Husker_Power
Starter
By JOHN DEVINE
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/24/2007 01:28:23 AM PDT
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Menacing clouds often hang over the cornfields that cover the state, but it is the sea of red that gets your attention.
It's a special environment, almost surreal to foreigners. Yet, if you're a football player at the University of Nebraska there's nothing like seeing that sea of fans wearing red on game days.
Forget about living far away from the mountains and ocean; and having to deal with humidity. Carl Nicks, a former North Salinas High and Hartnell lineman, has had to adjust to being a household name in Nebraska.
"It's a different world out here,'' Nicks said. "These people know who you are, what position you play, where you're from. At first, it was kind of weird. But you get use to it."
On game days, the only thing you'll find open in Lincoln are the bars. And that's for the rest of the Nebraska fans who couldn't land the hottest ticket in the state.
Heightened expectations have created a buzz for Cornhusker fans. Talk of chasing a national championship is more than just hype.
"Each day when we break huddle, we say national championship,'' Nicks said. "The pieces are in place. You can't get caught up in it. But there's an aura of confidence.''
The 6-foot-6, 340-pound Nicks is part of that excitement. In Sports Illustrated, he was tabbed as one of three players who could make an major impact on the team.
In part, because Nicks is playing the left tackle position, where the senior will be called upon to protect the quarterback's blind side.
"Around here, the saying is 'if no one notices you on the offensive line, then you are doing a good job,''' Nicks said. "I just want to stay under the radar.''
Fat chance.
It's hard not to notice Nicks and his size 17 shoes. Or the fact that his stature, strength and quickness are reminiscent of perennial NFL Pro Bowler Orlando Pace.
But perhaps more importantly, Nebraska moved Nicks from the right side to the left —arguably the most important position on the offensive line, to take advantage of his talents.
Pressure?
"Not really,'' Nicks said. "It is not much of an adjustment. It's just flipping plays around. The defensive ends are a little faster. It's more about footwork and being disciplined."
Having started two games last year at right tackle for Nebraska, Nicks spent the summer in Lincoln digesting the playbook while acclimating himself to the humidity.
"The weather is a big change from Salinas,'' said Nicks, who hopes to drop 10 pounds. "You don't get used to it. You just deal with it.''
Nicks has had better success in learning the playbook. A late arrival for the 2006 season after getting his degree at Hartnell College, it was on-the-job training last season.
"I didn't think it would set me back coming in the fall instead of the spring,'' Nicks said. "But it took a little while to get a grasp. You learn by getting reps.''
While his mammoth size made him someone Hartnell depended on on running plays, Nicks was quick to make the transition to a West Coast pro-style attack at Nebraska.
"At Hartnell, we did a lot of (shotgun formation) stuff,'' Nicks said. "It's been more about getting the system down and learning my assignments. I'm still learning. We throw in plays each practice."
The Cornhuskers, who open their season Sept. 1 hosting Nevada, come into the year ranked No. 20 after winning nine games last season and playing in the Cotton Bowl.
Adding to the anticipation of the season are dates this season against top-ranked USC and No. 4 Texas.
"The entire state is buzzing,'' Nicks said. "That's what you want. We are going to surprise a lot of people outside of the state of Nebraska."
Having begun his collegiate career on scholarship at New Mexico State, Nicks gave it up after a disappointing freshman season in 2004, enrolling at Hartnell.
"Basically I wasn't happy,'' Nicks said. "It wasn't what I imagined. But it did give me an idea of what it takes to play at this level.''
One year at Hartnell was all Nicks needed to re-establish himself as a dominating lineman. He got his confidence back. His focus was where it needed to be.
"A lot of people said I wouldn't get another scholarship,'' Nicks said. "Playing at Hartnell was a lot of fun. We won a championship. I had never done that. Now I want a ring.''
With 18 teams in the NFL running a variation of the West Coast offense, Nicks could be a prize pick in next year's NFL draft. Left tackles are coveted.
"People have reminded me of that,'' said Nicks, who has run a 5.09 second 40-yard dash. "It's been a goal since I started playing football. But I try not to think about it too much because I get overwhelmed. Hopefully when that time comes, I'll hear my name called."
For now, Nicks is soaking up the life as a college football player in the nation's heartland on one of football's biggest stages.
The image of walking into a stadium and seeing 85,000 people all draped in red, no matter the weather conditions, gets the adrenaline pumping.
"Everyone has a picture of what it's like to play college football,'' Nicks said. "This is it. Nebraska is the dictionary definition of it."
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/24/2007 01:28:23 AM PDT
LINK
Menacing clouds often hang over the cornfields that cover the state, but it is the sea of red that gets your attention.
It's a special environment, almost surreal to foreigners. Yet, if you're a football player at the University of Nebraska there's nothing like seeing that sea of fans wearing red on game days.
Forget about living far away from the mountains and ocean; and having to deal with humidity. Carl Nicks, a former North Salinas High and Hartnell lineman, has had to adjust to being a household name in Nebraska.
"It's a different world out here,'' Nicks said. "These people know who you are, what position you play, where you're from. At first, it was kind of weird. But you get use to it."
On game days, the only thing you'll find open in Lincoln are the bars. And that's for the rest of the Nebraska fans who couldn't land the hottest ticket in the state.
Heightened expectations have created a buzz for Cornhusker fans. Talk of chasing a national championship is more than just hype.
"Each day when we break huddle, we say national championship,'' Nicks said. "The pieces are in place. You can't get caught up in it. But there's an aura of confidence.''
The 6-foot-6, 340-pound Nicks is part of that excitement. In Sports Illustrated, he was tabbed as one of three players who could make an major impact on the team.
In part, because Nicks is playing the left tackle position, where the senior will be called upon to protect the quarterback's blind side.
"Around here, the saying is 'if no one notices you on the offensive line, then you are doing a good job,''' Nicks said. "I just want to stay under the radar.''
Fat chance.
It's hard not to notice Nicks and his size 17 shoes. Or the fact that his stature, strength and quickness are reminiscent of perennial NFL Pro Bowler Orlando Pace.
But perhaps more importantly, Nebraska moved Nicks from the right side to the left —arguably the most important position on the offensive line, to take advantage of his talents.
Pressure?
"Not really,'' Nicks said. "It is not much of an adjustment. It's just flipping plays around. The defensive ends are a little faster. It's more about footwork and being disciplined."
Having started two games last year at right tackle for Nebraska, Nicks spent the summer in Lincoln digesting the playbook while acclimating himself to the humidity.
"The weather is a big change from Salinas,'' said Nicks, who hopes to drop 10 pounds. "You don't get used to it. You just deal with it.''
Nicks has had better success in learning the playbook. A late arrival for the 2006 season after getting his degree at Hartnell College, it was on-the-job training last season.
"I didn't think it would set me back coming in the fall instead of the spring,'' Nicks said. "But it took a little while to get a grasp. You learn by getting reps.''
While his mammoth size made him someone Hartnell depended on on running plays, Nicks was quick to make the transition to a West Coast pro-style attack at Nebraska.
"At Hartnell, we did a lot of (shotgun formation) stuff,'' Nicks said. "It's been more about getting the system down and learning my assignments. I'm still learning. We throw in plays each practice."
The Cornhuskers, who open their season Sept. 1 hosting Nevada, come into the year ranked No. 20 after winning nine games last season and playing in the Cotton Bowl.
Adding to the anticipation of the season are dates this season against top-ranked USC and No. 4 Texas.
"The entire state is buzzing,'' Nicks said. "That's what you want. We are going to surprise a lot of people outside of the state of Nebraska."
Having begun his collegiate career on scholarship at New Mexico State, Nicks gave it up after a disappointing freshman season in 2004, enrolling at Hartnell.
"Basically I wasn't happy,'' Nicks said. "It wasn't what I imagined. But it did give me an idea of what it takes to play at this level.''
One year at Hartnell was all Nicks needed to re-establish himself as a dominating lineman. He got his confidence back. His focus was where it needed to be.
"A lot of people said I wouldn't get another scholarship,'' Nicks said. "Playing at Hartnell was a lot of fun. We won a championship. I had never done that. Now I want a ring.''
With 18 teams in the NFL running a variation of the West Coast offense, Nicks could be a prize pick in next year's NFL draft. Left tackles are coveted.
"People have reminded me of that,'' said Nicks, who has run a 5.09 second 40-yard dash. "It's been a goal since I started playing football. But I try not to think about it too much because I get overwhelmed. Hopefully when that time comes, I'll hear my name called."
For now, Nicks is soaking up the life as a college football player in the nation's heartland on one of football's biggest stages.
The image of walking into a stadium and seeing 85,000 people all draped in red, no matter the weather conditions, gets the adrenaline pumping.
"Everyone has a picture of what it's like to play college football,'' Nicks said. "This is it. Nebraska is the dictionary definition of it."
