Bowl practices offer a unique opportunity for a coaching staff to step away from the current task at hand and take a glimpse into the future.

Following Nebraska's bowl game against Tennessee, the Huskers lose wide receivers Jordan Westerkamp, Brandon Reilly and Alonzo Moore to graduation. The door is wide open for a fresh name to emerge, and one of the leading candidates appears to be freshman JD Spielman.

Spielman was the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, and he's the son of current Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman. The 5-foot-9, 180 pound Spielman has already taken on the nickname "Tasmanian Devil" from wide receivers coach Keith Williams because of his ability to make people miss in the open field.

“(Spielman) is an animal,” Williams said. “He goes hard every play and he’s quick and stronger than you think based on his stature. He’s definitely a handful for whoever.”

In fact Spielman nearly played this year as a true freshman. When the Huskers held their final August scrimmage in Memorial Stadium, he made some of the bigger plays that day, including a beautiful back corner touchdown grab from transfer quarterback Tanner Lee - which may have been the best throw and catch any Husker made in training camp.

Defensive coordinator Mark Banker said Spielman gave his defense plenty of fits this year on the scout team.

“I think he’s a heck of a player,” Banker said of Spielman. “I think he probably could’ve played for us. If he knew the scheme for us on offense he could’ve played for us and helped us. I think he’s a hell of a talent.”

When Williams talks about Spielman, he said he also has some intangibles you don't see from a lot of young players.

“He has a focus for a young guy that’s rare,” Williams said. “In terms of being ready for practice and ready for detail. You can tell he’s been around a football family in that way.”

Junior corner Chris Jones also praised Spielman's ability this year going against him on the scout team.

There's no question he's going to have a chance to take on a big role for the Huskers in 2017.

“That kid there is going to be something special for this team,” Jones said of Spielman. “He just has to keep working hard and he’s going to be very special.

“He’s just a combo receiver. He may not be that big, but he plays with a chip on this shoulder. He’s going to be very special.”