With the Nebraska faithful chomping at the bit, Nebraska welcomed former Big 8 rival Colorado to Lincoln to kickoff the Frostification of America! Nebraska was making some missteps, but had the game well under control due primarily to the outstanding play by true freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez. As former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden once quipped in describing a great player, "I don't know what it is, but he's got it." Indeed, right out of the gate you did not have to be an NFL scout to recognize Nebraska had a special player in Martinez. However, on the way to victory, a cheap shot knee twist at the bottom of a pile knocked Martinez out, and with the defense unable to hold, Colorado came back and upset the Big Red. Things went from bad to worse, as Martinez had to sit out game two against Troy, and with a lethargic offense and horrendous special team play by the Big Red, Nebraska lost. In fact, the 'Huskers lost first six, including getting hammered at Michigan, to set a school record for consecutive losses to start a season. However, as bad as this was, light began to shine and Nebraska began to play better, finishing the season 4-3 with a narrow OT loss at Northwestern, a five point loss at Ohio State after leading much of the game and a 3 point loss Iowa. Nebraska was putting up offensive numbers that were most impressive, and signs of an improving defense were showing, most notably in a 9-6 win over Michigan State in a snow storm. But, Nebraska did finish 4-8 and missed a bowl for the second straight season. This is unheard of historically, but give you a glimpse of how deep the rebuild, and revamping of the culture, Frost is faced with. Massive strides have been made since last fall. Bodies have been transformed, a work ethic has been installed and the culture has been redirected. Players are most competitive, but are teammates rather than individuals. The roster has been upgraded, and while there is still much work to be done, things not thought possible may reveal themselves for Frost and the Big Red behind quarterback Adrian Martinez, who many already consider a candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Frost and his staff and players will take it one day at a time, but there is no doubt the Big Red is on the verge of being back on the national stage in a big way before you know it.
OFFENSE
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QB Adrian Martinez
Photo: Cornnation.com |
Although there are some holes and inexperience within the unit, Nebraska should be stronger on offense this season. It begins with Martinez, who if able to remain healthy, has an opportunity to play himself into national honors consideration. Martinez is gifted, equally skilled at running and passing while displaying maturity well beyond what is typical of a true sophomore. Martinez expects to improve on his 2018 numbers which saw him throw for 17 touchdowns (rushing for 8) while competing some of 65% of his throws accounting for 2600 yards. The area Martinez can really improve is ball security, having lost several fumbles while throwing 8 interceptions. Depth at the QB position is the best it has been in moons, with Noah Vedral, true frosh Luke McCaffrey and Andrew Bunch. Devine Ozigbo will be missed at running back, but there is a wealth of talent. Maurice Washington has some legal issues to clean up and he may not be fully available, but boy howdy has he shown flashes of brilliance. Dedrick Mills transfers in from Georgia Tech, the most similar back to Ozigbo in size and durability. Some fleet footed freshman, Rahmir Johnson and Ronald Tompkins could see plenty of action. 4* early enrollee WanDale Robinson appear set to split time as both a running back and receiver. Robinson has a chance to be the game breaker the 'Huskers have been lacking. Robinson will play at receiver, joining junior JD Spielman, an honors candidate, as potential stars. Kanawai Noa has transferred in from Cal, and joins Kade Warner as solid targets in the slot. A slew of candidates are looking for opportunities, including Andre Hunt, Javon McQuitty, Mike Williams, Jaron Woodyard and Miles Jones. Of the newcomers, it appears Demariyon Houston leads Darien Chase and Jamie Nance. The tight end position was a weapon for Frost at UCF, and we expect it to be in Lincoln this fall. Jack Stoll is the starter, but 6'8" Austin Allen has emerged as a favorite target for Martinez and is expected to see plenty of action. Kurt Rafdal will also play, and Katerian LeGrone has shown skills the coaches like. Up front, under excellent line coach Greg Austin, Nebraska is expected to see significant improvement. Although there were concerns about a rash of recent injuries, redshirt freshman Cameron Jurgens is set to start at center. The coaches see a very bright future for Jurgens, a converted tight end, at the position. Will Farniok is ready, backed by AJ Forbes. Will Farniok can also play guard, and may jump in with Trent Hixon at left guard. Boe Wilson is at right guard. Matt Farniok is at right tackle backed by true freshman Bryce Benhart. Brendan Jaimes, expected to make a jump this year, is at left tackle backed by Broc Bando. The depth at the position is improving rapidly, with players like Matt Sichterman, Ethan Piper, John Rairdon, Hunter Miller, Matthew Anderson and Michael Lynn seeking chances. With a healthy Martiniez, 40ppg for this offense is achievable. The unit seems poised to play fast and stretch the field, cashing in on created mis-matches, making the offense explosive from anywhere on the field. Look out!
DEFENSE
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ILB Mo Barry
Photo: Omaha World Herald |
Nebraska did not show the improvement on defense the staff had hoped for last fall, and for the Cornhuskers to re-emerge on the national stage, the unit will have to get much better. With the talent level rising quickly, the Big Red has a chance to see marked improvement in 2019. We find an area needing advancement up front at defensive end, where applying pressure on the quarterback was in short supply last year. Ben Stille seems to have much more to give, as he has shown talent, but his stat line last fall fell short of expectations. Khalil Davis had some big plays (5 TFL) last fall and is primed to reach the next level, while his brother Carlos Davis is expected to factor in on the inside at tackle. Combinations will vary, but the Daniels brothers, Damion and Oklahoma State transfer Darrion, will join Deontre Thomas, who could be special inside. There are hopes Daishon Neal can rise his level of play while Tate Wilderman, Ty Robinson, Casey Rogers and perhaps Jakheem Green are youngsters looking to emerge. JoJo Domann and Alex Davis are the outside linebackers. Domann is a converted safety who has had health issues but has also made big plays in his limited action. It is time for Davis to step his game up, and the coaches have seen progress in that regard. Tyrin Ferguson (5 TFL), who has also battled injuries, could be a standout on the stop side. Caleb Tannor is a youngster with a bright future who could jump right in the mix, as might true freshman Garret Nelson, who really looks the part. The linebacking core is lead my Mohamed Barry (112 stops), who is a conference honors candidate. Will Honas is expected to start alongside Barry, sharing time with Colin Miller. Quality depth at the position is lacking. True freshman Luke Remier has gotten the attention of coaches, and Jackson Hannah and Joseph Jackson may be counted upon. The secondary should be a team strength. Dicaprio Bootle has 15 PBU in 2018, back as an all conference candidate at corner. The light seems to have come on for CB Lamar Jackson, who is set to have an excellent season. Sophomore Cam Taylor is a fan favorite thought to be on the verge of stardom, but it may be redshirt freshman Braxton Clark, 6'3, 200, who may steal the show. True freshman Quinton Newsome has emerged in fall camp as a potential star. Safety play has been an issue, but the coaches like Deontai Williams and he looks like he could challenge for conference honors. Marquel Dismuke is at free safety, backed by CamTaylor. Eric Lee, Jeremy Stovall and Isaiah Stalbird backup. It looks like Nebraska can increase the pressure up front and should be much improved stopping the run. Barry is very solid, but although Miller and Honas are decent, the linebacking core lacks depth, and could be exploited if an injury occurs. The secondary should be strong, and more collecting turnovers is expected. The 'Huskers will be better on defense in 2019, but there is still work to be done.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Nebraska was horrific on special teams last season, which was both surprising and costly. A punt return TD versus Troy was pivotal in losing that game. Frost has to change punters midseason after incredible debauchery was being displayed, including near complete miss of the ball on one. Issac Armstrong took over and was decent, averaging 43.6. Michigan State transfer William Przystup will challenge Armstrong. Barrett Pickering returns at place kicker, and he came on strong late last fall. JD Speilman was good at returning punts, but he may not do that in 2019. There are plenty of skill folks available for the 'Huskers to win the field position battle. Maurice Washington and WanDale Robinson seem to fit the needs. Notable younger players on the two deep will get a chance to make a name for the themselves on special teams kick coverage. The special teams should be very much improved.
INTANGIBLES
Adrian Martinez and Oklahoma State transfer Darrion Daniels have been named two of the four captains for 2019, noteworthy of a changing culture where two players Frost brought in have the teams backing in such a substantial way. The weight program implemented by Zach Duval has changed the physical condition of the team, allowing more avenues for success to travel. Respect, teamwork and camaraderie are visible among the team. For Nebraska, things have not been progressing in such an impressive overall manner in quite sometime, and the Husker faithful can thank Frost and his coaching staff for leading the way. Nebraska must improve the turnover ration, both in protecting the pigskin and in securing turnovers, areas that have been poor in recent seasons. Additionally, improvement is needed in special teams, with Nebraska hoping to advance in the areas of hidden yardage. Penalties, many coming at the most inopportune times, need to be drastically reduced.
HONORS CANDIDATES
Adrian Martinez is in the top five of some Vegas Heisman odd charts, and if he has the season we project, he could find himself at the ceremony. Martinez may be the favorite in 2020. JD Speilman, if he can put together a full season healthy, has a chance for national honors. Mohamed Barry, Lamar Jackson, Dicpario Bootle, Brendan Jaimes and Maurice Washington are certainly conference honors candidates. WanDale Robinson could be a national newcomer of the year candidate.
NEW ARRIVALS
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WanDale Robinson
Photo:Star-Herald |
Recruiting has definitely picked up under Scott Frost and his coaching staff. After years of neglect, the Huskers behind Ryan Held are building quite a running back room. WanDale Robinson, the highest rated recruit, is joined by Rahmir Johnson, Dedrick Mills and Ronald Thompkins. Nick Henrich is a top 4* linebacker from Omaha, with Frost declaring to once again own the state. DB's Noa Pola Gates and Quinton Newsome are strong recruits, as is DE Ty Robinson. OT Bryce Benhart and QB Luke McCaffrey are future starters. WR Damariyon Houston may get 2019 time at WR. Underrated class; building a strong future.
FINAL ANALYSIS
The 0-6 start Nebraska got off to last season was historically awful, but it seems that a bottoming out, similar to a cleansing of financial markets where traders "throw in the towel" was necessary to right the Cornhusker wagon. You could see, and feel, the transformation taking place. The 4-2 close for the Big Red, inclusive of narrow losses at Ohio State and Iowa, gave glimpse of the gains made. The Husker coaching staff has been shifting the make up of the team, and is really establishing a culture commensurate with winning; on and off the field, The schedule is much more favorable than last season. Nebraska opens against South Alabama, who is down, providing an easy Husker win. In a major revenge game, Nebraska goes to Boulder to face Colorado, a game Nebraska simply must win. The Buffaloes have athletes, but are breaking in a new coach. A home game versus a down Northern Illinois and an away game at struggling Illinois place the Big Red at 4-0 as they welcome Ohio State to Lincoln. This game is huge, and GameDay may be along for it. Nebraska craves and is so past due for a victory in a game like this. If the Huskers win it, look out. Northwestern comes in the following week, and an overconfident bunch may slip up. A road game at an emerging Minnesota team chomping at the bit follows. Odds suggest Nebraska is not yet quite ready to handle the big time, so maybe they lose one of these contests. We will think NU is 6-1 here. Bye weekends surround facing the state of Indiana, with a homer against the Hoosiers and a roadie at Purdue. 8-1. Wisconsin is in Lincoln, then Nebraska is at a dangerous Maryland team before hosting Iowa to close it out. It just feels like Nebraska is a year away, but one could see 11-0. We think two losses, maybe both in the middle of the season, but the overall direction of the Big Red is rapidly ascending. Of course, the health of Adrian Martinez is paramount, but given his continued development, 2020 could be huge, with possible top five consideration to begin the season.
GAMEDAY GALLERY
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