Nebraska Football: Will Honas could finally reach potential in 2019

This would be a great development for Nebraska Football.

When you think about the group of Nebraska Football linebackers for the 2019 season, it is easy to rattle off names like Mohamed Barry, and even start thinking about newcomers such as Nick Heinrich and Jackson Hannah. Those two certainly deserve praise. However, it may be the unheralded players we have forgotten about that could make an impact next season.

Will Honas is an example of that. Last season, he dealt with injury problems. This year, he looks to be fresh on a unit that could definitely use his pedigree and experience. As a recruit, he definitely was considered one of the top junior-college linebackers in his class. He was the top junior-college linebacker in 2017, and made the top of both the ESPN and 247Sports recruiting rankings. This guy was no slouch.

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However, injuries and the play of others can certainly make people forget about you in a hurry. Now, he looks to come back healthier and stronger than ever. On a young unit, his experience, no matter how little it may be, will be an asset. He certainly has the potential to fit in this defense nicely. With the way the unit is slated to play, there is certainly still a fit for him in the defense. After all, he is one of the few on the roster with veteran experience as noted by Steven M Sipple of the Lincoln Journal Star.

Having only three veteran linebackers is certainly something that is going to be worth watching. Honas may be able to fit in the equation more so now than ever before. Last year, there was plenty of experience at the position and Nebraska Football was well-stocked there. This year, that is certainly not  the case. Linebackers coach Barrett Ruud knows that Honas will have to work hard to get up to speed. Nevertheless, the coach is confident in him.

"“I think that’s going to click for him. He’s so studious and tries to do everything so perfectly. Now he knows, ‘Hey man, turn it loose.’ I won’t bust you, and if you make a mistake going fast, we’re still going to be all good. I have no doubt he’s going to have a really, really good year.”"

Preseason camp is going to be important for him. He is kind of going to have to reinvent himself in a way. Health will hopefully not be an issue for him, and he should be able to play to his full potential. If Nebraska Football can get even half the Will Honas that played a junior college football, that would certainly be a tremendous asset to the program. He is aggressive, and he plays hard. Those are two major traits for the Nebraska Football program

This is an important year for Will Honas. He has to prove to everyone that he is the same type of explosive player that he was in junior college. The linebacker unit could certainly use a boost. Honas could provide it.