When the Nebraska football team takes the field against 17th ranked Illinois, there are going to be some new faces getting onto the field, or at least getting onto the field faster than they have so far this season. The Huskers released their weekly depth chart for the contest against the Illini on Saturday afternoon and there are some changes on both sides of the ball.
For starters (get it?) Chris Kolarevic is listed as the new top line inside linebacker. While his play this year has earned him more time on the field, his jump to starter is a bit unfortunate for the Nebraska football team. Koloarevic gets the nod because former starter Nick Henrich suffered an injury against Purdue that is considered season ending.
The backup to Kolarevic will be freshman Ernest Haussmann who also moves up the depth chart by default.
Another Husker who was a starter on the defensive side of the ball at the beginning of the year has officially found his way to the offensive depth chart. Tommi Hill is officially the number three receiver at one of the WR spots behind Alante Brown and Wyatt Liewer.
Hill was moved to the receiver position and changed from number 0 to number 2 a few weeks back. So far he hasn’t seen the field on offense, though he has been making a positive impact on special teams as a kick returner.
Speaking of receivers, Oliver Martin has taken the number two spot at another WR position. He had previously been co-number two with Omar Manning, who has fallen to third on the depth chart.
The tight end position saw one player in Chris Hickman drop off the depth chart entirely. He’d been number three at his spot alongside AJ Rollins but Rollins now occupies that spot by himself.
The final notable change is at right guard. Broc Brando started at that position for the first six games of the Nebraska football season, but he’s now sharing the starting slot with Henry Lutovsky, who got the nod against Purdue.