The Top Stories Coming Out Of Spring Camp

Last spring the big stories coming out of spring was the development of Brion Carnes, and the talented young offensive linemen. This spring there are several big time stories at several different positions.

Mohammad Seisay Impresses Early

With the departure of All-Big 10 cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, junior college transfer Mohammad Seisay has picked up where Dennard left off. The 6-foot-2 Springfield, VA. native came in to spring camp with high prasises from the NU coaching staff, and has lived up to expectations so far.

“We were expecting him (Seisay) maybe to jump right in the mix,” said defensive coordinator John Papuchis. ” He’s certainly done that. He’s a quick learner. He’s a smart guy. He’s a hard worker. So yeah, he’s on track for where we thought he would be.”

Seisay originally committed to Memphis out of high school. He left Memphis after his first year, and landed at, Eastern Arizona community college. He arives in Lincoln with being the next potential first round cornerback coached by Bo Pelini.

“Mo’s a very talented young man,” Pelini said. “He is a guy who’s very mature. Football comes easy to him. From what I’m seeing, I think he has a really good understanding of what we’re trying to do. He picks up things really quickly. You’ve got to tell him something once and he’s pretty much got it.”

“He’s a big, long, talented guy who I think is going to be a force for us.”

The Emergence of Andrew Rodriguez

Last season junior offensive guard Andrew Rodriguez missed the majority of the second half of the season with a foot injury. He has dominated this spring and been given high praise by the coaching staff.

Rodriguez has been dominant in practice, and according to several sources, he was the most dominant offensive linemen during Saturdays scrimmage at practice.

Rodrgiuez said he feels like the coaching staff is challenging him, and that he accepts the challenge.He didn’t travel with the team to last years Capital One Bowl, because head coach Bo Pelini wanted him to stay off his feet.

Rodriguez clearly got the message.

This spring Rodriguez has moved from guard to spring, and maybe staying their permanently if he keeps preforming this well.

Brion Carnes Continues To Develop

Nebraska had it’s first scrimmage of the spring on Wednesday, and had an extended scrimmage on Saturday.

“We ran about fifty to a hundred plays,” Bo Pelini said. “It was a good, long, very productive day for us. I thought some guys showed up. I thought the tempo was really good. They played hard. You know, there were some mistakes made. A couple mental mistakes that were disappointing, but overall it was a pretty good practice.”

The big question for Pelini was the progression of the quarterbacks in a game simulation.

“We didn’t scrimmage Taylor for a really long time, and he was very, very sharp out there today,” Pelini said about redshirt junior quarterback Taylor Martinezs. “I thought Brion (Carnes) did some good things. I thought across the board it was a good go.”

Last season Brion Carnes became a household name to Husker fans after a very impressive showing in the 2011 Spring Game.

“I think I am kind of liking some of the things I have seen from Brion,” Pelini said. “I think he’s recognizing coverages a lot better. He is a lot more comfortable obviously in the system. I think he knows a lot of times now when to make checks at times. Maybe he doesn’t necessarily get the exact check that we want him to, but that’s to be expected this early because we’re really not game planning against each other.”

Green and Abdullah Shining In Burkhead’s Absence

Senior I-back Rex Burkhead was held out of Saturday’s scrimmage for precautionary reasons. In his absence sophomore I-backs Aaron Green, and Ameer Abdullah have taken their opportunities and ran with it.

“Those are two guys that were thrown into the fire pretty quick,” Pelini said. “They’re young backs who have a lot of talent. Aaron Green ran tough today, and ran hard. You know Ameer. Those guys are good backs.”

Last season both Green and Abdullah were expected to make big impacts early. It never really come to be, and Burkhead was stuck shouldering the load. It’s a little too early to tell, but the young backs may be seeing more playing time in their sophomore season.

Injury Notes

Wide receiver Jamal Turner was held out of Saturdays scrimmage with a hamstring injury.

Deffensive tackles Kevin Williams, and Thad Randle still continue to rehab from knee injuries.

By Jimmie Allen

Contact the writer at JAhuskercorner@gmail.com

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