5 things we have learned so far from Nebraska football fall camp

We are almost through two weeks of Nebraska football fall camp. The season is getting closer and as of today, we are three weeks from UTEP.

So far things have gone well for the Huskers, outside of some injury woes. Projected starting left tackle Teddy Prochazka is out for the season. Roger Gradney is too.

Injuries are just part of fall camp. But for the most part, the Huskers are in a good place, and through a few open practices and the Big Red Preview, plus other rumblings, here are five things we have learned about the 2024 Nebraska football team so far in fall camp.

Dylan Raiola is QB1

I’m not certain when Matt Rhule will name Dylan Raiola as the Nebraska football starting quarterback but it should only be a matter of time.

It’s abundantly clear to every person around the program that Raiola is the best quarterback. Rhule hasn’t really shied away from it. He said in a recent interview that Raiola was a “winner” whose competitiveness has been “contagious.”

Rhule also talked about how Raiola came to Nebraska football to restore the program to its former glory.

I love Daniel Kaelin and Rhule does too, but he’s not talking about him like that. Raiola is different. His arm talent rivals any in college football and his mental capacity might be even better.

Rhule said he knows the job of every player on the field, as a freshman. This kid is special. He will do special things at Nebraska and another thing coaches noted — he keeps improving.

Name him the starter and let the Dylan Raiola era begin, officially.

An impressive freshman class for Nebraska football

Dylan Raiola doesn’t feel like a freshman, so sometimes, I forget that he’s part of the 2024 class. But man, so far, this recruiting class looks like one that will change the program.

Not only do you have a five-star quarterback, but you have another top-100 talent in Carter Nelson who is turning heads at wide receiver. Grant Brix has stood out on the offensive line and could be in the mix at left tackle, depending on how things work out with Turner Corcoran.

Jacory Barney has been a steal since he stepped foot on campus. You can say the same thing about Vincent Shavers. Both of them will play — A LOT — this season and it’s hard to believe Nebraska football was able to get that duo out of South Florida.

They feel like they belong in the SEC, not at Nebraska.

Then you have walk-on Keona Davis turning heads. Davis came to Nebraska at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, and has already bulked up to 270 pounds. He has turned heads throughout camp and is generating buzz similar to James Williams a year ago.

Even freshman defensive backs Amare Sanders and Larry Tarver are working their way into the mix, while I wouldn’t be shocked to hear from Caleb Benning, Dae’vonn Hall, Isaiah McMorris, and maybe even Keelan Smith before the 2024 season is all said and done. Gibson Pyle and Preston Taumua too, although there is a rumor of an injury to a freshman offensive lineman circulating.

From top to bottom, this is an impressive class and the kind that can be the foundation for a championship.

The offensive line is still a question mark

Nebraska football will have to put its faith in Turner Corcoran once again. He’s been up-and-down throughout his career and is also coming off a season-ending injury.

It wasn’t long ago that there were concerns about Corcoran being healthy enough for fall camp. The coaching staff still has him on a pitch count right now, in terms of snaps and daily work, because if he goes down, Nebraska will be in trouble.

Redshirt freshman Gunnar Guttula would probably be the next man up. There are some others in the mix too, but there isn’t a great option and Corcoran needs to deliver.

Outside of left tackle, there’s reason to feel good about the other four spots. But if you don’t have a trusted blind-side protector, it can be a major issue and the Huskers have to hope Corcoran can have the kind of season Bryce Benhart did last year at right tackle.

If not, left tackle will be a cause for concern all season long.

A deep array of offensive playmakers

Nebraska football is loaded at wide receiver. The depth and talent are extremely impressive, especially for this program. Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor are two outstanding veterans who are surrounded by young, hungry playmakers.

Jalen Lloyd, Malachi Coleman, Barney, Nelson, Quinn Clark, Isaiah McMorris, Dae’vonn Hall, Alex Bullock, Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, and also tight end Thomas Fidone and even running back Rahmir Johnson give Raiola a dynamic group of pass catchers.

The Huskers have deep threats, guys who can terrorize you in the slot, they even have Janiran Bonner, who played fullback last season and is now a wide receiver. Not only was he a four-star coming out of high school but the dude can block.

The running back room is deep too, as long as Rahmir Johnson and Gabe Ervin can stay healthy, and this might be the best group of pass catchers Nebraska football has ever had.

D-line living up to Death Row nickname

Outside of wide receiver, the most impressive position group for Nebraska football has to be the defensive line. Yes, I’m including some of the EDGE types in there such as Princewill Umanmielen, but man, the Huskers are loaded for bear on the defensive front.

Not only do they return all three D-line starters in Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, and Jimari Butler, but they also have Umanmielen, Cameron Lenhardt, Riley Van Poppel, James Williams, Keona Davis, and more.

The pass rush should be electric. Lenhardt, Williams, and Umanmielen combined for six sacks last season. That was just a taste though.

With a full offseason under their belt, that trio should make a big leap. When you add Van Poppel to the mix at defensive tackle and Williams, who has been playing some pass-rush snaps inside, you have a pass-rush that might look like its from the Bo Pelini era.

Butler, Nash, and Robinson are pros. Add the other talent around them and you have one of the best defensive lines in all of college football and another reason to feel confident in the Huskers finally getting over the hump and at least back to a bowl game.

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.