
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) cheers on his team from the sideline during the Penn State game in November at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
“I’ve got higher hopes than I did when we recruited Logan. He’s going to get his share of reps this spring, so I’m anxious to see where he is.”
The unique element of Nebraska’s current situation is that any quarterback on the transfer market who is considering coming to Lincoln over the summer will have some understanding about the chances of beating out Martinez, essentially a three-year starter, within two months of arriving on campus. At the same time, the Huskers don’t do themselves any good using one of two remaining spots on a player who would essentially just be an additional body in the room.
Frost, though, had no interest in getting into those hypotheticals this week.
“I’m not trying to belittle the question, but that’s way too far down the road for me to get into details about what we’re thinking if we need one,” Frost said. “That’s not what we’re thinking about right now.”
What the Huskers are thinking about right now are the three scholarship guys in the room plus walk-ons Matt Masker and Brayden Miller. Their progress this winter and through spring ball is among the most interesting storylines in the program and Frost certainly isn’t the only one anxious to see how it unfolds over the next three months.
Illinois’ Alec McEachern (46) and Nebraska’s Niko Cooper (32) reach for a fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception under pressure from Illinois’ Khalan Tolson (45) in the first quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and Cam Taylor-Britt (5) walk off the field after the Huskers’ 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey gets his helmet twisted around by Illinois’ Roderick Perry (96) in the second half Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is lifted up by teammate Bryce Benhart after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers onto the field to take on Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (7) celebrates his second-quarter interception with teammate Cam Taylor-Britt against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Iowa’s Terry Roberts (22) dives on a fumbled punt return by Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5) in the fourth quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras gets off a third-quarter pass as Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson (44) and Luke Reimer (28) pressure him Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska’s Wan’Dale Robinson rushes against Iowa’s Jack Campbell (31) in the second half Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez reaches for the high snap in the first quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out to the field against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws under pressure from Iowa’s Joe Evans (13) in the second quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push toward the goal line on Martinez’s 1-yard touchdown run against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with his players during a first-half timeout against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) gets pressured by Nebraska’s Ben Stille on a fourth-down play, throwing an incomplete pass to turn it over to the Huskers in the final moments of the game Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Luke McCaffrey (7) and Wan’Dale Robinson (1) celebrate after the Huskers’ win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford. Williams recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford before recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska’s Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (right) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (left) to give the Huskers the ball on downs in the fourth quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska’s Ben Stille (95) and Ty Robinson walk off the field after the Huskers’ 30-23 win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp sends a ball through the uprights for a fourth-quarter field goal against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Will Honas (3) tackles Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth (87) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost instructs the team during a timeout on Nov. 14, 2020, against Penn State at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) gets the snap from center Cameron Jurgens (51) as running back Ronald Thompkins (25) and Ethan Piper look to block against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5) runs back a punt as he avoids the tackle of Penn State’s Daequan Hardy in the first half Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. Williams recovered the fumble and scored.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska’s Noa Pola-Gates (facing) hugs senior Marquel Dismuke (9) after the Huskers’ 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (7) hugs fellow senior Marquel Dismuke (left) as JoJo Domann looks on after the Huskers’ 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A third-quarter pass from Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is batted by Minnesota’s Rashad Cheney on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Protected by the offensive line, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) has the time to throw in the second quarter against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (left) defends a pass intended for Penn State’s Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska’s Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (95) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska fan cutouts are a backdrop for the consecutive sellout sign on Saturday at Memorial Stadium during a Nov. 14, 2020, game against Penn State.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) is flagged for a facemask call against Illinois’ Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A worker waits to release balloons after the first Nebraska touchdown against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) on the sideline in the third quarter against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A security guard watches the field among snow-covered cardboard cutouts before a Nebraska-Minnesota football game on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska family members look for their seats before the Huskers host Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (second right) celebrates his second-quarter TD with teammates against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska’s Austin Allen celebrates his first quarter touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost sends quarterback Adrian Martinez back into the game against Minnesota in the second quarter Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost greets Huskers captain Matt Farniok (71) during Senior Day festivities before the Minnesota game Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Scott Frost and the Huskers run onto the field before a Dec. 12 game against Minnesota at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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