Three takes from the 2019 Nebraska Shrine Bowl
KEARNEY - Here are some final takes from the 61st annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl in Kearney that featured 14 future Huskers.
Snodgrass is a jack of all trades
While his team didn't win the Shrine Bowl on Saturday, Nebraska recruit Garrett Snodgrass did all he could to give his team a chance. Snodgrass gave his team a consistent rushing threat at quarterback, and he was second in the game overall with seven total tackles.
The biggest thing Snodgrass brings to the table is his feel for the game. He has a very high football IQ, and he's able to execute and do whatever he's told.
Jewett, Leader, and Sellon have big days on defense
A number of future Husker walk-ons had big days on Saturday. I thought particularly pass rusher Nick Leader (Lincoln Southwest), safety/running back Cooper Jewett (Elkhorn South) and linebacker Braden Sellon (Lincoln East) all had their moments.
Leader made by far the most impactful defensive play for the South with a 14-yard sack in the first quarter, finishing with four tackles overall. My biggest question is how will Leader's body grow and develop at Nebraska? Can he play outside linebacker in Erik Chinander's scheme? He's got something already you can't coach, and that's a relentless motor.
Jewett also made a big impact. Omaha Burke and North squad head coach Paul Limongi told me earlier in the week he was one of their best players in practice. Jewett finished with two tackles, but also added 50 rushing yards on six carries, including two touchdowns. There was a lot to like about what he's going to bring to the walk-on program.
Then lastly, Sellon was named the game's defensive MVP. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Sellon finished with a game-high eight solo tackles. He had a very good nose for the football.
Miller brings a lot to the table at quarterback
The South team had some pretty good quarterbacks on their roster, but in the end, it was easy to see why Mario Verduzco chose to recruit Kearney's Brayden Miller as a walk-on.
He has a lot of tools that fit exactly what the Huskers want to do. Miller is a standout football and baseball player at Kearney, and he was electric at times on Saturday.
He connected on the game's biggest play - a 54-yard touchdown pass to South Dakota State recruit Baily Darnell. He also had the game's longest run, a 34-yard scramble in the fourth quarter. He's a slippery athlete that should develop nicely under Verduzco. He was 9-of-15 for 123 yards and one touchdown.