Everything you need to know about spring football
Over the next four weeks, HuskersIllustrated.com will have the most extensive spring football coverage of any media outlet. We will have complete practice notebooks, features, photo galleries, chats, projected depth charts and audio interviews all throughout spring football.
Here's a complete breakdown of everything you need to know heading into spring football. Head coach Bill Callahan will have his opening press conference on Monday and practice will begin on Wednesday.
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We will also break news throughout fall camp when it happens on the Red Sea Scrolls message board. Make sure you book mark this page as your official spring football reference guide.
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Major spring football storylines
Dailey vs. Taylor
Nothing will be analyzed more closely than the battle between junior quarterbacks Joe Dailey and Zac Taylor this spring. Dailey will enter spring football with a major advantage in terms of reps and experience in the system. Taylor comes into Lincoln arguably as one of the more polished midterm junior college transfers in the country, and he should get every opportunity in the world to make a run at the starting job.
How strong will Herian come back?
Once senior Matt Herian went down with his broken leg it was easy to see just how valuable he was to the offense. Without Herian, Nebraska lacked a deep threat presence that could stretch the opposing safeties deep. Herian is no longer on crutches and is running and walking with no pain. The hope is the injury didn't take away any of his breakaway speed. Herian will be doubtful for the start of spring practice, but Callahan hopes he'll return at some point.
Jackson on the rise
Sometimes people forget just how young and raw Brandon Jackson was last season. Running back's coach Randy Jordan once referred to Jackson as a "man-child." Jordan said Jackson looks like he's 24, but everyone needs to realize he's still a young player. Jackson had a very strong winter clocking a sub 4.4-second 40-yard dash, and he's continued to add more strength and weight to his frame. He should be the perfect compliment to Ross this spring.
New faces step up on the offensive line
Redshirt freshman Lydon Murtha, Mike Huff and Andy Christensen along with senior Cornealius Fuamatu-Thomas should all compete for time this spring. Murtha ran a sub 5.0 second 40-yard dash this winter and his weight is up to 315 pounds. Christensen and Huff should see time at guard based on the reports coming out of winter conditioning. Even though Fuatmatu-Thomas actually played in one game last season, he should be able to petition for a redshirt for last year. Right now, Fuatmatu-Thomas will enter spring ball as the No. 1 right tackle. After a year of lifting and conditioning, he should be able to make an impact this spring.
Defensive tackle upgrades depth
Seniors Titus Adams and Le Kevin Smith are both experienced players in the Big 12 Conference, but they can't get it done all by themselves. NU desperately needs at least two more defensive tackles to step up between junior college transfers Ola Dagunduro and Barry Cryer or senior Jared Helming. Both Dagunduro and Cryer will get plenty of opportunity to show what they can do this spring. The 6-foot-3, 300 pound Helming will move back to defensive tackle for spring football, and with the lack of tackles returning he should get a solid look from Blake.
Linebackers upgrade speed
Junior college transfers Steve Octavien and Dontrell Moore will be two of the more interesting players to watch this spring. They both come in as highly touted junior college linebackers and Octavien will enter spring ball listed at weak side linebacker with sophomore Bo Ruud. If you watch Octavien's film, you see an unbelievable combination of speed and power and that's something defensive coordinator Kevin Cogrove hopes will transfer over to the Big 12. Moore brings a great deal of diversity to his game. He can play at outside or inside linebacker and he was also used as a third down pass rusher similar to the way Nebraska used DeMorrio Williams two years ago. He will start out this spring at SAM with junior Stewart Bradley.
Green makes interesting move to corner
Of all the position moves made by Callahan this spring, no player probably stands a better chance to see playing time than Tierre Green. The 6-foot Green has made the move from running back to corner and many think his 4.4 speed will be a major boost to NU's secondary.
If you are not a subscriber to HuskersIllustrated.com please accept our invitation for a 7-day free trial by clicking here. With spring practice starting this week, now is the perfect time to join.
Complete Spring Practice Schedule
Note: All practices are closed to the public.
Monday, March 21
-Spring Football Press Conference
Wednesday, March 23
-Practice—3:45-6:15 p.m.
Friday, March 25
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Saturday, March 26
-Practice, 9:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. (First day of full pads)
-Husker Youth Experience following practice
Monday, March 28
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Friday, April 1
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Saturday, April 2
-Practice, 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m.
Monday, April 4
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Friday, April 8
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
-Coaches Clinic
Saturday, April 9
-Practice, 12:15-2:35 p.m.
-Coaches Clinic
Monday, April 11
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, April 13
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 14
-Practice, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Saturday, April 16
-Spring Game, 12:30 p.m.
Quick spring football links
Other spring headlines
Also check out our breakdown of quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, safety and cornerback positions.
If you are not a subscriber to HuskersIllustrated.com please accept our invitation for a 7-day free trial by clicking here. With spring practice starting this week, now is the perfect time to join.