Nebraska spring brings optimism, questions, and classic Husker unpredictability

Spring is in the air! Well some days it is and some days not so much but this is Nebraska. There are usually a couple Fool's Spring Days that confuse things along the way. Regardless, Husker Football players reported to Spring Camp on 2/21/26. That's early to me but ok. And Spring Game is early this year too. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 28. That's a full month ahead of the norm. Could be sunny, could be rainy, could even be snowy. Doesn't matter, it's Husker Football in Lincoln so we will show up!

Husker Baseball also started their campaign on February 13 in the MLB Invitational Tournament in Arizona playing against U Conn, Northeastern, Grand Canyon and Stanford. They came away 3-4 in the win column. The next weekend in a Texas tournament they were 1 for 3 in the games but handily beat College World Series regulars, Florida State University 10-1. That's a good sign. Next up for them is Auburn this weekend. It's good for the boys of summer to getting out and about. I won't worry about their season until late March. In baseball, it's not how you start, it's how you finish. GO BIG RED!

Nebraska football opens spring camp early with roster questions and new expectations

Back to Football. A lot of people were somewhat shocked there was no big name running back purchased by the Huskers. OC Dana Holgorsen spoke out about it at his press conference prior to practice opening up. Part of his rationalization on the lack of purchase was that "it was a numbers thing." They only lost one guy out of the room and they brought in freshman Jamal Rule from Salisbury, North Carolina. Ok, I can understand that line of logic. Coach Holgorsen then went on to praise junior Husker RB Kwinten Ives on going 4/4 in short yardage situations in the bowl game. In my mind he was saying we didn't need to bring in the BIG back for short yardage intimating he's good enough for now. (I only remember 3/3 but I'm also not paid to write it down.)

Holgorsen also praised the skills of running backs Isaiah Mozee (good vision) and Mekhi Nelson as a slasher type back. Honestly, I think this part might just be spin. Philosophically, perhaps the thought is that the new O-line coach Geep wade will have better productions from his group of new performers and it will make it easier for middle-grade running backs to still perform. Perhaps the room is talented. Time will tell.

Stepping away from the RB discussion, the overwhelming curiousity from my poll of Husker fans is how will the defense shape up. New Defensive Coordinator Rob Aurich has a BIG order to fill. The D Line and Linebackers were the biggest group of underperformers last season. Big money additions like transfer linebackers Owen Chamblis and Pierce Mooberry will help shore that LB room up. Senior transfer Owen Stoudmire on the D Line should also be a plug in and play guy. It's time to get back to Blackshirt-esque performances.

Spring game will be the perfect atmosphere to showcase Husker transfer QB Anthony Colandrea versus the rest of the pack: TJ Lateef and Danny Kaelin. I'm sure all the hype trains will be pulling into the station in large force once it gets closer to the first whistle. From what I hear, it is still a "competition" but it's also a given that it will be Colandrea's spot to lose. Regardless, I'll have popcorn in hand and be looking to see how it all works together in a game we are guaranteed to win.

Other tidbits: Husker Basketball is still in the hunt for March Madness. Men's golf is in full swing (see what I did there). And a big Husker shout out to the Husker Women's Rifle team as they have qualified for the NCAA Rifle Championships March 13-14. All in all it's gearing up to be a busy March. I'll check in after the Spring game. In the meantime, make sure to tag me with your Husker photos at @Kelian_NE on the X. Enjoy the nice days but keep that shovel handy. As always, GO BIG RED!