Steven M. Sipple, Parker Gabriel and Chris Basnett send you into the weekend with a lengthy hoops conversation, including Thursday afternoon’s loss to Wisconsin.
Nebraska’s representation at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine doubled on Friday.
Center Cam Jurgens and tight end Austin Allen each earned invites to the critical showcase for pro prospects, NU announced, meaning that the pair will join defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt and nickel JoJo Domann in Indianapolis in early March.
Allen, the Aurora native, has spent the week at the NFLPA Bowl in Los Angeles, where his play has drawn positive reviews. Jurgens is not eligible to play on the collegiate all-star game schedule because he is not yet a college graduate, but his stock is high enough in the NFL’s eyes to earn a combine invitation anyway.
The NFL Combine typically includes invites for around 300 of the top professional prospects in the country. Not only does the event include on-field drill work and athletic testing, but also the opportunity to meet with every NFL team over the course of a week.
This year’s event runs March 1-7.
6’9” and from the middle of Nebraska. Cornhusker Austin Allen has made a few great plays. Here is one of them @Huskers pic.twitter.com/zBi7kNFk7h
— ryan anderson (@ryanone21) January 27, 2022
Jurgens, in particular, is expected to test well in Indianapolis. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Beatrice native was one of the most athletic players on Nebraska’s roster in 2021 and recorded a vertical jump of 34½ inches last spring, one of the 10 best marks on the team.
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Taylor-Britt and Domann are also slated to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Feb. 5 in Mobile, Alabama.
All four could also decide to work out at Nebraska’s pro day, which will take place later in March, or they could stand on their combine results. Other NFL hopefuls like wide receiver Samori Toure and defensive tackle Damion Daniels, if they do not pick up late combine invites, will likely see pro day in Lincoln as their best chance to test in front of pro scouts.
DT Riley enters portal: Nebraska reserve defensive tackle Jordon Riley entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal on Friday afternoon.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound defender spent the past two seasons with the Huskers after transferring from Garden City (Kansas) Community College. Riley, a North Carolina native, was talked about as a potential starter when he first arrived on campus in the winter of 2020 and impressed early in spring ball that year. Then the COVID-19 pandemic shut down spring ball and, when the Huskers finally got on the field in October, Riley was slowed by injuries.
Keeping up with the transfer portal. Here’s who the Huskers have coming to Lincoln
Casey Thompson, QB
Previous school: Texas
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Thompson is the most notable transfer Nebraska has added so far because of the position he plays. He started 10 games for the Longhorns last year and led the Big 12 in touchdown passes with 24. He’ll be considered the favorite to win NU’s starting quarterback job under new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. He’ll be on campus for this semester.
Chubba Purdy, QB
Previous school: Florida State
Remaining eligibility: Four years
Of note:
Purdy started one game in 2020 and appeared in three overall, completing 27-of-53 passes for 219 yards, a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He appeared just once in 2021 — Purdy completed all five of his passes for 98 yards and two scores.
Trey Palmer, WR/Returner
Previous school: LSU
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Palmer was a blue-chip recruit out of high school and saw his role steadily grow over his three years in Baton Rouge. Now, he’ll rejoin Mickey Joseph in Lincoln. Palmer can really run — he was timed at 10.42 in the 100 meters and 21.11 seconds in the 200 — and he’s also a dangerous return man. He profiles well in the spot vacated by Samori Toure and will be on campus this semester.
Hunter Anthony, OL
Previous school: Oklahoma State
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: The Oklahoma native entered 2020 as OSU’s starting right tackle, but an injury cost him most of the season. Then he served as a backup this fall. In Lincoln, the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder will be a candidate both at right tackle and at either guard spot. He’s on campus this semester.
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, WR
Previous school: New Mexico State
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Garcia-Castaneda had a productive season at NMSU, catching 37 passes for 578 yards and four touchdowns. He was coveted as soon as he hit the transfer portal, but NU visited him in California and got him on campus for a visit in December. At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Garcia-Castaneda is a candidate for any spot in the Husker receiver rotation under Mickey Joseph.
Clark Grell
Brian Buschini, P
Previous school: Montana
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Buschini was named the FCS punter of the year after averaging better than 47 yards per punt and more than 44 net yards per attempt. He was considered perhaps the best punter available on the transfer market this winter and will be counted on right away in Lincoln. He’s on campus this semester.
Timmy Bleekrode, K
Previous school: Furman
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Bleekrode immediately becomes the favorite to handle place-kicking duties after he was recruited from Furman by new special teams coordinator Bill Busch. The Atlanta native made 15-of-18 field goals in 2021 with a long of 51 yards and is 21-of-25 over the past two seasons.
Kevin Williams, OL
Previous school: Northern Colorado
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Williams, an Omaha North graduate, is a multi-year starter at the FCS level and began the 2021 season as the Bears’ starting left tackle. He’s got positional versatility and could be a candidate at tackle or guard for the Huskers in 2022. In a young room overall, he adds a veteran presence.
Tommy Hill, DB
Previous school: Arizona State
Remaining eligibility: Three years plus a redshirt
Of note: Nebraska loved Hill out of high school in Orlando in the 2021 class, but he ended up at ASU and earned playing time right away. The Huskers jumped on him as soon as he entered the portal, and now he’ll compete for playing time in a secondary that must replace three starters. He’s on campus this semester.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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