Huskers get some big news on the future of QB Tanner Lee

Nebraska got some big news on Saturday for the future of their quarterback position.

The NCAA informed NU that Tulane transfer Tanner Lee will be granted an additional year of eligibility, meaning he will have two seasons to play after sitting out the 2016 season.

Lee was granted the additional year after the NCAA created a new rule that lets players petition their transfer based on a change in system/scheme due to a coaching move. The NCAA granted Lee’s request, as Tulane went from a pro-style offense to a run-based option attack.

“He’ll sit out this year and play two,” head coach Mike Riley said. “That’s a great thing. We feel good about the future that’s present and looking into the future that’s pretty good.”

The news on Lee’s additional year of eligibility comes after he had a very solid showing in Saturday’s scrimmage in Memorial Stadium.

“Tanner, well you saw him, he’s pretty good,” Riley said following Saturday’s practice.

Lee now ensures Nebraska will have three quality pro-style quarterbacks on campus for both the 2017 and 2018 seasons that fit Riley’s system, joining four-star freshman Patrick O’Brien and incoming four-star freshman Trystan Gebbia.

Riley praised Lee on Saturday for his quick release and said it’s going to be fun to develop him for the future.

“One of the most valuable components, and if you haven’t seen it, you will, (Lee) gets rid of the football just like that,” Riley said. “That ability eliminates a lot of problems.”