OWH: Husker Camp Countdown

[Mavric]

#29 - Kieron Williams

 

6-1 | 195 | Senior | S

 

Williams had a strong 2016 season, starting nine games and finishing with 69 tackles and five interceptions, including the game-clinching pick against Minnesota.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#28 - Alex Davis

 

6-5 | 255 | Sophomore | OLB/DE

 

He looks great coming off the bus — now it’s time for Davis, in just his fourth season of organized football, to make it happen in games. He has a real shot to be NU’s starting boundary outside linebacker, but that role requires run-stopping and pass-rushing skill sets that Davis hasn’t quite shown yet.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#27 - Keyan Williams

 

5-10 | 195 | Junior | WR

 

The son of Nebraska wideouts coach Keith Williams, Keyan sat out last season after transferring from Fresno State. He’ll be an immediate factor in the slot, where he’s shown the ability to get open and run good routes. He can catch the ball, too.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#26 - JD Spielman

5-9 | 180 | Redshirt freshman | ATH

Spielman ostensibly will be a slot receiver for the Huskers, but he’s capable of many things. He can be a jet sweep guy. He could even run the ball out of the backfield — he was, among other things in high school, an accomplished running back.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#25 - Eric Lee

 

6-0 | 195 | Sophomore | CB

 

The top-rated prospect from Nebraska’s 2015 recruiting class found his footing — in a big way — this spring under new cornerbacks coach Donte Williams.

 

Lee’s game improved to the point where he’s likely NU’s top nickel cornerback and will be the No. 3 corner overall if Chris Jones or Lamar Jackson gets hurt. Lee shed some bad weight, put on a little muscle, and still has all the natural cover skills he flashed in high school.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

Obviously Jones' injury is the OWH's fault for jinxing him (Lee's write-up posted Friday).

[Mavric]

#24 - Marcus Newby

 

6-1 | 235 | Senior | LB

 

The fifth-year senior from Maryland has done a little bit of everything in his NU career, and this season he’ll be in a natural outside linebacker role that will generally suit him. A little pass coverage, a little pass rushing.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#23 - Luke Gifford

 

6-3 | 235 | Junior | LB

 

The Lincoln Southeast grad looked and sounded like a different player this spring. Bigger body, more confidence, more certitude about his role in new coach Bob Diaco’s defense. Gifford played a strong spring game, too, with a forced fumble and an interception.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

I suppose Gifford and Newby kind of got down-graded because of not knowing which one will start and having a decent replacement available in case of injury/ineffectiveness.

 

But by all accounts Gifford was tearing it up this spring - even with a club on his hand. And not having a starting OLB in the Top 22 seems a bit odd.

[Mavric]

#22 - Tyler Hoppes

 

6-4 | 245 | Senior | TE

 

The Lincoln Southwest graduate, Wayne State transfer and Husker walk-on picked the perfect time to be a senior tight end at Nebraska: He’s No. 1. No one behind him has a career catch, and he’s about to play in an offense that wants to throw to the tight ends 50 to 60 times per season.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#21 - Mikale Wilbon

 

5-9 | 200 | Junior | RB

 

The light appears to have gone on for the shifty runner from Chicago. Wilbon spent the last two seasons getting spot duty and not being able to solidify his role. But this spring — kind of a put-up-or-shut-up period for Wilbon — he made strides as a pass blocker and in learning Nebraska’s pro-style playbook.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#20 - Khalil Davis

 

6-2 | 290 | Sophomore | NT

 

The redshirt sophomore might not be a starter as he learns a new position at nose tackle, but he’ll provide valuable depth behind Mick Stoltenberg — who himself is acclimating to the unfamiliar spot — and be a big body who can clog running lanes and get after the quarterback when necessary.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#19 - David Knevel

 

6-9 | 315 | Senior | RT

 

Knevel and Husker coaches were ready to see what he could do over the course of a full slate of games at right tackle last season before an ankle injury against Oregon hampered his play in multiple contests, forcing him to miss three games late in the year.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#18 - Cole Conrad

 

6-5 | 300 | Junior | OL

 

Nebraska felt strongly enough about Conrad to award the former walk-on from Fremont Bergan a scholarship in January and — in a surprise development — move him into the mix at center this spring to get him on the field. His competition there with Michael Decker will be one of the key position battles of fall camp after Conrad played in all 13 games last year, including five starts at right tackle to end the season after David Knevel’s ankle injury.

 

OWH

[Mavric]

#17 - Drew Brown

 

5-11 | 200 | Senior | Kicker

 

You didn’t hear much from Brown in the spring, which is just how Nebraska wants it when it comes to their senior who has a chance to break most of the school’s career kicking records.

 

Brown connected from 35 and 33 yards in the spring game and was 12 of 14 last fall while hitting all 38 of his PATs. His consistency should give the Huskers a little more flexibility and margin for error as their schedule toughens and tight games abound.

 

OWH