Nebraska Football: Quintet of former Huskers have big weekend

Five former Nebraska football stars made big impressions in their first games of the NFL preseason and caught quite a few eyes.

While the Nebraska football team’s regular season is still 18 days away, there are some former Huskers that are playing games. It’s an exciting time of the year, even if the games don’t really count. The performances count because players are trying to make NFL teams.

While there’s no way to judge whether someone made a roster or won a job based on one game, a quartet of former Nebraska football players had themselves a big weekend. If they have more of them, it feels like they have a chance to play meaningful minutes in the NFL in 2023.

Adrian Martinez shines for Detroit Lions

The first of the four former Nebraska football stars who had themselves a heck of a performance is quarterback Adrian Martinez. While he’s also technically a former Kansas State Wildcat, no one can argue that he doesn’t have deep ties to the Huskers.

On Friday night, in Detroit’s 21-16 preseason victory over the New York Giants, Martinez came into the game in the fourth quarter and had himself a game. He went from 4-for-7 for 37 yards and impressed with his legs, running five times for 14 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

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Another former Nebraska football player was absolutely devine

Martinez wasn’t the only former Husker who shone for the Lions on Friday night. Former Husker running back Devine Ozigbo had a nice game with his brand-new team.

Ozigbo signed with Detroit earlier this week and was the leading ballcarrier for the Lions as he racked up 31 yards on 11 carries.

Defender shines in Miami

On the defensive side of the ball, no ex-Nebraska football star had a better night than Garrett Nelson. The undrafted free agent who signed with the Miami Dolphins showed that his signing was a good decision.

Nelson had four tackles, including a sack and a quarterback hit in the Fins game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Trey Palmer impresses in loss

Nebraska football record holder Trey Palmer has impressed people since he got to the Tampa Bay Bucs camp. While he was only a 6th round choice in last spring’s draft, he is said to be competing for some serious playing time.

When he makes the kind of catches he did in Friday’s 27-17 loss to Pittsburgh, it’s not hard to understand how he’s making an impression. He finished the game with four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown.

Samori Toure reps Nebraska football well

Second-year player Samori Toure likely wants a bit more action than he got in his rookie season. If he keeps playing like he did on Friday, he’ll get it. Against the Bengals on Friday, he caught three catches for 56 yards.

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Last year, Toure had five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He came on as the season went on. It looks like he might be repping Nebraska football a bit earlier in the year this time around.