Steven M. Sipple and Parker Gabriel discuss what they found most interesting about the Huskers’ availability on Wednesday.
With a spring ball in the rearview mirror, Nebraska kicks off the summer after answering a few questions during their 15 spring training sessions and with a few still pending.
The Star Journal examines each post to recap what was learned, what wasn’t and who stood out this spring.
Spring post-op: Who can join JoJo Domann as a pillar of the OLB group of the Huskers?
Spring post-op: what we learned, remaining questions, a stock-riser and more on the Husker DL
Today we turn our attention to the Husker inside linebackers.
Monday: defensive line
Tuesday: outside linebacker
Today: inside linebacker
Thursday: Cornerbacks
Friday: security
Saturday: projection of the defensive depth map
What we have learned
The transfer of northern Iowa graduate Chris Kolarevic will be a key piece of the puzzle. He started out by finishing as one of NU’s top players in index and strength tests and then seemed to fit right into the top group in the middle of defense. Now he will be even more important with sixth-year senior Will Honas indefinitely (and possibly for the entire season) with a knee injury sustained late in the spring ball.
What we don’t have
Similar to outside supports, it’s still unclear how comfortable Barrett Ruud will be to play on days. This list is a shorter player with no Honas in the mix, which seems to drag Garrett Snodgrass down to fourth place. After him, the best candidates are Jackson Hannah, Eteva Mauga-Clements or maybe a walk-on.
Outstanding player
Could give Kolarevic a nod again here, and with only a âthudâ of halfway through the spring game for the front group, there really is very little live work to base a choice on this. spring from the outside. In a mid-spring conversation with reporters, Reimer said he felt comfortable and faster and was ready to build on a 2020 breakout in which he finished fifth in the team in tackles despite missing two games.
Stock amounts
Less of a state of stock, but freshmen Randolph Kpai and Seth Malcom each have a very nice length for the position. The two, however, will need to fill up considerably over the course of their careers, which NU knew when he signed the pair. Still, the intriguing young players on the defensive side.
List of things to do in summer
A reliable fourth to replace Honas would be ideal, given that Reimer, Kolarevic and Nick Henrich are a good top line trio, but also all three have faced injuries in their careers. It’s not impossible that NU could consider a ready-made transfer if one does show up, but mostly these will be the first three who grow up together and who might jump into that mix with them.
– Parker Gabriel
A look at the 2021 football schedule in Nebraska
August 28: against Illinois
Nebraska’s Travis Vokolek (left) tries to pass with Tony Adams (6) of Illinois in defense on November 21, 2020 at Memorial Stadium.
September 11: against Buffalo
Buffalo running back Ron Cook Jr. (2) is tackled by Ball State’s Tye Evans during the second half of the NCAA Mid-American Conference Championship college football game on Friday, December 18, 2020 in Detroit.
September 25: in the state of Michigan
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez runs down the field in a game on November 30, 2018 at Memorial Stadium.
October 2: vs. Northwestern
Ty Robinson (99) and Garrett Nelson (right) of Nebraska attempt to take on Northwestern’s Drake Anderson on November 7, 2020 in Evanston, Ill..
October 9: vs. Michigan
Nebraska fans greet the team as they arrive at Michigan Stadium for their game against the Wolverines on September 22, 2018 in Ann Harbor, Michigan.
October 16: in Minnesota
Nebraska’s Ben Stille (right) pass rushes Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan into the first quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
October 30: vs. Purdue
Nebraska wide receiver Wyatt Liewer scores a touchdown against Purdue in the second quarter on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.
November 20: in Wisconsin
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (26) carries the ball against Wisconsin’s Matt Henningsen (92), Michael Balistreri (57) and Reggie Pearson (2) in the first half Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
November 26: against Iowa
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push towards the goal line during Martinez’s 1-yard touchdown against Iowa on November 27, 2020 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Week 11 /// Southeast Louisiana
Louisiana Southeast quarterback Chason Virgil (9) hands the ball over to running back Devonte Williams (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi , Saturday September 14, 2019.
When: November 13
Or: Memorial Stadium
Southeast Louisiana in 2020: 2-2 (split program ends in April)
The last time the Huskers and Lions met: No previous match
Week 1 â¡ï¸ Fordham
Fordham’s Chase Edmonds during a 2017 game in the Bronx, New York. Edmonds is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL.
When: Sep 4
Or: Memorial Stadium
Fordham in 2020: 2-1 (shortened by COVID-19)
The last time the Huskers and Rams met: No previous match