Riley expects to play at least seven true freshmen

[NUance]

Riley expects to play at least seven true freshmen

9 hours ago • By BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON | LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

Mike Riley said in the past he's played anywhere from three to seven true freshmen in a season. In his first year as the head man at Nebraska, it appears the Huskers will play at least seven.

Riley on Tuesday announced that running back Devine Ozigbo, safeties Aaron Williams and Antonio Reed, linebackers Dedrick Young and Tyrin Ferguson, and wide receiver Stanley Morgan are all newcomers likely to forgo a redshirt season and play in 2015. He didn't mention long snapper Jordan Ober, but it's safely assumed he'll hold those duties.
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Seven! Whoa!! Not saying it's a bad thing. It's just more than I can recall playing for a long time. I guess it actually helps the team inasmuch as he'll have more room to bring in new recruits.

 

[Hammerhead]

Riley expects to play at least seven true freshmen

9 hours ago • By BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON | LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

Mike Riley said in the past he's played anywhere from three to seven true freshmen in a season. In his first year as the head man at Nebraska, it appears the Huskers will play at least seven.

Riley on Tuesday announced that running back Devine Ozigbo, safeties Aaron Williams and Antonio Reed, linebackers Dedrick Young and Tyrin Ferguson, and wide receiver Stanley Morgan are all newcomers likely to forgo a redshirt season and play in 2015. He didn't mention long snapper Jordan Ober, but it's safely assumed he'll hold those duties.
LINK

Seven! Whoa!! Not saying it's a bad thing. It's just more than I can recall playing for a long time. I guess it actually helps the team inasmuch as he'll have more room to bring in new recruits.

It'll also help that these guys will have on-field experience right away. I'm glad we'll be getting the most out of all that talent.

 

[HuskerExpat]

I wonder what the difference, if any, in the number of true freshman playing would have been if Pelini were still here; especially considering the 15 recruiting class would have been largely the same.

 

[Red Five]

I'm really surprised that Ozigbo is not going to RS. They have to be planning on using him on special teams. I just can't see him getting more that a couple carries per game with Newby, Wilbon, Cross, Taylor also in the mix.

 

[True2tRA]

I wonder what the difference, if any, in the number of true freshman playing would have been if Pelini were still here; especially considering the 15 recruiting class would have been largely the same.

I've got a feeling there would be a huge difference. In my opinion, Pelini would have sat the more talented freshman on the bench this season and the off season would be spent preparing less talented upper class-men to fill the roles. I agree though, an alternate universe to see how Pelini would have done it would be interesting.

It'll be interesting to see how many actually do end up on the field. I know he's saying seven but we'll see. It's great to play a lot of young guys and build that depth and experience up for the future. If that's the case here, don't know.

If we are playing seven true freshman out of necessity, that could be a sign of trouble. Could be some growing pains if that's the case.

 

[QMany]

I wonder what the difference, if any, in the number of true freshman playing would have been if Pelini were still here; especially considering the 15 recruiting class would have been largely the same.

With the injuries at WR and lack of depth at LB, I don't think it would have been too much different. The only difference, I would guess he wouldn't pull Ozigbo's unless there was an injury with Newby, Cross, Wilbon, or Taylor. I think Williams would have played, but I don't know much about Reed.

 

[HuskerExpat]

I wonder what the difference, if any, in the number of true freshman playing would have been if Pelini were still here; especially considering the 15 recruiting class would have been largely the same.

With the injuries at WR and lack of depth at LB, I don't think it would have been too much different. The only difference, I would guess he wouldn't pull Ozigbo's unless there was an injury with Newby, Cross, or Taylor.

My guess in the biggest difference is that Pelini would have filled out the class with JC transfers who likely would have got significant playing time this year. Seems like JC transfers were the answer to Pelini's mistakes at roster management.

 

[BigRedBuster]

Was it two years ago that the front 7 on defense was mostly freshmen and sophomores on the two deep? We had major growing pains at the time. And, that is an example of Bo being willing to play young players.

I am all for playing freshmen as long as they are out there surrounded with upper classmen that can guide them, teach them and keep their heads on straight under pressure. It's a recipe for failure if you put an entire group of very young players on the field at the same time.

 

[BigRedBuster]

I'm really surprised that Ozigbo is not going to RS. They have to be planning on using him on special teams. I just can't see him getting more that a couple carries per game with Newby, Wilbon, Cross, Taylor also in the mix.

From the comments, I got the feeling he was going to be playing a lot of special teams. Would he be returning kickoffs?

 

[QMany]

My guess in the biggest difference is that Pelini would have filled out the class with JC transfers who likely would have got significant playing time this year. Seems like JC transfers were the answer to Pelini's mistakes at roster management.

I don't disagree to an extent. He already did have Morgan and Williams, but I could have seen some JUCO LB acquisitions, which didn't turn out bad under Pelini.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

I'm really surprised that Ozigbo is not going to RS. They have to be planning on using him on special teams. I just can't see him getting more that a couple carries per game with Newby, Wilbon, Cross, Taylor also in the mix.

From the comments, I got the feeling he was going to be playing a lot of special teams. Would he be returning kickoffs?

From the guys in the media, they think Ozigbo has been the best "all-around" RB in fall camp. He does a lot of things well. But, he will be used in special teams mostly this season.

 

[NUinID]

I wonder what the difference, if any, in the number of true freshman playing would have been if Pelini were still here; especially considering the 15 recruiting class would have been largely the same.

The big difference is that BP would not have told anyone if a true freshman were to play let alone 7. I doubt that 7 would have played, he would have tried to RS as many as possible. Which was his MO.

The freshman RB is playing because he has earned the right to play. Just like I think they all have earned the right to play. Linebacker is thin, but I think they really like what they have there. McKeown who I think is down on the offense has been really high on what he has saw at linebacker.

 

[BigRedBuster]

I wonder what the difference, if any, in the number of true freshman playing would have been if Pelini were still here; especially considering the 15 recruiting class would have been largely the same.

The big difference is that BP would not have told anyone if a true freshman were to play let alone 7. I doubt that 7 would have played, he would have tried to RS as many as possible. Which was his MO.

The freshman RB is playing because he has earned the right to play. Just like I think they all have earned the right to play. Linebacker is thin, but I think they really like what they have there. McKeown who I think is down on the offense has been really high on what he has saw at linebacker.

I don't doubt that. My question is, in what capacity will we see him on the field? Everything I have heard has Newby as the starting RB Is Ozigbo now #2 or will we see him more as a return specialist?

 

[Red Five]

I wonder what the difference, if any, in the number of true freshman playing would have been if Pelini were still here; especially considering the 15 recruiting class would have been largely the same.

The big difference is that BP would not have told anyone if a true freshman were to play let alone 7. I doubt that 7 would have played, he would have tried to RS as many as possible. Which was his MO.

The freshman RB is playing because he has earned the right to play. Just like I think they all have earned the right to play. Linebacker is thin, but I think they really like what they have there. McKeown who I think is down on the offense has been really high on what he has saw at linebacker.

I don't doubt that. My question is, in what capacity will we see him on the field? Everything I have heard has Newby as the starting RB Is Ozigbo now #2 or will we see him more as a return specialist?

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think Ozigbo is a return guy (or at least he doesn't strike me as a return guy). He's a big and fast guy, so maybe kick/punt coverage?

 

[wiuhusker]

I wonder what the difference, if any, in the number of true freshman playing would have been if Pelini were still here; especially considering the 15 recruiting class would have been largely the same.

The big difference is that BP would not have told anyone if a true freshman were to play let alone 7. I doubt that 7 would have played, he would have tried to RS as many as possible. Which was his MO.

The freshman RB is playing because he has earned the right to play. Just like I think they all have earned the right to play. Linebacker is thin, but I think they really like what they have there. McKeown who I think is down on the offense has been really high on what he has saw at linebacker.

I don't doubt that. My question is, in what capacity will we see him on the field? Everything I have heard has Newby as the starting RB Is Ozigbo now #2 or will we see him more as a return specialist?

Banning seems to be in the line of thinking that each running back will have their own package of plays to run in a game. He mentioned that Ozigbo seems to be the most well rounded in the pass catching/screen game package where Newby is the outside guy, Wilbon is the inside/outside zone guy and Cross is the goal line guy. Didn't say much if anything about Taylor.