Key Huskers: #9 Mike Caputo

[NUance]

Key Huskers: #9 Mike CaputoSean Callahan HuskerOnline.com Publisher

Caputo's strengths

Senior Mike Caputo is the definition of a successful walk-on player in the Nebraska football program. Caputo came to NU with limited recruiting attention and a very undersized frame for Division I offensive lineman. However, Caputo climbed the latter the old fashioned way from the scout team and will now be a two-year starter. Caputo is one of the strongest players on the entire team, a solid technician and a very good finisher when he gets his hands on a defender. He is also very explosive off the ball, which is what you want to see from a center.

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Most memorable play or moment

During Nebraska's 45-17 win over Colorado, Caputo was battling a knee injury that slowed him for most of the second half of the season. During the CU game, Caputo went down with an injury and was replaced by Cole Pensick for one play. It was Pensick's only significant snap of the season and he was handled up front and Caputo came in immediately the following play.

The toughness Caputo showed to come back into the game with an injured knee describes his career in a nut shell. Caputo has constantly defied the odds and he did it again by playing the entire second half of the season on a knee that required off-season surgery.

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Another walk-on who became a starter. A pretty solid starter. What happened to all of our O-line recruits from 3/4 years ago?

 

[Igetbored216]

I don't know if it was because it was his first season starting, but he got blown up on alot of plays including one at A&M that ended up pretty much taking Martinez out of the game. Hopefully this year he has improved in both size, strength, and skill.

 

[GMoose]

He's plenty strong, that's not the question. He's also undersized. He's a veteran though and an extremely hard worker.

 

[Igetbored216]

He's plenty strong, that's not the question. He's also undersized. He's a veteran though and an extremely hard worker.

Really strong compared to me, yes. But again, looking back on the season there were numerous games where he was just getting man-handled. Maybe it was his technique more than his size/strength? I don't know, but something needs to be changed.

 

[zoogs]

In my opinion, it was his torn meniscus.

But maybe he is undersized anyway. Don't know.

 

[The Dude]

Really strong compared to me, yes.

When Suh was still on the team Dobson called him (Caputo) the 2nd strongest player on the team. So even compared to D1 college football players I'd say he's really strong.

 

[Danimal]

Much of his struggles came when he was injured but had to play anyway. We really lacked depth, should be improved this season. Should be able to rotate guys more and relieve the injured more.