Depth at tight end and a scramble at wide receiver — again

In Nebraska’s new offense — coordinated by Marcus Satterfield — don’t be surprised to see a play-action pass that gives quarterback Jeff Sims the option of throwing short to a H-back, medium to a crossing tight end or deep to a slot receiver running a backside post.

Unlike former offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who focused on getting Trey Palmer and Anthony Grant the football, Satterfield aims to spread around the love. At South Carolina — Satterfield’s previous stop — six players got 20 or more catches last season. At NU, only three did.

That means Nebraska needs real depth at the receiver and tight end spots. The Huskers will be searching for that at receiver and already have it at tight end, where Satterfield envisions three different types of player at the position.

“You have a tight end that’s maybe a bigger guy who puts his hand down and he’s blocking the C/D gap,” Satterfield said this spring. “And you have another tight end that might be a little bit shorter who’s playing the fullback type. And then you have another tight end who might be just a little undersized and he’s playing in the slot. But they’re all tight ends — and they have to be counted as tight ends.”

The position should be strong. NU coach Matt Rhule put Aurora graduate Nate Boerkircher on scholarship; in terms of development, he’s either equal to or ahead of former Husker Austin Allen’s curve. Thomas Fidone is healthy and headed toward his first significant playing time since arriving. Georgia transfer Arik Gilbert has all the tools to rediscover his 2020 true freshman form at LSU. And Rhule’s penchant for promoting position changes seems to have benefited Janiran Bonner, a former receiver-turned-H-back.

“Janiran can play every position that’s out there for us right now,” Rhule said after the spring game. “I think he has a real chance, depending on how he continues to develop.”

Rhule seeks rapid development at receiver, where transfers Billy Kemp and Marcus Washington might be a good 1-2 punch, but hardly enough for an offense. There, NU needs either Zavier Betts to rediscover his 2021 form, Baylor transfer Joshua Fleeks have a career year or one of the six incoming true freshmen stand out in training camp.

Nebraska is leaning on 23-year-old position coach Garret McGuire — son of Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire — to get the job done. McGuire may be an elite position coach; Husker fans are about to find out.

A deeper look at receiver and tight ends:

Who left: At WR, Alante Brown, Kamonte Grimes, Victor Jones and Shawn Hardy. At TE, James Carnie and Chris Hickman. Brodie Tagaloa and AJ Rollins moved to defense.

Who’s still here: At WR, Marcus Washington, Billy Kemp, Joshua Fleeks, Zavier Betts, Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, Ty Hahn and Alex Bullock. At TE, Nate Boerkircher, Thomas Fidone, Arik Gilbert, Janiran Bonner, Jake Appleget, John Goodwin, Luke Lindenmeyer and Chase Androff.

Who’s arriving: At WR, Demitrius Bell, Jeremiah Charles, Malachi Coleman, Jaidyn Doss and Brice Turner. At TE, Ismael Smith Flores.

Post-Spring Summary: Until Memorial Day, when six true freshmen arrive, Nebraska’s receiver room is Transfer Portal U. Four of NU’s current top five — Kemp, Washington, Fleeks and Garcia-Castaneda — come from other schools. Kemp, out of Virginia flashed the quickness and senior savvy in the slot, while Washington continues to show the ability to be a top, physical outside receiver who can make plays on slants. Betts has abundant talent but needs to continue working in the classroom. The tight end picture is different, with Boerkircher headed to the scholarship rolls, Fidone getting healthy and Gilbert, from Georgia, adding a fascinating talent to the room. He’ll need a waiver to play this year, though Nebraska expects it.

NU’s freshmen wideouts will press for playing time right away — look for Coleman, Doss and Bell to lead the way there, though Charles is an intrigue — as position coach Garret McGuire works feverishly to get enough guys game ready. Meanwhile, tight end, flush with talent and bodies, will be one of the best position groups on the roster. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield loves those guys and will give that unit, coached by Bob Wager, special attention.

Stock up: Bonner at tight end. He moved from receiver to a spot where his speed works better against linebackers and he can use his physical frame to good use. Bonner effectively played fullback and tight end in the spring game, but he’s likely to embody an H-back role similar to that of Chancellor Brewington in 2021 and 2022. Satterfield’s offense uses tight ends on drag routes and wheels, and Bonner should excel there.

Coach quote: “Our tight ends can play running back, our running backs can play receiver, our receivers can go play tight end, our quarterbacks can go play receiver. Whatever you do, we’re going to line you up everywhere.” — Marcus Satterfield on his “positionless” offense.

Post-spring pecking order:

WR: 1 Washington/Kemp/Garcia-Castaneda, 2 Betts/Fleeks/Doss or Coleman

TE: 1 Boerkircher, 2 Fidone/Gilbert

H-Back: 1 Bonner, 2 Appleget