2018 Husker Camp Countdown

[Mavric]

Our 2018 list — 11 honorable mention and a top 50 — was already littered with 14 freshmen and seven newcomers, including each of Nebraska’s junior college signees and Utah graduate transfer defensive tackle Vaha Vainuku. That is on top of so many sophomores who made the list.

In short, this is one of youngest, newest rosters Nebraska has had in years. New coach Scott Frost overhauled this thing in near-record time. While NU will take a few lumps with the Big Ten’s hardest schedule, it will pay off in 2019, when most of these players have valuable experience and the schedule softens.

Honorable mentions
Tre Bryant 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, junior, RB

Collin Miller 6-3, 235, sophomore, OLB

Caleb Tannor 6-3, 225, freshman, OLB

Kurt Rafdal 6-7, 230, redshirt freshman, TE

Justin McGriff 6-6, 220, freshman, ATH

Jordan Ober 6-1, 225, senior, LS

Avery Roberts 6-1, 230, sophomore, ILB

John Raridon 6-4, 290, sophomore, OG

Guy Thomas 6-3, 200, redshirt freshman, OLB

Vaha Vainuku 6-3, 295, junior, DT

Hunter Miller 6-5, 275, redshirt freshman, C

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#50 - Damion Daniels

6-2 | 310 | Redshirt freshman | DL

Nebraska didn’t have to find out what it would do without Mick Stoltenberg at nose tackle last year as the Gretna big man started every game. Now Daniels gives the Huskers another viable option at the position after redshirting last year and, if his listed weight is accurate, dropping 20 pounds.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#49 - Peyton Newell

6-3 | 295 | Senior | DL

Newell has had ample opportunity to leave Nebraska during a career in which he has had twice as many position coaches (four) as total tackles (two). But the Hiawatha, Kansas, native changed his fortunes this spring while making big gains under strength coach Zach Duval — the lineman said he added 23 pounds of muscle — and taking practice snaps as the No. 1 nose tackle with Mick Stoltenberg out because of an injury. Newell will help ease redshirt freshman Damion Daniels’ transition as the middle lineman in a three-man front and could build on his role last year as a contributor on special teams. D-linemen don’t grow on trees, and this one finally looks ready to produce.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#48 - Matt Sichterman

6-5 | 270 | Redshirt freshman | OL

Sichterman could be a late-game reserve or crunch-time contributor depending on what happens ahead of him on the depth chart. If this fall plays out like 2017 — with injuries to multiple right tackles that tested the Huskers’ depth — the Cincinnati product could quickly become a familiar name. A backup tackle in the spring, Sichterman worked with the second unit behind projected right tackle starter Matt Farniok. With four starting linemen back, perhaps the ideal path for the aspiring computer programmer is to pick up some game experience this season before shifting to a larger role in 2019 and beyond.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#47 - Barret Pickering

6-0 • 180 • Freshman • K

Can Pickering continue the decades-long run of consistency from Nebraska kickers? The Huskers certainly hope so, especially considering the gantlet they will face this fall. One of the Mike Riley commits to stick with Scott Frost and Co., Pickering was rated the No. 4 kicker in his class by Rivals and is the favorite to replace four-year starter Drew Brown. But the Alabaman has plenty to prove as well, considering he missed a 27-yard field goal in the spring game and likely will not handle kickoff duties. Walk-on Cole Frahm is the other name to watch as the position battle continues into preseason camp.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#46 - Boe Wilson

6-3 • 295 • Sophomore • OL

A consensus three-star recruit from the 2016 class, Wilson rarely saw playing time on the line last year even as injuries and fan outcry mounted. The Lee’s Summit, Missouri, product pushed right guard starter Tanner Farmer and figures to be an option at either spot should the need arise. But as evidenced by when coaches occasionally inserted him as a blocking fullback late last season, he also moves well enough for consideration at tackle. Wilson found a niche as a shield protector on the punt unit in 2017 and should at least contribute something similar in his third year in the program.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#45 - DaiShon Neal

6-7 • 292 • Junior • DL

The former Omaha Central standout came to Nebraska with high hopes but said this spring he often doubted his abilities as a Division I player. Recruited to compete on a four-man front, Neal has navigated the learning curve and is back to the confident playmaker who had schools such as Iowa and Michigan offering him scholarships. One of Nebraska’s tallest players, he added 17 pounds before the spring game. Perhaps that scrimmage — when Neal racked up four tackles (two sacks) and recovered a fumble — is a sign of things to come for a defender with three total tackles in his Husker career.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#44 - Deontre Thomas

6-3 • 280 • Sophomore • DL

Thomas has as much to gain as anyone from Nebraska’s coaching transition. One of two true freshmen to play on defense last year, Thomas played well behind Mick Stoltenberg at nose tackle while notching 14 tackles. The Oklahoma native will likely see more time at his natural end position while trading in a wait-and-see approach that marked the 2017 Blackshirts for the aggressive style he thrived in during high school. Starters Carlos Davis and Freedom Akinmoladun will be tough to unseat, but Thomas — along with Khalil Davis — appear to be the next men up.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#43 - Cam Taylor

6-0 • 190 • Freshman • CB

The book is far from written on Taylor, who will begin at cornerback but could move to a variety of positions, including wide receiver, after starring as a dual-threat quarterback in high school in Montgomery, Alabama. Taylor says he prefers the physicality of playing defense, and defensive coordinator Erik Chinander compared him to former Central Florida corner and first-round NFL draft pick Mike Hughes. His quickness and Nebraska’s lack of depth at the position means he’s a candidate for early playing time, but he will have to earn it after not enrolling early and watching the spring game from the sideline.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

#42 - Jaevon McQuitty

6-0 • 195 • Redshirt freshman • WR

McQuitty may have lost his under-the-radar status in the spring game, when the consensus four-star prospect with seven Big Ten offers reeled in three catches for 33 yards — including a 25-yard touchdown. The Missouri product missed last season after an injury in fall camp and was sidelined by a shoulder injury for last year’s spring game. Now healthy, a place in Scott Frost’s explosive offense awaits. And if opponents double-team wideouts like Stanley Morgan and JD Spielman, success could come quickly.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

[No message]

 

[Mierin]

OWH

Are we actually 42 days from camp? They've been known to call these things countdowns with some arbitrary end date.

 

[Mavric]

Are we actually 42 days from camp? They've been known to call these things countdowns with some arbitrary end date.

I don't think they're counting down to a specific date.  Just counting down the list of player with what we know about them going into fall camp.

I think the story was Camp was going to start in late July so we're probably in the 30-35 days to camp range.

 

[Mierin]

I don't think they're counting down to a specific date.  Just counting down the list of player with what we know about them going into fall camp.

I think the story was Camp was going to start in late July so we're probably in the 30-35 days to camp range.

Ok. I will adjust my planner.

 

[Mavric]

#41 - Tyrin Ferguson

6-2 • 225 • Junior • Outside linebacker

Count the New Orleans native among a group of outside linebackers looking to make a move at a position ready for someone to step up. Ferguson’s path to this point has been unconventional, playing on special teams as a true freshman before redshirting his second year. He made three tackles and an interception last season as a backup and could have enjoyed a much bigger fall in the wake of Luke Gifford’s season-ending hip injury had he not been dealing with his own ailment (turf toe). NU outside linebackers coach Jovan Dewitt has said Ferguson has strong coverage skills but could truly elevate his game — and stay ahead of some hungry younger players — if his pass-rush abilities progress. 

OWH