Carter Nelson will play a ‘special position’ this season

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days that the Huskers are planning to play freshman Carter Nelson at wide receiver this season.

“We’re playing Carter as a receiver,” Rhule said. “Our thought process was instead of making him a tight end that can split out, we’d start him as a receiver who can come in and block; he kind of fits in that Janiran Bonner-like positionless player. It’s easier to get on the field at receiver sometimes than it is to get on the field at tight end, just (in terms of) learning.”

Nelson, who is listed on Nebraska’s roster as a 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end, did not enroll early as he instead pursued state titles in basketball and track and field at Ainsworth. Had Nelson been able to learn the offense in the spring, he might’ve been able to feature at tight end, but Rhule said the NU staff instead wanted to find a way to get him on the field from day one.

“When I recruited him I said, ‘Hey, we’re gonna create a special position for you,’ and I’m proud that we did that and we followed through on that,” Rhule said. “He’s a difference-maker, so how much he knows is going to dictate how much he plays.”

Nebraska already returns a key pass-catcher, Thomas Fidone II, as its starting tight end alongside backups Nate Boerkircher and Luke Lindenmeyer. While Nelson may be able to earn reps in a similar role if he lines up inside the box, splitting the freshman out wide or in the slot is what Rhule identified as the best fit for Nelson this season.

“I think he’ll play a ton of football for us,” Rhule said. “And then as he grows and develops we’ll see what he is in two years, but right now it’s the best way to get him on the field early because he’s an upgrade.”