NU Line looks promising

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Link

 

LINCOLN - There's a youth movement under way on Nebraska's offensive line.

 

With players such as freshman Jacob Hickman (6-foot-4, 280 pounds), sophomores Andy Christensen (6-3, 300) Lydon Murtha (6-7, 315), Matt Slauson (6-5, 335), Mike Huff (6-4, 305) and juniors Brett Byford (6-3, 300) and Carl Nicks (6-5, 325) making solid contributions, Nebraska's offensive line should have a bright future.

 

"We're really excited about the future of our line," NU offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said. "We've got some young guys that have played really well for us this season, and we've even got some young guys on our scout team that have played very well in practice."

 

Norvell pointed to three scout-team players in particular - freshmen D.J. Jones (6-5, 315), Keith Williams (6-5, 310) and Cruz Barrett (6-4, 320) - as players who have been particularly impressive.

 

"They're as big as a house and can move around really well," he said.

 

The Huskers will lose two seniors from their offensive line next season in guard Greg Austin and center Kurt Mann. Of the 16 returning linemen next year, six will be either sophomores or redshirt freshmen.

 

"I think our younger offensive linemen have showed a lot of what we can accomplish in the future," Christensen said. "Our O-line has a great future ahead of it. We have a lot of guys here that can step up and continue what we've started this season."

 

What the Huskers have started this season is a drastic improvement from last season. Nebraska ranks 17th in the country with 182.6 rushing yards per game. Last season, it ranked 107th nationally with 96 yards per contest.

 

The numbers are impressive when considering the losses the Huskers have had to overcome on the offensive line.

 

Mann, who had started 24 consecutive games at center, missed five games with typhoid mononucleosis and hasn't started since the season opener. Austin has been plagued with knee injuries all season, missing three games.

 

But because of the Huskers' young talent up front, the offense has been able to show progress.

 

"Some of us knew we'd be involved in the rotation this season, but others didn't know it'd be this much," Christensen said. "There are always injuries every year, and guys have to be ready to step up. We've been able to do that so far."

 

But there still is plenty of fine-tuning to do. How good the line is a year from now remains to be seen, but optimism is apparent.

 

"These guys are really going to help us in the future," Norvell said. "As those guys continue to get better, our offense will continue to improve in the next couple years."

 

 

[FriscoTXHusker]

Maaannnn those guys are huge. If they're smart and quick our O is going to be excellent.

[huskernumerouno]

They named 9 players over 300 pounds, that is HUGE

[Syzygyone]

They named 9 players over 300 pounds, that is HUGE

 

 

 

Man oh man alive. How many steers do you have to slaughter just the feed to O-LINE!

[DaveH]

They named 9 players over 300 pounds, that is HUGE

I think that used to be a huge advantage for NU in the 90's. Our guys were simply bigger than the other guys up front. However, now a lot of schools have that size guys as well.

[cmb23]

They named 9 players over 300 pounds, that is HUGE

I think that used to be a huge advantage for NU in the 90's. Our guys were simply bigger than the other guys up front. However, now a lot of schools have that size guys as well.

 

You mean Carriker isn't the ONLY 6'6" 290lb. D-lineman?!?!?

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

Was the "Pipeline" only the nickname for the '95 line? If so, the new group needs a nickname next year. Something like "Bulldozer Crew"....

[Hawkeyehusker]

Those guys on the scout team sound promising. They should see a lot of action in the spring game. We have a lot of talent sitting the bench all the way up and down the depth chart.

[Jarred04]

Just thought I'd mention; Andy and I grew up together. I have known him since we were 4 or 5. I am so happy he is getting his chance, and has done so well this year. This could be a strong point for our team in the next few years, and I am happy to see he is a part of it.

[IlliniHusker]

I personnally think that the O-Line play this year is more responsible for the team's success than anything else! The very young O linemen are an amazing story and somewhat under reported. The success that our RB's & WR's have had are largely the result of the O-Line.

Can you catch the vision of how much better our offense will be next year?

I believe in playing one game at a time, but the FUTURE LOOKS GREAT!

[Touchdown Tommie]

I am very excited about DJ Jones....he has seemed to get a lot of hype. This looks promising....the scout team is going against the likes of one the best front 7 in college football. I am sure they are learning a lot and will use that knowledge in the future.

[ttheKid1*18]

I am very excited about DJ Jones....he has seemed to get a lot of hype. This looks promising....the scout team is going against the likes of one the best front 7 in college football. I am sure they are learning a lot and will use that knowledge in the future.

I am too. He is going to be a good player imo

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Our line is going to be freakin huge!!!!! We are going to be pushing some people around the next couple of years!!!!

[Arntt2006]

I am very excited about DJ Jones....he has seemed to get a lot of hype. This looks promising....the scout team is going against the likes of one the best front 7 in college football. I am sure they are learning a lot and will use that knowledge in the future.

 

He lives two rooms down from me and that guy is frickin HUGE. Im 6'5" and I feel small next to him. He's going to be an animal!

[HuskerHank]

Dont forget the Roark brother that transfered from the Sooners.