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by
Joel Welser
#13 Nebraska Cornhuskers
Big 12
2006 Record:
(9-5, 6-2)
Coach: Bill
Callahan (21-15 at Nebraska, 21-15 overall)
Starters Returning: 11 (5 offense, 5
defense, 1 specialist)
Offensive Starters Lost: QB Zac
Taylor, HB Brandon Jackson, FB Dane Todd, TE Matt Herian, OL Chris Patrick, OL
Greg Austin
Offensive Starters Returning: WR
Terrence Nunn, TE J.B. Phillips, OL Brett Byford, OL Mike Huff, OL Matt Slauson
Defensive Starters Lost: DT Barry
Cryer, DT Ola Dagunduro, DE Adam Carriker, DE Jay Moore, LB Stewart Bradley, S
Andrew Shanle
Defensive Starters Returning: LB
Corey McKeon, LB Bo Ruud, CB Cortney Grixby, CB Andre Jones, S Tierre Green
Starting Specialists Lost: K Jordan
Congdon
Starting Specialists Returning: P
Dan Titchener
Nebraska looks to continue their return to glory
after going 9-5 last season. Season four under Coach Bill Callahan should be
even better with his players finally filling up most of the roster. After years
of pumping in junior college players to fill the team needs, the Cornhuskers now
have the luxury of recruiting quality high school prospects that fit into the
spread offense.
Offense:
After two years of Zac Taylor under center, Nebraska
is searching for a replacement. Pocket passer Sam Keller, a senior transfer from
Arizona State, is the big name, but junior Joe Ganz has more experience in the
system and will not go down without a fight. There is even more talent down the
ranks, most notably junior college transfer Zac Lee. With plenty of quality
options at quarterback, the offensive concern moves to the rest of the
backfield. Brandon Jackson rushed for 989 yards as a junior before heading to
the NFL. Yet, once again, the Huskers have plenty of replacement options. Marlon
Lucky should take over the bulk of the carries after rushing for 728 yards last
year. Short yardage specialist Cody Glenn also returns. It will be more
difficult to replace fullback Dane Todd and even tight end J.B. Phillips will
get a look at that position.
It still sounds odd to say, but Nebraska’s strength
on offense is the wide receivers. Led by Terrence Nunn and Maurice Purify, the
receiving group returns four players who earned starts last season.
Defense:
The back seven is solid, but replacing the front
four will be a major problem. Ends Adam Carriker, the 13th overall
pick in the 2007 draft, and Jay Moore, the 104th pick, leave many
question marks behind them. Positional journeyman Clayton Sievers and seniors
Andy Poulosky, Tony Sullivan and Thomas Rice are the favorites to take over. In
the middle of the line there is a little more experience and Barry Turner and
Zach Potter should anchor the front four.
The linebackers are once again an experienced and
talented group, but it was the defensive backs that were a cause for concern
last year. The corners are deeper with the return of starters Cortney Grixby and
Andre Jones. Adding to the much needed depth at the position is Zackary Bowman,
who missed all of the 2006 campaign with a knee injury.
The Bottom Line:
There is a buzz of excitement
in Lincoln for the first time in a while, but still Nebraska has a ways to go to
become an elite squad once again. The Cornhuskers will beat the teams they are
supposed to beat, but they still need that big win over a Texas or USC caliber
team. And they will get their chance. |
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