2017 State of the Huskers - Running Back

Mavric

Yoda
Staff member
A big shift is coming at the running back position when you consider that the departing Newby had 35 more carries in 2016 than Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon combined.

Ozigbo is the most experienced, having rushed the ball 97 times for 412 yards his sophomore season. It was sort of a strange year for Ozigbo, who had 76 of his carries in the first five games. Some nagging injuries didn't help his cause, though he did materialize in the bowl game with a career-long 42-yard run.

He ran hard even in a game where NU got little done running. Afterward, he admitted one of his focuses has to be becoming better in pass protection.

Bryant and Wilbon will be pushing for more reps, too. Bryant carried 43 times and Wilbon 15 this season. A favorite subject of some fans, Wilbon should have urgency as he enters his upperclassman years.
LJS

 
With Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon I think RB is one of our deepest positions. Plus our O-line will be better next year (I think). /jmho

 
From what I can gather, Newby is a great kid. He came in as a very highly rated player and played well. But, never really showed that special something that quite got to the level of hype he had when getting here. I hope he has great memories of playing here and will always feel a part of the Husker family.

However, I believe we have better RBs behind him coming up. I'm excited about the combination of Ozigbo, Wilbon and Bryant. I think all three bring something different to the table and can be very productive for us moving forward.

I also believe our O line will be better next year...and deeper.

 
With Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon I think RB is one of our deepest positions. Plus our O-line will be better next year (I think). /jmho
Oh yeah. The o-line will be better next year. Just like the last seven or eight years.
We have four of five starters coming back, including our best two: Gates and Farmer. And several guys coming off their red-shirt season. And time for Tanner Farmer to get healthy again. Seems to me like we'll get better rather than worse.

 
With Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon I think RB is one of our deepest positions. Plus our O-line will be better next year (I think). /jmho
Oh yeah. The o-line will be better next year. Just like the last seven or eight years.
We have four of five starters coming back, including our best two: Gates and Farmer. And several guys coming off their red-shirt season. And time for Tanner Farmer to get healthy again. Seems to me like we'll get better rather than worse.
I don't think we'll be worse. Just about the same we have been the last few years.

 
With Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon I think RB is one of our deepest positions. Plus our O-line will be better next year (I think). /jmho
Oh yeah. The o-line will be better next year. Just like the last seven or eight years.
We have four of five starters coming back, including our best two: Gates and Farmer. And several guys coming off their red-shirt season. And time for Tanner Farmer to get healthy again. Seems to me like we'll get better rather than worse.
I don't think we'll be worse. Just about the same we have been the last few years.
Raridon will be much better than Utter. So we should be able to run up the middle. Farmer needs to get pushed by Wilson. Farniok needs to start at RT. I don't think there's any way we actually get worse.
 
With Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon I think RB is one of our deepest positions. Plus our O-line will be better next year (I think). /jmho
Oh yeah. The o-line will be better next year. Just like the last seven or eight years.
We have four of five starters coming back, including our best two: Gates and Farmer. And several guys coming off their red-shirt season. And time for Tanner Farmer to get healthy again. Seems to me like we'll get better rather than worse.
I don't think we'll be worse. Just about the same we have been the last few years.
Raridon will be much better than Utter. So we should be able to run up the middle. Farmer needs to get pushed by Wilson. Farniok needs to start at RT. I don't think there's any way we actually get worse.
Let's hope so. It is Langsdorf's favorite place to run.

I guess my point is, it seems like I see what you're doing after every season. X player will be better than Y player. And then I don't see anything on the field that's any better than the previous year.

 
With Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon I think RB is one of our deepest positions. Plus our O-line will be better next year (I think). /jmho
Oh yeah. The o-line will be better next year. Just like the last seven or eight years.
We have four of five starters coming back, including our best two: Gates and Farmer. And several guys coming off their red-shirt season. And time for Tanner Farmer to get healthy again. Seems to me like we'll get better rather than worse.
I don't think we'll be worse. Just about the same we have been the last few years.
Raridon will be much better than Utter. So we should be able to run up the middle. Farmer needs to get pushed by Wilson. Farniok needs to start at RT. I don't think there's any way we actually get worse.
Let's hope so. It is Langsdorf's favorite place to run.

I guess my point is, it seems like I see what you're doing after every season. X player will be better than Y player. And then I don't see anything on the field that's any better than the previous year.
I have full faith that Raridon could leave here being drafted pretty highly. Pretty good reviews on the guy. High 4 star croot in high school out of Iowa.
 
With Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon I think RB is one of our deepest positions. Plus our O-line will be better next year (I think). /jmho
Oh yeah. The o-line will be better next year. Just like the last seven or eight years.
We have four of five starters coming back, including our best two: Gates and Farmer. And several guys coming off their red-shirt season. And time for Tanner Farmer to get healthy again. Seems to me like we'll get better rather than worse.
I don't think we'll be worse. Just about the same we have been the last few years.
Raridon will be much better than Utter. So we should be able to run up the middle. Farmer needs to get pushed by Wilson. Farniok needs to start at RT. I don't think there's any way we actually get worse.
Let's hope so. It is Langsdorf's favorite place to run. I guess my point is, it seems like I see what you're doing after every season. X player will be better than Y player. And then I don't see anything on the field that's any better than the previous year.
I have full faith that Raridon could leave here being drafted pretty highly. Pretty good reviews on the guy. High 4 star croot in high school out of Iowa.
500 mile radius, he has to be good

 
I don't know when would be the last time our O line would have had as much talent (coming out of HS) as it will have next year across the board....including the two deep.

This is the group I believe our 2 deep is going to come from:

Raridon 4
default_stargold.gif
.9435 RSFR

Farniok 4
default_stargold.gif
.9049 RSFR

Farmer 4
default_stargold.gif
.9021 JR

Gates 4
default_stargold.gif
.8929 JR

Gaylord 3
default_stargold.gif
.8882 SO

Brokop 3
default_stargold.gif
.8847 RSFR

Foster 3
default_stargold.gif
.8708 JR

Wilson 3
default_stargold.gif
.8559 RSFR

Decker 3
default_stargold.gif
.8544 SO

That's an average of .8886.

 
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With Ozigbo, Bryant and Wilbon I think RB is one of our deepest positions. Plus our O-line will be better next year (I think). /jmh
none of our RB's could star at Michigan or Ohio State....an average bunch at best with little help up front....until recruiting improves we are average.

 
I don't know when would be the last time our O line would have had as much talent (coming out of HS) as it will have next year across the board....including the two deep.

This is the group I believe our 2 deep is going to come from:

Raridon 4
default_stargold.gif
.9435

Farniok 4
default_stargold.gif
.9049

Farmer 4
default_stargold.gif
.9021

Gates 4
default_stargold.gif
.8929

Gaylord 3
default_stargold.gif
.8882

Brokop 3
default_stargold.gif
.8847

Foster 3
default_stargold.gif
.8708

Wilson 3
default_stargold.gif
.8559

Decker 3
default_stargold.gif
.8544

That's an average of .8886.
You curiously left out Barnett... maybe you don't think he will contribute, but at least he would have raised your star ranking average.
default_biggrin.png


 
I don't know when would be the last time our O line would have had as much talent (coming out of HS) as it will have next year across the board....including the two deep.

This is the group I believe our 2 deep is going to come from:

Raridon 4
default_stargold.gif
.9435

Farniok 4
default_stargold.gif
.9049

Farmer 4
default_stargold.gif
.9021

Gates 4
default_stargold.gif
.8929

Gaylord 3
default_stargold.gif
.8882

Brokop 3
default_stargold.gif
.8847

Foster 3
default_stargold.gif
.8708

Wilson 3
default_stargold.gif
.8559

Decker 3
default_stargold.gif
.8544

That's an average of .8886.
You curiously left out Barnett... maybe you don't think he will contribute, but at least he would have raised your star ranking average.
default_biggrin.png
Yeah...there's a reason. Not hearing good things there. Hope that changes.

FYI...I also left out Knevel.

 
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I don't know when would be the last time our O line would have had as much talent (coming out of HS) as it will have next year across the board....including the two deep.

This is the group I believe our 2 deep is going to come from:

Raridon 4
default_stargold.gif
.9435 RSFR

Farniok 4
default_stargold.gif
.9049 RSFR

Farmer 4
default_stargold.gif
.9021 JR

Gates 4
default_stargold.gif
.8929 JR

Gaylord 3
default_stargold.gif
.8882 SO

Brokop 3
default_stargold.gif
.8847 RSFR

Foster 3
default_stargold.gif
.8708 JR

Wilson 3
default_stargold.gif
.8559 RSFR

Decker 3
default_stargold.gif
.8544 SO

That's an average of .8886.
Is this their status on fall '17 roster or current one? I really like the fact that we have NO next year if so as that should really help us if we can get busy and bring in some decent guys this year and next and maybe find a couple walk ons that turn out in couple years. Still would like to see another 6 guys on this list so we're 3 deep atleast. I know there may be some not mentioned but still.

 
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