Nebraska football: Tanner Lee gets NFL combine invite

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Tanner Lee
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Tanner Lee /
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Nebraska football quarterback Tanner Lee got himself an NFL combine invitation.

While Tanner Lee didn’t have himself a particularly good Senior Bowl, it appears the NFL is willing to give the former Nebraska football player one more shot.

While he was practicing for that game last weekend, more than one scout commented about Lee’s arm. It appears the league wants to see what he can do, and whether he can right the ship.

While scouts did indeed love that arm, Lee had himself a pretty bad Senior Bowl, going 8 for 19 with an interception. That performance wasn’t particularly shocking to Husker fans.

It was disappointing to Cornhusker fans who would like to see the former team captain succeed at the next level. As some have pointed out Lee had the misfortune of having a Senior Bowl line that was reminiscent of Nebraska offensive lines this season.

That is to say that he wasn’t enjoying a ton of time to throw the ball. The problem with that excuse is that there are going to be times at the next level when he doesn’t have all the time in the world.

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Lee has shown that when he is able to keep his jersey clean, he can throw a pretty ball. That’s a good sign for his NFL combine performance.

He’s not going to be facing a pass rush. He could even shine.

It’s hard not to root for the quarterback to make a real go of the NFL. Former Cornhusker QBs who have managed to make it in the pros are few and far between.

Those quarterbacks who have made the jump to the pros have had to change positions. New Huskers head man Scott Frost can attest to that.

Frost had a decent, if short career as a defensive back for the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The difference between Frost and Lee is that Frost had the athletic ability to play on defense.

Tanner Lee was the starting quarterback for the Nebraska football team precisely because he was a drop back passer. If he’s going to make it work, he’s going to have to find a way to make it work in the NFL as a quarterback.