Following the Nebraska football team’s scrimmage on Saturday, head coach Matt Rhule singled out some players he thought were especially impressive. Among them was a very interesting name.
Maybe it shouldn’t have been. After all, the Huskers’ offensive line has been the topic of conversation for most of the spring. Everyone on the offense knows they need to really step up this year in order to help Dylan Raiola take the next step in his development. And there’s been some concern in that regard considering that there are four expected starters - Turner Corcoran, Gunnar Gottula, Henry Lutovsky and Teddy Prochazka - missing the spring practices because of various offseason surgeries.
In their place, it appears that offensive line transfer Elijah Pritchett has managed to put his stamp on the position. Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule spoke to the media after the scrimmage and heaped praise on the former Alabama Crimson Tide player.
Elijah Pritchett impresses Nebraska football coaches with spring performance
“He’s got a long way to go in terms of continuing to learn our stuff, but he’s really willing, he’s eager, he puts the work in and he’s a great kid, so I’ve been pleased. We’ve got a long time until the season comes, and I think he’ll just get better and better and better.”
Those comments stand out because despite being on ‘Bama, Pritchett had a rather tough 2024 season. He was in fact, considered one of if not the lowest rated lineman on the field for the SEC power. Maybe he just needed a fresh start and a new school.
Pritchett is clearly one of those guys that the Nebraksa football team wants to see growth from. That he’s done that so far this spring has to be seen as a good sign. Rhule is right that Pritchett is going to have plenty of time to keep developing, but it’s clear he’s shown a spark that has the coaches impressed.