‘Not a participation trophy:’ Inside how Nebraska football picks its ‘Elite List’ each week

Seven times in seven summer weeks the Huskers’ veteran linebacker found himself on the “Elite List,” which singles out the top all-around efforts from a select few players. The honor has a know-it-when-you-see it ambiguity as chosen by the NU performance staff, which evaluates areas like strength training, behavior, academics, hydration and meal preparation.

“I think it was just all about my mindset for the whole summer,” said Bullock, the sixth-year defender and former walk-on out of Creighton Prep. “Being confident in myself.”

Nebraska made all the names public this year ahead of coach Matt Rhule’s second football season in Lincoln. It’s not necessarily a collection of the best players or the most impressive physical ability. Rhule — who started the tradition a decade ago at Temple — insisted on not seeing the names until they popped on the program’s social-media account so as not to affect the results.

Just two other names appeared with Bullock each time. One is Riley Van Poppel, a second-year defensive lineman and former four-star prospect from Texas who saw 113 snaps last year at a deep position that remains that way. The other is Camden Witucki, a fifth-year junior set to start at long snapper after four seasons behind the scenes. The Michigan native switched positions in high school — a knee injury ended his days as an offensive lineman — and walked on with the Huskers. He’s continued to train with former NU snapper Marco Ortiz in the offseason.

“I feel really good about Camden — he’s another guy that’s like a pro,” NU special teams coordinator Ed Foley said. “…I’ve seen him snap so many times and do so many things at such a high level that I feel really good about him.”

The Elite List chose between 13 and 37 players each week from Nebraska’s roster listed at 151. Sixty-five Huskers saw their names at least once while 46 appeared multiple times. Twenty-three (roughly 15% of the team) made more than half of the cuts.

Receiver Jahmal Banks was one of those, missing the first week June 9 and then not again. The Wake Forest transfer said he views the standard as a combination of high-end work ethic and elevating others. The best go beyond what is required.

“You’re going to learn more by looking and listening than you are speaking,” the senior said. “So I do a lot of observing and I also listen to the captains and to the people who have been here for years and know what it takes. Have conversations, get to know them and then just follow suit.”

Others absent from the list just once were clear team leaders like tight end Thomas Fidone, defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher, linebacker Javin Wright and defensive backs Isaac Gifford and Javin Wright. Veteran right tackle Bryce Benhart made it five times along with sixth-year D-lineman Ty Robinson.

Fidone said some of his best summer work was staying on track with his weight goal — he’s at 255 pounds on his way to 260 for the season opener. He made sure he was regularly a top weightlifter in his group and finishing toward the front during conditioning drills.

“No matter what you’re doing, you’re competing,” Fidone said. “I feel like that was a huge factor.”

Others, Fidone said, used the two months to “put themselves on the map.” Linebacker saw the most such quantifiable breakouts as walk-ons Jacob Bower, Noah Bustard and Vince Genatone each earned List accolades four times. Grant Buda — a junior walk-on from Lincoln Southwest — appeared twice. None have yet played in a game for Nebraska, though all made the 120-man roster for training camp.

Rhule named Bustard and Buda among the “walk-on guys” who propelled themselves into camp in part because of their Elite List work. Receiver Roman Mangini also fits the profile — he was honored during four weeks — after the Arizona native saw action in two NU contests as a redshirt freshman.

“You’ll see scholarship players that aren’t in camp — non-injury related,” Rhule said. “You’ll see walk-ons that are in camp. This is a new day and age in football. We’ve always done it this way. You get what you deserve. That doesn’t mean that guys don’t deserve, it’s just that other guys outperform them, maybe.”

Another fun part, Rhule said, is watching players who weren’t elite in some areas become that way. Genatone and Texas receiver transfer Isiaha Neyor made each of the last four lists. Freshman defensive back Rex Guthrie made three of the last four along with others like offensive linemen Teddy Prochazka and Tyler Knaak and former Cross County walk-on running back Izaac Dickey.

Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola made his debut on the final list that came out July 28. Fellow QB Heinrich Haarberg showed up three times.

A five-time list maker doubles as a true freshman who has generated as much offseason buzz as anyone for his on-field work. That’s Miami native and linebacker Vince Shavers.

Jimari Butler — a junior D-lineman and three-time list qualifier — said the competition has helped motivate him to make his own meals. He saw younger players learn through it the importance of physical recovery after workouts.

“Most of them didn’t know that,” Butler said. “I feel like having that Elite List taught them the way of that.”

Rhule said his only influence on the list has been encouraging strength coach Corey Campbell to trim it down further. It reflects work done but also attitude, trustworthiness and maybe — for some — a hint of what’s to come in their college careers.

“To me, everyone on our team is working hard,” Rhule said. “Everyone on our team, if they did (work) this summer, they are elite. So what you’re talking about is the top 10% of the top 10%. It’s not a participation trophy.”