OWH: Huskers Camp Countdown

No. 18 Zach Sterup

6-8 | 320 | Sr. | OT

The new coaches aren’t yet sure what they have in Sterup. Last year’s game film is a bit misleading. Injuries slowed the menacing-looking blocker, who handled rushers effectively during some engagements but struggled at critical times to keep the pocket clean. He was out all spring, too.

So coaches will keep a close eye on Sterup in August. They need a No. 1 right tackle, and they think he has the skills to handle it.
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If its a count down on the potential impact, how do they have Sam Foltz at 22? He has to be in the top 15!!

 
No. 17 Byerson Cockrell

6-0 | 185 | Sr. | DB

An injury vaulted Cockrell into the starting lineup at the safety spot in Nebraska’s regular-season finale last year, and the junior-college transfer performed as if he’d been the top backup all season long. Except he hadn’t.

Cockrell took reps at cornerback and nickel during preseason camp. He practiced a bit of safety during the year but served mostly as the team’s top nickel. How’d he do it? Teammates said Cockrell picked up the old scheme faster than anyone, which allowed him to maximize his athletic ability. He’ll likely be a full-time safety now. But his versatility and football acumen will be beneficial.
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I was pretty unimpressed with Cockrell last year. Perhaps he'll be better at safety but it also wouldn't surprise me to see him get passed by, especially now that he's going to miss a decent portion of fall camp.

 
Mavric said:
I was pretty unimpressed with Cockrell last year. Perhaps he'll be better at safety but it also wouldn't surprise me to see him get passed by, especially now that he's going to miss a decent portion of fall camp.
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Disagree. He was one of our best tacklers in secondary.

 
No. 16 Chongo Kondolo

6-4 | 300 | Sr. | Guard

After accumulating 79 yards on the ground in the first half against Northwestern last year, the Huskers found their rhythm after halftime. And Kondolo was a big reason why. Nebraska took over the line of scrimmage, mauling defenders and clearing out running lanes to help backs power downfield for 155 yards on 28 carries.

The coaches were waiting for something to click in Kondolo, and saw it that evening. But the former junior college transfer, who redshirted in 2013, couldn’t keep a firm grip on a spot in the regular rotation. He’s a veteran now, though. It’s time to find that consistency.
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MattyIce said:
Mavric said:
I was pretty unimpressed with Cockrell last year. Perhaps he'll be better at safety but it also wouldn't surprise me to see him get passed by, especially now that he's going to miss a decent portion of fall camp.
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Disagree. He was one of our best tacklers in secondary.
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I guess that kind of depends on how you're judging that. I don't remember him doing anything special. And I don't think any of our DBs were noticeably bad tacklers.

Gerry was our leading tackler (among DBs) with 88 which was also second on the team. Cooper was second among DBs with 73. Then Davie, Mitchell and Cockrell with 41-39-29 respectively. Cockrell probably had the fewest attempts as the others played most of the snaps but 2.2 tackles per game isn't that impressive. Kalu got even fewer reps but had basically as many tackles (27).

 
Relatively speaking, Cockrell didn't play that many minutes especially early in the year. However, when he was in there, it seemed like he was making plays. That is why he started getting more and more hype.

 
No. 15 Brandon Reilly

6-1 | 195 | Jr. | Receiver

Only nine career receptions, but Reilly potentially could move into an important role in this offense after the Huskers lost their main vertical threat in Kenny Bell. Reilly is one of the speediest in the NU receiving corps and has just enough experience to be ready for any expanded work.

The former Lincoln Southwest player missed the first six games a year ago, but finished the season with an important catch at Iowa and then four receptions in the Holiday Bowl. Also contributed on special teams, blocking one punt and helping with pressure on another in the Purdue game.
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No. 14 Jack Gangwish

6-2 | 265 | Senior | Defensive end

Be honest: Did you know the name last August? Gangwish worked his way into the third defensive end spot with Avery Moss gone, then saw immediate action — and his first start — with Randy Gregory banged up in September. The former walk-on finished his junior season with 19 tackles, including four for a loss.

He’s now expected to be a regular starter opposite Greg McMullen at a position of need. Credit Gangwish for the work, he was NU’s 2014 lifter of the year. His teammates have already picked him as a captain this season.
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No. 13 Michael Rose-Ivey

5-11 | 240 | Junior | Linebacker

Rose-Ivey never got to ride the valuable momentum he had built closing out 2013, suffering a torn ACL last August in preseason practice and missing the 2014 season. He was good to go for spring practice, though, as the Huskers started installing their new system under defensive coordinator Mark Banker.

After he played middle linebacker as a redshirt freshman in ’13, NU has moved Rose-Ivey to the outside, and Banker likes his instincts and football knowledge. The Huskers need both his leadership and potential at a position where they are extremely shorthanded and about to thrust some freshmen into the equation.
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Mavric said:
No. 14 Jack Gangwish

6-2 | 265 | Senior | Defensive end

Be honest: Did you know the name last August? Gangwish worked his way into the third defensive end spot with Avery Moss gone, then saw immediate action — and his first start — with Randy Gregory banged up in September. The former walk-on finished his junior season with 19 tackles, including four for a loss.

He’s now expected to be a regular starter opposite Greg McMullen at a position of need. Credit Gangwish for the work, he was NU’s 2014 lifter of the year. His teammates have already picked him as a captain this season.
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I'll bet about 90% of HB posters knew about Gangwish last August. We had discussed him a number of times before the season started.
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btw Mav, These little player countdown capsules are GREAT! It's a good way to refresh the memory about our guys before the season starts.

 
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