OWH: Huskers Camp Countdown

[Mavric]

No. 36 Mikale Wilbon

5-8 | 190 | Fr. | I-back

It could turn out that Wilbon is a hit at Nebraska with his shifty, pick-and-scoot running style. It could turn out that he becomes the team’s best pass-catcher in third-down situations because of his low-to-the-ground base and ability to change direction after he catches the ball. It could turn out that Wilbon is an heir apparent to the similarly built Cory Ross, who had two good seasons in Nebraska’s pro-style offense in 2004 and 2005. Or it could turn out that Wilbon doesn’t fit what the new staff wants at the position and transfers.

We’re high on Wilbon. We think he has the most upside of any I-back on the roster. We like his game — his quick feet, his general toughness — but understand, too, that the new offense favors a north-south, one-cut-and-go back who runs behind a zone-blocking scheme. If the Huskers keep some of their zone read game from previous years, that probably favors Wilbon. As it stands, he needs to beat out Terrell Newby, who seems like the clear starter.

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[Mavric]

So Cross is the fourth RB on their list. Hmmmmmm.........

 

[Mavric]

No. 35 Sam Cotton

6-4 | 250 | Jr. | Tight end

Tight end ideally is a featured position in Mike Riley’s offense, so Cotton will get an opportunity to prove himself. His career statistics don’t necessarily leap off the page (six catches, three touchdowns), but that was in the old system.

Cotton has pass-catching ability. Couple that skill with a handful of his downfield blocks that have sprung big gainers, and you’ve got a guy with enough potential to find a role with the Huskers. Besides, Nebraska needs some options at tight end in addition to expected starter Cethan Carter.

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[Mavric]

No. 34 Jerald Foster

6-3 | 310 | Redshirt freshman | Offensive guard

Early in preseason camp of his redshirt year, Foster moved to defensive tackle to help supply some temporary depth. He stood out, mostly because other players rarely moved him, and he held his ground at the point of attack and used his football instincts to disrupt action.

He returned to offensive guard before the end of August, but his strength, his skill and his intellect were on display in every practice last fall. Foster ended up winning the offensive scout team’s co-MVP award. He’ll battle veterans for playing time now, so don’t be surprised if he works his way into the rotation.

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[Mavric]

It will be interesting to see how they develop but I think we have some good, young OLinemen that will be in the mix this year. It wouldn't surprise me to see all three redshirt freshment - Foster, Farmer and Gates - in the rotation this fall.

 

[Mavric]

No. 33 Kevin Williams

6-2 | 275 | Sr. | DT

After suffering two major knee injuries during his first three seasons at NU, Williams began 2014 with high hopes. Then he hurt his ankle just before the opener. He re-injured it three weeks in. Coaches were cautious from there. Until the Northwestern game, that is, when they had no choice.

Vincent Valentine was out. Williams had to play. And he responded by recording 2½ sacks, displaying his full pain-free potential. He hopes for more of that this fall. He’ll be a reserve on the interior, but Valentine and Maliek Collins can’t play every snap.

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[Mavric]

No. 32 Givens Price

6-4 | 310 | Sr. | OL

He started his NU career at offensive tackle, and it appears — based on need — he’ll end it there. Price did have a strong spring at guard in 2014, so it’s possible he could move inside. But NU has fewer bodies at tackle, particularly seasoned ones. Price fits that mold.

The three-time Academic All-Big Ten choice from Houston brings an astute and businesslike demeanor, though at times last year he seemed to overanalyze instead of relying on his ability. But he’s expected to make a jump after an offseason of tackle-specific training. And he won’t turn 21 until October.

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[Mavric]

No. 31 Chris Jones

6-0 | 180 | Soph. | CB

You might recall seeing glimpses of Jones on De’Mornay Pierson-El punt returns last year. Jones was the guy taking out potential tacklers, then celebrating the blocks as if they were drive-halting picks. Special teams could be part of Jones’ responsibility again. Or he could be asked to do more.

Along with the physical tools necessary to play cornerback, Jones has never-quit drive. Even when he loses a battle in practice, he bounces right back to take the next rep. Now he just has to find a way to ascend through a loaded depth chart.

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[Mavric]

No. 30 Drew Brown

5-11 | 180 | Sophomore | Place-kicker

Study the schedule and it’s easy to think there could be a number of close games, perhaps cranking up Brown’s importance. After getting his feet wet and winning the place-kicking duties last season as a true freshman, he’ll need to improve on longer kicks.

Brown was 2 of 7 from 40-plus yards (12 of 14 inside 40) but did set the NU freshman scoring record with 101 points, breaking the mark previously held by older brother Kris. Brown again could see some work on kickoffs, especially with Mauro Bondi leaving, but there are other candidates, too.

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[Warrior10]

No. 31 Chris Jones

6-0 | 180 | Soph. | CB

You might recall seeing glimpses of Jones on DeMornay Pierson-El punt returns last year. Jones was the guy taking out potential tacklers, then celebrating the blocks as if they were drive-halting picks. Special teams could be part of Jones responsibility again. Or he could be asked to do more.

Along with the physical tools necessary to play cornerback, Jones has never-quit drive. Even when he loses a battle in practice, he bounces right back to take the next rep. Now he just has to find a way to ascend through a loaded depth chart.

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Higher then Kalu? Yeesh.

 

[Mavric]

No. 29 Dylan Utter

6-1 • 285 • Jr. • OL

After a surprising 2014 season, the walk-on and former Papillion-La Vista player has several opportunities heading into fall camp. Utter backed up senior Jake Cotton at left guard as a sophomore, playing five regular-season games, then made his first career start in the Holiday Bowl at center.

An undersized but hard-nosed lineman, his technical soundness will help him whether he stays at guard or gets another look at center, where NU will be looking for any kind of stability it can get.

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[Mavric]

No. 28 Paul Thurston

6-5 | 295 | Junior | Center

The Huskers have had a revolving door at center the last few seasons, with nobody starting more than 13 games at the position since Mike Caputo logged 27 starts between 2010 and ’11. Could Thurston be the one to separate himself?

It would require the Coloradoan to take the next step, but he gained some experience by playing in 10 games last season, including extensive action at Iowa. Injuries also have been a problem at the position, so staying healthy would only help Thurston, Ryne Reeves or Dylan Utter.

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[Mavric]

No. 27 Dedrick Young

6-1 | 220 | Freshman | Linebacker

Already somebody who could be in the mix at linebacker because of depth issues, his value might have only leapt a notch with the announcement that senior David Santos would no longer be with the team.

The question comes with Young being a true freshman, though he did arrive in January and go through spring practice — giving him a jump on several others putting on NU practice jerseys for the first time in August. No doubting his credentials, though, as a touted recruit who had offers from a good chunk of Pac-12 schools because of his athleticism and physical style.

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[Red Five]

No. 27 Dedrick Young

6-1 | 220 | Freshman | Linebacker

Already somebody who could be in the mix at linebacker because of depth issues, his value might have only leapt a notch with the announcement that senior David Santos would no longer be with the team.

The question comes with Young being a true freshman, though he did arrive in January and go through spring practice — giving him a jump on several others putting on NU practice jerseys for the first time in August. No doubting his credentials, though, as a touted recruit who had offers from a good chunk of Pac-12 schools because of his athleticism and physical style.

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Need him in a big way to step up and handle a lot of playing time.

 

[Mavric]

No. 26 Jonathan Rose

6-1 | 195 | Sr. | CB

Rose acknowledged a sense of urgency in spring practice when he said: “There is no, ‘I can finish it next year.’ This is all I got.” His first two seasons after transferring from Auburn have included limited action in the secondary, but NU graduated Josh Mitchell and needs a starter opposite Daniel Davie.

Rose has the size and length that are valued by defensive coordinator Mark Banker and assistant coach Brian Stewart but will need to be making plays consistently from the jump when fall camp starts. If not, the Huskers have other options with Charles Jackson, depending on how he comes off knee surgery, and a host of underclassmen.

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