Four juniors named as Husker captains, led by third-time selection Adrian Martinez | Football

“He’s playing at the highest level I’ve ever seen of him,” fourth-year tight ends coach Sean Beckton said earlier this month. “So now he has to continue that. He can’t go backward. He’s got to make sure he continues to strive forward and keep leading this offense and this team. … 

“We’re excited about it because that’s the Adrian Martinez we’ve been wanting to see. He’s at a really, really good spot right now. Everybody across the board on the team knows it, and they’re following him. When the team follows the quarterback, you’re really going to have a great team. He’s playing at a high level.”

Daniels (6-foot-3 and 325 pounds) has seen his stock steadily rise in the program. He’s been essentially a part-time player for the Huskers up front, but is seen as a potential breakout candidate this season and has flashed the potential of being a game-changing force in the middle of the NU defensive line. 

“I think he’s probably having the best training-camp practices that I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said recently. “He’s been doing a really good job leading the charge for us on the defensive line.”

Allen’s role, too, has steadily grown in recent seasons. He is considered potentially one of the top tight ends in the Big Ten this fall. The 6-9, 255-pounder from Aurora was been on the captain track the entire offseason. Head coach Scott Frost said as much during Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis last month, where Allen was one of NU’s three player representatives.