2016 Husker Camp Countdown

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From now until the start of fall camp, The World-Herald will be counting down the top 50 players you need to know heading into the 2016 Husker football season. But first, take a look at the players who just missed that cut.

 

Quayshon Alexander

Jalin Barnett

AJ Bush

Derrion Grim

Charles Jackson

Boaz Joseph

Sedrick King

A.J. Natter

Jordan Ober

John Raridon

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50 - Tyrin Ferguson

6-2 | 225 | So. | LB

After a season primarily spent on special teams, Ferguson will try to poke into the two-deep chart at linebacker, specifically middle linebacker, where Josh Banderas and Chris Weber make a decent 1-2 combination.Ferguson is their equal as an athlete; he just has to pick up the defense.

Possessing height and length to potentially excel in pass coverage, Ferguson will have to be stingy against the run. He figures to be a big part of Nebraska’s special teams on kickoff and perhaps punt coverage. The New Orleans native is one year away from being a major contributor on defense.

 

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49 - Tre Bryant

5-11 | 200 | Freshman | RB

He came in ready. Bryant, a true freshman who fell into Nebraska’s lap late in the recruiting process last season, worked with two personal trainers in preparation for the Huskers’ training camp. He tested off the charts in Nike workouts last summer, averaged 10 yards per carry his last two seasons at St. Louis Christian Brothers High School and ran for 51 touchdowns over that span. He’s a home run hitter. If Bryant picks up the offense quickly — and he thinks he will — he might provide the Huskers with a nice spark. He’s fast and quick twitch, too — a good combination. Bryant could be a big surprise for NU.

 

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48 - Christian Gaylord

6-6 | 300 | Redshirt freshman | OT

Oh, he looks the part. Gaylord has the frame and the athleticism of a prototypical tackle, and because Nebraska doesn’t have a ton of experienced depth at the position, there is a decent chance Gaylord, as perhaps the No. 3 tackle, gets a look if necessary. He redshirted in 2015, gaining weight and learning the ropes of the offensive playbook. He is backing up left tackle Nick Gates but might be able to swing over to right tackle. The other backup tackle is walk-on Sam Hahn, who went to North Dakota State for a season before heading back to the Huskers.

 

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47 - Trey Foster

6-2 | 250 | Senior | TE

A stud blocker who had a big offseason in the weight room, Foster has worked hard to transform from a walk-on to a scholarship player. He’ll be the No. 2 tight end on certain two-tight formations, and he can also line up as an H-back. Though Foster has never been much of a receiver — he has three career catches for 24 yards — his role may expand there, too. Foster is a fifth-year senior and the older brother of teammate Jerald Foster.

 

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46 - The Three-Headed Fullback

Graham Nabity

6-1 | 210 | Senior | FB

Luke McNitt

6-2 | 240 | Junior | FB

Harrison Jordan

5-10 | 230 | Junior | FB

Andy Janovich was one of those rare fullbacks who is such a star in so many areas that he gets drafted by an NFL team. He will not be easy to replace, but NU’s roster size — and strong walk-on program — will make it possible and likely.

Together, Nabity, McNitt and Jordan will fill the fullback role. Each has a slightly different talent; of the three, Nabity is perhaps the most complete and the best runner, while McNitt will be more of an H-back and a pass catcher. Jordan is a sturdy lead blocker, a masher who can pop some serious pads.

 

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45 - Michael Decker

6-4 | 285 | Redshirt freshman | C

A strong spring camp points the way to what could be an important season for Decker, who at Omaha North was one of the better in-state offensive linemen in recent memory. Decker figures to back up senior center Dylan Utter, but his talent is worth watching because he’s smart and has good strength for a youngster. Decker started the spring game because Utter missed it with an injury. Husker centers rarely make it a full year without missing a start, so Decker should get some game minutes.

 

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44 - Corey Whitaker

6-6 | 295 | Senior | G

A fifth-year senior who has battled several injuries, Whitaker will battle Tanner Farmer for the starting job at right guard. Farmer seemed to have a slight edge in spring, but offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh likes what Whitaker brings in terms of work ethic and improved technique.

Even if Whitaker doesn’t win the starting job, he might be someone Cavanaugh trusts to play in games, which earns him a series or two.

 

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43 - Peyton Newell

6-3 | 290 | Soph. | DT

It took a few years for Newell, a decorated high school player out of Hiawatha (Kansas), to grow into the frame he now possesses, but now that he’s done it, he should have a decent chance at a lot of playing time. Newell had a few nice plays in the spring game and, given Nebraska’s lack of depth and experience at defensive tackle, he should play 10 to 20 snaps per game, presuming he stays healthy.

 

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42 - Luke Gifford

6-3 | 230 | Soph. | LB

One of the better pass defenders at the position, Gifford put on good weight in the offseason and stands as one of NU’s bigger ’backers as a result. A former safety and quarterback at Lincoln Southeast, Gifford successfully transitioned to linebacker over two seasons, finishing with seven tackles in 2015. He appeared in just six games because of injuries. When healthy, Gifford is a legitimate option for third-down pass defense. He has nice drops into coverage and good length. He’ll keep coming as a run defender.

 

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41 - DaiShon Neal

6-7 | 270 | Redshirt freshman | DE

 

When Neal walks off the bus or onto the field, he looks like a college football player. That’s what one redshirt year in the weight room can do. Now, Neal figures to be a major player at a defensive end spot that needs his size and strength against the run. He appeared fully recovered in the spring from a leg injury that kept him out in 2015. Neal is a natural, burly base end who may be No. 2 at the start of the year. Once he gets his feet wet in the college game, the Omaha Central graduate projects to a multiyear starter.

 

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41 - Eric Lee

6-0 | 190 | Redshirt freshman | CB

He spent his first season at Nebraska dueling in practice with the team’s top receivers. But this athletic and instinctive cornerback, who earned rave reviews as a highly touted recruit from Colorado, won’t be on the scout team any longer.

The Huskers have open spots on their depth chart behind juniors Joshua Kalu and Chris Jones. Lee provided a glimpse of his cover skills this spring. He possesses a good dose of physicality, too. At the very least, there likely will be a place on special teams for him.

 

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39 - Avery Anderson

6-0 | 185 | Redshirt freshman | S

Bulking up became a major part of Anderson’s focus last fall, as he made the switch from cornerback to safety during his redshirt year. He’ll have more work to do during this summer’s weight training sessions as well. But still, he’s shown a natural feel for the game, practicing both on defense and with special teams units.

He eventually projects as a fluid, ball-hawking safety, able to run with speedsters or lay a lick on sturdy running backs. But even as he’s maturing, expect to see some of Anderson this season.

 

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38 - Carlos Davis

6-2 | 295 | Redshirt freshman | DT

He nearly played last season. One more injury would have likely forced the coaches’ hand. Davis was working at defensive end and tackle in Nebraska’s two-deep system, but the Huskers ultimately managed the depth concerns without him, which was the right call. Davis needed time to develop. He still does. But he and his twin brother, Khalil, will likely have to grow up quickly in the heat of battle this fall. There aren’t many options at defensive tackle. A relentless, potential-filled prospect such as Carlos has to get a shot.

 

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37 - Ryker Fyfe

6-3 | 215 | Senior | QB

The moment he’d spent three years preparing for didn’t go as planned last year. Fyfe threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in a rough afternoon at Purdue. His quick release and fearless mentality are good traits, but they can get him into trouble when the play breaks down — which is what seemed to happen that day.

The Grand Island product is a competitor who’s always working to prove himself, though. So NU’s top backup quarterback will be ready for another shot, if he gets it.

 

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