Nebraska football’s starting kicker job remains open

With Nebraska’s season opener against UTEP two weeks away, the Husker coaching staff is beginning to plan for all contingencies.

Uncertainty still exists about who will line up as Nebraska’s starting kicker to get the season underway. Sophomore Tristan Alvano, the returning starter, remains limited in practice as he recovers from a preseason surgery.

In his absence, freshmen John Hohl and Nico Ottomanelli have worked as Nebraska’s kickers. Ottomanelli is a true freshman walk-on who committed to the program last summer, while Hohl is a Lincoln native who joined the Huskers in the offseason.

“I thought we had foresight in this, bringing in Nico and then bringing in John, knowing that some guys might be three games into the year until someone’s 100% healthy,” Rhule said. “… We’re still working Tristan back, so if he’s not ready to go, John and Nico will battle it out for that job.”

The Huskers scrimmaged on Saturday with a limited number of kicking attempts handled by Hohl, who Rhule said is “really coming on well.”

If Alvano returns to practice as a full participant within the coming week, he may be able to quickly reclaim his starting role — but until that happens, NU must move forward with Hohl and Ottomanelli.

“There’s (being) ready and then there’s being the best guy,” Rhule said of Alvano. “He’s still working his way back, I assume he’ll be ready but that’s not a foregone conclusion right now. If I had to lay money on it, I’ll always put money on Tristan, but at the same time my job’s to plan for everything.”