Nebraska Football Fall Camp: Huskers’ Week One MVPs
Week one is in the books for the 2014 Nebraska football squad and it’s been a rocky start for the Huskers. After an injury-riddled 2013 campaign, Nebraska has already lost two projected Blackshirts for the season in defensive back Charles Jackson (torn MCL) and linebacker Michael Rose-Ivey (torn ACL).
That’s in addition to the year-long suspension of potential starting safety LeRoy Alexander for reasons neither head coach Bo Pelini or the athletic department will disclose.
Given the personnel losses, Husker fans have plenty of reasons to be nervous after only one week, but there are reasons for optimism. Nebraska appears to have plenty of players with All-Big Ten potential still standing upright.
Here are the MVPs for the Huskers’ first week of fall camp:
Offense: Kenny Bell – Though he has a starting position locked up, Bell hasn’t taken a practice off. Always the first option of whomever is tossing the pigskin around, he’s constantly getting open and catching whatever is thrown his way.
He’s been the model of consistency as plenty of young and under experienced receivers battle for playing time behind him on the depth chart. No. 80’s coming off a down year for him (52 receptions for 577 yards and only four scores). However, as he reminds the world almost every morning on Twitter, it’s the money year for the senior receiver.
Expect big things from Bell in 2014 as he wraps up his career wearing the scarlet and cream.
Defense: Zaire Anderson – Linebacker is a position of strength for the Huskers, even with Rose-Ivey’s season ending injury. Several players have been shifting in and out with the first team defense so they all get appropriate chances to snag a starting spot.
Only one player has trotted out with the first team defense every practice. That player is Anderson. The senior linebacker is looking to have a banner year after making significant strides last season (52 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 3 sacks). He’s looked the part of a destructive force thus far, flying around the field making plays in run and pass defense.
More from Nebraska Football
- Former Nebraska football star returns to the program in new role
- Travis Hunter injury uproar has some Nebraska football fans reminding Colorado about Adrian Martinez
- Nebraska Football: Freshman RB in line for big playing time
- Nebraska Football: Matt Rhule faces tough decision between Heinrich Haarberg and Jeff Sims
- Nebraska Football: Trio of big contributors banged up after NIU
After one week, it looks like the only way he’ll lose the starting WILL spot is if someone offers a superhuman performance for the rest of camp.
Special Teams: Running backs coach Ron Brown. Stay with me here.
I’d like to tell you that one of the kickers or returners have separated themselves from the pack but that wouldn’t be true. I could give punter Sam Foltz the award, but his work last season should cause most fans to breathe easy.
What keeps Big Red fans up late at night? The punt return unit, of course. Brown is in charge of the Huskers’ return game and he’s dedicated ample time to preparing several players for return duties so far.
The longest-tenured coach on the staff is the kind of guy that does not accept failure. With what I’ve seen so far, I expect to see a significant improvement from last year.
Be sure to like Husker Corner on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, snag the FanSided app (iOS) (Android) and subscribe to our newsletter below to keep plugged into Husker Nation from all over the globe.