Nate Boerkircher calls new Nebraska offense 'pretty similar'

Much is different for Nebraska football in 2023: New head coach, new coordinators, new schemes. But returning tight end Nate Boerkircher noted the offense being installed isn’t a huge departure from what the Cornhuskers ran in years past.

While Nebraska offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield is sure to add some tweaks and wrinkles that he brings from South Carolina, the types of looks are familiar, Boerkircher said. On top of not putting too much on the plates of the players to learn, Boerkircher noted that so much of offensive football is different ways of dressing up staple concepts.

“I’d say it’s pretty similar. Obviously there’s little differences. A lot of football concepts are the same and ran by everybody. It’s just mainly about learning the new names and signals. We’ve come a long way from the beginning,” Boerkircher said. “Right now, we’re starting to kind of transition into critiquing the small details of plays, so I feel like we’ve really grown a lot as an offense.”

After the Cornhuskers scrimmage on Thusday, Boerkircher had strong reviews for how the offense played.

“I feel like it was great,” Boerkircher told reporters. “The quarterbacks put the ball in the right place. They threw a lot of good balls to us, the tight ends caught a lot of balls. It was a lot of fun.”

As for the tight ends in general, position coach Bob Wager is loving what he’s seen from the group so far. Beyond Boerkircher and transfer Arik Gilbert — who may or may not be eligible to play this season — none of the Nebraska tight ends have caught a pass for the Cornhuskers.

Even still, it’s a group that’s quickly soaking up the information, Wager said.

“Well, in a three month period of time, we’ve learned a great deal. Learned it’s a highly competitive room. They root for each other. They’re building a great bond with one another. And they’re eager to be developed and eager to get better. I’m proud of the way they’ve immersed themselves into the playbook and proud of the way that they come out to compete every day,” Wager said.

Boerkircher played in all 12 games for Nebraska in 2022, catching six passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. He’s a player the previous Nebraska staff was high on and would likely be the first in line to get starting snaps if Gilbert isn’t eligible.

Having transferred twice prior to coming to Nebraska, Gilbert is in need of an NCAA waiver to have immediate eligibility. If that is not granted — more waivers tend to get granted than denied under the current paradigm — Gilbert will have to sit out the 2023 season under the old-school transfer eligibility rules.