Five Nebraska position battles to watch in fall camp
Nebraska football’s fall camp is coming up fast, as it starts on July 31. Head coach Matt Rhule has all eyes on him and his team as he begins his first fall camp.
To prepare for the Huskers fall camp, HuskerOnline details five position battles to watch closely throughout fall camp.
Running back – tight competition with three experienced backs
The Huskers will have a battle at running back for the starter. However, Nebraska will use several running backs in a rotation to ensure the longevity of its players in a physical Big Ten season.
Throughout the spring, it seemed that Anthony Grant and Gabe Ervin Jr. were in the running for the top back job. However, Rahmir Johnson, who started seven games in 2021, received praise from RB coach EJ Barthel on Husker Sports Nightly.
The Huskers have three running backs who have started games over their careers. Grant started every game in 2022 after transferring from New Mexico Military Academy. Ervin became the first true freshman running back in Husker history to start a season opener in 2021.
Grant, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound back, had almost 1,000 rushing yards last season. Barthel said the Husker coaches and Grant are trying to catch his scheme knowledge up with Grant’s talent on the field. In college football knowing the scheme is critical paired with on-field athleticism.
Ervin returned from a major knee injury during his freshman season to play in eight games in 2022. Barthel said on Sports Nightly that he has challenged Ervin to act like a veteran and has been pleased with the results. The 6-foot-0, 215-pound back has become a vocal leader by also leads by action as well.
Johnson, the most lean running back in the group, fell from the top group in 2022 after starting seven games in 2021. He played in 10 games but had 19 carries for 85 rushing yards. Barthel is impressed with the fifth-year junior’s speed, power and receiving ability. His coach said he has a great understanding of the Huskers’ run game.
This top group, that has lots of experience, has an intense battle between them during fall camp. However, either way all three will likely get their shot to show what they can do during the season. Having a committee of trustworthy running backs in the Big Ten is huge.
Left tackle – Corcoran’s role depends on LT battle
Nebraska’s offensive line has received lots of scrutiny over the last few seasons. They are determined to redeem their reputation and with an experienced group, it’s within reach.
O-line coach Donovan Raiola cross trains his lineman to know several positions. He will mix and match combinations to find the strongest five in Nebraska’s fall camp.
The left tackle battle could be one of the biggest determining factors on the line. Sophomore Teddy Prochazka is returning from back-to-back season-ending injuries.
In his two seasons as a Husker, Prochazka has played in eight games with five starts. He was Nebraska’s 2022 left tackle starter for the first three games before he suffered a shoulder injury. In 2022, Turner Corcoran started at left guard until Prochazka went down and he moved to left tackle.
This season, Prochazka and Corcoran will likely battle for the left tackle job. If Prochazka, a 6-foot-10, 320-pound lineman, wins the starting job, thinks will get complicated for Corcoran.
He is capable of playing at all five positions on the O-line. Bryce Benhart had a big spring after leaning out and seems to have locked down the right tackle job. Corcoran could be moved to the interior to compete for a guard job.
Corcoran is one of Nebraska’s top six linemen it just depends on where his versatility will land him with depth and experience at all five positions. Either way, Corcoran will be playing lots of football for the Huskers come fall.
Linebacker – Who will emerge in top group with many options?
Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White is running a 3-3-5. His specific brand of a 3-3-5 is still unknown with only the Huskers’ spring game film to refer to. Nebraska has lots of depth in the backfield on defense, including at linebacker.
The Huskers have jack, Mike and Will linebackers, according to LB coach Rob Dvoracek. Dvoracek has lots of options in his linebacker room.
The jack players have been identified as MJ Sherman, Chief Borders and Jimari Butler. They will have a pass-rushing role. However, the Huskers will be moving around players in different schemes as most backers are versatile.
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As for the Mike and Will linebackers, Nebraska has its two linebacker starters from the 2022 and 2021 seasons back. Luke Reimer is one of the Husker’s most experienced and decorated linebackers. A large contribution is guaranteed for Reimer, who could become Nebraska’s third leading tackler in 2023.
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Creighton Prep product John Bullock had a huge spring and earned himself a scholarship. He is now in the starting linebacker conversation with Reimer and veteran Nick Henrich. Henrich is coming back from a knee injury last season but his coach announced he is healthy.
Because of White’s versatile defense, it’s hard to know who will play which role(s). However, there will likely be a rotation of experienced and talented backers at all three positions.
Safety – no sure starters
The Huskers’ secondary has the biggest group of all with 24 defensive backs. They have two returning starters at both cornerback and safety. However, the cornerback race looks much more clear than the safety.
Marques Buford Jr. has started 11 games in 2022 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He missed out on all of spring while recovering. However, after such a big injury, will Buford be completely ready to go during fall camp or will Nebraska’s staff be very cautious of his recovery? The later is much more likely.
Myles Farmer, who started 11 games last season, is one of the most experienced safeties in the group but isn’t as speedy as the others.
With a chance to have three safeties on the field as once, Nebraska is likely to rotate and has the ability to with their depth.
Isaac Gifford started at nickle back in 2022 but has transitioned to safety. Georgia transfer Corey Collier and former Northern Iowa DB Omar Brown both started with Gifford on the first team during the Red-White spring game.
Nebraska has versalite options but with no obvious starters, it’ll be an interesting fall camp.
Kicker – Timmy Bleekrode vs. Tristan Alvano
For the first time in a while, Nebraska has two placekickers on scholarship. Timmy Bleekrode is the Huskers’ returning starter and is a veteran kicker after three seasons at Furman.
In 2022, his first season with the Huskers, Bleekrode went 34-of-35 on extra points with his one miss being blocked. He was 9-of-12 on field goals. During the Huskers’ Red-White Spring game, Bleekrode missed two field goal attempts of 46 and 43 yards and made a 49-yarder.
His competitor is true freshman Tristan Alvano from Omaha (Neb.) Westside. Alvano is very familiar with Memorial Stadium as he drilled the Class A game willing field goal in 2022. He made five field goals, including a 50 yarder and the 45-yard game-winner.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound freshman broke the Nebraska state all-class record for most made field goals in a game (5), in a season (16) and a career (27). Over his career, Alvano made 119-of-120 in extra points.
In fact, Alvano has made more 45-plus yard field goals in Memorial Stadium than Bleekrode has made in his career as a Husker.
The numbers never lie and Nebraska will have to track all of them for their kickers this fall camp. However, it seems that Alvano already has an edge.
