Early Two-Deep for 2009?
- Thread starter JTrain
- Start date
predictionking
Four-Star Recruit
I will be your huckleberry:
Who do we honestly want to play QB? It's hard telling, but I would prefer to see Zac Lee because of his speed. Quite frankly, I think the NU offense can reach another level if defenses are truly terrified of the Zone Read. Ganz had good mobility and decent speed, but he was not a dynamic runner.
As for Witt, I've been on his bandwagon. From a tools standpoint, he's already one of the more talented QB's in the league. That's not an overstatement, despite it's boldness. He has a great arm and prototypical size. He's pretty athletic as well.
If both players grasp the offense, and the coaches believe both players can execute the passing game at a high level, then I think Lee has to be the man. The added speed dynamic is something NU sorely needs offensively.
If it was up to me, it would look like this:
QB - (1) Zac Lee
QB - (2) Patrick Witt
RB - (1) Helu or Castille
RB- (2) Mendoza
Z- (1) Paul
Z- (2) Gilleylen
X- (1) Holt
X- (2) Brooks
TE- (1) McNeil
TE- (2) Young or Hill
Look out for Cotton, he's going to be a stud.
LT- (1) Mike Smith
LT- (2) Javario Burkes or Meyer
LG- (1) Keith Williams
LG- (2) Andy Christensen
C- (1) Jacob Hickman
C- (2) Caputo
RG- (1) Ricky Henry
RG- (2) DJ Jones
RT- (1) Javario Burkes or Marcel Jones
RT- (2) Jones or Meyer
Defense
RDE- (1) Barry Turner
RDE- (2) Josh Williams
DT- (1) Jared Crick
DT- (2) Baker Steinkuhler
NG- (1) Ndamakong Suh
NG- (2) Terrence Moore - Moore has to get bigger this offseason
LDE - (1) Pierre Allen
LDE- (2) Cameron Merideth
Buck - (1) Alonzo Whaley
Buck- (2) Will Compton or Latravis Washington
Mike - (1) Phillip Dillard
Mike - (2) Will Compton or Colton Koehler
Will - (1) Blake Lawrence
Will- (2) Sean Fisher
LCB - (1) Anthony Blue
LCB- (2) Eric Hagg or Alonzo Dennard
SS- (1) Larry Asante
SS- (2) John Levorson
FS- (1) Rickey Thenarse
FS- (2) O'Hanlon
RCB- (1) Anthony West
RCB- (2) Prince Amukamara
Defensive players that could still figure into the mix come Spring:
DT- Quentin Toialoa - Redshirt Freshman had a lot of offers out of high school. He also has great size at 6'4 300. I also like the fact he's Samoan. Samoans are mean on the football field. His emergence could be key for the D-line depth and the team's future.
DE- William Yancy- Yancy was heavily recruited. I think next year is key for him. There isn't a lot of experienced depth behind the starters. If Yancy is unable to crack the 2-deep next season, he may not have much of future with the Huskers.
DB's x 3= Cortney Osborne, PJ Smith, and Mason Wald: I like the talent and experience NU has returning in the defensive backfield. Frankly, I think the "much maligned" secondary was actually pretty good. A lot of people look at Passing yardage given up and automatically think the DB's suck. In reality, the Huskers gave up a bunch of points and yards due to linebackers not stepping up and making plays. As the linebacking corp improves, look for opponents to struggle more in the passing game versus NU.
Now with that being said, I think it's nothing but "icing on the cake" if any one of those three guys sneak into the 2-deep.
Players who need to step up:
LB- Latravis Washington - The tools are there, but he clearly needs to improve his game to get on the field. Colton Koehler and the incoming Freshman/ redshirt freshmen could leave Washington behind.
SS- Major Culbert- The ship may have sailed on Culbert. Quite frankly, if a guy like Culbert is a reserve role player for NU, I think it says more good things than bad. However, I don't believe he will ever be able to become a starter.
WR- Chris Brooks- He really needs to prove he can be a legit go to guy offensively. The Huskers need quality depth at wideout.
K and punter. The Huskers have the best kicker in the country, need I say more? no.
I haven't posted in 14 months, I felt like it was time.
HuskerTrucker
All-Conference
Very nice post and analysis for not posting in 14 months. I wish Green was here last season to red shirt, I really believe he is going to be a force to be reckoned with at QB. But realistically you have a hard time bringing in a true freshman to start unless you have excellent blocking and running backs that can carry the load, which at this point, we have neither.
I have not been that impressed by Witt so far. I think Lee is probably going to be the guy this year, and in some regards he deserves it for being the good soldier that he has in a difficult situation and the grace he has handled himself with.
I am optimistic about this year, but there are a lot of questions that have to be answered all over the place. I am also disappointed that Bo has not brought in a special teams coach. Our special teams kind of sucked last year IMHO. Too many long returns...which gave the opponent a short field too many times. You can only ask so much of your defense, which is the bright spot on this team - and I only see that getting much better this season.
The offensive line has to get much better. People need to step up and take personal responsibility for doing their roles - then do it, not just talk about how you can do better. Toward the end of the season they were starting to look better with each game...hopefully that will continue. Other than special teams, the offensive line was the biggest weakness we had, especially early in the season.
I know that I make it sound like we have a lot of weaknesses. However, people tend to step up when there is a need, especially when you have quality people, which I believe we have a good group of kids, which I questioned the attitude that prevailed at the beginning of last year after what we saw the previous season.
:woo
columbus_husker
Three-Star Recruit
how about kyler reed at linebacker or cooper at wr
Last edited by a moderator:
BaytownHusker
Starter
I really think Green will be playing a role in the offense and starting by mid season....
Part of the reason for this is the lack of depth. Bo avoided using up guys redshirts on Special Teams where they would have been a real help. I don't think that will be the case this year.
Such would be really, really surprising. Lee and Witt, and maybe Spano as well are all experienced (relative to Green in terms of system time --- in practices, in studying plays, etc.) and all three are thought to be quite good. To pass, as a true freshman, three players, all of whom have been reported to be playing well to very well is really unlikely. In addition, Witt will be a sophomore, Lee a Junior and Spano a freshman next year --- for the sake of roster uniformity and long term continuity, Green should be pretty close to a certain redshirt unless one of the other QB's transfers or is hurt (and, maybe even then a redshirt is still the path).
Also consider that an array of analysts (three that i recall) all have said that Greeen is a great athlete but that a redshirt year is best --- and all three have suggested that QB might not ultimately be his position. Point is, Green needs to develop --- great raw potential, and with a RS year of development, really he'll be that much better.
So.... I doubt we see Green. That said, I have been wrong before...
redout22
Heisman Trophy Winner
macroboy
All-Conference
:yeah
Also, Green will not be starting or even playing next year. Red Shirt.
from me too!
Also, Green will not be starting or even playing next year. Red Shirt.
Bleedin'Red
Walk-on
If Cody Green starts any game next year its because of one of two things
1. This kid is a STUD!
2. horrible first half of season.
1. This kid is a STUD!
2. horrible first half of season.
HuskerTrucker
All-Conference
I am not one to hype new recruits, and usually don't like when people do, but I really like what I see with this Green kid, the more I see and hear, the more I like him. I think his maturity is key, the athleticism is there. All he has to do is come in and learn the system, get some practice under his belt, and he could be ready by mid-season if we needed him. I still think it would be better to redshirt him, then make it his team next year unless Witt or Spano shows something gang busters...and I don't think Witt will do that, hope I am wrong for his sake, Spano could...I like him too, but not like I do Green.
BigWillie
All-Conference
I'm bored, still snowed in and have nothing better to do, so I'll give you my opinion.
Granted this is where I think they will be in August, not in the spring. In the spring I don't know how much movement you will see with guys trying to acclimated to new positions and so many guys going from scout to playing with the big boys. Hoping a few step up and standout, but guessing that is like throwing darts in the dark.
QB
Zac Lee
Patrick Witt
IB
Helu/Castille
Castille/Helu
zWR
Niles Paul
Curenski Gilleylen
xWR
Menelik Holt
Chris Brooks
TE
Mike McNeill
Ben Cotton
LT
Marcel Jones
Mike Smith
LG
Keith Williams
DJ Jones/Brian Thorson
C
Jacob Hickman
Mike Caputo
RG
Ricky Henry
DJ Jones/Brian Thorson
RT
Jaivorio Burkes
Brandon Thompson
-----
BDE
Pierre Allen
Cameron Meredith
ODE
Barry Turner
Josh Williams (if he puts on the weight)
NT
Ndamukong Suh
Terrence Moore
DT
Baker Steinkuhler
Jared Crick
WILL
Blake Lawrence
Alonzo Whaley
BUCK
Kyler Reed
Sean Fisher
MIKE
Will Compton (SURPRISE!)
Phillip Dillard
LCB
Anthony Blue
Alfonzo Dennard/Eric Hagg
RCB
Anthony West (pains me, but coaches love him)
Prince Amukamara
FS
Rickey Thenarse
Cortney Osborne
SS
Larry Asante
PJ Smith
K
Alex Henery (duh)
P
Brett Maher
LS
PJ Mangieri
KR
Tim Marlowe
Prince Amukamara
PR
Tim Marlowe
-----------------------
Probably need to explain a few of these --
Can we not just combine the physical traits of Lee with the mind of Witt and get a Big 12 OPOY type candidate?
No use in naming a starter between Helu and Castille. Both are gonna get starter like carries. If I had to pick one though, it would be Helu.
Do not have a FB because I want the coaching staff to prove to me that they will actually use one legitimately.
I'm still skeptical anyone will step up at WR and overtake the guys in front. Khiry could do it, but he's missing time. Steven Osborne is another.
It's Mike McNeill, Ben Cotton and then everyone else at TE.
DJ Jones needs to step up big, otherwise our depth at guard will be scary.
The battle between Baker and Crick may be the most interesting battle once the summer starts. Baker may still not be completely physically ready yet in the spring. But by the summer, watch out.
BUCK will also be interesting. Kyler can be a terror and Fisher can be good as well. Having a fear that Fisher may get to big and too stiff for LB.
Hagg is gonna be the nickel corner. Would almost prefer that either he or West move to FS. Think they both are better suited there, Hagg especially. Hagg could likely push Thenarse for the top job if it happened.
Hoping Dennard gets he deserved chance to shine.
Sorry O'Hanlon. Too many blown coverages last year on your part and the lack of physical abilities will probably push you down a spot on the DC.
No to Henery pulling double duty. Dead leg is bound to happen if we let him do it.
Mangieri is a very, very good LS.
Need to get Marlowe's speed on the field. Could be a good slot guy this year as well. Prince just needs the ball in his hands, period.
Granted this is where I think they will be in August, not in the spring. In the spring I don't know how much movement you will see with guys trying to acclimated to new positions and so many guys going from scout to playing with the big boys. Hoping a few step up and standout, but guessing that is like throwing darts in the dark.
QB
Zac Lee
Patrick Witt
IB
Helu/Castille
Castille/Helu
zWR
Niles Paul
Curenski Gilleylen
xWR
Menelik Holt
Chris Brooks
TE
Mike McNeill
Ben Cotton
LT
Marcel Jones
Mike Smith
LG
Keith Williams
DJ Jones/Brian Thorson
C
Jacob Hickman
Mike Caputo
RG
Ricky Henry
DJ Jones/Brian Thorson
RT
Jaivorio Burkes
Brandon Thompson
-----
BDE
Pierre Allen
Cameron Meredith
ODE
Barry Turner
Josh Williams (if he puts on the weight)
NT
Ndamukong Suh
Terrence Moore
DT
Baker Steinkuhler
Jared Crick
WILL
Blake Lawrence
Alonzo Whaley
BUCK
Kyler Reed
Sean Fisher
MIKE
Will Compton (SURPRISE!)
Phillip Dillard
LCB
Anthony Blue
Alfonzo Dennard/Eric Hagg
RCB
Anthony West (pains me, but coaches love him)
Prince Amukamara
FS
Rickey Thenarse
Cortney Osborne
SS
Larry Asante
PJ Smith
K
Alex Henery (duh)
P
Brett Maher
LS
PJ Mangieri
KR
Tim Marlowe
Prince Amukamara
PR
Tim Marlowe
-----------------------
Probably need to explain a few of these --
Can we not just combine the physical traits of Lee with the mind of Witt and get a Big 12 OPOY type candidate?
No use in naming a starter between Helu and Castille. Both are gonna get starter like carries. If I had to pick one though, it would be Helu.
Do not have a FB because I want the coaching staff to prove to me that they will actually use one legitimately.
I'm still skeptical anyone will step up at WR and overtake the guys in front. Khiry could do it, but he's missing time. Steven Osborne is another.
It's Mike McNeill, Ben Cotton and then everyone else at TE.
DJ Jones needs to step up big, otherwise our depth at guard will be scary.
The battle between Baker and Crick may be the most interesting battle once the summer starts. Baker may still not be completely physically ready yet in the spring. But by the summer, watch out.
BUCK will also be interesting. Kyler can be a terror and Fisher can be good as well. Having a fear that Fisher may get to big and too stiff for LB.
Hagg is gonna be the nickel corner. Would almost prefer that either he or West move to FS. Think they both are better suited there, Hagg especially. Hagg could likely push Thenarse for the top job if it happened.
Hoping Dennard gets he deserved chance to shine.
Sorry O'Hanlon. Too many blown coverages last year on your part and the lack of physical abilities will probably push you down a spot on the DC.
No to Henery pulling double duty. Dead leg is bound to happen if we let him do it.
Mangieri is a very, very good LS.
Need to get Marlowe's speed on the field. Could be a good slot guy this year as well. Prince just needs the ball in his hands, period.