Thomas Fidone is an interesting figure in Nebraska football circles. Thanks to his size and build and natural ability, he’s sometimes looked at as a folk hero. At other times, he’s viewed from the lens of someone everyone is waiting on to finally realize his talent.
During Saturday’s spring game, Fidone once again showed that if he can harness the talent he has and really leave it all out on the field, he’s going to be one heck of a weapon. He finished the final scrimmage of the spring session with 3 catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. He looked every bit the alpha predator on the field that he often looks off the field.
It’s that appearance. It’s the obvious talent, that Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule says has even made Fidone attractive to other programs. In fact, the coach’s comments after the game hinted that more than one school has been doing some tampering in trying to lure Fidone away from Lincoln.
“"He's loyal. Every team in the country is trying to get him to leave and go there,” Rhule said. “The kid's a Nebraska Cornhusker through and through. .. I love that guy. ... It's so good for our players to see a guy who's so obsessed with being great and never happy."
This is hardly the first time that Rhule has made allusions to tampering this spring. The last time he mentioned people coming for Nebraska football players, he wasn’t specific on who. On Saturday, it appears at least one was revealed.
Rhule has also talked about how he believes that the Nebraska football players he has on the roster now are special because they do want to be here. He pointed out last week how few players entered the portal when it opened this month.
Elevating expectations: Fidone's next step in Nebraska football's journey
Now that Fidone has reaffirmed his commitment to sticking in Lincoln, it’s officially time for him to take the next step.
Last season, the tight end put up decent numbers, especially considering the quarterback situation was at best, fluid. He finished the campaign with 25 catches, 260 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Unfortunately, he also had 3 drops and his high in any one game was 4 catches. Thomas Fidone never took over a game in the way that his talent should allow him to do so.
It’s great that the tight end is sticking with Nebraska football in 2024. Here’s hoping he can take the next step in his development his coaches think he has in him.