The first week of fall camp is officially in the books for Nebraska football.
Nebraska closed out the first week with the “Big Red Preview” on Saturday. It was a mixture of fan day and the first padded practice. The Huskers are allowed nine total before the first game.
Looking back at this first week, based on what we have seen, heard, and read, here are five things learned in the first week of Huskers’ fall camp.
The tight end room is legit
It sounds crazy, but there might be as many reasons to be as excited about the tight ends as the wide receivers. Ok, that’s a little far. Still, Carter Nelson, Luke Lindenmeyer, and Heinrich Haarberg all had a great first week.
Haarberg was impressive on Saturday night. Nelson and Lindenmeyer each had nice receptions on the Big Ten broadcast, plus Big Ten analyst Jake Butt raved about Nelson, saying he moves “differently.”
For a dude that’s 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, he sure does.
Haarberg does, too. His speed is uncanny, especially straight line, for a dude that big. He’ll be a weapon, while Lindenmeyer is the best all-around tight end on the roster.
Before the spring, I doubt many would have expected the tight end room would be a strength, but that’s where we are after the first week of fall camp.
The defensive line isn’t a concern
Nebraska might not have a true nose tackle like Nash Hutmacher, but it has enough 300-pounders to be getting along with. Riley Van Poppel, Elijah Jeudy, and Dylan Parrott are all over 300 or close.
You also have Keona Davis, Williams Nwaneri, and Cameron Lendhart, who are each at least 6-foot-3, 270 pounds. Jordan Ochoa is the forgotten guy at JACK/EDGE. He’s another name to remember.
Tyson Terry probably won’t play this season, but he also checked in at 6-foot-2, 310 pounds. There are some promising pieces for the future, especially considering that Jeudy is the only senior on the D-line.
The offensive tackle battles are real
Elijah Pritchett and Teddy Prochazka were getting the most first-team reps on Saturday night at left and right tackle, respectively. Gunnar Gottula and Tyler Knaak were getting those on Monday during the first open practice.
It feels like this battle could spill into the season. Matt Rhule talked about Pritchett having to adjust to a new offensive system that was “pro-style” instead of a spread offense.
Prochazka was the first-team right tackle through multiple drills. Let’s not forget that the Nebraska native was a top-100 recruit coming out of high school. When healthy, he’s been effective.
After years of battling injury, hopefully, it’s finally his time to stay healthy. Yet, even if Pritchett and Teddy are the starters, there is quality depth for the first time in a long time.
Mekhi Nelson is RB2
It was clear on Saturday that Nelson is second in the running back pecking order. It’s still early, though. That was one padded practice. To evaluate running backs, you need pads.
Nelson is a stellar runner. Can he hold up in pass protection? That’s my concern with young backs, but it seems like Nelson is better than adequate.
Kwinten Ives is banged up, but don’t count him out yet. Isaiah Mozee is another player, even as a freshman, who could work his way into the mix.
Emmett Johnson is clear RB1. Nelson is No. 2, and the rest will be sorted out as the season goes along.
The defense will be better
Nebraska’s offense will be better. Dylan Raiola will see to that. However, there hasn’t been as much buzz about the defense. Yet, with John Butler taking over as the DC, along with some upgrades in the secondary, this defense will be even better than it was the past two seasons.
We have already talked about the defensive line. The linebacker room is loaded. Vincent Shavers is due for a breakout season. Javin Wright and Marques Watson-Trent, who was the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, are starting-caliber players — Willis McGahee, too.
Dasan McCullough is a true Jack. A linebacker/pass rusher. So the pass rush should be improved. The run defense is a worry, but the defensive line should hold up just fine, and if it does, the Nebraska football should have a top-25 defense.
Maybe even one that can get off the field consistently on third down.
