Husker Camp Countdown: NU’s top 50 players heading into 2013

[Mavric]

Remember all that hype for Mike Marrow last offseason? Where'd he go?

Zimmerer and Janovich are the present and future.

According to the article NUance just linked, Marrow was working at I-Back this spring.

 

[NUance]

Husker Camp Countdown: No. 17 Jake Cotton

By Sam McKewon, Omaha World Herald, PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013 AT 7:00 AM / UPDATED AT 6:49 PM

Jake Cotton | 6-foot-6 | 305 pounds | Jr. | OT

Slowed by injuries — including a devastating ACL tear in 2011 — for most of his Husker career, Cotton should be healthier this year than he’s been since early in 2011.

<snip> Though coaches occasionally have to tell Cotton to take his intensity down a notch in practice, they’ll like having that competitive edge in games.

LINK

 

[Mavric]

Husker Camp Countdown: No. 17 Jake Cotton

By Sam McKewon, Omaha World Herald, PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013 AT 7:00 AM / UPDATED AT 6:49 PM

Jake Cotton | 6-foot-6 | 305 pounds | Jr. | OT

Slowed by injuries — including a devastating ACL tear in 2011 — for most of his Husker career, Cotton should be healthier this year than he’s been since early in 2011.

<snip> Though coaches occasionally have to tell Cotton to take his intensity down a notch in practice, they’ll like having that competitive edge in games.

LINK

Jake Cotton | 6-foot-6 | 305 pounds | Jr. | OT

We’re penciling in the middle of tight ends coach Barney Cotton’s three sons as the starter at left guard.

:dunno

 

[The Dude]

Yeah, it's weird they listed him as OT in 2013. Many projected him to start over Spencer Long at right guard before he got injured, all the way back in 2011.

 

[Mavric]

Yeah, it's weird they listed him as OT in 2013. Many projected him to start over Spencer Long at right guard before he got injured, all the way back in 2011.

Obviously missed out on some experience but seems to have the talent of a returning starter. I think our OLine is trending the right way for the first time in a decade.

 

[The Dude]

Yeah, it's weird they listed him as OT in 2013. Many projected him to start over Spencer Long at right guard before he got injured, all the way back in 2011.

Obviously missed out on some experience but seems to have the talent of a returning starter. I think our OLine is trending the right way for the first time in a decade.

I saw enough in the Georgia game to conclude, at worst, there will be no drop off from Choi. Most likely will be an improvement.

He brings an attitude any run heavy offense desperately needs.

 

[NUance]

Husker Camp Countdown: No. 16 Thad RandleBy Sam McKewon, Omaha World Herald, PUBLISHED THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2013 AT 7:00 AM / UPDATED AT 7:27 PM

Thad Randle | 6-foot-1 | 290 pounds | Sr. | DT

<snip> Randle sat out the spring to heal. He’ll have to be at full strength in the fall, because there isn’t any experienced depth behind him.

LINK

IIRC, when he was recruited Pelini compared Thad Randle to his former LSU behemoth Glenn Dorsey. Unfortunately, injuries have kept us from finding out whether that comparison was valid.

 

[NUance]

Husker Camp Countdown: No. 15 Jake Long

By Sam McKewon, Omaha World Herald, PUBLISHED FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2013 AT 7:00 AM / UPDATED AT 6:43 PM

Jake Long | 6-foot-4 | 240 pounds | Sr. | Tight end

<snip> (Walk-on Jake Long) doesn’t have Cotton’s size or Reed’s speed, but has a mix of both and should be a useful contributor in his final season. Long caught six passes as a junior, including a touchdown against Southern Mississippi. The two-time Academic All-Big Ten pick is the twin brother of NU guard Spencer Long, a second-team All-American last season.

LINK

As much as I like Jake Long, we're gonna miss Ben Cotton and Kyler Reed at TE. They were about as complete a tandem of TE's as we've had in, well, forever.

 

[NUance]

Husker Camp Countdown: No. 14 Jeremiah Sirles

By Rich Kaipust, Omaha World Herald, PUBLISHED SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 AT 7:00 AM / UPDATED AT 7:48 PM

Jeremiah Sirles | 6-foot-6 | 310 pounds | Sr. | Offensive tackle

<snip> One of Sirles’ strengths and biggest assets is his ability to play either the left or right side, which allowed NU to split time last season at tackle among Sirles, Brent Qvale and Andrew Rodriguez.

Sirles is coming off a junior season in which he was voted second-team All-Big Ten, and he starts next season on the Outland Trophy watch list.

LINK

Sirles is one of those guys who quietly goes about his task. The whole game will be played without mention of his name. Which is generally good for an offensive lineman.

 

[Mavric]

I like the run on the guys in the trenches (and I'm including blockers at TE and FB). It always starts up front.

 

[NUance]

I like the run on the guys in the trenches (and I'm including blockers at TE and FB). It always starts up front.

Yeah, I use that cliché a lot myself. And like a lot of clichés, it is absolutely true. I'm guessing we'll see a few more down lineman on both sides of the ball before this list plays out.

 

[Mavric]

Husker Camp Countdown: No. 13 Josh MitchellBy Rich Kaipust, Omaha World Herald, PUBLISHED SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2013 AT 7:00 AM

Josh Mitchell | 5-foot-10 | 160 pounds | Jr. | Cornerback

Small in stature but a big heart (and potential leader) on this Husker defense. Mitchell relies on his athleticism and his ability to make plays on the ball. That led to an increase in playing time at cornerback last season, when he started eight games at a position where Nebraska again will be stacked in 2013.

LINK

 

[True2tRA]

Harvey Jackson and Charles Jackson starting safeties ? Is that what we are thinking at this point? If so, that might be one of the best pairs of safeties we've seen here in a long time. Speed, viscous hitters, and I think both have a nose for the football.

 

[Warrior10]

Harvey Jackson and Charles Jackson starting safeties ? Is that what we are thinking at this point? If so, that might be one of the best pairs of safeties we've seen here in a long time. Speed, viscous hitters, and I think both have a nose for the football.

I wouldn't count out Cooper.... and he is the most vicious hitter of the group in my opinion.

 

[Mavric]

Speaking of Cooper ...

Husker Camp Countdown: No. 12 Corey CooperBy Rich Kaipust, Omaha World Herald, PUBLISHED MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 AT 7:00 AM

Corey Cooper | 6-foot-1 | 210pounds | Jr. | Safety

His size and versatility serve him well at one of the most important positions in a Bo Pelini defense. So far, Cooper has not only played safety but dabbled at cornerback and both dime and nickel roles. Also, Cooper will have the same position coach (Terry Joseph) for the second straight season for the first time in his Husker career.

LINK