in December and that the other backs needed reps.

I’m still curious if Nebraska would add another back this spring if the right one became available, but the emergence of Ives has lessened that need.

Freshmen wideouts

It’s been clear from the jump this spring that Nebraska football added two impact players at wide receiver in the 2025 class, Cortez Mills and Isaiah Mozee.

Mozee is often overlooked, but he won’t be after this spring. Holgorsen said this week that Mills and Mozee will each play this season. It feels like both are among the top five among wide receivers, which is an exciting prospect for the future.

The fact that Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney, Mills, and Mozee each have three or four years of eligibility is a perfectly good reason for Nebraska football fans to be over-the-moon excited about the future of this pass offense.

O-line has been a “highlight” of Nebraska football spring practices

Nebraska football has been dealing with some injuries up front, mainly to returning starters Gunnar Gottula and Henry Lutovsky. Both players started double-digit games for the Huskers last season. When you add Elijah Pritchett and Rocco Spindler, two players who started double-digit games for Alabama and Notre Dame, respectively, and Nebraska should have a fairly proven offensive line.

One of the big questions was who would play center? Holgorsen indicated that it will be Justin Evans. Pritchett should be the starter at left tackle, with Spindler entrenched at right guard.

Lutovsky has started 13 games over the past two seasons. He could be a factor at right tackle, too. Gottula was a 12-game starter at left tackle, but he seems like a better fit on the right side.

Grant Brix, Gibson Pyle, and others have created some positive buzz this spring. It’s hard to tell how Turner Corcoran or Teddy Prochazka will impact the depth chart, but if everyone is healthy this fall and still on the roster (due to the 105-man limit), the O-line should have plenty of depth, talent, and experience this season.

I don’t see it being a weakness at all.

The tight end room is better than expected

After Nate Boerkircher portaled to Texas A&M, and Thomas Fidone entered the NFL draft, it felt like tight end might be a weakness for Nebraska football in 2025.

However, after a few weeks of spring ball, it’s starting to feel like the opposite. Heinrich Haarberg has gotten plenty of praise, and now that he’s able to focus on tight end, instead of quarterback, he seems poised for a breakout season.

Haarberg has always been a stellar athlete pigeon-holed as a quarterback. He looks like a tight end now. Yet, he can still run and has decent hands. I’m also excited to see him block, but the idea that his production could be similar to Fidone’s last season isn’t that far-fetched.

Luke Lindenmeyer was praised by Holgorsen this week, and he’s another guy who will play well in 2025. He’s more of an in-line blocker, but started two games last season and played in all 13. He only had five receptions, yet caught two passes in the bowl game.

Lindenmeyer will be the top blocking tight end. Haarberg will be the top pass catcher, but together, that’s a tandem Nebraska football fans can feel good about.

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