Hopefully the Nebraska football team had fun this past week during Spring Break. It’s time to get back to work and put maximum effort into earning a place at the table.
Now that the fun is over, it’s time to grind yet again as the Huskers look to begin cementing starters at nearly every area of the team.
It comes to a head at the annual Red-White Spring Game on April 15 where Tanner Lee and Patrick O’Brien will display their wares for one of the nation’s largest audiences for a spring scrimmage.
Several running backs will have that opportunity as well and the public will get to judge for themselves where the separation is among the group since head coach Mike Riley won’t let it slip.
What will be interesting to see is if defensive coordinator Bob Diaco allows a bit more liberal substitution now that his players have had the opportunity to let his teachings of the 3-4 defense sink in a bit.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see him hit them with a few hard tests during their first practice back to make sure they were paying attention.
10 Best Nebraska Football Links of the Week
1. As spring ‘halftime’ ends, where do Husker position battles stand? (Lincoln Journal Star)
It’s time to get back to work on the Nebraska football practice fields. Brian Christopherson gives us a look at where the many position battles sit heading into “round two” of spring football.
2. Husker spring roster analysis: Quarterbacks (Omaha World-Herald)
Rich Kaipust not only puts the battle between Tanner Lee and Patrick O’Brien under the microscope but analyzes where Andrew Bunch fits in.
3. Through setbacks in health, career, Husker assistant Bob Elliott just kept going — and it led him to NU (Omaha World-Herald)
Tom Shatel looks at the career path of new Nebraska safeties coach Bob Elliot and how it found him eventually wearing scarlet and cream.
4. ‘America’s Team’ moniker may chase away Huskers’ old baggage in recruiting (Omaha World-Herald)
Sam McKewon opines that a recent statement (and belief held) by head Nebraska football coach Mike Riley has the power to help destroy all past excuses about recruiting hurdles for the Big Red.
5. Farmer says wrestling helped him become O-line starter (Lincoln Journal Star)
An avid fan of the mat since before he arrived at Nebraska, interior lineman Tanner Farmer goes into detail about how grappling brought him to the Big Red’s starting lineup.
6. Meet in the middle: Husker linebackers are from all over, but winning is their universal language (Omaha World-Herald)
Nebraska’s linebacker corps has plenty of talent and it comes from all over the country. They ultimately share one common goal.
7. Reimers becomes much more than a last resort among Nebraska receivers (Lincoln Journal Star)
Steve Sipple takes a look at how Bryan Reimers has an opportunity to be more than just another guy on the depth chart as several wideouts take their leave from the program.
8. Can Nebraska match the spring recruiting run that boosted the 2017 class? (Omaha World-Herald)
The Huskers have a bevy of high-caliber talent coming in for this year’s Red-White Spring Game. The key question: Will they be able to capitalize just as much, if not more than last year?
9. Cornerback Lee keeps at the ready, knowing his time will come (Lincoln Journal Star)
Eric Lee came to Nebraska as a highly-touted prospect. Now running with some of the top talent this spring, he appears to be biding his time before what could be an eventual leap into the big time.
10. Barry feels like a fit in Diaco’s defense, carries his mother’s lessons of hard work close (Lincoln Journal Star)
Fans have been waiting to see what linebacker Mohamed Barry can do. He’s ready to show them exactly what he’s capable of in Bob Diaco’s new 3-4 scheme.
Husker Corner Round Up:
Football:
Former Notre Dame Coach Scott Booker Added to Staff
Why Rex Burkhead Signing with the Patriots Makes Sense
It’s Business As Usual for Keith Williams This Spring
No Rush to Name Number One Running Back
5 Depth Chart “Bracket Busters”
Jordan Westerkamp Ready to Make Big Career Jump
Recruiting:
Spring Game Loading Up With Major Visits
How Spring Game Trips Bring Results
Better Know a Prospect – “Bookie” Radley-Hiles
Tyler Shough Could be Patrick O’Brien 2.0
Stat of the Week:
The Nebraska baseball team took a four-game series against Cal-Poly 3-1, most recently sweeping a doubleheader. There was no shortage of offense as the Big Red won the first game 6-5 and the second 6-4.