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Nebraska Cornhusker Fans Shouldn’t Panic About AJ Bush Departure

By Oliver Vandervoort

Sep 19, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Mike Riley reacts on the sideline during the second half against Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Mike Riley reacts on the sideline during the second half against Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nebraska Cornhuskers’ quarterback AJ Bush announced his intention to transfer on Thursday evening.

While the loss of a quarterback from a team that already has some depth problems at the position is nowhere near a positive, you can’t really say it was unexpected either. Bush is a quarterback that is said to have quite a bit of talent, but it was clear he wasn’t flourishing in Mike Riley’s system.

Signs were pointing to Bush’s chances of seeing much time on the field being in severe jeopardy once walkon Ryker Fyfe was named the backup quarterback after this year’s spring game. While some people could point to Fyfe’s experience as the only reason Bush wasn’t higher on the depth chart, losing out to  a man who hasn’t really challenged starter Tommy Armstrong for playing time since Riley got here wasn’t a good sign.

Armstrong struggled early and often with turnovers last year, and during Fyfe’s best chance at a “tryout” he too turned the ball over far too often. When Bush couldn’t challenge for field time through the spring, it was likely only a matter of time before he announced an end to his days with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

https://twitter.com/ajbush23/status/766408284651782144

The team seemed to be making moves to do without Bush last year as well. When Tanner Lee was brought in as a transfer from Tulane, that situation, teamed with the recruiting of Patrick O’Brien to last year’s class and Tristan Gebbia to this year’s seemed to make Bush the odd man out.

That does leave the Huskers in a rather precarious position this season. Currently, Armstrong, Fyfe and O’Brien are the only quarterbacks listed on the roster. This spring, the coaching staff moved former QB Zack Darlington to the wide receiver position. It will be interesting to see if they now move him back, or at least start getting him some reps under center in case of emergencies.

Next: Patrick O’Brien Isn’t Thrilled About Being Redshirted, Is A Problem Brewing?

The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ coaching staff has been hoping it could redshirt O’brien this season. While they’ll likely proceed with that plan for now, it seems likely there are situations they might be willing to reverse course.

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