Before Nebraska’s annual “Fan Day” in Lincoln on Friday, a handful of Huskers took the podium and answered questions from the media. Players such as quarterback Taylor Martinez, junior linebacker Will Compton, senior corner back Alfonzo Dennard, and seniors, safety Austin Cassidy, center Mike Caputo and wide receiver Brandon Kinnie.
FRIDAY
Talking offense and injuries
The two most interesting comments were made by Martinez, and Caputo.
When Martinez was asked if he was 100% healthy, he responded with “I guess you will have to see on September 3rd,” and would not give a clear cut answer. There have been numerous rummors surrounding Lincoln this Summer about Martinez possibly re injuring himself this off season. Martinez looked fine, and did not seem to be walking with a limp.
When Caputo reached the stage he talked a lot about the new offense, and offensive line conditioning. Then he had this to say, “It’s not that bad, versus a huddle, and being up on the line all the time.” A lot of people took that as Nebraska is going to run a no huddle offense, or a “Prairie Dog” offense. Where the offense hurries up to the line with out a huddle and looks to the sideline for the play call. A system the Oklahoma, Oregon, and Auburn have been known to run in recent years. Until Nebraska’s offense takes the field on Sep. 3 we will be unsure if that’s what Caputo meant, or if he was referring to something else.
Compton isn’t the only one with high expectations, or that improved his physic
When asked what his expectations were for this season were, senior linebacker Will Compton said “Win the Big Ten Championship, and a National Championship.” Every other player who took the mic on Friday mentioned playing for a National Championship.
Compton then went on to talk about why he thinks the Huskers have a chance of running the table in the Big Ten, and how his summer work outs have gone.
“We had one of the best summers we’ve ever had,” Compton said. “”They were saying we did more condition during the first part (of the summer) than we’ve ever done. We were more focused on conditioning because our offense is so different now, but at the same time we had a lot of strength gains too. They weren’t fully expecting what happened, and it did. We had a great offseason.”
Compton added four pounds, and dropped 5 percent of his body fat. When Taylor Martinez took the stand he obviously added some good weight. He added 5 pounds and is up to 205 lbs.
SATURDAY
The Huskers opened up Fall Camp Saturday, and here are some cliff notes from interviews, and press conferences.
*Compton said that the strength coaches told the players this summer was the most intense conditioning program they have ever gone through under Pelini. Pretty much every player said the entire team made significant gains in their strength and conditioning. They also mentioned that they have done, a lot more running, and conditioning this off season.
*Bubba Starling was not at practice on Saturday. “His situation is normal, but obviously he’s got a lot at risk,” Bo Pelini said. “So I communicated with the family and decided this was the best way to go about it. We are all on the same page.” Starling is not on the 105, but there are currently two spots being held on the roster so Starling could be added if he decided to play football this fall.
*In Starlings absents, freshman Jamal Turner took some snaps at quarterback. Turner was recruited as a quarterback by Pelini and his staff. Turner moved to wide receiver this fall. “Jamal is obviously a multi-talented guy,” Pelini said. “He’s a receiver first, but we are working him at some at quarterback. It’s the same plan we had for him in the spring.”
*Senior cornerback Alfonzo Dennard said that he’s been taking sophomore corner Ciante Evans under his wing just like, first round NFL Draft Pick Prince Amukamara did for him last year. Evans is expected to be the number 2 corner this fall behind Dennard.
*Linebacker Sean Fisher said he’s 100 percent recovered from his injury and he’s not thinking about it at all anymore. Fisher broke his leg last Fall. Fisher is a redshirt junior from Omaha.
*According to sophomore offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles, freshman offensive lineman Tyler Moore had a great summer and he definitely could see him playing this fall.
*Sophomore Brent Qvale has moved to tackle, and redshirt freshman Jake Cotton has moved over to guard. Both true freshmen Ryne Reeves and Ryan Klachko are working at center.
*Martinez was noticeably bigger, but said he’s only about 5 pound heavier than a year ago.
*Lazari Middleton, Charles Jackson, Marcus Mendoza, Collins Okafor, Lester Ward, and Givens Price were all left off the 105 man active roster.
*Max Pirman has moved from tight end to linebacker, and had a few coaches raving about him.
*Lincoln, Nebraska native David Sutton has earned a scholarship. Sutton is a former “gray shirt.”
*Senior offensive linemen Marcel Jones was the only member of the 105 man roster who did not practice Saturday. He is still recovering from some back problems he was having last season.
*Former Husker stand out Eric Warfield has joined the coaching staff as a volunteer. “Eric is in school, so he’s out there helping as a student assistant which you are allowed to do under the rules,” Pelini said. “He’s here going to school. We thought he’d be a good set of hands and somebody with the knowledge and the respect with his accomplishments that he brings to the table, I’m glad he asked to come out and be a part of this thing.”
*Bo Pelini is a big fan of the two Junior College transfers, Daimion Stafford, who is a defensive back, and defensive end Jospeh Carter. “We find out where they are and develop them and teach them,” Pelini said. “Obviously they have a ways to go, but I think our approach is to get them taught because they are talented guys. They showed that they are talented guys, but they have a ways to go yet.”
By Jimmie Allen
Photo provided by Huskers.com