Husker Corner
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For Nebraska Football, Tre Bryant Brings Echoes Of Pierson-El

By Oliver Vandervoort

Oct 10, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Herbie Husker entertains the Nebraska Cornhuskers fans waiting for the team to arrive before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Herbie Husker entertains the Nebraska Cornhuskers fans waiting for the team to arrive before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Nebraska football team has several freshmen who might make some noise this coming season and Tre Bryant has become the player that might make the most noise.

The coaching staff has been singing Bryant’s praises almost since day one of fall camp. Now the coaching staff has named him the primary kick returner and suddenly those around the University have started talking about how electric a player he could be. Bryant is getting this kind of praise despite the fact that he’s currently tied for third on the depth chart for running back.

If he makes noise this year, as a true freshman, it will be as a returner. Sound familiar? That’s how De’Mornay Pierson-El became the folk hero he has become to Nebraska football fans. Sure, the situations are slightly different. Pierson-El is a wide receiver and punt returner, while Bryant will be a kick returner and a running back.

Those differences don’t seem that big. As the World-Herald points out, while Bryant is going to start off limited on the offensive side of the ball, he may not stay that way. Devine Ozigbo and Terrell Newby are going to be the number one backs and share the carries when the Huskers open the season against Fresno State.

Bryant will be the number one returner and if everything goes well against the Bulldogs, he won’t get to return more than a few kicks. However, Riley has talked about all the things Bryant can do on offense. He’s someone who can catch passes out of the backfield. Perhaps most importantly, the coach

Perhaps most importantly, the coaching staff has said Bryant has a knack for knowing who to pick up in pass protection. Those who have been paying close attention to the running backs saga might remember the inability to play well in pass protection is why Mikale Wilbon has gone from rising star to someone who can’t seem to move up on the depth chart.

Much like Pierson-El, Bryant has rocketed onto the playing field despite the fact that the coaches really wanted to redshirt him. His play in fall camp has impressed Riley so much, he’s even compared Bryant to former NFL star runnning back Jaquizz Rodgers. Rodgers played for Riley at Oregon State and turned his ability to catch the ball as well as carry it into big time success.

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Now the Nebraska football team is hoping Bryant can bring the same kind of big play potential Pierson-El did when he was a freshman. If he can indeed accomplish that, the offense becomes incredibly dynamic.

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