Husker Football: Filling Out The Wide Receivers Depth Chart

Now that the non-conference season is over, the Husker football team dives headfirst into Big Ten conference play with a passing attack that ranks No. 70 in the country (230.8 yards per game). Additionally, the Huskers’ 923 total yards ranks at No. 46.

These are numbers that I honestly consider, well, average, and that has to do with quarterback play. However, it’s not all on Nebraska’s man under center (or back in the shotgun).

Coming into the season, Nebraska wide outs were expected to be a unit that was leaned upon, a glut of talent of the Big Red’s disposal.

Sadly, the injury bug struck it just as hard as other positions. Brandon Riley has yet to play a down. Sam Burtch is lost for the season without taking a snap, and then there’s the case of Jamaal Turner. The senior caught four balls for 37 yards before seeing his season end due to a torn Achilles tendon.

However, those injuries don’t mean there hasn’t been production for some of coach Rich Fisher’s chares. In fact, looking back at the non-conference season, I’ve decided to provide my personal top four wide receivers. My starting four considering the tight end is apparently going the way of the dodo.

My No. 1 wasn’t an easy choice, to be honest, and that is why I’ll list them together. Senior Kenny Bell and sophomore Jordan Westerkamp have churned out nearly identical production this season. Seriously, look at the stats:

Kenny Bell:

		Receiving
Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
SR	WR	4	14	284	20.3	1
			148	2185	14.8	16

Provided by Sports-Reference.com/CFB: View Original Table

Jordan Westerkamp:

		Receiving
Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
SO	WR	4	14	285	20.4	3

Provided by Sports-Reference.com/CFB: View Original Table

If I’m laying out my depth chart for the conference season, it’s hard to argue against either of them at the top spot. That said, I’m going to go with senior leadership and go with Kenny Bell as my No. 1 wide receiver.

He’s has been at Nebraska for a long time, and started since he was a redshirt freshman. In his first three seasons, No. 80 totaled 134 catches, 1,901 yards and 15 touchdowns. You can’t ask for much more from a guy who is going to hold pretty much every receiving record in Husker football history by the end of the season.

My number No. 2 guy? Obviously Westerkamp. The wide out from Lombard, IL has had a sensation sophomore year thus far. He’s caught nearly everything thrown his way…in any situation. Need further evidence? Perhaps you forgot about this snag:

Westerkamp has proven himself a reliable target, and for a slot wide receiver that’s what I’m looking for. I want my quarterback to know he has a guy who can catch anything thrown his way.

No. 3 on the depth chart is Alonzo Moore. The Miami game really cemented him in my rotation, specifically when he came late, went low and caught a ball while falling to the ground near the goal line.

It was an incredibly difficult catch, but Moore a crucial awareness. Even when bobbling the ball, he was able to focus and complete the catch. Still, it shows Nebraska’s lack of experience that a sophomore with 10 catches during his career is No. 3 on my depth chart.

The last man in the mix may be someone you wouldn’t expect. It isn’t Lane Hovey who made a name for himself during the Fresno State game, collecting three passes for 48 yards. It also isn’t Taariq Allen, who has nine career catches including a touchdown to his name.

No, instead I’m going a little off the radar. My fourth wide receiver would be the electrifying talent that is De’Mornay Pierson-El. The talented true freshman has certainly flashed as a punt returner, and for that reason he is my fourth ahead of the two more senior players.

Pierson-El is young and still learning the offense, but I believe that he could be that true playmaker needed at wide receiver. Look no further than his punt return against Fresno State. He showed excellent acceleration and vision on the play, clearly a natural on the football field.

Even his first catch showed promise, a touchdown against Florida Atlantic.