Way too early depth chart predictions!

Hi, I’ve been a lurker for a while and finally decided to actually start posting on my account! So, let’s spark some football conversations!

I’m interested in what people have to say about my guesses on who’ll play consistently in 2021.

**Offense**

* The overarching question for the offense is, how does the team keep drives alive? All last year, they dealt with stall outs in one way or another, so how do they bring the new personnel in, build team chemistry, and become less predicable this spring?

QB: Martinez, Smothers, Haarberg/Masker(?)

* With McCaffrey transferring to Louisville, it seems like Martinez is a lock. Still, I’m interested to see what Smothers looks like in spring ball and maybe he’ll make things more competitive than expected. 3rd spot with be a battle between two former Kearney Catholic guys… Haarberg probably has it though.

RB: Stepp, Johnson, Scott/Morrison/Thompkins

* Other than Stepp, the RB room feels very open to me. While Johnson has the most snaps, I wouldn’t say he’s far-and-away the 2nd string. Moreover, Scott and Morrison seem to show promise and are more favorably size for the Big 10. Sadly, I’m not sure if Thompkins will return to his former self following injury, but that remains tbd and he could be a wild card.

WR: Toure, Martin, Betts, Falck, Manning, Hickman

* Toure will likely be getting a lot of targets and hopefully he’s able to transfer some of his success from Montana to Lincoln. In my opinion, Martin seemed to be the best receiver at getting open downfield and without Wan’Dale maybe they game plan a bit more around him. After those two, it’s a bit of a toss up. Betts seems to be our receiver of the future and Falck was okay last year, but I don’t see him starting regularly. Other than that, I hope we can get Omar Manning on the field and Hickman seems to be one of Frost’s favorites.

TE: Allen, Vokolek, Fidone/Rafdal(?)

* When did we become a tight end school? At the moment, Allen and Vokolek are set at 1 and 2. The real question is, does Frost redshirt Fidone? Obviously, that dependent down the line, but if he takes that 3rd spot, what happens with Rafdal?

OT: Benhart (RT1) & Corcoran (LT1), Banks (RT2) & Miller (LT2)

* I know uniformity in size isn’t an end-all-be-all, but I do find it interesting how Benhart is 330 lbs and Banks, who backed him up last year is 305. Meanwhile Corcoran is 300 and Miller is 325. While playing to players strengths is best practice, I wouldn’t mind flipping Miller and Banks if they can adjust to the other side of the line. Miller seems to be the biggest unknown here. Also, could Yager see some action? I doubt it, but he has the size to be a solid OT in the future.

OG: Hixson (RG1) & Piper (LG1), Bando/Sichterman/Nouili/Conn (G2-3)

* Piper seems to have LG1 on lockdown and Hixson seems to make the most sense at RG1. Still, this year will probably be a lot of OG by committee as there’s some decent depth on the roster. Conn is the only play listed without experience, how do you think he’ll to hold up?

C: Jurgens, (?)

* The biggest concern for the OL this year is WHO IS THE BACKUP CENTER? Jurgens got better as the year went on, but what happens if the team start seeing snap issues again? If I remember correctly Hixson has taken snaps at center? Is there anyone else I’m missing? Could you see Frost going after a transfer player before the fall?

**Defense**

* The question surrounding the defense is a lot less intense, but is still tough. Miller was huge leader for the defense last year and when he went down, his absence was noticeable. Who steps up and takes that role? It could be someone who’s been waiting in the wings or somebody seemingly out of nowhere, but that presence is needed.

DE: Stille & Robinson (DE1s), Rogers & Thomas (DE2s)

* The defense returns a ton of players and Stille, Robinson, Rogers, and Thomas should make for a solid rotation at end. Who else makes a push to get in the roation here? Wildeman or Newsom are names that come to mind, but I don’t see either pushing to get into the second string.

NG: Daniels, Riley, Hutmacher

* Snacks made for a solid NG last year and should be a big part of clogging up the A gaps again this year. Riley will probably be second string unless Hutmacher goes off on a tear. I doubt Weaver gets playing time, but he’s listed at 6’8 320 lbs, which could make for some fun down the road if he pans out.

OLB: Domann & Nelson (OLB1s), Tannor & Payne (OLB2s)

* The OLBs don’t make for too much surprise, so I’ll pose a few questions here. Is this the year we see Tannor break out? Who else makes a push up the depth chart? It looks like Niko Cooper is in the portal, but could we see Butler of Gunnerson make noise?

MLB: Honas & Reimer/Kolarevic (?) (OLB1s), Kolarevic/Reimer(?) & Henrich (OLB2s)

* While Honas likely has one of the two MLB1 spots locked down, the race for the absence left by Miller will be felt. I’m genuinely interested to see where Reimer and Kolarevic end up at the Spring Game. Henrich could also be in that conversation, but I’d say that’s less likely and he’ll probably be second string. Other than those four, Snodgrass, Mauga-Clements, Hannah will probably get in the roation somewhere. Also, Gbayor and Ho’ohuli have the size to play now, but will likely be limited to sample size action before redshirting. One thing I’m wonder is, what about Kpai? Scouting reports say he has speed, but I don’t know if he’ll get to linebacker size. Could he end up as an LB/S combo and line up as a nickel?

S: Dismuke & Williams (S1s), Farmer & Pola-Gates (S2s)

* The safety depth chart is likely the most set in stone for the defense. Considering Nebraska returned 9 defensive starters, that’s saying something. Even the two guys who are probably next up (Wright and Gifford) seem pretty locked in. I take it as a good problem to have.

CB: Taylor-Britt & Newsome/Clark(?) (CB1s), Clark/Newsome(?) & Lynum/Joseph(?) (CB2s)

* Taylor-Britt should be very exciting to watch next year and either Newsome or Clark will have some big shoes to fill. Still, all these guys other than Joseph (thanks to eligibility and injury issues) have at least a year of game experience as a Husker. Could this be the year all of the CBs stay healthy? Will Clark look the same after coming back from injury last season?

**Special Teams**

* I can’t think of any jarring ST questions. Anyone else have one?

K: Culp, Crawford

* Culp found his mojo after transferring from LSU and singlehandedly saved Nebraska’s special teams. Crawford showed versatility as a punter last season and will probably be serving backup duties in 2021. Need I say anything else?

P: Przystup, Cerni

* Until I see it for myself, I can’t see Przystup losing his starting spot. Still, Cerni will be coming back from last year’s injury and is the only special teamer on scholarship, if that really means anything.

LS: Mueller (Punts) & Pieper (PAT and Kicks)

* Don’t ask me why, but yes, Frost has separate starting long snappers. Any long snapper fans here? I’ll admit its not my favorite position, but its importance defiantly goes unnoticed way too often.

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