4 Questions Going Into Spring

With Saturday being the start of spring practice, there are a handful of questions ringing in every Husker fans mind, that they would like answered by the annual Red and White Spring Game, on April 14.

Is Taylor Martinez “The Guy” For the Next Two Years

At the end of last years spring game, redshirt sophomore quarterback Brion Carnes set the Husker world on fire. Most Husker fans thought that his performance opened up a quarterback controversy. None of the other coaches seemed to feel that way, and it showed during fall practice, and the 2011 season. Redshirt junior quarterback Taylor Martinez started all 13 games last season, and Carnes saw playing time in just 3 games.

So the question is, is the starting job at Nebraska Taylor Martinez to lose for the next two years, or will Carnes and a slew of other talented quarterbacks get an equal shot at playing time?

Nebraska’s quarterback depth chart will consist of Martinez, Carnes, junior Ron Kellogg III, incoming freshman Tommy Armstrong, and possibly Jamal Turner.

In last years spring game, Carnes completed 11 of 15 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, he also rushed 9 times for 49 yards. Martinez’s day wasnt as solid.

He went 4 of 13 for 52 yards. Martinez rushed  2 times for -1 yard.

Will Jamal Turner Play Quarterback Or Stay At Wide Receiver

Sophomore Jamal Turner came to Nebraska with the hopes of challenging Martinez for his starting position.

Turner came to Lincoln regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2012 recruiting class. In his senior year he completed 151 passes for 1,551 yards and 8 touchdowns at Sam Houston High School, in Arlington, TX. He also rushed 267 times for 1,888 yards, and 35 touchdowns.

Seven games into the season last year Turner was the leading receiver on Nebraska’s team. He suddenly lost his starting spot, and  playing time. There was never any word on why his spot was lost, and several rumors flew around the program.

Turner is obviously a play-maker, but where he will be making those plays at in 2012 still remains to be seen.

Who Will Emerge 

Last season Nebraska brought three every talented freshmen running backs in, in the 2012 recruiting class. Both Aaron Green and Ameer Abdullah saw a handful of carries, with Abdullah being the main kick returner on the team.

This left out Ohio native Braylon Heard. Head coach Bo Pelini said that Heard will move to cornerback this season. Heard played both running back, and cornerback in high school.

So who will emerge as the number two runningback behind senior Rex Burkhead?

Who Will Step Up To Fill the Big Shoes Left Behind

Nebraska brought three established seniors at three key positions on the defense in the 2012 season. Jared Crick at defensive tackle, Lavonte David at linebacker, and Alfonzo Dennard at cornerback.

All three players are now preparing for the NFL Draft, and have their Nebraska playing days behind them. Crick will be the easiest to replace since he missed the second half of the 2011 season with a torn pectoral muscle. So Nebraska has already lined up quality options. In his abscence Nebraska replaced Crick with players like junior Chase Rome, and senior Thad Randle.

David will be the toughest to replace, due to a lack of experience in the linebacking core. Look for redshirt freshman, and former Texas 5A player of the year David Santos to come in and make an immediate impact next season. Nebraska also landed four talented linebackers in the 2012 recruiting class in junior college transfer Zaire Anderson, and high school seniors, Michael Rose, Jared Afalava, and Thomas Brown.

With the addition of new defensive back coach Terry Joseph, the most intriguing battle will be at corner, and replacing Dennard. Last season cornerbacks Andrew Green, and Ciante Evans saw playing time in Dennards absence.  Look for junior college transfer Mohammed Seisay to be the number one contender for Dennard’s starting spot.

By Jimmie Allen 

Contact the writer at JAhuskercorner@gmail.com

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