Casey Thompson’s departure, Nebraska’s quarterback depth and coup of landing Jeff Sims

For a minute there, Nebraska had two quarterbacks better than anyone on Alabama’s roster.

The Huskers still have one in Jeff Sims. Casey Thompson is on the move, and it’s not a surprise. From the minute Nebraska signed Sims away from Georgia Tech in the winter, Thompson’s role at NU seemed tenuous. In theory he could return, but he’ll have too many options and clear paths at a starting job.

Sims is bigger and faster than Thompson, and the hope is more durable — a player who doesn’t have to miss 2½ games and parts of others because of a hard hit in the pocket. Plus, Sims is an elite runner who rushed for 1,152 yards and 11 touchdowns at Georgia Tech. Thompson has rushed for 189 career yards.

Thompson’s career 63.5% completion rate exceeds Sims’ 57.5%, and Thompson’s sixth-year savvy will land him somewhere good — perhaps even inside the Big Ten. He’ll turn 25 halfway through the 2023 season.

But Sims had a significant upper hand on Thompson because of his skill set, which I suspect will be crucial if Nebraska can’t run the ball any better with its backs than it did in 2022, when NU averaged 2.84 yards per carry in Big Ten play.

Now — can Sims stay healthy? Nebraska may be tempted to run the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder 15 to 20 times per game. If so, NU’s backup conversation becomes much more relevant.

Three more takes on Thompson’s departure and Sims’ ascendancy:

The guys still left in the room — and one more who could return. Heinrich Haarberg and Chubba Purdy are two NU quarterbacks who have not moved toward the portal. Coaches gave Haarberg snaps with the No. 1 offense during the spring game and like him for his raw athleticism and eagerness to do anything asked. He’ll stick. Purdy showed flashes in his two starts last season — particularly on a field goal drive against Michigan — and may find the QB room palatable to competing. Logan Smothers has dipped his toe in the portal but could be the team’s fourth scholarship quarterback vs. seeking out a Group of 5 or FCS opportunity.

Thompson’s 2022 success is Exhibit A for his 2023 options. Nebraska won four games last season and might not have won two without Thompson. He helped deny Iowa a West division title with a 24-17 upset in Iowa City last season, a victory secured in part because the Hawkeyes had added virtually no players via the transfer portal to its offense. Within a week of its loss to NU, Iowa added Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara to the fold.

Teams need smart, seasoned QBs. Big Ten teams — Indiana, Northwestern and Rutgers, for example. SEC teams — like Auburn. Pac-12 teams — like Arizona State. Oklahoma State’s QB room is currently led by Michigan cast-off Alan Bowman. Thompson will have cards to play.

Sims’ addition was a coup when it happened. Again — Nebraska has a better, more proven quarterback than Alabama. Than Auburn. Maybe even Georgia, where fourth-year sophomore Carson Beck takes over. Than every Big Ten West program not named Iowa, and McNamara won’t have the same weapons in Iowa City. NU coach Matt Rhule’s relationship with former Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins helped land Sims, as did Nebraska’s we-have-nothing-to-do-but-work-the-portal status in December. Lots of teams were preparing for postseason games or finishing up their high school classes. Rhule and his crew landed a guy who, if he were to be available right now, would fetch a ton of attention — as Thompson might.