Nebraska football: Noa Pola-Gates turning heads this offseason

Nebraska football has a talented safety in Pola-Gates

As a chaotic and unusual off-season begins to get to a close, we are hearing some updates about Nebraska football defenders. In particular, a younger player has really been impressing the coaches.

Noa Pola-Gates was thought of as a big pickup when he committed to Nebraska. Now, it’s up to him to show what he is made of. He took the redshirt route last year. Now, like the majority of the 2020 class, it is his chance to shine. He was one of the most intriguing prospects that I saw on film. He played with a physicality and speed that I knew would be great for the safety position.

It’s one thing to possess skill and talent. It’s another thing to make sure you are doing the right things off the field as well. According to defensive backs coach Travis Fisher, Pola- Gates has really matured this off-season.

To me, this is  very important. He is going to be a leader in the secondary in the coming years. He has tremendous talent.

At five-foot-11, 174 pounds, he is certainly on the smaller side of defensive players. However, he plays bigger than his size may lead you to believe. He will certainly add a jolt to a Nebraska football secondary that has not had one in quite some time. To me, when you look at the 2020 class, I see him as a player that should help Nebraska turn things around defensively. He has the speed and aggressiveness to get the job done.

You have heard me talk about how the 2020 recruiting class will change things around for Nebraska. In my estimation, Pola-Gates is going to be a huge part of that. Especially when I hear comments from Coach Fisher that indicate the safety has grown, that makes me hopeful for the future.

I really like the way he plays, and I am excited to see what he does once he steps on the field. He certainly seems like he embraces the Blackshirts mentality.

This will be our first chance to see many of the top Nebraska football underclassmen. Pola-Gates is certainly one of them. If all goes according to plan, he may be a household name in Lincoln very soon.