Nebraska football practice observations, August 16

Wide receivers coach Garret McGuire was loud and active as he led Nebraska’s wideouts through a series of drills outside.

With quarterbacks Heinrich Haarberg and Dylan Raiola together with one group of wide receivers and Jalyn Gramstad, Daniel Kaelin and Bode Soukup with the other, the Huskers practiced several different route combinations. When the wide receivers had to turn their heads toward the blazing, bright morning sun to catch passes, McGuire offered some perspective.

“It’s gonna be sunny when we play on Aug. 31,” McGuire said.

When the group progressed to slant routes, McGuire cycled through several pieces of quick advice he shouted at the group.

“Drive off the ball,” McGuire said, followed by “chew grass” and “extend your hands, catch it in front of your eyes.”

McGuire also gave a bit of praise to freshman receiver Jacory Barney Jr. during the drill, yelling, “nice hands” at him after he snagged a pass right before Nebraska’s hydration break.

The wide receivers also practiced vertical routes where they were required to leap in the air and high-point the football. Prior to freshman Carter Nelson’s first try at the drill, McGuire encouraged him by saying, “Float in the air, Nelly!”

In another individual drill later during the open period, Nelson caught a short pass from Raiola, but Nelson had apparently turned the wrong way. “No, no,” Raiola shouted, before giving instructions.

Co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Marcus Satterfield also watched his position group run several routes. As the group practiced out routes breaking toward the sideline, Satterfield reminded them that they needed a “5-yard burst” and to “close the back door” as they chopped away from the sideline to cut upfield.

After freshman Ian Flynt ran the drill, Satterfield instructed him that he had been holding the football too high when running, needing to tuck it into his ribcage instead.

Later, Satterfield was not encouraged by the speed in which the tight ends were transitioning between drills. “Stop walking,” he shouted, four times in a row while clapping for emphasis. Even later in practice, Satterfield outran the tight ends from one of the outdoor fields to the indoor.

As Nebraska broke into its position groups for the individual portion of practice, linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek and defensive assistant Josh Bringuel took charge. The linebackers practiced ripping off the block of a teammate, then rushed against a player simulating a tight end in a three-point stance.

As Dvoracek watched his players’ pad level, defensive coordinator Tony White was keyed in on the Nebraska defensive backs practicing their press coverage.

“Put your hands and eyes where they’re supposed to be,” White reminded the group after a substandard rep.

Outside, defensive backs coach John Butler threw 30-yard passes to his defensive backs simulating interceptions. As he moved his feet in the pocket and turned his head left and right, Butler tried to keep the defensive backs from making an early break on the ball.

“Where am I looking?” Butler said during the drill, followed by “go and get it” after releasing the pass.

When he began working specifically with the safeties in his room, Butler sent a Nebraska staffer to alert junior Malcolm Hartzog that he needed to join the group. With staffers simulating opposing ball-carriers finding their running lane, the NU safeties worked on crashing the line of scrimmage together.

On a warm morning, the Huskers again briefly paused practice for a team-wide hydration break. ”Everyone drink,” a staffer emphasized over the loudspeaker.

“That means you, 26,” White said with a smile to defensive back Koby Bretz as he jogged back to the indoor practice field.

The Nebraska offense and defense split into three groups for one-on-one passing drills late in the open period.

On one rep where freshman linebacker Vincent Shavers grabbed the back of fullback Barret Liebentritt’s jersey — but did not prevent him from making the catch — NU’s offensive players showed their appreciation. Raiola shouted as he flung his white towel in the air, jokingly simulating a penalty.

Later in the period, White barked at transfer linebacker Vincent Genatone after quarterback Jalyn Gramstad connected with a pass-catcher. “We ain’t gonna cover nobody in the country like that. Not even if we’re 10-2.”

White was also displeased with pad level early in the period after tight end Nate Boerkircher reeled one in from Raiola over linebacker Stefon Thompson. Thompson, on a rep or two later, had a pass breakup.

Some of those who caught passes from Raiola during one-on-ones: Thomas Fidone, Emmett Johnson and Nate Boerkircher.

On a presumptive touchdown that Johnson caught on a pass from Gramstad over linebacker John Bullock, running backs coach EJ Barthel asked Johnson why he took a second step — illustrating a point Barthel made last week about focusing on the little details.

Malachi Coleman was spotted wearing a yellow, non-contact jersey. Joining him were true freshman offensive lineman Grant Brix and redshirt freshman defensive back Brice Turner. Redshirt freshman running back Kenneth Williams also wore a yellow jersey, though he ran through several on-field drills.

The sidelines during the open portion of practice were packed with guests and media. There were several former players in attendance, like Monte Kratzenstein and several Nebraska Athletics/Husker Athletic Fund employees. A few player parents were in attendance as well.

70 degrees with 67% humidity. Minimal cloud cover. Light winds out of the west.

“Back in Black: by AC/DC was the last song played before individual drills. Nebraska doesn’t play music during “indy” time.