Nebraska kicker Tristan Alvano to miss start of camp with injury

Starting Nebraska kicker Tristan Alvano will be “limited” to start NU’s training camp and is not initially a part of the 120-man roster as the Huskers start workouts on Wednesday.

“He had a groin that’s been bothering him,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said. Alvano, an Omaha Westside graduate, had a “quick surgery” that involves a two-week recovery time. Backup kickers include John Hohl and Nico Ottomanelli, who will be in camp.

Special teams coordinator Ed Foley said Alvano is “fine” but is not at the point where he can make the “push” on kickoffs. Foley said Alvano’s injury is related to wear and tear common to kickers.

“He came out of the spring OK, and then he was kicking on his own, and he came in one day and said, ‘This isn’t right,'” Foley said. “… It’s something we’ve been dealing with and working on since early June.”

Alvano was among the most notable players to miss the start of training camp. Cornerback Blye Hill, fullback Barret Liebentritt, running back Maurice Mazzccua and Michael Booker, Rhule said, are other players who won’t be on the 120-man roster.

* Rhule said he wants Nebraska’s defense to have at least 20 takeaways in 2024 — last year, NU had 14 — and for that 20 to be spread among several opponents.

* Rhule expects camp to be “competitive” among players who are ready to win. “No sympathy,” for guys who get down in the dumps during camp about their number of reps and which team they’re with in practice.

* New USC transfer cornerback Ceyair Wright has to adjust to Nebraska’s new way of doing things, but he has the talent and natural gifts — like fluid hips — to compete.

“You can see why he’s one of the top recruits in the country,” White said.

* The Husker DBs are in the midst of “building chemistry” with new position coach John Butler, White said. Butler is a “good teacher” with a high motor for the job.

* Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield reaffirmed that Ainsworth freshman Carter Nelson will play a special position that takes advantage of his height and speed without making the tight end block a 280-pound defensive end right off the bat.

“We wanted him to do what he does best, which is run routes, play in space,” Satterfield said.

* Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, Satterfield said, is “obsessed with being really, really, really good,” willing to rewrite notes in the middle of the night to improve his mastery of the position. Institutional quarterback development — starting in youth leagues and progressing through high school — has put young QBs in a spot to play early in college.

* Senior transfer receivers Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor have embraced “big brother” roles for the younger receivers, and the freshmen and sophomores have responded to their leadership.