Our 50 Huskers to Know series returns for the fall, as we count down the key players on Nebraska’s 2010 team. Check back throughout fall camp for the countdown, and scroll to the bottom for links to the whole list.

No. 28 Brent Qvale, 6-7, 320, RG, RFr.

So here’s a the definition of a big hoss. Qvale was in line to burn his redshirt last year before an injury derailed him long enough that he kept it from the flames. But Qvale’s given Ricky Henry a good push in this fall camp, and although Henry’s held onto his job - he’s arguably NU’s best run blocker - Qvale will get his share of playing time and an opportunity to snag that starting job if he shows up big in games.

Qvale’s big and strong - that’s a known quantity among most of Husker linemen. His athleticism, however, is a secret weapon. Qvale, a former basketball player, has good enough feet to wheel that massive body around the corner on a pulling play. At guard, he’s big enough to blot out the sun, which makes inside stunts and bull rushes hard to achieve.

In a couple years, Qvale and Andrew Rodriguez could make one of the nation’s most athletic, imposing guard tandems. A-Rod doesn’t quite make the list because NU may not need him too much in 2010. But Qvale will definitely be leaned upon.

See all of the Huskers: No. 50, No. 49, No. 48, No. 47, No. 46, No. 45, No. 44, No. 43, No. 42, No. 41, No. 40, No. 39, No. 38, No. 37, No. 36, No. 35, No. 34, No. 33, No. 32, No. 31, No. 30, No. 29

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Following the 2010 spring camp, Nebraska now looks back at the progress made by each position group - and what progress is yet to come.

Position: Offensive line

Spring Summary: Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and offensive line coach Barney Cotton met with two groups in the offseason: Oregon’s staff and former Husker line legend Milt Tenopir. The result: A simpler scheme, more pulling, wider splits and a new aggressive mindset. Now Nebraska needs to stay healthy. Is that a sure thing? Frankly, no: Guard Ricky Henry sat out all of spring, and tackles Yoshi Hardrick and Mike Smith missed the spring game with injuries. Hardrick’s broken hand will take time to heal and it’ll affect how much lifting he can do in the offseason.

But, overall, spirits are up. Brent Qvale and Jeremiah Sirles are terrific young talents, Mike Caputo looks like a capable heir apparent for Jacob Hickman at center - having Hickman as a volunteer coach probably helps - while the right tackle position seems more solidified with Marcel Jones and D.J. Jones. And left guard Keith Williams remains a solid NFL prospect.


Big Mover: D.J. Jones, who re-sculpted his body for his senior season and might be the favorite to start at right tackle heading into the fall. If he were to solidify his starting job, Marcel Jones just might get a look at left tackle. Hardrick’s progress was slowed by a broken hand, but his work ethic is contagious.

More to Prove: Brandon Thompson. A gifted, physical sophomore, Thompson needs to get in the mix for playing time soon before he’s overcome by redshirt freshmen.


Wild Card: Hardrick, who’s raw, but willing to punish. He could be a weapon in a power running game. Yes, a weapon - he wears out defenders with his motor.


Freshmen to Add: Mike Moudy and Andrew Rodriguez. Both look the part, and both will probably redshirt anyway. Moudy is a sleeper recruit.


Injuries: Henry missed all of spring, and Hardrick will have a tough summer ahead of him in terms of upper-body lifting. Mike Smith struggled with injuries, which is nothing new for him.


How to Spend Summer Vacation: Don’t get in freak weightlifting accidents?

Spring Reviews on Quarterback, Offensive LineRunning Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

It’s all of three practices into the Nebraska football team’s spring camp, and coordinator Shawn Watson is still installing the very basics of the 2010 offense.

“We’re not trying to scheme each other, just trying to introduce guys to plays,” Watson said after Saturday’s two-hour workout in the Hawks Championship Center.

It was the first day the Cornhuskers were allowed to don pads, so Watson, naturally, wasn’t about to hand out any blue ribbons for performance.

And yet, well, inquiring minds, cameras and tape recorders…

Watson obliged with a brisk eight minutes of cautious optimism after a rocky 2009 that, at very least, ended well: 396 total yards in a 33-0 thumping of Arizona in the Holiday Bowl.

“It’s a fresh start,” Watson said. “We’ve got some new things we’re doing, tweaking ourselves, that have been fun to do.”

Nebraska finally has a little depth at the offensive line to tinker and experiment. Two-deep across five positions, Watson said. Three-deep at some spots.

Senior Mike Smith is working at guard and center after starting for two years at tackle. NU wants “guys inside who can run,” Watson said, because the Huskers pull and trap so often.

Junior left tackle Yoshi Hardrick has a “hot motor,” while redshirt freshmen Jeremiah Sirles (left tackle) and Brent Qvale (right guard) possess “natural talent” that belies their youth.

“There’s a skillset there,” Watson said of the duo. “We’ve got to develop it.”

Not surprisingly, Watson said little of the quarterbacks. Senior Zac Lee, out for spring while recovering from elbow surgery, can still improve his footwork and take mental reps.

Sophomore Cody Green remains a “work in progress,” Watson said. But film study in January and February has helped.

“We watched the offense over and over and over again,” Watson said. “It helps the learning curve. He studied, and you can see it out here on the field. He’s got a long way to go, but you can see it, the time he’s spent.”

Watson applauded the extra weight put on by running back Rex Burkhead. And he acknowledged that senior Joe Broekemeier, a former Husker baseball pitcher, has “flashed” at wide receiver despite converting to the position late last fall.

“He’s got an instinct, a presence,” Watson said.

A fourth practices awaits Monday, with Bo Pelini and probably defensive coordinator Carl Pelini, sharing their thoughts.

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

It’s Nebraska football, so let’s face it: There isn’t a name on the “newcomer to watch” list that hasn’t already been tossed around at the water cooler. You, after all, are a Husker fan. You pick apart the depth chart while your daughter’s at swim practice.

So take these ten names, compare them with your own list, and, in the comments section, pitch your picks. You’ll notice a lot of emphasis on offensive linemen.

Jason Ankrah: The man with the “football ready” body to play defensive end redshirted in 2009, but not because he couldn’t hold his own. Ankrah could play base or rush end, but we suspect his impressive upper body will make him a better fit for the base position. We’re especially excited to see how he plays against the run.

Justin Blatchford: His biggest 2009 play was a special teams touchdown vs. Baylor. But Blatchford has earned the coaches’ attention in the defensive backfield, too. There’s plenty of competition back there for the 2010 roster, but watch for Blatchford to position himself for a backup role at safety this year - with a crack at starting next year.

Jesse Coffey: One of those young, talented offensive linemen who got hurt last fall and will be counted upon for competition this spring and fall. Coffey might be the tallest of the young redshirt bunch and was quick learner in the fall.

Andrew Green: An impressive candidate at cornerback who received praise from assistants for his skill, size and perfect fit into the Pelini match-zone defense. Green breaks on the ball well and fights for position. He will push guys all over the field. We see a lot of P.J. Smith in Green.

Jermarcus Hardrick: Nebraska’s own Phil Loadholt…just kidding. This big, ready-to-play JUCO tackle is expected to improve NU’s offensive line immediately - not just push the starters. We’ll only know more once “Yoshi” practices, but if he’s what coaches think he might be - Barney Cotton will be a pleased man.

Taylor Martinez: You almost feel for the kid, who received so much attention in the offseason for having played occasional quarterback on the scout team. He’ll get a good, long look at quarterback this spring, and he’ll have to become a more accurate passer - and possibly change his throwing motion more - to win the job.

Lazarri Middleton: The least-hyped of the defensive back recruits in the 2009 class, we like his feet, his low center of gravity and his ability to break on the ball. Just a hunch here.

Brent Qvale: All of 6-foot-7, Qvale is also nimble and smart. Barney Cotton plucked a remarkable sleeper here out of North Dakota; prior to an injury last fall, Qvale was vying for the backup role at right guard. Should he stay healthy, he’s the last thing linebackers want to see pulling toward their facemask.

Chase Rome: Supply, meet demand. Rome has a good, explosive body for the interior defensive line, and Nebraska is looking for several players to fill the shoes of Ndamukong Suh. Rome knows his way around a weight room, he’s smart, and he has a fellow freshman (Jay Guy) to push him.

Jeremiah Sirles: Another freshman offensive lineman who was vying for playing time before an injury. Not as tall as Qvale or fellow freshman Jesse Coffey, Sirles has the build and look of a Husker hog circa 1995: Square-shaped upper body, giant trunks for legs, a confident scowl. Sirles is athletic enough to play outside at tackle.

Join Husker Locker today - it's free!

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

OG Brent Qvale 6-7, 330 RFr

Qvale was on his way to making the two-deep at guard for the 2009 roster when he missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. A giant kid - maybe the biggest on the team - with good feet, Qvale, presuming he’s healthy will push starter Ricky Henry at right guard for playing time. At the very least, he’ll spell the starters on the third or fourth series of a lopsided game.

Of course, he has to be healthy, and there’s no guarantee of that. Injuries aren’t always a one-time thing. Qvale is fast enough to be a pulling guard and he’ll be counted upon as a mauler in the run game, which tends to head to the right.

Want All 50 Huskers? Join Husker Locker for free!

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Shotgun to stay? Whether we or you or any Husker fans prefers an under center power game is immaterial to what offensive coordinator Shawn Watson’s players can actually execute. And the Huskers look better in a shotgun spread offense. They just do. It suits the quarterbacks, the running backs, the offensive line, the receivers and the Wildcat formation.

How long does it take Zac Lee to recover - and is recovery successful? Funny that Nebraska fans would pin a potential national title run on the health of No. 5, but, after seeing Cody Green’s wobbly work in the Holiday Bowl, so be it. Lee is unquestionably the No. 1 guy going into spring practice - and he still isn’t very good. So not only does he have to rehab after surgery on his right torn flexor tendon, he has to find a way to improve without throwing the ball - possibly through all of spring camp.

Can Cody Green capitalize on Lee’s absence to develop for 2010 and beyond? We can’t ignore his struggles during the last half of the season - but we also can’t take too much from them, either. Green hasn’t been allowed to grow into a starter - too much attention for a handful for a good plays, too short of a leash for a handful of bad ones - and he should make “the leap” in the spring. Well, he’d better, anyway.

Whither Kody Spano? The things Spano reportedly did best - throwing those skinny slants and posts, and hanging in the pocket when bullets started flying - are attributes Watson appreciates most. Can he come back from two ACL tears? Can he trust his knee enough to make plays. It’s rare - but possible.

Is there a No. 2 receiver in the building? Some Husker - Brandon Kinnie, Khiry Cooper, Antonio Bell, Curenski Gilleylen - has to take the heat off of Niles Paul. And receivers coach Ted Gilmore has to stop sampling every guy on the roster for the role. Find two or three complimentary receivers, stick with them, and develop chemistry with Lee - when he returns - Green and whoever else tries out at QB.

How much can the redshirt freshmen - plus Jermarcus Hardrick - push the vets on he offensive line? Hardrick will push Marcel and D.J. Jones at right tackle - and potentially win the job. As for the redshirt freshmen, we’re talking about Brent Qvale (guard), Jeremiah Sirles (tackle), Jesse Coffey (guard) and Nick Ash(guard/center). At the very least, Qvale (huge, and nimble) and Sirles (looks the part) were slated for the two-deep before injuries tilted the risk/reward scale against burning their redshirt. Neither will likely start for NU in 2010, but they can provide important depth every third or fourth series, or serve as injury protection. At any rate - they sorely need experience for the future.

Where does Taylor Martinez fit in? We dug around in the few weeks after the Big 12 Championship game about Martinez, and found he was more feared as a receiver than he was at quarterback. And yet he’ll start at QB - potentially as a Wildcat guy - and take a run at the backup job. Either way - the kid needs to see the field, and get the chance to make plays. He’s among the fastest players on NU’s roster and he’s big enough to take some licks. T Magic is more like T Mystery.

Join Husker Locker today - it's free!

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

The story of Nebraska’s offense in 2009 turns out to be a crackerjack courtroom drama, complete with compelling characters, riveting testimony and a twist ending - touched off by a surprising revelation - that has some Cornhusker fans sailing out of theater satisfied, and others wondering if all plot threads meet up.

The men on trial - offensive coordinator Shawn Watson, his staff and quarterback Zac Lee - won acquittal in a 33-0 thumping of Arizona, returning to the shotgun, unveiling an effective version of the Wildcat - which running backs coach Tim Beck correctly described as an offense, not merely a play - and getting Lee to a point where he can run the zone read competently - if not beautifully - for yards and first downs.

Everything you could have hoped to see vs. Arizona - third-down efficiency, big running plays, Niles Paul, Mike McNeill, a dominant offensive line - you saw. Roy Helu got hurt early, but Rex Burkhead capably replaced him.

For the first time since the Kansas game, Lee looked like the solution instead of the problem. Afterward, when he revealed he’d been playing with a torn flexor tendon in his throwing arm, which requires surgery and nearly three months of rehab, it was like that beer glass in the novel “Presumed Innocent” that nobody could find - because nobody ever asked the guy who took it from the evidence room to return it.

“It was them that (screwed) up,” Lipranzer tells defendant Rusty at the end of Scott Turow’s best book.

In this case, the few left in Watson’s corner could say the same of his many naysayers. If you only you knew of all the injuries on the offensive line, at running back, in Lee’s right arm.

You can see how the arguments set up.

Credit where it’s deserved: Watson crafted a good plan, and called an even better game. He and Barney Cotton got their offensive line to fire off the ball. He trusted Lee on third-and-long to extend drives. Lee did. In short, Watson seemed to be returning to midseason 2008, when Nebraska sliced and diced Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State with a dizzying array of formations and plays.

Lee was a poor man’s Joe Ganz, which, with Bo’s defense, was more than enough. He’s a tough kid who chooses to struggle with injuries and inconsistencies in relative silence. Commendable enough.

But “Holiday Bowl scoreboard” isn’t a sufficient salve for every offensive problem in 2009.

“Torn flexor tendon” isn’t a sufficient answer for why Watson had Lee throwing the ball in the Missouri rain, or why Watson couldn’t bear to call a trick play - just one! - vs. Texas in the Big 12 Championship.

“O-line injuries” doesn’t explain why the wide receiver corps fell apart, with two starters apparently so unmotivated and disinterested that they spent two weeks on the scout team.

No, Watson didn’t suddenly forget how to call plays.

But we can’t suddenly gloss over real struggles, either.

The offseason, beginning with Lee’s surgery and rehabilitation, will be a test of patience, creativity and coaching for Watson and his assembled crew. I look forward to watching skilled - but embattled - guys whittle away the problem, with a prominent chip on their shoulder, I suspect, and something to prove.

*At quarterback, Watson will have to play it by doctor and trainer as to when Lee can return. Then he’ll have to develop quarterbacks Cody Green, Kody Spano and Taylor Martinez in three distinctly different places in their career. Will Ganz, a new graduate assistant, help? Sure. But even that’s a adjustment, for these Huskers know and respect Ganz quite a bit, and may initially see Lee - or any signal-caller - in stark relief of the former No. 12. When a former teammate suddenly becomes a mentor, it’s can be an interesting transition. Ganz isn’t going to sugarcoat anything, nor should he.

*At running back, Tim Beck has to manage Roy Helu’s health, devise new ways to exploit Rex Burkhead’s skills and find a No. 3 running back between Traye Robinson, Lester Ward and Austin Jones.

*At offensive line, Barney Cotton gets to integrate young pups Brent Qvale, Jeremiah Sirles, Jesse Coffey and Nick Ash, get JUCO signee Jermarcus Hardrick quickly up to speed, break in center Mike Caputo, wait out the recovery of Keith Williams - who has a torn pectoral muscle - and hone the games of Ricky Henry, Mike Smith, Marcel Jones and D.J. Jones. Cotton has the most important - and arguably toughest - job of the bunch. As goes the offensive line, so goes NU.

*At wide receiver, Ted Gilmore needs to build around senior-to-be Niles Paul, with an emphasis on guys who can actually catch, run and keep their balance on a wet field. Gilmore has to put a better product on the field than NU offered up in 2009, when Menelik Holt’s drops cost the Huskers at Virginia Tech, and Paul’s midseason lapses in concentration contributed heavily to losses vs. Texas Tech and Iowa State.

*At tight end, Ron Brown just needs to keep doing what he’s doing, juggling time and snaps for a gifted unit.

Presuming he has enough healthy pieces, Watson then gets to play chemist. Which combination of formations, plays and players make the best brew? Injuries, execution and “inexperience” - plus Bo’s intervention right around the Oklahoma game - prevented him from figuring that out in 2009.

What are the key questions for this offseason? Click here.

Otherwise, continue the debate. Does the Holiday Bowl resolve your concerns? Does the end of the movie forgive its dull middle?

In 2010 - a national-title contending season - we’ll have the sequel.

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Nebraska’s football team handled practice on the first day of fall classes well, head coach Bo Pelini told the media Monday night after a two-hour workout on the grass fields just north of the Hawks Center.

“Normally you come out the first day of school and it’s not a real good practice,” Pelini said. “They came out with real good energy today…we got a lot accomplished today.”

That’s a far cry from Nebraska’s first-day-of-school practice in 2008, which Pelini, at the time, deemed “not nearly good enough.”

Pelini said NU remains in camp mode. No prep on Florida Atlantic yet. Maybe later this week. But the Huskers did add 30-plus players who weren’t part of the original 105-man roster. Pelini said the total count was at 142. Lines for drills were longer, but the practice seemed just as logistically smooth as it was for the last two weeks.

The Quentin Castille dismissal was address obliquely, as a couple question were posed to Pelini about running backs being aware of an opportunity.

“I would hope so, unless they’re blind,” Pelini said. “But it shouldn’t change the way they’ve been competing…it’s pretty obvious. We let you guys beat a dead horse. We don’t need to. Our players know what’s in front of them.”

Nebraska returns to the practice field Tuesday, same time, presumably same grass fields.

Notes:

*Pelini brushed aside the opportunity praise true freshman Rex Burkhead more than he already has for Burkhead’s quick move up the depth chart.

“We’ve got a number of true freshmen who are in the mix for playing time,” Pelini said. “Nobody’s earned anything yet.”

*Tight end Dreu Young continues to practice without pads. The doctors have to clear Young for more contact before he puts them on. Young had back surgery recently.

*Freshman right guard Brent Qvale has a shoulder injury and will be out 3-4 months, Pelini. Qvale had been impressive during his brief time in fall camp.

Join Husker Locker today - it's free!

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Another day of fall camp in the books for the Nebraska football team equaled more changes and movement along NU’s offensive line Tuesday.

Position coach Barney Cotton opened his chat with the media after a 2 ½-hour workout on the grass fields just east of the Hawks Center with news that true freshman Brent Qvale, who had been working as the No. 2 right guard, will be held out for the remainder of fall camp with an undisclosed injury.

Only head Bo Pelini goes into any depth on injury issues, and he doesn’t speak on Tuesday.

In Qvale’s place: Redshirt freshman Quentin Toailoa, one of the few scholarship players to miss the original 105-man roster.

Qvale’s absence is another curve ball thrown at Cotton. Left tackle Mike Smith and right guard Ricky Henry have missed practices. True freshman Jesse Coffey is out for the rest of camp with an MCL knee injury. Even now, Henry, who is a contender to start at right guard, is “probably going a fourth of the time,” Cotton said.

“Sometimes your development is maybe not as fast as you would like,” Cotton said. “On the other hand, when you’ve got guys who aren’t out there for periods of time, you’ve got more depth.”

Cotton said he’s got a good idea of which ten players he’ll be using this fall on the line.

“We don’t necessarily know the order of which those guys are going to be placed on the depth chart yet,” Cotton said. “Little by little, it’s starting to fall into place.”

In the meantime, Cotton has experimented with a number of his linemen at different positions. Seniors Andy Christensen and Derek Meyer have worked at both guard positions. Marcel Jones, currently No. 1 at right tackle, has also worked at left tackle. Junior D.J. Jones was at left tackle briefly, but is now challenging Marcel Jones for the top job on the right side.

“Marcel and D.J. are locked in a good battle right now,” Cotton said. “It’s a very even competition.”

Center Jacob Hickman “experimented for one day” at right guard, Cotton said, but he’d prefer to keep the senior right where he is. Hickman previously started at right guard before moving to center, where a capable backup, sophomore Mike Caputo, now provides a viable starting option, if needed.

Continuity is important as the Huskers installed more of the two-minute offense and worked on third down situations Wednesday.

“Lots of running for the skill guys, lots of pass blocking and lots of pass rushing for the big guys,” Cotton said.

One skill guy held out: Junior running back Roy Helu, who walked among the rows during stretching encouraging linemen, and guided younger running backs to their spots. His injury, whatever it was, did not seem serious.

“Just the normal strain of practice,” Cotton said when asked why Helu wasn’t practicing.

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Nebraska’s football team finished the morning portion of its first two-a-day workouts of fall camp with a small scrimmage. And, at least in round one, the offense has the upper hand.

“The defense wasn’t up to par,” defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. “We had some good plays here and there, but, as a defensive unit, at least the first team, I don’t think we were there, especially because I know how we have been in the past.”

In a goal line scrimmage situation – often a favorite of coaches for the dramatic nature of it - the offense scored a touchdown, Suh said. The defense’s goal is a field goal or no points at all.

“(The offensive line) came off the ball firing,” Suh said. “When we’re down there, we’ve got to bow our heads back up and make sure they don’t score.”

Said No. 1 running back Roy Helu: “Good first-level offensive blocking…we’re making a lot blocks downfield, especially two to three yards back, which is very helpful for the type of running game we want.”

And this, with one of the potential starters on the offensive line, junior right guard Ricky Henry, held out again from practice. In his absence senior walk-on Derek Meyer, and massive true freshman Brent Qvale have filled in.

“I thought (Qvale) came out and made some strides this morning,” head coach Bo Pelini said.

Suh said another true freshman, linebacker Eric Martin, had a couple quality hits on defense.

When asked if Martin stood out again, Pelini answered: “Stood out again today? I didn’t he stood out before.”

Then he added: “He made a couple plays. He’s got a lot to learn. He’s getting a lot thrown at him. He plays hard, he’s tough, he’s physical, but mentally he’s got a long ways to go.”

Pelini said the morning practice was conducted at “a good tempo.” The first week in the book, the second-year coach stayed on message: “We’re progressing, but we have a long, long ways to go. We’re at the beginning of this process.”

Pelini said NU may scrimmage some this afternoon – that practice is closed to the media – and again Saturday morning.

Notes:

* Suh and Helu showed off the throwback jerseys to be worn on the 300th consecutive sellout on Sept. 26 vs. Louisiana Lafayette. Four members of the 1962 team – Dennis Claridge, Willie Paschall, Lyle Sittler and Dwain Carlson – were on hand to take pictures with Suh and Helu, and talk to reporters. NU athletic director Tom Osborne took in practice as well, and spoke with reporters afterward.

*On Henry’s absence, Pelini said: “It’s detrimental to anybody who misses time, but what are you going to do? You can’t put them at risk and lose them for a long time. (But) you can’t miss practices, Obviously he wants to be out there as much as anybody. But if you’re injured, you gotta get right.”

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

Enjoy today's podcast for free. Listen to other podcasts via a Locker Pass. Click here for more information.

Please enable Javascript, or download the podcast here.

Permanent Link to this Blog Post