Largely lost in the shuffle of some big splashes in the transfer portal, Jamir Conn has spent fall practice making Nebraska coaches take notice.
The defensive back who came to the Huskers from Southern Illinois missed the spring, which put him behind the eight ball when trying to win a starting job. And while he still might not vault all the way up to the starting spot, he's standing out in practices to a point where head coach Matt Rhule singled him out on Friday as a newcomer who is standing out and impressing the staff.
Jamir Conn quickly makes an impression on Nebraska coaches
"They're just hungry. And their hunger feeds other guys," Rhule told the media about two FCS transfers who joined Nebraska over the winter and missed spring practice. In addition to Conn, defensive lineman Jaylen George from East Tennessee State is making noise in practice as the team transitions from fall camp to preparing for the game against Cincinnati.
Regarding Conn, Rhule has been impressed with his pursuit on and off the ball.
"He flies around, he’s competitive, he can cover. He flies around, he’s competitive, he can cover, he’s like having another Malcoln [Hartzog] out there," Rhule said. "He can play in the nickel, he can go play corner, safety if he needed to. He’ll be on [special] teams."
Rhule also talked about how important it is that someone like Conn can step up because he believes Nebraska will need as much great depth as humanly possible.
"We’re going to play a lot of tough ball games, we’re going to travel all across the country, play in different time zones, different weather," he said. "So I need guys that are in the threes right now to be starters by the end of the year, or starters on special teams."
The Nebraska coach has made it clear that there have been more than a few newcomers stepping up from the portal and competing for starting spots. It appears that Jamir Conn has made a name for himself in a big way and Husker fans should keep an eye out early and often in the fall.