5 things we learned during first week of Nebraska football spring practice

The Nebraska football team was back on the practice field this week for the first time this spring. Their annual spring game will take place on April 27th, so there’s plenty of time to go.

On Thursday, Nebraska football held an open practice for the media. There have also been some highlight videos released, as well as a few other rumblings on the message board and social media. Spring football intel is a real commodity and should start heating up in the next few weeks as the Huskers get deeper into camp.

We’ve got some interesting first impressions of the 2024 Nebraska football team and here are five things we learned from the first week of spring ball.

No kid gloves for the quarterbacks

Matt Rhule said in his press conference that all three quarterbacks need to be ready to start this season and he’s 100 percent correct. Three scholarship quarterbacks is light. One injury or, god forbid two, and the season could be a disaster.

Since Nebraska has had multiple quarterbacks miss games the past two seasons due to injury, you have to prepare as if all three quarterbacks are going to have to play at some point.

But it’s clear that the freshmen have turned heads. Thomas Fidone said all three quarterbacks have been impressive this offseason. He also said, “It’s exciting as an offense.”

Nothing against Haarberg, the expected backup this season, but Nebraska needed an influx of arm talent and this team knows how special it can be if Dylan Raiola reaches his potential.

The defense is loaded

The early returns on the defensive side of the ball are excellent. Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Cameron Lenhardt, Princewill Umanmielen, Kai Wallin, James Williams, Riley Van Poppel, and Maverick Noonan give me tremendous hope for next season and the future.

You look at all three levels of the defense and there isn’t a single weakness. There are questions about who will start at linebacker and cornerback (outside of Tommi Hill), but there are heated competitions at both spots. Malcolm Hartzog is also able to play both spots and could be a dominant nickel back/hybrid DB.

Nebraska football upgrades at RB/WR too

Nebraska football will be noticeably better at quarterback this season and that should hold true for running back and wide receiver too. The Huskers had some talented players at those positions last season but there wasn’t enough depth or star power.

Dante Dowdell is going to be an upgrade. That’s one of my predictions going into the fall. He’ll be the starter but that upgrades the entire depth chart. Emmett Johnson is a quality back too and averaged 4.5 yards per attempt last season. Add Rahir Johnson and Gabe Ervin to that group and you’ve got something.

If everyone can stay healthy.

The wide receivers should be much better too. Jacory Barney and Dae’vonn Hall have been impressive. Malachi Coleman is limited but Jaylen Lloyd and Jadyn Doss are also names to know. All of those guys should be improved this season and they’ll be pushed by veterans Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor who certainly look the part.

I’m excited to see these position groups develop this spring, but the Nebraska skill guys are much better than they were even last season.

New guys have to earn it

Matt Rhule is crazy about the culture he’s building at Nebraska. And he should be. It’s probably the most important thing of his tenure. If he gets that right, the rest will fall into place.

You need talent. But Rhule has proven he can get the best of the best. Coleman, Carter Nelson, Raiola, Grant Brix, etc. These are all guys with national recruitments that decided to come to Nebraska.

Culture is a huge part of that and teams that win championships tend to have a strong culture. Of course, in the transfer portal era, it’s more difficult to build and maintain that culture.

That’s why I respect how Rhule deals with transfers. He’s criticized Micah Mazzccua and also Stefon Thompson about their conditioning and having “work to do.” It’s not that Rhule is being mean — he did the same thing to Josh Fleeks last season — he’s sending a message.

If anyone thinks they can walk in and grab a starting job because they have ties to Matt Rhule or Tony White, they’ve got another thing coming. Nebraska is all about competition and these guys have to earn every snap.

The way it should be.

Tangible O-line depth

Another thing Nebraska football has, which it didn’t have, ever during the Scott Frost era, is true depth along the offensive line.

Outside of an elite quarterback, the biggest key to winning is having great play on the offensive and defensive lines. The D-line is freaking loaded. But the offensive line is set too. Teddy Prochazka, who ended the season starting at left tackle, is 100 percent and practicing which is huge.

Gunnar Gottula has been impressive for the second straight year, plus we are getting positive returns already on Grant Brix. He’s probably going to redshirt but it’s good to hear good things this early — better than bad stuff.

Ru’Quan Buckley played eight games on defense last season but has switched to the offensive line and has a real chance to play. Justin Evan-Jenkins has been good too. Bryce Benhart could be prepping for the NFL draft — Ben Scott too.

This is going to be the best offensive line in years for Nebraska football, which seems like a good time to be starting a freshman, five-star quarterback.

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