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Twelve players to watch this spring
By the Lincoln Journal Star
Sunday, Mar 18, 2007 - 12:29:25 am CDT
OFFENSE
Carl Nicks, left tackle
Nebraska’s offensive line should be the strongest it has been since Bill Callahan arrived on campus four years ago, with Nicks leading the way at the line’s most important position. He switches from right tackle to the left side in the wake of Chris Patrick’s decision to skip his senior season to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound Nicks last season started two of the Huskers’ last three games. “He’s got all of the attributes you look for — he’s smart, tough, very physical, very athletic,” Callahan said. “There’s no question in our minds we’d like to get a little more size at that position.”
Sam Keller, quarterback
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OK, this is a no-brainer. Let’s see what the kid has to offer and not waste too much time because he won’t be here for long (he has one season of eligibility remaining). In seven games as Arizona State’s starter in 2005, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Keller threw for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns, with nine interceptions. He has big shoes to fill if he’s chosen to replace Zac Taylor, who was a Grade-A leader. Keller has good toughness and throws the deep ball well, said former Sun Devils head coach Dirk Koetter.
Joe Ganz, quarterback
The kid is serious about winning the starting job, although odds seem stacked against him. In fact, Ganz said recently he wants the starting position “as badly as anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.” A 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior from suburban Chicago, Ganz appeared in four games as a reserve last season, completing 7 of 13 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Ganz is a good scrambler with a decent arm. Most important, he has garnered the respect of his teammates. Players like to play for him, Husker coaches say.
Marlon Lucky, I-back
The junior from Los Angeles has a chance to solidify his spot atop the depth chart, what with injuries to Kenny Wilson (staph infection in knee) and Cody Glenn (foot sprain). Wilson is ruled out for spring, while Glenn’s status is “day-to-day,” Callahan said. The coach has said Lucky has come back well from an unspecified medical emergency in mid-February. Behind Lucky this spring will be incoming freshman Marcus Mendoza and converted safety Major Culbert. As was the case in December, during bowl preparation, Lucky may be asked to carry a heavy load.
Lydon Murtha, right tackle
Murtha started three games last season (twice at left tackle, once on the right). At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, he combines with Nicks to give Nebraska a formidable pair of bookend tackles — that is, assuming Murtha begins to consistently live up to his seemingly enormous potential. He hasn’t achieved consistency to this point. At any rate, he’ll begin the spring No. 1 on the right side ahead of redshirt freshman D.J. Jones, a 6-5, 315-pound Omaha Central graduate. NU coaches rave about Jones and fellow redshirt freshman o-linemen Keith Williams (the top backup at right guard behind Matt Slauson) and Cruz Barrett (a reserve left guard).
Will Henry, “X” wide receiver
This is a “sleeper” selection. The redshirt freshman will have to work extremely hard to acquire playing time in a group of “X” wideouts that also includes Maurice Purify, Nate Swift, Todd Peterson, Menelik Holt and Chris Brooks. “If you look at that group as a whole, it’s impressive,” Callahan said. “They have size, speed and playmaking ability. We just have to find more creative ways of getting them on the field.” Regarding the 6-5, 200-pound Henry, Callahan said, “I’m excited about looking at Will this spring. He’s a guy who ran really well on our (winter) timing day. He’s really put a lot into the offseason program.”
DEFENSE
Ndamukong Suh, nose tackle
A 6-foot-4, 315-pound sophomore, Suh is the favorite to capture the starting job ahead of incoming junior college transfer Shukree Barfield and senior Brandon Johnson. Callahan said he regards Suh as an “emerging leader” on the team. “He’s a vocal guy. He cares. He’s concerned. He’s a guy who wants to play at a high level, and wants the people around him to work and play at a high level,” the coach said. Suh made eight tackles for losses last season, including 31/2 sacks. He gives NU a chance to be stronger at this position than last year.
Ty Steinkuhler, defensive tackle
Forget previous rumblings of Steinkuhler perhaps moving to “base” end. He’s the prohibitive favorite to hold down the interior line position situated right next to the nose tackle, knowns as the “three-technique.” Said Callahan: “Steinkuhler, you can’t say enough good things about him. He’s bigger. He’s changed his body. He’s more square when you see him now. His upper body is much wider, broader. He’s faster. He’s thicker in his lowers. That’s a tough position. But if there’s anybody capable of holding it down, it would be him.” A junior from Lincoln Southwest, Steinkuhler had 22 tackles last season, including three for losses.
Pierre Allen, “base” end
Judging from Callahan’s comments, it appears Allen, a redshirt freshman from Denver, could push junior Zach Potter for the starting role at Adam Carriker’s former position. “He’s going to play,” the coach said. “Does he have to improve? Certainly. But I see the athleticism. I see the levers that he has. He’s got long arms. He’s a big-hand guy. He’s quick-twitched. He shows that quickness about him that lends itself to making plays.” Allen arrived at Nebraska last summer weighing 220-225 pounds. He now checks in at 266. “He’s at a good weight, and he’s learning how to handle it, and that’s a process within itself,” Callahan said.
Clayton Sievers, “open” end
Come August, Sievers will compete with fellow junior Barry Turner to decide who succeeds Jay Moore as starter. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Sievers could gain an edge in the race with a good spring since Turner is sidelined with a shoulder injury. To this point in his NU career, Sievers has changed positions frequently. Last season he moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart at SAM linebacker while also appearing as a defensive end in the Huskers’ nickel package and tight end in short-yardage and goal-line situations. “I think he’ll find a home (at defensive end),” Callahan said. “But he’s got great versatility.”
Bo Ruud, strongside linebacker
Ruud, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior, moves over from the weakside position to replace three-year starter Stewart Bradley. Ruud’s position switch ends a two-year battle with Steve Octavien at weakside linebacker and perhaps paves the way for the oft-injured Octavien to claim a full-time starting role. “You’d always like to have them (Ruud and Octavien) on the field at the same time,” NU defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “But, you know, we had Stew last season, and I wasn’t taking Stew off the field.” Ruud was the obvious choice to move to the strong side because of his height and athleticism.
Rickey Thenarse, strong safety
Juco transfer Larry Asante has been penciled in as the starter at strong safety. But don’t count out Thenarse. The 6-foot, 190-pound Thenarse, a sophomore, played sparingly at cornerback last season but made a big impression on special teams. “If you had an opportunity to watch our kickoff coverage, Rickey’s a physical, collision player,” Callahan said. “If you can envision him coming down and supporting the run, it gives you a safety who’s aggressive, who can come down and lay the wood on somebody and is a sure tackler.” Plus, “He’s a gym rat-type guy. He’s always up here (in the office), always studying film.”
Twelve players to watch this spring
By the Lincoln Journal Star
Sunday, Mar 18, 2007 - 12:29:25 am CDT
OFFENSE
Carl Nicks, left tackle
Nebraska’s offensive line should be the strongest it has been since Bill Callahan arrived on campus four years ago, with Nicks leading the way at the line’s most important position. He switches from right tackle to the left side in the wake of Chris Patrick’s decision to skip his senior season to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound Nicks last season started two of the Huskers’ last three games. “He’s got all of the attributes you look for — he’s smart, tough, very physical, very athletic,” Callahan said. “There’s no question in our minds we’d like to get a little more size at that position.”
Sam Keller, quarterback
Advertisement
OK, this is a no-brainer. Let’s see what the kid has to offer and not waste too much time because he won’t be here for long (he has one season of eligibility remaining). In seven games as Arizona State’s starter in 2005, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Keller threw for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns, with nine interceptions. He has big shoes to fill if he’s chosen to replace Zac Taylor, who was a Grade-A leader. Keller has good toughness and throws the deep ball well, said former Sun Devils head coach Dirk Koetter.
Joe Ganz, quarterback
The kid is serious about winning the starting job, although odds seem stacked against him. In fact, Ganz said recently he wants the starting position “as badly as anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.” A 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior from suburban Chicago, Ganz appeared in four games as a reserve last season, completing 7 of 13 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Ganz is a good scrambler with a decent arm. Most important, he has garnered the respect of his teammates. Players like to play for him, Husker coaches say.
Marlon Lucky, I-back
The junior from Los Angeles has a chance to solidify his spot atop the depth chart, what with injuries to Kenny Wilson (staph infection in knee) and Cody Glenn (foot sprain). Wilson is ruled out for spring, while Glenn’s status is “day-to-day,” Callahan said. The coach has said Lucky has come back well from an unspecified medical emergency in mid-February. Behind Lucky this spring will be incoming freshman Marcus Mendoza and converted safety Major Culbert. As was the case in December, during bowl preparation, Lucky may be asked to carry a heavy load.
Lydon Murtha, right tackle
Murtha started three games last season (twice at left tackle, once on the right). At 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, he combines with Nicks to give Nebraska a formidable pair of bookend tackles — that is, assuming Murtha begins to consistently live up to his seemingly enormous potential. He hasn’t achieved consistency to this point. At any rate, he’ll begin the spring No. 1 on the right side ahead of redshirt freshman D.J. Jones, a 6-5, 315-pound Omaha Central graduate. NU coaches rave about Jones and fellow redshirt freshman o-linemen Keith Williams (the top backup at right guard behind Matt Slauson) and Cruz Barrett (a reserve left guard).
Will Henry, “X” wide receiver
This is a “sleeper” selection. The redshirt freshman will have to work extremely hard to acquire playing time in a group of “X” wideouts that also includes Maurice Purify, Nate Swift, Todd Peterson, Menelik Holt and Chris Brooks. “If you look at that group as a whole, it’s impressive,” Callahan said. “They have size, speed and playmaking ability. We just have to find more creative ways of getting them on the field.” Regarding the 6-5, 200-pound Henry, Callahan said, “I’m excited about looking at Will this spring. He’s a guy who ran really well on our (winter) timing day. He’s really put a lot into the offseason program.”
DEFENSE
Ndamukong Suh, nose tackle
A 6-foot-4, 315-pound sophomore, Suh is the favorite to capture the starting job ahead of incoming junior college transfer Shukree Barfield and senior Brandon Johnson. Callahan said he regards Suh as an “emerging leader” on the team. “He’s a vocal guy. He cares. He’s concerned. He’s a guy who wants to play at a high level, and wants the people around him to work and play at a high level,” the coach said. Suh made eight tackles for losses last season, including 31/2 sacks. He gives NU a chance to be stronger at this position than last year.
Ty Steinkuhler, defensive tackle
Forget previous rumblings of Steinkuhler perhaps moving to “base” end. He’s the prohibitive favorite to hold down the interior line position situated right next to the nose tackle, knowns as the “three-technique.” Said Callahan: “Steinkuhler, you can’t say enough good things about him. He’s bigger. He’s changed his body. He’s more square when you see him now. His upper body is much wider, broader. He’s faster. He’s thicker in his lowers. That’s a tough position. But if there’s anybody capable of holding it down, it would be him.” A junior from Lincoln Southwest, Steinkuhler had 22 tackles last season, including three for losses.
Pierre Allen, “base” end
Judging from Callahan’s comments, it appears Allen, a redshirt freshman from Denver, could push junior Zach Potter for the starting role at Adam Carriker’s former position. “He’s going to play,” the coach said. “Does he have to improve? Certainly. But I see the athleticism. I see the levers that he has. He’s got long arms. He’s a big-hand guy. He’s quick-twitched. He shows that quickness about him that lends itself to making plays.” Allen arrived at Nebraska last summer weighing 220-225 pounds. He now checks in at 266. “He’s at a good weight, and he’s learning how to handle it, and that’s a process within itself,” Callahan said.
Clayton Sievers, “open” end
Come August, Sievers will compete with fellow junior Barry Turner to decide who succeeds Jay Moore as starter. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Sievers could gain an edge in the race with a good spring since Turner is sidelined with a shoulder injury. To this point in his NU career, Sievers has changed positions frequently. Last season he moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart at SAM linebacker while also appearing as a defensive end in the Huskers’ nickel package and tight end in short-yardage and goal-line situations. “I think he’ll find a home (at defensive end),” Callahan said. “But he’s got great versatility.”
Bo Ruud, strongside linebacker
Ruud, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior, moves over from the weakside position to replace three-year starter Stewart Bradley. Ruud’s position switch ends a two-year battle with Steve Octavien at weakside linebacker and perhaps paves the way for the oft-injured Octavien to claim a full-time starting role. “You’d always like to have them (Ruud and Octavien) on the field at the same time,” NU defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “But, you know, we had Stew last season, and I wasn’t taking Stew off the field.” Ruud was the obvious choice to move to the strong side because of his height and athleticism.
Rickey Thenarse, strong safety
Juco transfer Larry Asante has been penciled in as the starter at strong safety. But don’t count out Thenarse. The 6-foot, 190-pound Thenarse, a sophomore, played sparingly at cornerback last season but made a big impression on special teams. “If you had an opportunity to watch our kickoff coverage, Rickey’s a physical, collision player,” Callahan said. “If you can envision him coming down and supporting the run, it gives you a safety who’s aggressive, who can come down and lay the wood on somebody and is a sure tackler.” Plus, “He’s a gym rat-type guy. He’s always up here (in the office), always studying film.”
