Nebraska Fall Camp Preview for 2024: Special Teams
Matt Rhule’s second fall camp at Nebraska is right around the corner. The HuskerOnline team dives into what to expect from the Huskers with our position-by-position fall camp previews.
We conclude the series with Nebraska’s special teams, as the third element could be as much of an x-factor as any for NU’s success this season.
Related: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB
Key stats and numbers from 2023
| Player | 2023 Snap Count |
| Brian Buschini | 115 |
| Tristan Alvano | 77 |
| Player | Yards Per Punt | Long | Inside the 20 | Average Hang time | Return Percentage |
| Brian Buschini | 37.7 | 60 | 21 | 3.98 seconds | 32.8% |
| Player | Field Goals 0-19 Yards | Field Goals 20-29 Yards | Field Goals 30-39 Yards | Field Goals 40-49 Yards | Field Goals 50+ Yards | Overall Field Goals | Extra Points |
| Tristan Alvano | 0-0 | 2-2 | 4-5 | 2-7 | 1-1 | 9-15 | 27-27 |
What we know right now: There are far more questions than answers on special teams
With the personnel Nebraska returns at its specialist positions, the kicking and punting games wouldn’t figure to be much of an issue heading into fall camp. Yet both spots have been marred by inconsistency over the past year.
Sixth-year senior Brian Buschini returns for a third season in Lincoln. However, he was erratic all of 2023, and his costly shanks often overshadowed his booming punts. Tristan Alvano is back for his sophomore campaign, but he, too, did little to inspire much confidence last year.
Alvano was a solid 6-of-7 on field goals inside of 40 yards, and he hit all 27 of his extra points. But he was also just 3-of-8 from 40-plus and didn’t do much to ease any concerns by going 1 for 3 in the spring game.
The good news is that the Huskers might have more firepower in the return game this season. That should start at kickoff returner, where true freshman Jacory Barney immediately impressed this spring and ripped off a 78-yard runback in the Red-White game.
Emmett Johnson, Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, and Alex Bullock should all continue to compete for reps at punt returner.
Lastly, long snapper is one of the most overlooked positions on the entire team. Nebraska lost one of the best in the business with the departure of Marco Ortiz. After some further offseason attrition, Camden Witucki is now the only LS listed on the roster entering camp.
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Biggest question: Would NU change up its specialists if necessary?
The inconsistency at the two specialist positions ranks as one of Nebraska’s top concerns at the moment. It’s hard to see that changing much until the lights turn on for real again in the season opener.
Obviously, the Huskers hope that Alvano and Buschini settle in and perform to their potential, as both players have plenty of it. But what happens if the shanked punts and missed field goals continue into this season?
The only other scholarship specialist on the roster is true freshman punter Kamdyn Koch, son of former NU and NFL great punter Sam Koch. Kamdyn was the No. 3 punter on the On3 Industry Ranking, and he should at least give Nebraska another option – if needed – this fall.
The Huskers also added a notable walk-on in former Lincoln Southwest/Iowa Western CC kicker John Hohl. The former Coastal Carolina commit was ranked the nation’s No. 1 transfer kicker prospect after the 2024 Kohl’s Southern Showcase Camp.
There’s a significant drop-off in experience from Buschini and Alvano to their respective backups. However, for a team that has lost so many one-score games recently, how long would Nebraska sit through any more erratic kicking?
Projected Fall Camp Special Teams Depth Chart
Kicker
1. Tristan Alvano
2. John Hohl
3. Nico Ottomanelli
Punter
1. Brian Bushini
2. Kamdyn Koch
Long snapper
1. Camden Witucki
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