Nebraska football was back on the practice field and invited the media to an open portion of practice for the first 20-30 minutes.
It was interesting to catch a look at all the new faces. Williams Nwaneri looks physically imposing. So does Elijah Jeudy. Matt Rhule said he is 300 pounds in his press conference this week, and he looks it.
Of course, the wide receiver room is impressive. Jacory Barney, Dane Key, and Hardley Gilmore each looked impressive on Thursday. Freshman Isaiah Mozee also had a nice reception in one-on-ones.
Mozee is a little overlooked in this class with all that attention paid to the transfer wide receivers and Cortez Mills, but he will be hard to keep off the field. Quinn Clark is looking good, too.
The early returns are positive on offensive line transfers Rocco Spindler and Elijah Pritchett. Grant Brix is also getting work at offensive tackle, which is a positive. He isn’t needed at guard with Spindler and could be a factor there, as could Henry Lutovsky.
The running back room looks good. Rhule said the Huskers like what they have in the running back room earlier this week, and you could see why on Thursday. Emmett Johnson torched a linebacker on a pass route, and the other running backs had linebackers “on skates.”
Jamarion Parker got multiple mentions as a guy who impressed. I’ve continued to pump him up but really feel he could be the best running back recruit Nebraska has landed in a long time. Like Isaiah Mozee, another blue-chip from Missouri, don’t be shocked if Parker outplays his ranking or plays early.
The cornerbacks have also improved. Even facing a talented wide receiver room, they won multiple one-on-ones, according to Mike’l Severe. Malcolm Hartzog was joined in the nickel by Mario Buford and Larry Tarver Jr. Those are both players on the rise and could be next in line to start after Hartzog.
Overall, you don’t want to overreact, but the early impressions are good. I’m getting more confident in the ability of Jeudy and Riley Van Poppel to hold up on the interior of the defensive line.
They might not be Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson, but Van Poppel looks due for a breakout season, and they could be closer than expected. The talent is there too with Williams Nwaneri, who looks like an absolute beast. Keona Davis is another name to watch.
It’s a bummer that Nebraska football won’t have a spring game, but there is still plenty for fans to be optimistic about in March.
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