Earlier this week, the new members of the Nebraska football team’s coaching staff addressed the media and each one gave a little presentation about how they were going about handling their new positions in Lincoln.
While quite a bit of the focus on Wednesday was on veteran coach Phil Snow and how he was working with new defensive coordinator John Butler, new wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts talked about the way he’s putting together his room. And while there’s still some gelling to do, it’s clear that one guy is already standing out. It shouldn’t really come as a surprise which one it is either.
“Obviously we’ve got some young guys that we’re happy about, a lot of talent in that room, but the biggest thing is we don’t have a lot of production in that room. We got one senior wideout in Dane Key,” the new Nebraska football wideout coach said during his press conference. “So I think the biggest thing with mat drills, and the drills we do Tuesdays and Thursdays as far as football, is just logging reps and instilling confidence in those guys working on technique."
Nebraska football leader is leading by example
Shorts added that while the Kentucky transfer is looked at as the leader in the wide receiver room, he’s not a vocal guy. Instead, he’s leading by example, but the coach thinks he sees some real development happening with everyone in there.
“The biggest thing from now until spring ball, as we learn and grow, is trying to find the personality in the room,” he said. “A lot of those kids have that, [they’re just] a little reserved right now, just trying to do right, and the personality will come as we go.”
There’s been quite a bit of change with the Nebraska football team since the end of the season. The group feeling each other out is natural. In that regard, getting them to really gel is going to be a task that isn’t finished until at least, after spring practice.