Updating Nebraska football fall camp position battles

Nebraska football is on the brink of wrapping up fall camp. Head coach Matt Rhule said that he would announce the Huskers starting this week (probably).

That got me thinking about some of the other position battles. We offered up some predictions ahead of Nebraska football fall camp and here’s where things stand with some of the most hotly contested position battles for the Huskers.

Quarterback: Announcement coming soon

Ohio State announced Will Howard as its starting quarterback last week. Rhule said when the decision became clear, he would announce it.

At this point, despite some other quality quarterbacks, it has to be five-star Dylan Raiola. The kid is special and it’s clear he’s earned a place as a leader on this team.

Daniel Kaelin got praised by Rhule. Heinrich Haarberg too, but I’d be stunned if it was anyone but Dylan Raiola being named the starting quarterback.

Running back: Up in the air

It felt like Dante Dowdell was behind the others not that long ago but he started making a push this week and drew praise from offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield.

Dowdell was a former top-10 recruit at his position. He’s also 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. Gabe Ervin has had some moments this fall. Rahmir Johnson has stood out too, plus Emmett Johnson is steady.

It’s anyone’s guess who starts game one, but as of now, this feels like a running-back-by-committee.

Left tackle: Injury default

As long as he remains healthy, Turner Corcoran will be the starting left tackle for Nebraska football this season. Corcoran was battling Teddy Prochazka for the job. Prochazka started the last five games last season and the 6-foot-10 tackle might have been the Huskers’ best pass blocker before another knee injury ended his season.

Now, the backup tackle job is going to be important because Gunnar Gottula or Grant Brix may be needed this season.

Corcoran has been average at best and missed the last five games last season due to injury, so one way or another Nebraska football may need to play a freshman or redshirt freshman at left tackle this season.

Cornerback: Mario Buford

Injuries have plagued the battle to start at cornerback opposite of Tommi Hill. Jeremiah Charles has missed time this fall and Blye Hill is just getting back to 100 percent.

Marques Buford has emerged as a candidate to start at cornerback. He has started at safety and cornerback for the Huskers in the past and on Saturday, Rhule said he sleeps well when Buford, Tommi Hill, Malcolm Hartzog, DeShon Singleton, and Isaac Gifford are out there.

That tells me that Buford will be cornerback No. 2 in Week 1 against UTEP.

Kicker: Undecided

Tristan Alvano is the incumbent but Alvano has been limited by injury. He didn’t start camp on the Nebraska football 120-man roster. He’s on it now and the former three-star recruit had the yellow jersey removed.

Matt Rhule talked about John Hohl being ahead of Alvano but that has as much to do with injury as anything else. Now that Alvano is healthy enough to compete, we should get more clarity.

Alvano has proven he can make big kicks in the past. He just needs to find that consistency and in a season where close games could be a theme once again, clutch kicking is a must.

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