The Nebraska football team’s wide receiver room has a new motto this year that its position coach calls PTF and he hopes it can lead to big success in 2023.
One of the most impressive things about Matt Rhule and his new staff, since they arrived in Lincoln is the relationships they’ve built with the players they’ve inherited and brought to town. Last week, wide receivers coach Garrett McGuire talked about the relationships he specifically has built with his receivers and the relationships they’ve built with one another.
Those relationships all fall under a motto the Nebraksa football team is embracing this year. “Protect the family” or PTF.
Speaking on Sports Nightly, McGuire said he’s seen a ton of buy-in with the guys in his receiver room. He said that the players have matched his energy and attention to detail and that has got him excited about what they’re going to do this season.
"“We got some dudes with just a natural toughness and edge to them. But they are working really, really hard. That is one thing you can say about our room is we are working our tails off.”"
Nebraska football has its leaders in the WR room
Among the receivers that McGuire pointed out as standing out is a guy that Nebraska football fans should absolutely want to have a big 2023. Marcus Washington is a veteran who can do everything well. He was overshadowed a bit last year by Trey Palmer’s record-setting season.
This year, he’s the leading returning receiver. It seems possible that he could improve quite a bit on his 31 catches and 471 yards for a touchdown.
"“He’s very accepting of coaching. He’s locked on to me and just kind of hangs on every word that I say, which is really, really awesome to see an older guy do that. He’s a smart player. He’s played a lot of football. He knows all three spots, and he’ll be able to play all three spots for us.”"
Washington is going to be complimented by Billy Kemp IV. The transfer receiver from Virginia is expected to contribute as a pass catcher and on special teams. Then there are guys like Zavier Betts and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda. And incoming freshmen like Malachi Coleman.
If the PTF approach does work out for Nebraska football this season, it shouldn’t take long to show it. The Huskers’ schedule is tough enough early on that they’ll either help lead the team to victory or be an obvious weak spot.