2018 Husker Camp Countdown

#6 - Greg Bell

6-0, 205 • Junior • Running back

Lean, light and slithery, Bell comes to Nebraska after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Arizona Western. He was the nation’s No. 1 junior college back, and he does indeed run pretty. He’s physical but he also slips tackles, and runs in a classic, sprinter style that can take a 10-yard play and turn it into 50 yards.

Here’s the thing: Bell can make guys miss at the line of scrimmage. That’s more important, and it gives him an edge in the running back battle. And look for the Huskers to run it quite a bit this season.
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OWH

 
#5 - Mick Stoltenberg

6-5, 315 • Senior • Defensive lineman

Big Mick has a deep voice and carries a lot of respect among players on defense. He’s been a Blackshirt for years and could be a captain if NU coach Scott Frost decides to name those before or during the season.

Stoltenberg also had a good season in 2017 with 33 tackles at nose tackle, a relatively thankless but important role in a 3-4 defense. If Stoltenberg stays healthy, he’ll be one of the Big Ten’s better interior defensive linemen. He has definite NFL possibility after this year.
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OWH

 
#4 - Tristan Gebbia

6-2, 195 • Freshman • Quarterback

In August 2017, Gebbia was Nebraska’s “quarterback of the future.” Folks inside the previous coaching regime were confident he would surpass Patrick O’Brien and be a multiyear starter for the Huskers.

It’s a testament to Gebbia’s leadership and intellect that, in an entirely different offense, he may still be a multiyear starter for the Huskers. Teammates like him, and he has a sense for making good decisions and identifying open receivers.
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OWH

 
#3 - Aaron Williams

5-11, 190 • Senior • Safety

The Countdown was made before the graduate transfer of Central Florida safety Tre Neal, whose presence dramatically changes the nature of the safety position.

Williams, who will be a four-year starter, still is important as the quarterback of the defense, but if he’s not 100 percent in a game — Williams has battled injuries throughout his career — a guy like Neal can help, especially since he knows the defense. Williams is a playmaker when healthy, a good tackler and a good communicator on defense.
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OWH

 
#2 - Stanley Morgan

6-1, 200 • Senior • Wide receiver

The New Orleans product has a good chance to leave Nebraska as the most accomplished receiver in Husker history, even if Johnny Rodgers forever reserves the spot as “best.”

Morgan caught 61 passes for a school-record 986 yards last season — adding 10 touchdowns — and could go over 1,000 yards this year in new coach Scott Frost’s high-octane attack. Morgan conquered his weakness — making plays on 50/50 balls in the air — midway through last season, and few are better than he is after the catch.
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OWH

 
#1 - Adrian Martinez

6-2, 220 • Freshman • Quarterback

The Countdown has never before picked a freshman in the top spot ... and may never again. But Martinez, new coach Scott Frost’s first quarterback recruit, has a considerable aura around him that’s overshadowed only by Frost himself.

Assured, comfortable with the press and an ultra-talented runner, Martinez has a real shot to win the starting job. If he does, he’d be the first true freshman Husker to start a season opener. If he doesn’t — if Tristan Gebbia wins the job — he could still play a lot in Year One.
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OWH

 
Quite bold to have a true freshman at the very top of the list. 

I also didn't realize he was 220 lbs. That is very big for someone so young and so fast.

 
TOP 5 IMPACT PLAYERS (my version)

1 - Mick Stoltenberg NT (#5): Our run defense starts with him.  Team captain.  Leader of the Blackshirts.  
2 - Stanley Morgan WR (#2): Regardless of who the QB/RBs are, we are going to look to Morgan to stretch the field. 
3 - Dedrick Young LB (#9):  He makes reads.  He makes tackles.  
4 - Adrian Martinez QB (#1):  I just don’t think a true frosh QB is going to be the biggest impact player on the team.  Also, Tristan Gebbia.   
5 - Tanner Farmer OL (#12):  Our best O-lineman.  He can play any position up front.  And it all starts up front.  

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Two weird things about the OWH list. 

  • Martinez at #1 and Gebbia at #3??  Aside from a true frosh being #1, how can you put two guys at the same position at #1 and #3?   That doesn't even make sense. 
  • Greg Bell at #6??  Okay, okay, I realize he's a recruiting media darling.  But he hasn't played a down in Div. 1 ball.  And we're pretty deep at RB anyway.  So how much of an incremental difference can he possibly make?   


 
NUance said:
Martinez at #1 and Gebbia at #3??  Aside from a true frosh being #1, how can you put two guys at the same position at #1 and #3?   That doesn't even make sense. 
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I agree.  Especially at a position where there will be very very little substitution when the games are on the line.

 
NUance said:
  •  
  • Greg Bell at #6??  Okay, okay, I realize he's a recruiting media darling.  But he hasn't played a down in Div. 1 ball.  And we're pretty deep at RB anyway.  So how much of an incremental difference can he possibly make?   
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By pretty deep you mean the guys with experience have done nothing and the guys without experience have done nothing. 

 
Ulty said:
Quite bold to have a true freshman at the very top of the list. 
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Not if he's the starting QB in an extremely QB demanding offense. It's hard not to pick the starting QB in this list with this offense....which is why, as silly as it sounds, they hedged their bets.

 
brophog said:
By pretty deep you mean the guys with experience have done nothing and the guys without experience have done nothing. 
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By pretty deep I mean guys with about the same level of talent who could all fill the starting role.  

 
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