Turner Corcoran talks ‘long journey’ after injury, Teddy Prochazka being out for season and more

Those seven months dragged on for Turner Corcoran.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Nebraska offensive lineman made his 30th consecutive start during last year’s meeting with Northwestern. But a 31st never happened. It couldn’t.

Corcoran sustained a foot injury that derailed his streak and sidelined him for the rest of the season. That happened on a Saturday afternoon in mid-October, and he wasn’t fully cleared until late May.

“It’s been a long journey so far,” Corcoran said Tuesday.

That’s not how he pictured his junior season ending. Corcoran wanted to help the Huskers win one of their final five games to earn bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016. And they’re close, but Corcoran could only watch as Teddy Prochazka thrived in his spot at left tackle.

“It sucked,” he said. “But at the end of the day, the sun’s gonna come up.”

That’s the difference between now and three years ago.

After playing in four games in 2020 — and becoming the first true freshman in Huskers history to start at left tackle — Corcoran was the projected starter heading into 2021. An injury lingered throughout training camp, though he made it back for the season opener.

That whole experience taught him a lesson, one that’s stuck with him since and came in handy this offseason.

“I couldn’t let it affect the mental side of things. When you get hurt, the mental side of things can really take a toll on you,” Corcoran said. “It’s not easy, but you gotta be able to speak to people. Talk to your coaches, talk to the guys in your room and know that they got your back.”

Corcoran played all of 2021 and started the final 11 games of that season. As a third-year sophomore, he started the first three games at right guard before moving back to left tackle for the rest of the year.

He’s an ironman in his own right. Starting 30 consecutive games doesn’t happen by accident.

It was never really a question, Corcoran said, whether he’d return for his final year of eligibility.

But it was questioned if he’d start again after Prochazka, who dealt with an injury toward the beginning of 2023, battled back and impressed in 10 games, including the final five while starting at left tackle.

“Teddy stepped up,” Corcoran said. “He played really well. I couldn’t be more proud of Teddy.”

An offseason position battle ran into this year’s training camp, though Corcoran was with the first-team offense during Nebraska’s open practice at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 3.

That ended two days later when Prochazka tore his ACL during a Monday morning practice.

Corcoran is aware Prochazka has a long road ahead. But Corcoran said the offensive linemen will be there for Prochazka every step of the way. Corcoran knows that because he lived it.

Three years ago, he leaned on a tight-knit group to help him make it through recovery. On Tuesday, Corcoran mentioned Cam Jurgens, Nouredin Nouili, Henry Lutovsky and Bryce Benhart, among others. It was the same way this offseason.

“We’re all hurting for him right now,” Corcoran said, talking about Prochazka unprompted. “I love that guy like a brother.”

Corcoran has been integral to some of the better NU offensive lines in recent memory.

Last year, while he only played the first seven games, the Huskers finished second in the Big Ten in rushing behind Penn State and ahead of national champion Michigan. Two years ago, Anthony Grant rushed for the most yards (915) by an NU running back since 2018.

And Corcoran might be on the next one, too. With position coach Donovan Raiola at the forefront, the offensive line has expressed its desire to be one of the best units in the country.

It’s a seasoned room featuring Corcoran, Benhart, Lutovsky, Justin Evans, Florida transfer Micah Mazzccua and Ben Scott.

“We got a lot of old guys in our room, which pays off in the long run because we’ve seen a lot of looks. We’ve played a lot of football,” Corcoran said.

Corcoran is expected to trot out with the first-team offense for NU’s season opener on Aug. 31. It’ll be different than anything he’s experienced this far, though, which says a lot for someone who’s been around long enough to have blocked for Luke McCaffrey.

The Huskers have started the season with a Big Ten opponent all four of Corcoran’s seasons in Lincoln. Only one of those openers was at Memorial Stadium. But Nebraska hosts UTEP to kick things off this year.

But does it really make that much of a difference?

It will for Corcoran, who has waited and waited and waited to get back on the field.